Bass Boats ???

I am a musky guy that is considering buying a bass boat. How many of you guys run bass boats? And what kind?

Pros and cons please !!!

Mines not a bass boat, but a multi species. Its a Stratos 219 and fishes great for both bass and walleye tournaments and guiding. It has a huge front deck and a large rear deck for bass fishing that is removeable. Its nice having a deeper ride in the rough stuff. I’ve seen some bass boats have a tough time even on Tonka with the big cruiser wakes.

I have had a number of bass boats and fish bass much of the time. One thing I would offer is bass boats are usually designed with a very low profile and as a result in rough water they can be a wet ride. Walleye boats tend to be deeper and have better rough water charactersitics. They can be used interchangebly of course, but there are comprimises when doing so. Bass boats will give more speed with the same engine on a Walleye boat. Either boat can be used for fishing most anything, depending on conditions at the time.

Just my $.02. Oops Musky’s same thing.

As a bass guide I have always felt a bass boat is most comfortable and conveniant to fish out of than a walleye boat. Guiding on Lake Superior though has taught me the main advantage of the deep v boat is fishing in rough water. I was very comfortable running in rough seas with my bass boat but if you are in 3 plus footers you basically cant have anyone fishing off of the front deck as you will take water in over the bow. Net your fish instead of hand landing them and you will find a Deep V is a great “bass boat.”
Chris Beeksma
Get Bit Guide Service

Matt,

Have you considered the new 618 from Ranger? I guess its a good compromise between both worlds. I have not been in one yet, just second hand info I’ve picked up around the net.

I’ve got an older bass boat. (TideCraft) The hull design in the bow flares so that the waves are pushed away from the boat. I’ve only gotten wet a few times while fishing and that was on the Croix with all those lovely big boats around. The other concideration that I deal with is the bass boats are usually fiberglass meaning weight. Where walleye boats are usually aluminum.
You might want to consider what you are going to be pulling it with.