Towboats on the mississippi river

What to Look Out for When Buying Your First Bass Boat

Bass fishing is a great past time that many people, both young and old enjoy. Once you get the taste of bass fishing, you might decide that you want to venture into buying your first bass fishing boat. This is truly an exciting experience, so it is best that you get some advice, being a first time buyer.

First, make sure that you have the right kind of vehicle so that you can tow your bass boat. Many vehicles are not made to tow boats behind them. A fully loaded bass boat with trailer, full gas tank, tackle, etc., may weigh more than 3500 pounds. To pull something that heavy, you'll need a truck or car that can handle that kind of load, especially if you're likely to pull it up mountains or hills.

Finding the Right Size and Material

What kind of bass fishing boat should you get, and what size should it be? When you ask yourself these types of questions, first consider the bodies of water you'll be fishing in. If you're going to be fishing in larger bodies of water, your boat should be a least 19 feet long. If you're going to be fishing in smaller bodies of water, a boat with a small outboard motor and of smaller dimensions as well will be fine. In addition, your boat's material should be considered. Many of these boats are made from fiberglass or aluminum. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you're going to be fishing in a small lake, the aluminum boat is likely best.

For a smoother ride on larger bodies of water, a fiberglass boat is the way to go. While more expensive than aluminum (most of the time), a fiberglass boat is more durable and will not be blown about by wind nearly so much as one made of aluminum. Think about your options and your needs before deciding and making a purchase of a bass fishing boat.

New or Used?

You can buy either a new or used boat but again, there are pros and cons associated with both. Used boats seem to hold their value much longer but you have to eep in mind that outboard motors are generally short lived. If you decide to buy a used boat then you want to check out the motor properly before using it. Another advantage to buying a used boat is the price. You can get a good deal for a used boat if you look around but remember that you get what you pay for. If you get the boat at a cheap price you may have to be prepared to do some "fixing up" on the boat.

If you decide to go with a new boat then you will have the pleasure of getting a warranty with it. You won't have to worry about working on it and you can just get right to fishing. You will also most likely have more boats to choose from than when you are looking for a used one. No matter which way you decide to go, be sure to check out the vessel thoroughly, so that you know what you are buying.

William Scott is the author of a number of bass fishing articles. His website BassFishingAdvice.com, offers further insights into buying aluminum fishing boats.