I am looking into getting a used boat here soon, and I was wondering what would be a good starter boat. A buddy of mine told me to go used for a first boat. I currently live in West Texas and mostly fish for crappie and perch. Occasional catfish.. What would be a good starter boat

Get a Center Console....I have a bass boat and a CC..I love them both...but my CC is great in ruff water and lots of space....

Get a 19ft for a starter with a 150 on te back you will be good to go

if you have the money get a new first boat so you know there will be no problems for your fishing situation a bass tracker will do the job with a 50 or 90. there are a lot of good models to choose from.

I have to agree with chris a CC is the way to go, just bought my 21 cc in march and love it go down to houston or san ant. there prices are way cheaper and you can get a good used boat cheap

Whats your budget? A 14' v hull alunimum with a outboard and trailer can be had for $1000 or you can go with a 21 ft bass boat and a 200+ hp motor. I started with a 12' alunimum and a 9.9hp and caught lottsa fish off it. Then a 14 with the same motor and now a 16' aluminum with a 25hp. I am on a budget for my boat and fishing so I buy what I can pay cash for. i would love a 17-20 ft bass boat but it doesnt fit my budget or my garage.

if you live in west texas, avoid aluminum. the choppy water will push it around too much if you are a crappie fisherman. 18-22 ft fiberglass CC w/ 150-200hp should be perfect.

The center console would be the boat of choise, but as far as going NEW on the first boat. That could leave you with an expensive mistake. Since this is your first, I would go with a used boat, that may be in need of some repair. Cost is a major factor when looking at boats, A boat that is not cosmetically aluring is worth more than a pretty boat that has a rotten transum. I would do as follows. 1st. style of boat, 2nd structurally sound, 3rd. mechanically sound (But may be in need of a tune-up) or in need of full service. Additional items that usually are in need of replacement is steering cables, throttle cables and livewell pumps along with lighting. All of which, if you are a little mechanically inclined and a bit of a shopper, are easily done at a small cost.
Once you get into the water, You will soon learn what you really need in a boat, and the operational cost of boat ownership. I would hate to see you buy a $25K boat to find out a year later that it does not meet your needs. Because if you do buy that boat, You may have to eat a few thousand dollars to get into something that fits your adjenda a little better. Also with the older used model. It will give you the experience that you need to overcome problems that arise while on the water. Mainly because you know your boat from the inside out.
This is just my opion. But I have seen a new boat owner, time after time, get into the wrong boat or a year later he changes his style/type of fishing and the boat no longer suits his needs.

Bass boat under 5k. Decide if your a boat person.

Your gonna want to start catching hybrids/whites here at Phantom to. boat makes them easier.