Boats for bass fishing have come a long way since Skeeter offered the first production bass boat in 1958, and Forrest Wood’s Rangers became a household name among serious bass anglers in the 1970s. The original Skeeter featured a MotorGuide trolling motor, stick steering, and a Martin 71⁄2hp outboard. Boats have since grown steadily in size as anglers venture onto larger waters and carry more equipment. Horsepower ratings also have climbed, to push the big boats at blistering speeds.

The price tag for full-size high-performance bass boats has risen even more steeply, approaching $30,000 for some fully rigged boats. Gas guzzling by outsize outboards can add thousands of dollars to an annual fishing budget. Consequently, many avid bass anglers, who fish mostly for fun or for trophy bass, favor smaller, more-economical crafts. Multispecies boats, so-called because they blossomed in the Upper Midwest where most anglers pursue a variety of fish species, now are popular through much of the country.

John boats still find favor wherever small creeks or ponds offer fishing opportunities or where midsize impoundments remain calm much of the year. These low-sided craft are maneuverable and efficient, but dangerous in rough water, unlike the high-sided multispecies hull.

Whatever your choice in a bass boat, proper rigging is necessary to make it a fun and efficient tool—a faithful companion in your search for fish. We note, too, that as boats get bigger and more high-tech, fewer anglers are able to rig their own. Countless electronic instruments and multiple-battery systems require professionals with a flair for the art that has become boat rigging.

Sonar systems must be situated for prime viewing and set to minimize static from competing electrical frequencies. Trolling motor placement, console setups, and seating are in part a matter of personal preference. Too, bass boat hulls handle best with the most weight (batteries, fuel, livewells) to the rear, while multispecies boats need weight toward the bow to keep them from porpoising. These diagrams suggest what you may want to include and where it might best fit. Wintertime fishing expos and boat shows offer opportunities to review new boats, collect catalogs, and sniff all that newly laid fiberglass.