Thread: Bass Tracker?

I have an 04 pro team 185 Tracker with a 90 Merc on it. I just got back from Bull Shoals, table Rock and Taneycomo this week. We fished all three for white bass, crappie, trout and spoonbill snagging. The boat does everything we need and had three big guys in it and still cruise at 40 mph. I bought it new and it was much less expensive to get in to. I upgraded the motor from a 50 hp and glad i did. All the running and trolling we did and only used about ten gallons of gas. I even set it up with front and rear driftmaster mounts for rigging. They also hold their value. Mine is stored inside except for trips when its either in a covered slip or covered up. You might think about upgrading to the PT190 instead of the 175 and don't underpower the boat either.

I'll chime in once again, come the first weekend in may there is a gathering at bucksaw camp grounds, COE as it were, there will be lots of boats there, come check them out maybe sit in a couple, ask questions, good learning experience.

My first new bass boat was a 1989 Bass Tracker Pro-17 . I loved that boat and caught many fish out of it . Beam width was a little narrow for my liking , and it was a little rougher ride in open water on a windy day , but a great shallow water boat , or dipping trees .

Originally Posted by specs

I have an 04 pro team 185 Tracker with a 90 Merc on it. I just got back from Bull Shoals, table Rock and Taneycomo this week. We fished all three for white bass, crappie, trout and spoonbill snagging. The boat does everything we need and had three big guys in it and still cruise at 40 mph. I bought it new and it was much less expensive to get in to. I upgraded the motor from a 50 hp and glad i did. All the running and trolling we did and only used about ten gallons of gas. I even set it up with front and rear driftmaster mounts for rigging. They also hold their value. Mine is stored inside except for trips when its either in a covered slip or covered up. You might think about upgrading to the PT190 instead of the 175 and don't underpower the boat either.

that's good advice, my partner has a Tracker Pro Team 190TX with a 90 on it, I fish out of a Pantera II and on tourney day I don't care which one we fish out of. Rides good and handles the big water we fish all the time really well. Most of the time the decision is made on how far we might have to run, mine runs in the 60s verses upper 30s. As far as I am concerned in tin boats you get the most for your buck out of a Tracker. Are there better boats out there, yes, but for what they cost you can run a glass boat.

I owned a Bass Tracker TX17 for 18 yeas which is close to the 175. A friend has a 2006 175 now. Two yeas ago I bought a new boat. I looked at Tracker 175 and the Lowe 175 and 170. Bass Pro will not work on any pricing, went all the way to the VP of retail sales. Told me they sell more then anyone else so no price adjustments. Bass Pro wanted 1285.00 for a trolling motor upgrade, three bank charger, and extra battery. Went to Cabela's and bought a Lowe 170 Stinger, which is the bass version of the 175. Higher front deck and one live well, no extra seat post up front. Cabela's gave me the exact things BP priced or 1285.00 for 300.00 with trade in credit. The deck on my boat both front and back are hands down larger then the tracker and my friends, the boat also seems to be built better. The trailer has side steps behind the finder which BP dropped this year. My wife who can't swim and never fished off the old one very much loves to go out in this one. The Lowe is much more stale in the water. When fishing by myself I can stand on the outside edge and not drop the boat as much as the 175. My friends sides will drop low in the water. The only complaint I would have is the ride. Mine rides good, but the tracker has the v almost three quarters the way back and takes waves better. The Lowe is more of a flat bottom design. I also like the at he Lowes decks are all aluminum whit no wood like the tracker. Good luck. f your in the KC Kansa area John at Cabela's will treat you right.

Thanks for all the great advice everybody. We really appreciate it

I have a '03 Tracker Tournament V-18 with a 90 on back and love it. We had an older smaller tracker as our first boat and liked it so much we bought the new one to have it paid for by time I retired. If I was going to buy another boat it would probably be another Tracker, I have just had very good luck with them and like the way they pull, load and unload. I can do mine by myself with no problems. Have fun looking and good luck with whatever you buy!

Originally Posted by Kenny

Have fun looking and good luck with whatever you buy!

You should have fun looking but it can be agonizing to buy a new boat. When I bought the 04 I looked at everthing under the sun and could not make a decision. While its true BPS won't negotiate they do run promotions and I bought mine at a decent discount for boat and motor upgrade off the sticker. Go with your gut on which one best meets your needs.