Which Bass Boat For Rough Water? 2024
Tim Kelly reply :
Just having a little fantasy boat shopping moment and wondered which brands of bass boat are considered the best hulls for fishing rough water? They're mostly designed for speed and shallow water access but, especially for Northern bassers, I imagine there must be a boat with a bass interior and a better rough water hull.
bigbill reply :
Bass boats are built mainly floating platforms to cast from. There wider and run shallower. I would think a deeper vee bottom would be better. The only deep vee hull I ever seen is a Lund.
Tim Kelly reply :
The Lund Predator looked like a good idea, though I don't think the interior was very well thought out, especially compared to a modern bass boat. Tuffy do there X190, which is a glass multispecies boat with a bass type interior, but again the interior design is a bit old school. I wondered whether any of the usual bass boat brands were considered better or worse as rough water boats in general.
slonezp reply :
On 5/25/2014 at 4:54 AM, Tim Kelly said:The Lund Predator looked like a good idea, though I don't think the interior was very well thought out, especially compared to a modern bass boat. Tuffy do there X190, which is a glass multispecies boat with a bass type interior, but again the interior design is a bit old school. I wondered whether any of the usual bass boat brands were considered better or worse as rough water boats in general.
Oh? Tell me more. Not very well thought out....hmmmmm... 
I have a 2013 Predator 2010 and it's one helluva boat. Other than top end speed, it's everything a bass boat is and more. I'll agree the 18 footers interior is not well thought out, but no need to worry. Lund discontinued the Predator line in 2014.
As far as "usual" boats, many claim they are good in rough water. Legend, Ranger, and Phoenix seem to brag about it the most. The drivers experience has as much to do with rough water handling as the boat itself.
Tim Kelly reply :
Does the 2010 still have the livewell in the front and short rod storage boxes like the smaller models?
slonezp reply :
28gal 60" livewell on deck that can be divided into 3 equal compartments and rod storage holds 5 each of 6'6", 7'0, and 7'6". There is also a second livewell at the stern
I believe the 18 footer only has rod storage on the portside near the stern
Tim Kelly reply :
It's all down to personal preference I suppose, but to my mind the massive livewell takes up a lot of space in the wrong part of the boat and the rod storage is not long enough for a lot of the rods used today, especially for musky fishing. It looks like a great boat though and I bet you can get out on days when other boats wouldn't want to try.
martintheduck reply :
I know nothing about deep V boats, but that's your best bet for typical northern rough water. If you're looking at traditional bass boats, Phoenix allegedly has perfected the best rough ride. It's got a bowed shape to the hull and 40 gal gas tank under the seat area and is distributed weight better than rangers and cats. Reportedly it skips across waves better than others who have the weight of gas distributed more to the rear of the boat which pushes the back end down more. But these are all just here-say and all opinions on the matter are subjective.
slonezp reply :
Even though it has the monster livewell, I wouldn't classify it as a musky boat, and the musky guys agree. A big water bass/walleye boat is more like it. I bought it for the big water capability. The fishing platform is massive, and there is more than enough storage. The helm is roomy and I'm a big guy. If you've never seen one in person, than you can't take it all in. The 2013 Lund catalog didn't do the boat justice, and If I hadn't seen it up close and personal, I never would have bought it. Here's a pretty good video that really shows how much space is available.
http://youtu.be/KhSeiBB9-S0
Long Mike reply :
They are no longer in production, but you may want to take a look at a used Tracker Tournament V-18. It has a very well thought-out layout and there is ample room to store 8' rods. It has a modified deep-vee hull, so it will handle rough water better than the glass boats. The front deck can easily handle two competent anglers. It's not a speed demon, but in the right conditions mine will do 58 mph GPS with my Merc 150.
TorqueConverter reply :
A multispecies deep V rig is your best bet but if you really want a bass boat then it's hard to beat a Javelin in rough water. For a bass boat, a Javelins ability to slice a wave in half and spit it out the sides is remarkable.
Tim Kelly reply :
On 5/25/2014 at 6:57 AM, slonezp said:Even though it has the monster livewell, I wouldn't classify it as a musky boat, and the musky guys agree. A big water bass/walleye boat is more like it. I bought it for the big water capability. The fishing platform is massive, and there is more than enough storage. The helm is roomy and I'm a big guy. If you've never seen one in person, than you can't take it all in. The 2013 Lund catalog didn't do the boat justice, and If I hadn't seen it up close and personal, I never would have bought it. Here's a pretty good video that really shows how much space is available.
http://youtu.be/KhSeiBB9-S0
I love how much space there is in the Lund, but this is my fantasy boat plan and I would prefer having the front deck with 2 rod storage lockers on the sides, like many bass boats have, with tubes on top and open at the bottom which would accomodate a 9ft rod. I would like the centre of the deck to be storage lockers which allow a recessed trolling motor mount to be fitted. A centre rod locker makes this difficult and the recessed TM pedal has to be a great step forward. Putting the livewell at the back is usually considered to be a better way to transport fish without shaking them around so much, so that's where it should be in my boat. Also, I don't like bass boats with the massive bear trap in the deck! Many of then have the middle of the deck missing, extending the cockpit forward. If you fish off the back of the front deck, behind the guy on the trolling motor this is an accident waiting to happen as you step back into nothing. Never understood the point of the bear trap!
As I said, this is my boat fantasy and everyone wants something different from their boats, but if I could find a glass boat with decks to the gunnels with the layout described and a hull that could take rougher water I'd be a very happy fantasy shopper.
http://www.tuffyboats.com/boats/x-190 close, but no cigar. 
tcbass reply :
On 5/26/2014 at 2:27 PM, Tim Kelly said:I love how much space there is in the Lund, but this is my fantasy boat plan and I would prefer having the front deck with 2 rod storage lockers on the sides, like many bass boats have, with tubes on top and open at the bottom which would accomodate a 9ft rod. I would like the centre of the deck to be storage lockers which allow a recessed trolling motor mount to be fitted. A centre rod locker makes this difficult and the recessed TM pedal has to be a great step forward. Putting the livewell at the back is usually considered to be a better way to transport fish without shaking them around so much, so that's where it should be in my boat. Also, I don't like bass boats with the massive bear trap in the deck! Many of then have the middle of the deck missing, extending the cockpit forward. If you fish off the back of the front deck, behind the guy on the trolling motor this is an accident waiting to happen as you step back into nothing. Never understood the point of the bear trap!
As I said, this is my boat fantasy and everyone wants something different from their boats, but if I could find a glass boat with decks to the gunnels with the layout described and a hull that could take rougher water I'd be a very happy fantasy shopper.
http://www.tuffyboats.com/boats/x-190 close, but no cigar.
What is his bear trap you speak of?
Tim Kelly reply :
On some boats, mainly the older designs there is a big cutout in the deck like this. If you're fishing at the rear of the front deck and step backwards there is suddenly no deck! 
Tim Kelly reply :
There seem to have been a few attempts over the years to make a bass cap on a deep hulled boat, but they never seem to last long. The tracker mentioned, there was a crestliner and the Lund Predator as well as the Tuffy but I suppose there is less demand for them than I imagine. You would think they'd be popular with northern bass anglers who often complain about how rough the water is in their bass boats, but I guess speed is a big selling point and v hulls are not going to be as quick as flatter bass hulls. I was really wondering if any of the existing bass boats had a hull more geared to rougher water handling than the southern designed bass boats that dominate the market.
slonezp reply :
There would be nothing stopping you from modifying it on your own. I read on another forum, a musky guy who had no need for the livewell, removed it for longer rod storage. You could also make the side compartment rod lockers as there is only a thin sheet of aluminum separating the 2 storage compartments on either side of the deck. I looked at boats for 3 years before this purchase. Previously I owned both a glass and a tin boat. I would have bought a glass bass boat if it wasn't for the time I spend on the Great Lakes. A 20+ foot Ranger walleye boat was above my price range. I believe the Predator to be the perfect compromise.
Why not get yourself a walleye/multispecies rig. They have come a long way and many have the extra long rod storage and larger fishing decks. Many can be bought with the separate console windscreens rather than a walk thru windshield. Ranger, Charger, and Yar Craft have some nice rigs. Princecraft makes a similr rig to the Predator in their Xpedition line. It's rated at a higher hp and can also be fitted with a jackplate. It doesn't have raised decks but does allow for 9ft rod storage. I don't care for the storage setup in the boat. Joe Bucher is fishing out of a Recon boat this season. They are a small semi custom builder in Wisconsin. 9'6" rod lockers. That might be something to look into as well. There are options out there.
Tim Kelly reply :
You're probably right. Those Recon boats look good, the front deck looks like it's reasonably high, so there's not a massive lip round the deck making bass fishing more difficult.
Way2slow reply :
If you want a bass boat that handles rough water get you an Allison. With it, if you see bad weather brewing, you can probably just out run it. I've seen Rangers and Champions tuck in close behind an Allison so it could cut the waves and keep them from coming over their decks. Even though it's what I call a hydro-rocket, it has a good Deep-V hull that cuts the waves better that most bass boats, it will just run like a bat out h*** to boot.
S Hovanec reply :
No bass boat is good in heavy water. Best bet is a multi-species/walleye boat like a Lund Pro-V, Ranger 600 series or Skeeter WX series.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Get a center consol carolina skiff j17 we use them here on the bay diff sizes of course and they handle good in rough water
Nick B reply :
I have a '12 Tracker Deep V 16 and it handles rough water great. I had an aluminum bass boat before and after a ride in rough water with it I felt like my spine had compressed, but with the Deep V it cuts through the waves great.
cadman reply :
There are a lot of good boats out there. Any one boat will not have everything you want. There is always something you would change. Find something first in your price range and look what you can get for the money you want to lay out. I looked at (3) boats in 2007 when I bought my Ranger 619VS multi species. I love my boat, but at the time I looked at Ranger Reata, Lund and Tracker Tundra. Each boat had its ups and downs. I am very happy with my purchase. Not a fast boat, but it is excellent in rough water.
jhoffman reply :
You should hit a couple 4'+ waves in a bass boat sometime, its good for your soul. Makes you realize what nice water is.
TorqueConverter reply :
On 5/25/2014 at 3:36 AM, Tim Kelly said:Just having a little fantasy boat shopping moment and wondered which brands of bass boat are considered the best hulls for fishing rough water? They're mostly designed for speed and shallow water access but, especially for Northern bassers, I imagine there must be a boat with a bass interior and a better rough water hull.
An 03-04 21' Stratos 201 is widely considered to be one of the best rough water bass boats ever built. I'd look into the 201 or if you're wanting a cheaper smaller boat, a Javelin Renegade 19' or 20'.
I've got a Rengade 19 and regularly boat in 2 - 3 and sometimes 4 foot whitecaps staying bone dry so I can only imagine how nice a 21' Stratos 201 must be.
FryDog62 reply :
As a Northern-based bass fisherman, I find the Tuffy x-190 very intriguing. However, I fish some rough big waters but just as many smaller river systems... Tuffy is rumored to be close to launching a slightly smaller version - the x-176. REALLY interested to see what that looks like. And a better price-point for me. Problem is, they have been talking about launching it since 2011 and there isn't anything yet.
I also might be interested in the Recon 785 - a 17 1/2 footer that's good in rougher waters but might be a bit deep for the skinnier stuff..?
If you would consider a Deep V Tiller - that can handle big water yet has both a front and rear casting deck - check out "Backtroller Boats." A unique boat that is building a very strong following here in the North ~
Dwight Hottle reply :
This is my trailerable 20' lake erie bass boat. It will hit 60 mph on a smooth day. It does not take water over the bow like a conventional bass boat. It does handle the rough stuff pretty good. Starcraft is the oldest alminimum boat manufaacture in the USA. My previous boat was a 18' lund with a yammy 150 4 stroke. I wanted a bigger boat that could handle the waves better without the constant slapping. It is a heavy boat with a 19 degree deadrise.
http://www.starcraftmarine.com/showroom/fishing-boats/stx/2050
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