So, why is a bass boat a bass boat? What is it that makes it specific to bass? Why isn't it just called a fishing boat? It seems that everything that makes it good for fishing for bass makes it good for fishing for most other fish, so why is it called a bass boat?

I mean I've caught a number of species of fish from my canoe. I'd probably call it a fishing canoe, but not a bass canoe, or a perch canoe.

On a related note, why are some poles said to be for a specific species of fish? I'm very much an amateur fisherman and I've just got a few inexpensive rod&reels combos. Ones UL, ones medium action and the 3rd is a lighweight closed spinning pole.

Just wondering.

mikeg

A bass boat can be used for many other types of fishing.  But, it is purpose built for freshwater bass fishing.  It is not suitable for rough water fishing because of the low sides.

 

They are designed that way in order to minimize the effect of the wind for a slower drift.  It is designed with storage which provides easy access to gear and the live wells.  You'll notice that unlike other fishing boats, there are no rod holders to store rods in a vertical position.  The hulls are designed primarily for speed, not comfort.  Originally, they were designed for the pros, where speed, range and efficiency are of the utmost importance.  They have a shallow draft to provide access to shallow waters where the typical fishing boat cannot go.

 

Like most other things developed for pros, the amateur tournament fishing guys/gals, and the recreational fishermen want to have all the nice toys and abilities the bass boats provide.

 

They are designed and improved with the specific goal of targeting bass, not crappies, bluegills, perch, walleye, stripers, catfish, etc.  Yes, you can fish for other species in a bass boat, but that is not what they have been designed for.

Generally speaking, it applies to the type of water typically encountered when bass fishing. Bass boats run fast and shallow. Some are okay in rough water, but anything more than three foot chop gets uncomfortable in a so called bass boat. They also have large front decks, and sit low to the water. Last thing, live wells are typically smaller than a multi species boat. My old 16' deep v had a 60" live well, plenty big for salmon, trout, or muskie. My current 22' bass boat (Bullet 21XDC) has a divided 30 gal. live well, each compartment is about 15x15". Fine for bass and panfish, but not larger species.

bass boats are good for stand-up lure casting.

since 99% are carpeted they are not good for  any messy, bloody fishing. and most dont have a way of putting out a trolling spread.  their live wells are not made for bait.

this why many striper and cat guys use saltwater boats or aluminum.

The stupid fish can't differentiate different boat types.

 

Bass boat=big deck for casting and laying out every rod in the arsenal because, well, just because, low sides for flipping baits and being able to reach in the water and grab the fish, large motors to get to your secret spot before everybody else does, large capacity livewells(not necessarily length) to keep your catch alive for the weigh-in, tons of storage because we need every bait under the sun.

As previously mentioned, the hulls are built to move fast on relatively calm water. Once the water churns up, not so much. If you look at a crappie boat, it's designed for sitting while fishing, designed for shallow water, designed for multiple rod spreads. Catfish boats are essentially crappie boats on steroids. Most multi species boats are really not multi species but rather big water fishing boats. Most are deep v's as opposed to a mod v or pad hull. Most are set up to be able to sit and fish, to stand and fish, or for trolling. They have options for vinyl flooring or carpeting. Guys fishing for salmon or stripers may opt for the vinyl for ease of cleaning. Many are designed to run a kicker motor for trolling. Kayaks and canoes are designed to catch fish normally found on small water, but there are guys who brave the big stuff. I ran into a guy yesterday casting for muskies from a kayak and there are a couple local guys who brave Lake Michigan in 'yaks looking for perch and salmon.

Then there's my boat. No more perfect freshwater fishing boat has ever been invented

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/114255-pics-of-the-new-rig/?hl=+pics +of +the +new +rig   

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSeiBB9-S0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z0CodkhhZM

A bass boat can be used for many other types of fishing.  But, it is purpose built for freshwater bass fishing.  It is not suitable for rough water fishing because of the low sides.

 

They are designed that way in order to minimize the effect of the wind for a slower drift.  It is designed with storage which provides easy access to gear and the live wells.  You'll notice that unlike other fishing boats, there are no rod holders to store rods in a vertical position.  The hulls are designed primarily for speed, not comfort.  Originally, they were designed for the pros, where speed, range and efficiency are of the utmost importance.  They have a shallow draft to provide access to shallow waters where the typical fishing boat cannot go.

 

Like most other things developed for pros, the amateur tournament fishing guys/gals, and the recreational fishermen want to have all the nice toys and abilities the bass boats provide.

 

They are designed and improved with the specific goal of targeting bass, not crappies, bluegills, perch, walleye, stripers, catfish, etc.  Yes, you can fish for other species in a bass boat, but that is not what they have been designed for.

 

Excellent explanation along with the others.

 

We now have a "classification" of a type of boat in the boating industry which we use the nomenclature "bass  boat" to differentia it from all other types of watercraft.

 

Speed and fishing comfort are two of the main features of a "bass boat."

 

Now go out and get a nice Legend Alpha and enjoy the ride and fishing comfort.

Mike, as a follow up to your post, may I suggest graduating to a 7-foot medium heavy fast action rod for bass.

 

The ultra lights and mediums may not produce the power for a strong hook set and the lure weights and line tests needed to be a successful bass fisherman.

Thanks for the info, those were the sorts of answers I was looking for. I like to think that I've combined the ability to fish shallow water, stand, and moderate comfort with my canoe. It has the added bonus of fitting in the back of my truck and be launched just about anywhere. I do admire the bass boats though! I suspect that if I got a bass boat, I'd also wind up buying more gear to fill it up!

Sam, as far as the pole, good information. I was fishing for perch with my 15 yr old daughter and we were using the light rods and bass were occaisionally hitting on our lures or worms and they'd often jump and spit the lure at us before we got them in the canoe. I was thinking it was because of the size of the hooks but it may also have been that we couldn't set them hard enough with the rods we were using. I may use your logic on my wife for a new rod!