Are you looking for a new fishing boat? Can’t decide which one is more close to your ‘dreamboat’? If yes, then I am here to help you pick one.
Among the never-ending list of fishing boats available in the market, bass boats and multi-species are the two most popular boats in most fishers. But what makes these boats so attractive?
A bass boat or multi-species may appear to be similar to each other, but they differ in their functionality. Each of these boats has unique features that are designed for fishing in different water body types.
In this article, I have described the characteristics of both vessels and compared them in detail. Keep reading!
Features of Bass Boats
A bass boat is typically 16 to 25 feet long and has an average width of 95 inches. It has two flat casting decks, one on the front and the other on the rear, separated by the cockpit in the middle.
These boats are designed uniquely for sport fishing, primarily bass and other freshwater panfish. They come with a powerful outboard motor, and are either made of fiberglass or aluminum and have V-shaped hulls.
Pros of Bass Boats
Choosing a bass boat will benefit your angling game in several ways. The following are some of its advantages:
Good Maneuverability
Bass boats have a draft of eight to eleven inches, due to which they are easy to maneuver in shallow water bodies. Since they sit low in the water, it decreases their wind resistance, allowing them to swiftly accelerate through the water.
Also, bass boats are generally speedy boats and can move at 40-70 mph.
Better Casting
Since a bass boat has narrow gunwales, their casting decks are pretty large, providing ample space and casting stability. You can easily fly-fish or place a long fishing rod on its deck without poking it into your fishing partner.
This boat can accommodate two anglers, one on the front and the other on the rear, allowing them to cast, fish and reel in with ease.
Ample Storage Capacity
Another advantage of bass boats is that they offer the angler to equip this boat with a massive fishing tackle. They come with two large livewells, one in the bow and the other in the back, and multiple storage compartments to keep all sizes of fishing rods, live bait, and much more.
Cons of Bass Boats
Bass boats aren’t as perfect as they seem. Here are a few reasons why:
Not Comfortable
Bass boats don’t offer much protection, making their riders get covered in water when in motion. You almost always end up with wet clothes when reeling in fish from a bass boat. This factor makes these boats very uncomfortable, especially in winter.
Moreover, you may not find it easy to maneuver a bass boat in rough water conditions. Therefore, it is always a bad idea to go fishing in a bass boat on a windy day.
Restricted to Freshwater
Do you like swordfishing? Well, unfortunately, you can’t do that in a bass boat, as it is designed only for fishing bass and other small freshwater fish. In addition to this, you should never try going in the ocean in your bass boat, or chances are, you won’t be making it back home.
Their engines get rusted if exposed to saltwater and are designed to handle calm lake and river waters only. This factor restricts your fishing style to freshwater only, making the bass boat a less versatile fishing boat.
Less Efficient
Bass boats lack two essential components required for a better fishing experience: a downrigger and flush-mounted rod holders. The lack of flush-mounted rod holders can make you prone to fishing accidents.
Also, the lack of a downrigger makes you unable to determine your live bait’s depth and exact location. These factors are a significant setback, which decreases your overall chance of catching fish effectively.
Features of Multi-Species Boats
As the name suggests, a multi-species boat is not species-specific and allows you to have a diverse fishing experience.
This boat has a length of 17 to 22 feet. It contains one or two consoles, shielded with a windscreen. A multi-species boat is either made of aluminum or fiberglass. They come in various hull designs, but most of them have a semi-V hull.
Pros of Multi-Species Boats
Fishing from a multi-species boat can be an unexceptional experience. Here are some of its benefits:
Comfort
A multi-species boat is all about comfort. Due to the large console windscreens and this boat’s high sidewalls, you rarely end up with wet clothes.
More Seating Room
A typical multi-species boat can accommodate four to six people with ease. In some boat models, you can fold up the seats. These convertible seats help to convert the seating area to a flat deck.
Versatile
A multi-species boat proves to be pretty multi-functional. You can easily take this boat into saltwater and freshwater.
Multi-species boats have hulls designed in a way as to have a moderate deadrise that increases their stability in the massive ocean waves but, at the same time, can also navigate shallow waters in lakes and rivers without any difficulty.
These boats come with downriggers, flush-mounted rod holders, and trolling motors, that you can control with the help of a foot pedestal. All this adds up to provide you with a better fishing platform.
Con of Multi-Species Boats
Despite being so multifunctional, a multi-species boat has one major disadvantage:
Less Casting Space
Although this boat has room for more people, it lacks a flat large enough platform for twisting and moving your fishing rod, making casting very difficult. With only a small flat deck in the bow, you might find yourself waiting for your turn to cast in when another person is fishing from it.
Bass Boat or Multi-Species: A Short Comparison
You may find a bass boat or multi-species quite similar as far as their cost, speed, and durability are concerned. However, a bass boat is a more swift, slick, sporty flat decked vessel. It has limited personal space and is suitable for freshwater fishing, specifically the bass.
Bass boats are the boat of choice for people participating in bass fishing tournaments. They have a design that meets a serious angler’s fishing requirements.
On the other hand, a multi-species boat is a secure, stable fishing boat, with more personal space and advanced fishing gear. This boat allows you to fish in a wide array of water bodies, including saltwater bodies.
Moreover, a multi-species boat is not species-specific, so you can enjoy fishing out a wide variety of fishes in this boat. With this boat, you can train your kids for fishing in the lake or hit the ocean with your friends for a fishing adventure.
Conclusion
Owning the right kind of boat is the key to successful fishing. No matter how skilled an angler is, they often end up catching no fish at all by choosing the wrong vessel.
A bass boat will allow you to fish in all the nooks and crannies of the nearby lake, and maybe let you win the upcoming bass tournament.
On the contrary, in a multi-species boat, you and your family can enjoy an exciting fishing trip without any water body restrictions. So always know your priorities and the pros and cons of each boat before buying one.
