Manufactured on the Gold Coast, TABS have forged a reputation for building tough boats with anglers in mind and the 5100 Territory Pro is no exception.

With a 5.4m overall length and 2.35m beam, the 5100 Territory Pro offers anglers the flexibility to comfortably fish the bays and bigger rivers while still being able to run wide and fish offshore with ease.

The 5100 Territory Pro has been designed for the angler. If you are after a boat with plenty of open deck space for throwing poppers or soaking a few baits and plastics, this boat is well suited.

The 5100 has a huge carpeted anchor well that has heaps of room for plenty of rope and a couple of anchors. This allows fishers to carry a range of anchoring options without having to use underfloor storage.

Four pedestal mounts give plenty of seating options, allowing for alternative positions for things like eskies and fishing gear, as well as different fishing configurations. Remove all the seats and open up the whole deck to create a wide, uncluttered fishing space ideal when chasing big fish that love to run all round the boat.

The forward platform is 2m wide and 1.4m long and offers a huge space for casting and sight fishing.

This deck gives plenty of room for a couple of anglers to cast their arms off without getting in each other’s way. Alternatively, this is a great spot for gear such as barbecues, camping or day-tripping gear for those family days.

Underneath the raised deck is a dry storage locker with ample space for safety gear and other items you want to store away. Below the casting deck is another dry storage hatch which incorporates an 80L, 1.2m long esky which comes standard and is perfect for icing down long, larger fish.

The 5100 Territory Pro is driven from a solidly built side console. Its positioning offers plenty of space to fish in front of and behind it with ease.

The console itself offers plenty of space for gauges, instruments and electronics, with plenty of mounting options. The test boat used the top of the console to mount the electronics that were comfortably protected by the acrylic windscreen.

The Suzuki gauges were fitted into the dash and a switch panel was nearer the wheel for easy access. Even though the test boat used the top of the dash there would be plenty of room on the front of the dash to flush-mount sounders, GPS and radios if desired.

The height and position of the console is better suited to a standing driving position and visibility can be a problem when seated, especially at speed.

The side console also incorporates a sturdy grab bar for when your deckie prefers to stand up as well; passengers always comment on this as being one small but very positive feature.

Two open side pockets allow plenty of room for odds and ends and the depth of these shelves is perfect for storing gaffs, nets and handlines. There is also heaps of storage available under the console without losing foot room.

The test boat was fitted with an extended dive platform and retractable stainless steel dive ladder for easy access. This is a great feature, especially if you love your snorkelling and diving, and the extended platform allows enough room for a person to sit and gear up with fins and mask before heading underwater.

This area also has another grab handle to help get up and down the dive ladder.

The Territory Pro hull has a progressive 15º deadrise which delivers for a smooth and stable ride. This boat really eats up chop with ease, especially at speed and in rough conditions.

During the test run we ran 40km wide to an outer island off Bowen in 15-20 knots of south-easterly and the boat and passengers did it comfortably at 19 knots (35kmh).

The Territory Pro tends to slice, not slap, through the rough stuff and this really does translate into a great ride. Running with the waves the boat also never broached.

Being an extremely open boat I expected the TABS to be fairly wet, especially in rough conditions, but the 680mm sides and full spray chines provided a surprisingly dry ride.

The high sides really do make you feel like you are in a considerably larger boat, providing a degree of safety that passengers notice and enjoy.

The 5100 Territory Pro is constructed using the TABS PHD plate build comprising 3mm sides and 4mm 5083 plate bottom. The PHD construction option uses a stringer grid system with 8mm cross-bracing on all stringer-to-bulkhead joins, adding a huge amount strength to the build..

The PHD model also uses a 10kg tongue-and-groove keel. This boat does not flex or twist when really put to the test.

The extra weight from the PHD build brings a lot of extra performance to the ride, especially in rough weather. The solid construction under the floor shows just how sturdily built these boats really are – the level of stringer and bulkhead support is extensive.

The armoured ply flooring is also above industry standard and you shouldn’t have to worry about rotting floor boards.

I really loved was the huge amount of deck space. This boat will comfortably fish four to five guys bottom-bashing with ample room for multiple eskies and all manner of fishing or dive gear.

When the deep water reds have been running hot and four anglers are bring fish over the sides two at a time, the open deck space in the TABS is a godsend as there is nothing to get in the way.

The front deck has to have one of the best casting platforms I have fished from and will easily accommodate a couple of guys throwing big stickbaits or poppers without feeling like you are being crowded for room.

It is an awesome space for popping, jigging and fighting fish from a raised position. I especially like the depth of the deck, as it provides plenty of space when the big fish are trying their best to pull you out the front of the boat!

The Minn Kota iPilot is an excellent option and the 5100 Territory Pro comes standard with bow mounting plate. The test boat was fitted with a 55lb model that performed quite well considering the size of the vessel and the iPilot easily held the TABs in spot lock, even in hard running current. However, manoeuvring around was quite slow and the shaft was a little short in rough conditions.

On a great to average weather day, the electric is an excellent feature, especially when trying to anchor over deep water or jig over bait schools.

The Territory Pro is well suited to offshore fishing when conditions suit, and it is just as at home out on the bay and even up the larger creeks and impoundments. It really is quite an adaptable boat for almost all fishing scenarios.

The only downside with the Territory Pro is the extremely high sides that make tail-grabbing a tuna almost impossible, unless you have extremely long arms!

The TABS 5100 Territory Pro requires 90hp-115hp engines. The 115hp Suzuki pushed the test boat out of the hole and up to cruising speed without the need for dumping the throttle wide open and at idle the motor was dead quiet.

At 3000rpm the Territory Pro cruised around 19 knots (35kmh), at 4000rpm it pushed 24 knots (45kmh), at 5000rpm 30 knots (55kmh) and with the throttle wide open it was pushing around the 35 knots (65kmh).

To be honest, I thought the boat would be a little quicker; the 115hp was ideally suited to this boat but I think it would struggle a little with only a 90hp.

Manoeuvring was a breeze and the hydraulic steering is extremely light, making the hull particularly responsive. The Territory Pro comes standard with a 110L underfloor fuel tank, which provides plenty of range with the four-stroke to head out wide.

The 5100 Territory Pro was purchased from South Easterly Marine on the Gold Coast phone 0410 796 633, email --e-mail address hidden-- . This package includes boat, motor, braked trailer and regos. All TABS boats come standard with navigation lights, paint, and two pedestal seats.

PACKAGE 1

5100 Territory Pro, 90hp Suzuki, Redco trailer, rego and basic safeties: from $36,640.

BOAT PACKAGE 2

5100 Territory Pro, 115hp Suzuki, Redco trailer, regos and basic safeties: from $38,955.

Specifications