I have always owned a bass boat but I am now considering buying a center console. I need additional room for taking kids out crappie and cat fishing as well as making it easier for my dad to get around in the boat at his age. I am hoping to find a boat with a large front deck with adequate storage. Also I am concerned with how the wind will blow it around while on the trolling motor. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

I have an SX220 and absolutely love it.

I've worked the trolling motor in bass boats and center consoles and I can't tell much difference in the wind.

I bass fish 99.9% of the time but also went with the CC because I just feel its a better family boat than a bass boat. I have plenty of storage space, deck space, and open area for the kids to move around.

Will add a removable/foldable T-top to it this summer so that we can get out of the sun for a few minutes during those blistering hot days.

I have absolutely no regrets with my purchase.

After owning numerous Skeeter and Ranger bass boats, I settled on a CC for my current guide boat for the same reasons you mentioned. Yes, the front end does blow around a little more than a bass boat but I get as shallow and as far back in the sticks as anyone on Fork. I love the MinnKota iPilot and now upgrading to the new Ulterra soon. The spot lock is invaluable in open water.

I do miss the speed sometimes but I can still get where I need to go at 47 mph.

More and more guide customers are wanting to share trips with 3 or more buddies. I can bass fish 5-6 without problems on my Ranger 2310

I like driving standing up. I sold my bass boats this spring. I am having Gator Trax build a bass boat with a center stand up console. I shopped for a year and I wanted a CC that had a large front deck.

My boat is a CC flats boat made by Scout. The model I have (Sportfish 192) isn't made any more, but its 19', all fiberglass.. nothing to rot out and I love fishing out of it. It doesn't have a large deck in the front because it has a cooler in front of the CC, but I have seen this model boat that have been modified to have that front deck. I moved here from ATL 2 years ago, I bought the boat in Orlando after seeing it listed on Boat Trader in 2003. With a 150, top speed is around 50 with just me in it, plenty fast for me. It also came with a Bimini top for getting out of the sun for the wife. The fishing area behind the seat is about the size of a queen sized bed, so plenty of space for her to get some sun. Because its a Flats boat and not a Bay boat.. the gunnels are low to the water just like a bass boat, so it fishes just about the same as a bass boat. I'm happy!

Sold my Z521 and bought a Majek Xtreme 22'. Drafts shallower, will run 70+ and handles rough water well. Still getting used to the copilot system on the TM otherwise I have no regrets.

Sold my 21i Class, and bought a center console for the exact reasons you mentioned. I bought a HAYNIE out of Aransas Pass. They will custom build your boat, deck size, number of boxes, type of console, etc.. I use mine for bass fishing and have zero regrets. I highly recommend the MG Xi5 trolling motor. Talk with Scott, or Brian 361-758-8486.

I've been back and forth between center consoles and bass boats for the past 15 years. I'm in a center console right now and will stay in one unless I can afford two boats some day. The center console is way more versatile if you fish a number of species. I run to the coast a lot, so it's definitely the boat for me. The cons of bass fishing out of it are; the wind blows you around more, the storage isn't as good and without carpet on the deck, you don't generally have rods laying up there. On the plus side, it's way better on rough days. I've been on Texoma in 4-5 footers and still striper fishing. It's also great for catfish, because you just run it to a car wash and spray the deck. Many, many pluses I could list and the only cons are the few I listed for bass fishing.

The Epic's sure look nice!

Check out Pathfinder 2200 Tournament. Recently got one with 250 SHO, Hydraulic JP, Trim Tabs, 112 Minn Kota I pilot TM, dual 10' PP Blades, HDS 12 and 7. Still have the Champion but been using the CC alot more. It has rod boxes, built in NAV lights, Blue LED all inside boat, all boxes lighted. It's a really nice boat. Highly recommend taking a look at one

I ordered a Bluewave Purebay 2200 center console. It should arrive in June. I decided on a center console when I fished from one last fall. My knees don't like sitting in low seats plus I want to start doing some bay fishing. The boat will have a Yamaha F200, HDS 12 & 7, 36V Motorola Xi5 trolling motor, - all networked by NMEA 2000.

We've been fishing from a deck boat for several years now, but now that we have more time on our hands and are older my father and I are looking for a fishing-only boat. We are looking at center consoles the most since we target bass, sandies, and catfish - and we mostly fish Cedar Creek Lake which gets some chop on a windy day. We have it in mind to someday fish bass tournaments and wondered if there are many guys in the local circuits who use center console/bay boats. Is it common at all to see them in Ignition or BassChamps events?

My dad has a Lake and Bay Boca Grande that will hang with any bass boat as far a speed goes and has tons of storage and live wells.


Sterling boats are another good alternative!

What kind of speed would that be?

Previous owner said 70's easily but my dad hasn't and probably will not ever have it up to those speeds. Its a hull that weighs around a 1000lbs with a 250 SHO on the back.

http://www.lakeandbayboats.com/models.html