Bass Boat Or Multi-Species - Which Is Right For You? 2025

Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.

Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Bass Boat or Multi-Species – Which Is Right For You?

This exceptional vessel is explicitly engineered to cater to the needs of bass or multi-species anglers, offering superior maneuverability and accessibility. Its state-of-the-art design and sophisticated technology make it an unrivaled choice for bass and multi-species fishing.

Bass Boat: Equipped with powerful, high-speed motors for quick access.
Multi-Species Boat: Flexible design to accommodate different fishing needs.
Decision Between The Two: The choice depends on the individual angler’s fishing preferences and needs.

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.

Explore our collection of interconnected articles for more insights and information on this topic.

Among the never-ending list of fishing boats available in the market, bass and multi-species are the two most famous ships for most anglers. 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 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 uniquely designed for sport fishing, primarily bass and freshwater panfish. They come with a powerful outboard motor, either fiberglass or aluminum, with 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, making maneuvering in shallow water bodies easy. Since they sit low in the water, it decreases their wind resistance, allowing them to accelerate through the water swiftly.

Also, bass boats are generally speedy and can move at 40-70 mph.

Better Casting

Since a bass boat has narrow gunwales, its casting decks are large, providing ample space and stability. You can quickly 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 easily, fish, and reel in.

Ample Storage Capacity

Another advantage of bass boats is that they offer the angler the option to equip this boat with a massive fishing tackle. They come with two large live wells, 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 get wet clothes when fishing 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? 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, you should never try going in the ocean in your bass boat, or chances are, you won’t return 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 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 significant setbacks, decreasing your chances of catching fish effectively.

Best Boat Brands

Best Boat Brands	Price
Nitro	From $30,000 to $50,000
Crestliner	From $10,000 to $50,000
Lowe	From $15,000 to $35,000
Ranger	From $20,000 to $70,000
Lund	From $12,000 to $93,000
Bass Cat	From $40,000 to $65,000
Skeeter	From $30,000 to $80,000
Tracker	From $15,000 to $30,000
Xpress	From $21,000 to $44,000
Triton	From $11,000 to $153,000

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 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 get 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 multifunctional. You can easily take this boat into saltwater and freshwater.

Multi-species boats have hulls designed in a way that has 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.

Performance

In the competitive world of professional angling, Multi-Species boat performance can make or break a tournament. These boats are designed with speed as a top priority, ensuring that anglers can swiftly move from one fishing spot to another.

This speed is paramount during tournaments, where the location of fish often changes rapidly, capable of reaching top speeds of 60 mph.

This means that not only can you reach your desired fishing spot fast, but you can also be the first one there.

Cons 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.

Price and Maintenance

Initial Cost and Value

Bass Boats: These can be pricey due to specialized equipment and design.
Multi-Species Boats: A broader range of price points, often offering more value for a multi-use vessel.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Bass Boats: Requires regular maintenance, especially for high-performance parts.
Multi-Species Boats: Maintenance varies based on use and features but is generally standard.

Bass Boat or Multi-Species: A Short Comparison

You may find a bass boat or multi-species similar in cost, speed, and durability. However, a bass boat is a swifter, slicker, sportier, 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 various water bodies, including saltwater bodies.

Moreover, a multi-species boat is not species-specific, so you can enjoy fishing out a wide variety of fish in this boat. With this boat, you can train your kids to fish in the lake or hit the ocean with your friends for a fishing adventure.

FAQs

What is the price difference between a bass boat and a multi-species boat?

Generally, bass boats can be less expensive than multi-species boats, especially when looking at entry-level models.

However, the price can vary greatly depending on the boat’s size, brand, and features. Multi-species boats often come with additional features and a build that can handle diverse water conditions, contributing to a higher price tag.

Which boat is better for shallow-water fishing?

Bass boats are usually better for shallow-water fishing. Their flat-bottom design allows them to navigate shallow waters where bass often reside. Multi-species boats, while versatile, typically have a deeper hull, making them less ideal for very shallow water.

Is a bass or multi-species boat more suitable for a novice angler?

A multi-species boat might be more suitable for a novice angler due to its versatility and stability. These boats are designed to handle various fishing situations, which can benefit someone still learning about different fishing environments and techniques.

Wrapping Up

A Bass or Multi-Species Boat offers unique features to enhance the fishing experience. A Bass Boat is typically equipped with powerful, high-speed motors enabling quick access across bodies of water.

This type of boat is designed primarily for bass fishing and can be an excellent choice for anglers who predominantly engage in this type of fishing.

On the other hand, a Multi-Species Boat offers a flexible design to accommodate different fishing needs. Its versatile structure allows for various fishing methods and types, making it suitable for catching multiple fish species.

Therefore, deciding between a Bass Boat or a Multi-Species Boat depends on the angler’s fishing preferences and needs.

If the angler’s interest is solely or mainly in bass fishing, a Bass Boat would be a fitting choice. However, a Multi-Species Boat would be more appropriate for those with diverse fishing interests who wish to catch various fish species.

It is essential for potential buyers to thoroughly consider their fishing habits and preferences before making this significant investment.

Home page
Back to the top of the page

Bass Boat or Multi-Species – Which Is Right For You?

Bass Boat or Multi-Species – Which Is Right For You?