We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n The bass boat market has exploded with choices in recent years, but the best bass boat for any particular angler depends on fishing location, budget, and the need to accessorize. Anglers in their 20s may be content to take a pounding in a smaller boat, but as they get older, most come to value the comfort of a larger boat. As they move into retirement, though, and away from competition, it\u2019s often wise to consider an easily-towed aluminum model.<\/p>\n Of course, price is a big factor in anyone\u2019s choice. While it\u2019s easy to covet the 21-foot glittermobile, not everyone can conscientiously make the payments on a luxury that now often exceeds $70,000, $80,000, or even $100,000. Figure out what you can afford\u2014factoring in operational costs, insurance, and maintenance\u2014along with the accessories you\u2019ll want or need, and that should inform your choice.<\/p>\n Over the years, we\u2019ve been in every major brand of boat, and on every type of water, from the swampy oxbows of the lower Mississippi to the ocean-like expanses of Lake Erie. The wrong boat in the wrong place can be miserable, but the right boat will make you feel like you are one with the water. That\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all process, but since most of us can only have one watercraft, we need to figure out which one does the most things well, given our personalized scenarios.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Bass Cat\u2019s flagship Jaguar is the envy of the bass boat industry, but it performs best with a motor too large for most tournaments. The company took the same \u201csoft touch\u201d concept to the new Puma\u2019s hull, packaging it in a product that is blazing fast with a 250hp motor, meaning it\u2019ll pass most boats at takeoff, yet remains remarkably fuel efficient.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most importantly, it\u2019s a wave killer with sports car characteristics, made to take on everything from narrow tidal creeks up to the Great Lakes. Of course, it features the recessed trolling motor pedal that Bass Cat pioneered decades ago. Still, it also has new features like optional Reflex flooring, triangular livewell doors, and even a safety ladder if you go in the drink. It\u2019ll hit 75 mph with a full tournament load\u2014it even looks fast on the trailer.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n As prices have risen in the bass boat world, due partially to the cost of materials and partially to the expensive accessories all anglers seem to want, many tournament-grade boats have surpassed six figures. That prices out many would-be competitors who think that they need the latest and greatest to have a shot to win. Through their partnership with Yamaha and other vendors, Skeeter has managed to put together a boat that is fast and solid in the water at a below-market price. It\u2019s still not \u201ccheap\u201d by any means, but compared to its in-class competition, it\u2019s a bargain. They offer eight different color options, from vibrant to subtle, a dual axle trailer, and top-tier electronics, all of which takes away any excuses.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Nitro pioneered the concept of packaged bass boats instead of a la carte building, and Bass Pro Shops\u2019 economy of scale allows them to offer a wide range of options at reasonable prices. They\u2019re one of the few manufacturers that continues to make a 17-foot fiberglass boat, and for those looking only to purchase new and feel that they have to own glass, this is a solid choice. It will handle comfortably in all but the biggest water yet doesn\u2019t need a full-sized pickup or SUV to pull it. There\u2019s a no-haggle, national pricing setup, and while it comes with a full range of accessories, there are options to upgrade or change them to fit your particular angling style and needs.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n While fiberglass boat construction has long been the aspirational standard for tournament anglers just about everywhere, in recent years, many of the top pros have realized the value of aluminum. Simply put, they can run the larger \u201ctin\u201d boats in big water yet also get them into nasty untouched backwaters. As competition has gotten tougher and anglers have gotten more advanced, that\u2019s a huge benefit. Xpress is the choice of several top pros\u2014in fact, Jason Christie won the Bassmaster Classic out of one. It\u2019s rated for up to 250 hp, has massive storage and large live wells, and you can even outfit it with SeaDek flooring, which easily hoses off in anticipation of another day of mud-bogging and check cashing.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Crestliner has a well-earned reputation for making boats throughout all segments of the spectrum, from bare-bones jon boats up to the Bassmaster tournament-ready models used by anglers like perennial Classic contender John Cox. This one splits that difference and includes features like an aerated livewell, lockable storage, and carpeted interior while also maintaining the best aspects of the least expensive boats\u2014in other words, it\u2019s easy to tow, easy to store, and won\u2019t break the bank. While it\u2019s comparatively inexpensive, the company has taken great pains to make sure that it\u2019ll last a lifetime, including all-welded construction along with an interior protective coating. Whether you\u2019re headed into the creeks of a river or launching on a larger impoundment, this boat can be built to your specifications, as simple or advanced as you need it to be.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n While the Ranger 622FS is constructed in the traditional \u201cwalleye\u201d or \u201cmultispecies\u201d Deep V style, increasingly bass anglers on big waters\u2014including, but not limited to, the Great Lakes\u2014are embracing this style to ensure that they can get to their fish and get back with everyone in one piece. This is Ranger\u2019s flagship, with all sorts of high-end goodies packed in. Those include a multifunction display that enables control of everything through a single touch screen, as well as lithium batteries, trim tabs, and a trailer meant to easily haul this aircraft carrier. Yes, a regular bass boat can handle the biggest waves when piloted by an experienced driver, but to be honest it won\u2019t be fun. This makes it a more comfortable ride, and you\u2019ll do it in style.<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> The Best Fish Finders of 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Being an efficient angler means having your gear organized and at your fingertips \u2013 and locked away at a hotel or gas station. If you use 8-foot rods and your boat won\u2019t store them properly, that\u2019s a disadvantage. Some anglers bring a \u201cTennessee tackle box\u201d (brown paper bag full of jigs), and others like to carry an entire tackle shop. Figure out which you are and plan accordingly.<\/p>\n The biggest boats may provide the most comfortable ride, but they can be a bear to tow. Many require a V8 vehicle or a powerful diesel for safety. Furthermore, even if you have the right tow vehicle, in an era of increasing gas prices, a heavy boat can make a trip to the lake quite expensive.<\/p>\n Many of today\u2019s \u201ctop\u201d boats push well past $100 grand at retail, driven partially but not entirely by the ability to accessorize to the moon. Even anglers who can afford that cost out of pocket may have trouble with the additional need to insure and maintain these dream boats.<\/p>\n Between shallow water anchors, hydraulic jack plates, mapping, and both forward-facing and side-imaging sonar, it\u2019s possible to drive up the base price by tens of thousands before you leave the lot. Some anglers put four or even five screens on their boats. Determine what you need, and if budget is a factor, determine whether you\u2019ll benefit more from additional high-end accessories or a bigger, more expensive boat. Choose wisely.<\/p>\n
\n Published Jun 8, 2023 5:00 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow We Chose the Best Bass Boats<\/h2>\n
Best Bass Boats: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Best Tournament Boat: Bass Cat Puma STS<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Packaged Tournament Boat: Skeeter ZXR19<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/08\/Skeeter-ZXR19.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Starter Fiberglass Boat: Nitro Z17<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/08\/Nitro-Z17.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Large Aluminum Boat: Xpress X21 Pro<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/08\/Xpress-X21-Pro.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Bargain Aluminum Boat: Crestliner 1700 Ridge<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/08\/Crestliner-1700-Ridge.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best for Big Water: Ranger 622FS PRO<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/08\/Ranger-622FS-PRO.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Bass Boat<\/h2>\n
Storage\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Towing<\/h3>\n
Cost<\/h3>\n
Accessories\u00a0<\/h3>\n