The sun is about to rise and the weather is crisp. You pack your tackle box, grab your pole and buy some worms. You make your way to the fishing dock

by M. Jedediah

Fishing is a great American pastime, and thousands of bass fishermen set out each year to enjoy the great outdoors, fish for bass and swap tales of the big one that got away. Many people aren't aware that some boats are made specifically for bass fishing, and good bass boats can make all the difference between success and failure.

Bass boats allow fishermen to take their boats just about anywhere because of their speed, size and maneuverability. First however, there are a few basics to know about bass fishing boats.

Before you even buy bass boats, people must think about towing it from Point A to Point B. Will your vehicle easily be able to pull almost four thousand pounds, up and down hills if necessary? Think about that before you go shopping for any kind of boat. When considering bass boats, think about your options and the kind of boat you want.

Some things you need to consider are what types of water you'll be fishing in the majority of the time. Will you be fishing in rivers or small lakes? Then a smaller, outboard boat may be just what you're looking for. If you're going to be fishing in larger bodies of water, larger bass boats will be necessary, and at least nineteen feet in length, especially if you venture more than twenty to thirty miles from shore.

There are basically two kinds of bass boats: aluminum and fiberglass. An aluminum boat is cheaper than a fiberglass boat, and is more durable against bumps and scrapes. However, it also offers a rougher ride than a fiberglass boat. An aluminum bass boat gets tossed around in the wind fairly easily, but in small bodies of water, a sixteen to seventeen foot aluminum boat would be your best bet.

Fiberglass bass boats are faster than their aluminum counterparts, but a lot more expensive. When in the market for fiberglass bass boats, be prepared to spend anywhere from $20-$40 thousand dollars. However, this cost may be offset by better fuel economy, and they run much quieter and cleaner.

Depending on what part of the country you live in, the prices for bass boats may be reasonable or sky-high. Some people opt to purchase their boats out of state and then have them towed in, while others purchase bass boats and then store them on lakes or rivers and only use them a few times a year.

Next in considering purchasing bass boats are whether you want to buy a new one or a used one, but that's a personal decision everyone must make for himself or herself. There's more to fishing than just taking that old dingy out into the water, and bass fishing is a sport that can cost thousands of dollars a year for enthusiasts.

It's up to each individual to decide how much time they're going to spend bass fishing every year to determine whether buying bass boats will be worth the expense, but many bass fishermen say they can't live without their bass boats. For speed, agility and getting you to the best bass fishing spots out there, bass boats are definitely a must have for many anglers.

About the Author
For more information on boats, try visiting http://www.craftguidance.com - a website that specializes in providing boat related tips, advice and resources to include information on bass boat.