The 5 Best Bass Boats For The Money – After Testing Dozens! [Updated]

Bass fishing boats are different slightly different from other fishing boats. As their name suggests, they’re designed specifically for the purpose of giving the best and most efficient bass fishing experience.

Shopping for the best bass boats can be stressful because it’s a big purchase, there are so many brands, types, and models to choose from. So, doing your research and checking different bass boat reviews is important.

To help you narrow down your options and help you make the best choice, here’s a compilation of some of the top-rated bass boats on the market, as well as a detailed review of the features each of these boats can offer you.

The 5 Best Bass Boats in 2023

1. Best Overall – Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk

Crestliner is one of the most popular bass boat brands. The 1750 Fish Hawk, in particular, is considered the best bass boat for the money by many, including myself, and for a good reason; It will give you everything you need for a successful bass fishing trip.

This boat is constructed from aluminum which increases its durability. It’s designed with a deep-V hull and a wide beam, increasing its stability. It’s very comfortable and spacious as it features casting decks in the bow and stern and premium bucket seats that allow up to 6 persons.

It has a powerful motor with an HP range of 90-150 and a total of 13 compartments, including an illuminated central rod locker with 15 tubes for 8-foot rods, an aerated live well, and oversized storage boxes.

It also comes with a trailer and features removable SureMount aluminum accessory brackets, which allow you to attach cup or rod holders without having to drill any holes through the boat.

Pros Vs. Cons

The Pros

• It’s highly durable and stable
• It’s equipped with a powerful motor
• It has multiple storage options
• It has spacious and comfortable casting decks
• It comes with a trailer
• It features removable accessory brackets

The Cons

• It doesn’t come with fish finders

Bottom Line

Crestliner is the best bass boat brand for the money. If you’re looking for a spacious bass fishing boat that offers the best stability, then the 1750 Bass Hawk is the best bass fishing boat for you.

2. Runner Up – Bass Cat Puma FTD

The Bass Cat Ouma FTD is another high-quality bass boat. It’s loaded with many features to ensure your bass fishing trip is more successful.

This boat is constructed from heavy-duty fiberglass, which makes it durable and stable. It can hold 52 gallons of fuel and has a 200 to 300 maximum horsepower range, which, when combined with the lightweight, makes it very fast/

It’s built for high performance with its Minn Kota Fortrex 80 motor that’s powered by a battery and three-bank charge. It’s also built for comfort with its spacious interior and a padded front deck that allows for better casting.

The trailer is included in the purchase, and it offers standard features such as an SS boarding ladder and a keel guard. It’s also equipped with two Humminbird Helix 7 Fish Finders, which will help you find the best spots for bass fishing.

It has different compartments for storage throughout the boat, including a ventilated central tackle box section, two illuminated triangular live wells, and an eight-foot rod box.

Pros Vs. Cons

The Pros

• It’s constructed from durable materials
• It’s equipped with a powerful motor
• It has multiple storage options
• It’s spacious and comfortable
• It comes with two fish finders
• It comes with a trailer, a boarding ladder, and a keel guard

The Cons

• It doesn’t protect against the elements
• It’s considered expensive compared to other bass fishing boats

Bottom Line

The Bass Cat Puma FTD is one of the best bass fishing boats for you if you’re serious about bass fishing and you’re looking for a quality bass fishing boat that offers the best performance.

3. Best Budget Bass Boat– Tracker Pro Team 190TX

The Tracker Pro Team 190TX is an entry-level bass boat, and it’s one of the most affordable bass boats on the market. It’s considered the best bass boat for beginners.

It’s constructed from aluminum materials with a Diamond Coat finish to enhance durability. It’s built with a spacious casting deck and can fit four people on board, two in the cockpit and two on built-in pedestal seats.

It comes with a trailer, and it’s equipped with a Mercury FourStroke outboard motor along with a Minn Kota trolling motor with foot pedal controls. It’s also equipped with a Lowrance Fish Finder.

Its storage options include multiple live wells in the bow and stern, dual 7-foot rod boxes with tip organizers, a giant tackle compartment, and a bag organizer.

Pros Vs. Cons

The Pros

• It’s constructed from high-quality materials with a protective coating
• It’s equipped with an outboard motor and a trolling motor
• It has multiple storage options
• It’s built with casting decks and a pedestal seat
• It comes with a trailer and a fish finder

The Cons

• It’s slower and smaller in size compared to other bass fishing boats

Bottom Line

Tracker Pro Team 190TX is a good cheap bass boat if you’re a beginner looking for the best budget bass boat on the market.

4. Lowe Boats Skorpion 17 – Best Affordable Beginner Bass Boat

Another excellent option for budget bass boats is the Skorpion 17 from Lowe Boats. It is easy to maintain and offers great value at a relatively cheap price. This also makes it a good beginner bass boat.

It’s made from high-quality all-welded aluminum materials with 16 oz. Marine-grade carpet flooring. It’s equipped with a Motorguide X3-45FW trolling motor with a 12 Gallon portable fuel tank. It’s also equipped with a Lowrance Hook2 in-dash fish finder.

It features huge bow and stern casting decks, two fold-down seats (driver and passenger), and two pedestal fishing seats.

It has plenty of storage space, including a side rod locker that can hold up to 5 8-foot rods, bow and stern tackle storage compartments, under-the-seat storage compartments, and an aerated live well.

Pros Vs. Cons

The Pros

• It’s made from all-welded marine-grade materials
• It’s equipped with a trolling motor with a portable fuel tank
• It comes with a fish finder
• It has two-fold down seats and two pedestal fishing seats
• It has plenty of storage space
• It comes at an affordable price

The Cons

• The trailer is purchased separately

Bottom Line

The Skorpion 17 is the best choice for you if you’re a beginner looking for the best affordable bass boat that’s reliable and low-maintenance.

5. Nitro Z21 Pro

The Nitro Z21 Pro is another best-value bass boat that delivers outstanding performance and comfort. It’s one of the top-selling bass boats on the market.

It’s constructed from high-quality fiberglass materials, and it’s designed with a spacious padded casting deck with non-skid mats at the bow and stern to give you more mobility and stability.

It’s powered by a 225 HP Mercury outboard motor and a Minn Kota Maxxum trolling motor. It has a fuel capacity of 55 gallons.

It features a hydraulic folding fishing seat with lumbar support to increase comfort. It also features a Humminbird flush-mounted fish finder with down-imaging capability, a keel protector, and two automatic bilge pumps.

It has multiple storage options, including two live wells, lockable center storage compartments, and bow and deck rod space that can hold up to 10 8-foot rods with straps for added security.

Pros Vs. Cons

The Pros

• It’s constructed from durable materials
• It’s designed with a spacious casting deck with non-skid mats
• It features a comfortable hydraulic fishing seat with lumbar support
• It’s powered by an outboard motor and a trolling motor
• It features a fish finder, a keel protector, and two automatic bilge pumps.
• It has multiple storage options with added security

The Cons

• It’s not the most fuel-efficient

Bottom Line

The Nitro Z21 Pro is the best option for you if you’re looking for a bass fishing boat that combines durability, stability, performance, and comfort.

How to Choose the Best Bass Fishing Boat?

In order to choose the best bass fishing boat, there are several factors you need to consider. Let’s break down these factors in more detail:

Material

The majority of bass boats are constructed from two kinds of materials – aluminum and fiberglass.

Aluminum bass boats are generally cheaper and tend to be more durable against bumps or knicks. Their main drawback is that they are light in weight, making them harder to control against rough winds.

Fiberglass bass boats, on the other hand, are heavier and won’t get blown around easily from rough winds. They’re faster and easier to control; however, they’re significantly more expensive.

As recommended above, the best aluminum bass boat for the money is the Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk, while the best fiberglass bass boat for the money is the Bass Cat Puma FTD.

Hull Weight

The hull weight mainly depends on the boat’s construction, and it greatly affects the boat’s performance on the water.

Lighter hulls will allow you more speed but at the expense of a smoother ride. The performance tends to decline the more you add weight to the boat and may develop stress cracks over time.

You can learn more about how the hull weight affects the boat’s speed and why bass boats are so fast here.

Size

Choosing the size of your bass boat mainly depends on the size of the body of water you intend to fish in.

If you plan to go fishing on a small lake or river, then it’s recommended to go for a smaller bass boat, under 17 feet, with a modest outboard motor.

However, if you plan to go fishing on a larger lake or the ocean, it’s recommended to go for a larger boat to give you more stability. You can go for something in the range of 19 to 23 feet.

Not sure where to fish for bass? Check out our Best Bass Fishing Vacation Spots guide to plan your next fishing trip.

Storage Space

You need to make sure your bass boat has enough storage space for your Bass fishing rods, tackle, and any other fishing equipment you want to bring.

You also need a sealed storage area for your personal belongings as well as compartments for food and drinks.

Accessories and Comfort

In addition to the major features and components, you need to choose a bass boat with accessories that would provide you with maximum comfort.

The boat’s seat should be sufficiently padded and adjustable with a solid backrest to avoid getting back pains when fishing for a long time.

Other features contribute to the boat’s comfort level, such as built-in accessory mounts, rod holders, fish finders, GPS devices, drink holders, and footrests.

Budget

Bass boats can vary significantly in price, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury boats. The cost mainly depends on the size of the boat, the materials used to manufacture it, and the features it offers. The brand also plays a part, but it’s not as significant here.

On average, the price of a new fishing boat with an outboard motor and normal features ranges from $18,000 to $60,000.

Before you go shopping, it’s very important to identify what you need when it comes to the boat’s features and set your budget accordingly. Try to find a boat that suits your needs and offers the best value for your budget.

New Vs Used Bass Boats: Which Is Better for You?

If you’re a beginner to bass fishing and about to buy the best fishing boat for the money, you might wonder whether it’s better to get a new or used boat.

This is not a simple question as there are various factors to consider, and each option has its benefits. So, let’s discuss each option to help you decide which is better for you.

When buying a new bass boat, the main benefit is that you will be able to get the best boat model with the latest features and updated technology. Another major advantage is that used boats come with a manufacturer’s warranty to cover any repairs in the future.

The one drawback of new boats is that they come at an expensive price, and the boat model you want may be out of your budget.

On the other hand, the main benefit of buying used bass boats is that they come at a much cheaper price and you can even negotiate the boat’s price to make the sale work more in your favor.

So, you’re more likely to find a boat model with all the features you want at a price within your intended budget. You can also put the money you saved toward upgrading some of the boat’s features.

Used boats have a couple of drawbacks that you need to keep in mind.

First, the boat may not be in good condition, and the seller may not be truthful about the reason they’re selling the boat. That’s why you need to inspect the boat thoroughly before making the purchase to ensure that the boat will provide the best value for the price you’re paying.

Second, used boats rarely come with warranties. However, newer boat models have longer-lasting warranties and some can even be transferred to a second owner, so make sure to ask the seller about the boat’s warranty before making your purchase.

The answer to the question of which is better will depend mainly on your skill and your budget. If you’re a beginner looking for cheap bass boats to get you started, then getting a used boat is ideal for you. But, if you’re more experienced, investing in high-end bass boats will be worth it.

Where to Get the Best Used Bass Boat?

There are many used bass boats on the market sold by private owners as well as dealers. Here are some websites that will help you find the best used bass boats to buy:

• MoreBoats
• BassBoat4Sale
• BoatCrazy

You’ll easily find the best value bass boat by searching for boats by brand, make year, engine, size, price range, and location.

What to Inspect When Buying a Used Bass Boat?

When buying a used bass boat, you must meet with the seller in person to take the boat on a test drive and inspect it thoroughly to ensure that it’s in good condition before finalizing the purchase.

Here’s a quick checklist of what you need to inspect when buying a used bass boat:

• Make sure that the seller has proof of ownership.
• Inspect the boat’s frame closely for any previous repairs of patchwork. Make sure that the seller is truthful about the cause.
• Start the boat’s engine yourself and check the hoses and cables for any signs of wear. Lookout for any leaks, rust, or worn fittings.
• Keep the engine running long enough to check if there’s any problem with overheating.
• Check the water temperature and oil pressure and look out for any leaks before and after the test drive.
• While taking the boat on a test drive, pay attention to its maneuverability to ensure it steers easily and doesn’t bind or hang up.
• Test all the boat’s electrical and hydraulic equipment to ensure they’re running properly.
• If the boat comes with a trailer, make sure that it fits the size of the boat and that it’s in good condition.

How to Maintain Your Bass Boat?

To maintain your bass fishing boat and keep it in working order, it’s crucial to clean it regularly.

• The consoles are often made of plastic and glass, so you can use an all-purpose cleaner. To clean the hull, you can use a power wash and clean all the nooks with heavy-duty boat soap.
• When it comes to the carpet which is in frequent contact with dirty shoes, fish slime, and the occasional food and beverage spills, you can clean it using a power washer to remove all the dirt from the fabric. As for vinyl boat seats, you can use vinyl shampoo.
• Finally, for cleaning the live well, make sure not to use any toxic products like bleach as it can cause harm to the fish that you place in there.

Don’t forget to check out my guide to bass fishing in the winter here, and my guide to choosing the right fishing rod for bass fishing here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bass Boats Fuel Efficient?

The majority of small bass boats use about three to eight gallons of gas per hour at cruising speeds. While bigger bass fishing boats that are faster can use up to twenty gallons. The amount of fuel a boat uses mainly depends on the weight, size, and speed of your boat.

Can You Fish with a Bass Boat in Saltwater?

You can fish with a bass boat in saltwater. However, bass boats are more suitable for freshwater because saltwater can deteriorate some of the boat’s components. So, it’s important to thoroughly clean your boat afterward to protect it from damage.

How to Store a Bass Boat?

There are many ways you can store your boat when it’s not in use. The best and safest way is to store it in an enclosed garage, as you can easily lock it in. It’s also important to keep the boat covered to protect it from sun and rain damage and to keep critters and bugs out.

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