Category Archives: Bass Boat Corner

Bass Boat Buying Tips from the Pros

December 16, 2024 hellabass Leave a comment

If you’re in the market for a new or used bass boat, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by all the options. What size boat is right for you? What features are important? And how much can you expect to spend? In this blog , we’ll share some tips from experienced bass anglers and boat salespeople to help you navigate the buying process and find the perfect boat for your needs.

Many decisions factor into a purchase before you can enjoy your boat on the water!

Determining Your Needs and Setting a Budget

First, it’s important to determine what you need in a bass boat. Do you need a boat for fishing in big water or small lakes? Will you be fishing tournaments or just for fun? How many people will be fishing with you? Once you know what you need, you can start to set a budget. Keep in mind that the price of a bass boat can vary widely depending on the size, age, features, and condition.

Here are some factors to consider when setting your budget:

New or Used: Used bass boats can be a great value, but it’s important to carefully inspect the hull, engine, and trailer for any signs of wear and tear.
Engine Size: The size of the engine will affect the boat’s speed and fuel efficiency. Also, sometimes there are size restrictions for certain tournaments you may fish.
Features: Features like livewells, trolling motors, and electronics can add to the cost of the boat.
Brand and Model: Some brands and models of bass boats are more expensive than others.

Researching and Choosing the Right Boat

Once you have a budget in mind, you can start to research different brands and models of bass boats. There are many great resources available online, such as Bass Boat Central and YouTube. You can also talk to other anglers, guides and boat salespeople to get their recommendations.

Example of Boat Video reviews available on YouTube

Here are some popular bass boat brands:

Phoenix
Caymus
Vexus
Skeeter
Champion
Bass Cat
Falcon
Blazer
Ranger
Triton
Express
Lund

When choosing a bass boat, it’s important to consider the following factors:

Hull Design: The hull design will affect the boat’s ride comfort, stability, speed and draft. Be sure to closely check the transom and the hull under the boat for any signs of cracking or damage to the gel coat or fiberglass.
Single or Dual Console: Many anglers appreciate the extra space of a single console, but if you fish with a spouse or a buddy a lot, sometimes a dual console makes more sense. Some newer boat models have a console that can be removed or put back in under 5 minutes.
Deck Size: The size of the front and back decks will affect how much space you have for fishing and storage for yourself and other people.
Storage: Make sure the boat has enough storage space for all your gear.
Electronics: Choose electronics that meet your needs and budget.
Trailer: The trailer should be in good condition and properly sized for the boat and don’t forget to check the axel, tires and hubs.
Contingencies: If you fish tournament, most brands have tournament contingency award bonuses for wins and high finishes. You should never solely make a decision based on this, but makes a good tie breaker.

Other Important Considerations

Wait times for new boats can be long, ranging from 12 to 20 weeks or more. So plan ahead if you want to have a new boat for spring.
Financing options are available, with loan terms up to 20 years.
Demo days like the In Tune Marine demo event are a great opportunity to test drive different boats and get a feel for what you like.

Buying a bass boat is a big investment. By taking the time to do your research and carefully consider your needs, you can find the perfect boat for years of enjoyment on the water.

For a deeper dive, check out this video live stream on buying bass boats with Aaron Teal

Video Podcast on Bass Boat Buying Tips

Advanced Bass Tactics, Bass Boat Corner, Uncategorized

Setting up Garmin LiveScope doesn’t have to be Scary

November 19, 2024 hellabass

Here are a few of my favorite videos and quick settings updates so you can get the most out of your new Garmin Live Scope unit.

Setup Garmin Livesope in 10 mins or less!

10 Most Important Garmin Livescope LVS 34 Settings you NEED to Know!

This is a step most anglers miss when setting up a new Live Scope Unit

Looking to get a Garmin Livescope Bundle…. Check out the bundle deals at ChaddyBoys.com.

Bass Boat Corner

Introducing the New Player in the Bass Boat Market: iKON Boats

April 6, 2023 hellabass

Jacob Wheeler, a well-known professional bass angler, recently announced on his YouTube channel that he’s building his own bass boat. As we dug deeper into this, we discovered that he’s actually working with a new boat brand called Icon Boats, a subsidiary of HCB Yachts, which is rooted in Hydra Sports Heritage.

But the question is, do we really need a new bass boat brand? And what makes Ikon Boats so special that it’s being touted as the best new bass boat out there? Let’s dive in and find out.

Jacob Wheeler’s New Bass Boat

First, it’s important to note that Ikon Boats is not your budget-friendly, everyman’s boat. This is a high-end bass boat that’s likely to exceed $100,000 when fully loaded. But what sets it apart from other luxury boats in the market?

For starters, Ikon Boats has a unique shape and design, with a distinctive “wishbone” in the top cap that makes it stand out from the crowd. The seats are also unlike anything you’ve seen before in a bass boat, resembling modified gamer chairs. And the compartments have unique edges and angles, setting it apart from the simple geometry found in most boats.

One interesting thing to note is that the company is releasing an LX20 and LX21 edition right away, which is typical for major bass boat brands to have a 20 and 21-foot option. However, it doesn’t look like there will be any 18 or 19-foot starter-sized boats initially.

But what about the company’s heritage? Icon Boats is linked to Hydra Sports, a popular bass boat brand from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. However, the company stopped producing bass boats in 1998 and went into yacht making. Ikon Boats, therefore, represents a new era of bass boats, with little expectation that it will resemble its predecessor in any significant way.

So why should you consider Ikon Boats over other top-tier bass boat brands like Phoenix, Caymas, Triton, or Skeeter? While it’s hard to say definitively without trying the boat out for yourself, the unique design, luxury feel, and promise of high performance make it a compelling option.

In conclusion, Ikon Boats is an exciting new addition to the bass boat market, offering a fresh take on luxury and performance. While it may not be for everyone due to its high price point, for those looking for the best of the best, Icon Boats is definitely worth checking out.

Advanced Bass Tactics, Bass Basics, Bass Boat Corner, Multimedia, Tips and Techniques

Learning to setup your electronics

June 24, 2013 hellabass

Whether we are talking GPS, sonar, depth finders, fish finders or whatever you want to call them, this is a great time of year to learn a few things on how to set them up and get the most out of your electronics. Let’s face it, today’s modern GPS units have come along ways since the first basic LCD Fish Finders hit the market years ago.

I am no expert on today’s modern electronics, but I make an effort to learn as much as I can, and I find a great way to learn is to check out tutorial videos on YouTube. Manufacturers like Humminbird, Lowrance & Garmin make some good videos, but there is also some great stuff put out there by Pro Staffers and general users.

Here are a couple of my favorites, if you have some good ones or find some good ones, post a link in the comments below!

Super neat trick to better understand side imaging whether is Lowrance or Humminbird

This one shows common images & tell you what they are for a Humminbird Side Imaging unit

This video does a good job of showing an advanced technique of catching drop shot fish using a Lowrance HDS Fish Finder

Doesn’t hurt this guy had super sweet Dobyns Rods to feel those smallies either!

Hope a few of these videos and others that you search on YouTube help you find and catch more bass! There are a ton more videos on how to setup sonar, mapping, updating software, managing waypoints and the list goes on and on….

When you’re in the fishing business, you already know how important it
is to always be prepared with all the tools that you need to do the job.
You’re well aware of how important safety is on the job. You know that a
hard day’s work should be rewarded with a nice profitable catch, not a
stay at the hospital – or worse.

And this is exactly why you should never settle for less than the
absolute first class when it comes to outfitting your boat with all of
the marine hardware supplies that you need. Because when it comes to
dangerous fishing and trawling work, lives are always on the line.
Anything less than top notch equipment simply won’t finish the job, and
may even be putting lives at risk.

Luckily, you never have to settle for second or third rate equipment
when it comes to stocking up your vessel with hardware supplies. A quick
browse through any major search engine on the internet will turn up
hundreds, if not thousands, of top notch equipment manufacturers and
suppliers.

One of the industry’s chief hardware suppliers is Alario Brothers. This
family owned company has been on the scene for many years now, and is
considered by many to be the top rated supplier of nautical hardware
currently operating on the modern international market place.

Log on today to see what Alario Brothers can do for you. If you’re
serious about safety, and serious about your hardware, you won’t be
disappointed.

Announcements, Bass Boat Corner, Fun Fishing, Multimedia

Got new boat out one last time

November 21, 2011 hellabass

Last Sunday I got out for about 4 hours and we caught a few good smallmouth, it was more about getting the new boat out once in Minnesota before it was too late. Now I get to stare at it every day for the rest of the winter, sigh

On the positive, with the help of a fishing buddy, I installed new lighting in my garage, I put 6 recessed can lights right above my boat. So now I have great lighting for working on tackle and other boat projects, plus it makes it look like a show room in the third stall. The lighting is good enough, I may do some video spots from there this winter to keep my YouTube Channel fresh.

Here is my latest video production.

Black Friday deals have already started at Bass Tackle Depot, time to score some sweat deals 20% off and more.

I listed some boat props on eBay tonight and I plan to list stuff on ebay on Black Friday while my wife spends at the stores, so I for sure have a G-Loomis GLX and a Shimano Chronarch B SF picked out for listing this week, plus baits and other stuff. So keep a watch out for them! You can find thermo lite board at Merritt Supply and other supplies from here.

Have a safe Holiday Week!

Bass Boat Corner

My New Cat – Long and fun weekend

November 8, 2011 hellabass

Finally recovering from a long and fun weekend. Fishing buddy Paul Coffey and I left Friday after work and drove down to Warsaw, MO to pick up a boat that I purchased from Pro’s Choice Marine. We did stop and visit the Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, IA; nice that they are open until 10pm. Got into town for a quick nap in the SUV and then had a nice breakfast at a local cafe.

The boat was advertised and they were great to work with, they make sure your boat is 100% water ready! So we did not waste any time and launched the boat into the upper Osage arm of Lake of the Ozarks. After test driving the boat for a bit we fished the rest of the day. We ended up catching tons of fish, but struggled with size, the fish were choking a Chartreuse Shad Ima Square Bill and white swim jigs.

Had some solid BBQ at Brown’s BBQ in Clinton, MO, large portions and reasonable prices. Then got a room in St Joseph. We then fished for about 4 hours on Lake Mozingo near Maryville. Mozingo seemed to have tons of potential and we got a few fish, but 4 hours was just not long enough for us to crack the code.

We got home for dinner at home and some family time, about 6 hours total sleep for the weekend, 40 some bass, a few white bass and a crappie and brought home my 2005 Bass Cat Pantera Classic.