by Gary Reich
Sooner or later, most people who have had fun bass-fishing aboard other people’s boats will start daydreaming about owning their own boats, and many will visit BoatTrader.com http://www.boattrader.com when they get serious about shopping. If you’re one of those shoppers, still new to the game but raring to go, keep these features in mind when you’re doing your shopping: a shallow draft to allow you to fish where the bass live in your home waters; flat casting decks that will allow for a good stance and balance; adequate livewells, either built in or added on; stowage for rods and fishing tackle, preferably lockable; a trolling motor or provision for one on the bow, preferably with a dedicated battery; fishfinding electronics; and performance matched to the kind of bass fishing you do.
Sure, a lean, mean, purpose-built bass-fishing machine that runs at 50 mph might be necessary for tournament fishing, but for the great majority of bass anglers who also want to do other things on the water, there are good candidates among the following boat categories:
These open boats—often made of aluminum—have the casting decks, tackle stowage, and other fishy features that many bass boats do, but are better desidned for handling rougher water. This means being able to target other species found in bigger, more open lakes and rivers. Key buying tip: Check that the draft isn’t too deep for your local bass-fishing zones.
This is a broad category, but there are plenty of adaptable fiberglass family boats that can be well-suited to fishing, whether for bass or a mix of species. Consider smaller center-consoles, flats boats and micro skiffs, deck boats, or dual-consoles. Key buying tip: Look for family boats with open, secure footing and clear casting areas.
Jon boats and aluminum skiffs are one of the most affordable and easy ways for folks to
get out on the water and fish. They’re uniquely durable—up for the challenge of
frequent trailering, launching, and beaching. Most also have a shallow draft and utilitarian style that make them particularly good for bass fishing. Key buying tip: Be ready to compromise on lack of livewells and stowage space for fishing gear.
Pontoon boats have many qualities that make them good bass-fishing platforms. You probably already know about their expansive, stable, flat decks, which make them ideal for casting, and their generally shallow drafts, which allow them to sneak up into thin water. What you may not know is there are plenty of builders out there that offer pontoons fitted with dedicated fishing features. Key buying tip: Look for boats with railings, arches, and high bolsters that interfere less with casting.
In some ways kayaks are the best bass-fishing platforms of all. Having only inches of draft and a short overall length opens up kayaks to fishing holes that bass boats can only dream of getting into. And plenty of manufacturers offer kayak models that cater to the fishing market, with rod stowage, room for electronics, and even pedal-powered models that reduce the need for paddling. Key buying tip: Kayak fishing is generally a solitary affair—unless you buy kayaks for the whole family.
Good luck fishing!
