Evolution of the Bass Fishing Boat

In 1948 Holmes Thurman built the first boat that was specifically made for bass fishing. Before this time, bass fishing was not necessarily a popular sport, with fishermen preferring crappie, catfish and bream as the fish of choice. Bass fishing was difficult because bass are found in swampy waters, which made the traditional boat difficult to maneuver in order to get into a good position for fishing. In addition, it tied up the fisherman's hands trying to scull and keep the boat in place.

All of these factors are what drove Thurman to create the first bass fishing boat, specifically designed for swampy waters and fishing. He made the first boat out of wood and it didn't have a motor. He created the first fishing platform, so that the fisherman had a place to stand and place supplies. He flanged out the sides of the craft so that it would have excellent stability so that a fisherman could stand and fish without inadvertently being tossed overboard into the murky waters.

From Shreveport to Present Day

Once Thurman designed the first bass fishing boat, he commissioned his neighbors to help him build more and opened the first bass fishing boat store. Soon after, he added an engine to the craft so that the fishermen's hands could be freed for fishing.

As happens in a free enterprise system, once other people saw the boats, they decided to make improvements and sell their own designs. The Stemco Company was the next to enter the market and their improvement brought about the first bass fishing boats to be made in fiberglass in 1963, which made the production of new boats and new designs easier than building wooden boats.

The problem with the fiberglass hull was that regulations required that it be reinforced in case of damage in a wreck. It was also heavy, so bass fishing boat suppliers again shifted gear and the aluminum boat came into existence. These aluminum boats were lighter and easier to manage, but had even more of an issue with damage in a wreck. In addition, for bass fishing enthusiasts who have a lighter wallet, the aluminum boats tend to be cheaper, although a used bass fishing boat can be found at a reasonable price.

Since their first creation, bass fishing boats have evolved into sleek machines that have all the amenities avid bass fishermen require. The platforms have been elongated and stability is better than ever. They have shallow drafts and are easier to maneuver in the water. One of the main issues with some boats, namely glass ones, is that they are hard to control when pushing sixty miles per hour.