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Fireworks over Tahoe Boat

Get The Best View of Fireworks

The Fourth of July is like Christmas Day for boaters. Nothing represents this celebratory summer holiday more than a cookout (on or by the water!), a lot of watersports fun and of course, fireworks!


Kids fishing off Sun Tracker

Take The Kids Fishing!

Do you sometimes want to be a kid again? You can by taking a real kid fishing. Children are curious about and fascinated with the outdoors. Even the simple things that you might have outgrown—like skipping rocks along the shoreline—excite young minds. You might even rediscover how those little things can make spending outdoors so satisfying and fun.


Woman working on Tracker Boat

DIY Tips To Repair Boat Wear & Tear

Even the best-built boats need TLC over time. That tiny upholstery tear in the passenger seat needs attention before it spreads. Same thing with the spider crack in the gelcoat. Someone spilled a glass of red wine on the cockpit carpet, and it’s looking pretty shabby, too.


Tracker Off road ATV or UTV

How To Choose An ATV Or UTV To Buy

The enticement of accessing the wide open outdoors where you can’t drive even the most tricked out 4x4 pickup is the allure an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). You can take a hike, but why not go farther while easily packing everything you need for the adventure?


Family sitting on boat in showroom

Top 5 Questions From First-time Boat Buyers

This summer, did you spend weekends on the boats of friends or family, wishing you had your own? That’s not surprising. Along the way, you most likely discovered that boating takes the enjoyment of being outdoors to another level (if you didn’t, maybe you should consider trying again with different friends!).


Trot Lines

Guide to Live Bait

Sometimes nothing beats live bait for catching fish. Fish get conditioned over time to seeing the same lures, so why not tempt them with a meal that looks, smells and even tastes natural?

BOATING

OFF ROAD

SERVICE

FISHING

HOW TO:

Choose Between Outboard or Sterndrive Motors

Select the Best Propeller

Choose a Trolling Motor

Know The Best Boat Batteries

Find the Right Boat Anchor

Find the Best Towing Vehicle



BOAT, MOTOR, & ATV BRANDS AT BASS PRO BOATING CENTERS



BUY, SELL, & TRADE

Bass Pro Boating Center Boats

Buying A New vs. Used Boat

Is a new boat for you? Or is pre-owned more your style? Let us help with some tips to guide you toward the boat that is right for you, new or used!


Trot Lines

To Upgrade…Or Not?

The dead of winter gives many boaters the itch to think about the boating season ahead. If you are among them, you might be thinking of upgrades or changes to accessories on your boat.


Sun Tracker while people enjoy the water

Should I Trade My Boat Or Sell It?

You’ve had another great summer with your boat. In the back of your mind, though, is one thought—you want to upgrade to a newer model. We'll help you consider whether you should trade your current boat in at a dealership or try to sell it privately yourself.


Trot Lines

Boat Financing Beginner's Guide

Why should you be thinking about boating during the dead of winter? There are a lot of reasons, beyond just brightening those cold days with daydreams of warm, sunny days on the water. One is that boat show season is coming soon, and with it the opportunity to take advantage of the best deals of the year. 

ALL ARTICLES

Fishing
Trot Lines

Meet the Women of Pro Bass Fishing

“A fish doesn’t know the difference between a man or a woman on the other end of the line,” Bradley said. “It’s really just me and the fish, instead of me competing just against guys.”

Boating
Trot Lines

How To Choose Watersports Towing Hardware

Watersports have evolved over time into highly specialized—or not—activities that can be enjoyed by anyone. You can stay seated and take a lazy spin on a basic innertube, be more daring and stand up and glide across the surface on water skis or go airborne with a wakeboard. No matter which speed or thrill level you choose, the most important connection between you and the boat is the tow point.

Off Road
Trot Lines

Gift Ideas For Off Road Enthusiasts

Beside the ride itself, off roaders like the ability to accessorize their vehicles. Gadgets and gear that keep them on the trail—or get them back on it—are top choices. Here are some gift ideas for the ATV or side-by-side owner on your shopping list.    

Fishing
Trot Lines

Must-Have Tools For Catch-and-keep Anglers

A fillet knife is undeniably the most important tool of the catch-and-keep angler. Some prefer the ease of pressing a switch and making nimble cuts with an electric knife. Others swear by carving the meat by hand with a razor-sharp stainless-steel full tang blade model.

Offer
Trot Lines

Don’t Miss Out On CLUB Member Points!

Are you a Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s CLUB Member? If so, there is a special member benefit for credit card holders that you might not know about.

Boating
Trot Lines

10 Pointers For Towing a Boat

Is there more to towing a boat than just hooking it to your vehicle and heading to the lake? Of course! There are lots of details you need to know about even before buying your boat.

Off Road
Tracker Off road ATVs

DIY Upkeep For Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles are built tough to take on whatever stands in their way. So why bother with home upkeep for something that is built like a tank?

Boating
Trot Lines

Boat Insurance 101

There are two main options for boat insurance policies—a new policy, independent from any other you have, or an umbrella policy, which is bundled with your homeowner’s insurance. Discover what you need to know to insure your boat, and why you need coverage.

Boating
Trot Lines

10 Holiday Gift Ideas For Boaters

Is there a boater on your holiday shopping list? If so, narrow down the choices to practical gifts. Boaters love gadgets and accessories that serve a purpose. Here are our 10 ideas to help fill your list.

Boating
Nitro Boat being launched

Boating Etiquette

Don’t be that guy. You know, that guy who ties up the busy launch ramp by packing gear into his boat. Or that guy at the marina who cranks up the Led Zeppelin so loud you can’t hear yourself think.

Boating
Tracker Boat in water while men fish

Parts of the Boat Explained

You don’t need to go overboard when it comes to knowing the parts of a boat. What is a good idea, however, is understanding the basic functions of boat parts. Ideally, many of the vital parts and the functions they perform are all connected.

Boating
Bass Pro Boating Batteries

How To Choose a Boat Battery

Marine batteries are the unsung heroes of boat accessories. They stay hidden in a dark compartment, mostly ignored by everyone onboard, as they quietly do their jobs. That is, until the engine fails to start or the trolling motor doesn’t work.

Fishing
Young Pro Fishermen on Nitro Boat

High School & Collegiate Anglers Go Head To Head

High school team sports offer students the opportunity to compete for school pride and to earn college scholarships. Football, basketball and baseball are the all-too-familiar headliners. What about other sports, like bass fishing?

Fishing
Fried fresh water fish meal

Hook To Table: Prepare Freshwater Fish

Unless your grocery store is in a coastal area, finding truly fresh fish is pure fantasy. A visit to the seafood department reveals that most of the catch came from a far-flung continent. 

Boating
Cooler filled with ice graphic

How To Pack A Cooler For The Boat

At first, you might think delving into this topic is a waste of time. All it takes to pack a cooler is tossing in the goods and topping it off with ice, right? Not quite!

Boating
Family enjoying water while cleaning Sun Tracker

DIY Boat Care Tips For At Home

What boater doesn’t like sunshine and water? Can there be too much of such good things? The final answer is yes—especially when it comes to keeping a boat in tiptop shape.

Boating
Family enjoying fruit on boat table

Heat Safety On The Water

Nothing beats the heat like taking a refreshing dip in the lake on a hot summer day. Does that quick swim really cool you off, though? You might be surprised to know the answer is not really. There is more to keeping cool in the heat than just making a splash.

Boating
Dog running after ball by Sun Tracker

Boating with Pets

Pretend for a moment that you are your dog taking a cruise on the family boat. The fresh air awakens the senses with myriad new smells—even more than sticking your head outside the window of the family car. As you lie on the aft lounge, the sun warms your coat and you drift off to blissful sleep. There is water, water, everywhere, and you can’t wait to take a flying leap into it!

Fishing – Boating
Three men fishing in the rain on Tracker Boat

Find New Boating & Fishing Gear

You update your wardrobe for spring and summer—so, why not your boat? Get ready for a season of fun on the water with these new products. From rainwear and other apparel to electronics and trolling motors, these are but a few of the offerings you can find online at Basspro.com and Cabelas.com and at select Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Centers.  

Boating
Targa v19 combo and v19 WT

TRACKER TARGA V-19 Deep V Boat Comparison

When waves and wind roughen the surface on wide-open lakes, it’s hard to beat a Deep V aluminum boat. These lightweight rigs are equally at home in shallow water, too, making Deep Vs the ideal choice for anglers seeking versatility and value in a boat. 

Boating
Bass Pro Boating Center Boats

How To Navigate a Busy Boat Show

Do you find yourself daydreaming about boating in the dead of winter? If you’re suffering from cabin fever, a cure awaits you at a boat show. The best news? There’s likely a show coming to a city near you in the coming months.

Boating
Buying graphic

A Smart Buy In Boating & Off Roading

One-stop shopping — customers like it for the savings and convenience. You can fill a grocery cart
 at the supermarket with all you need, but the idea of finding everything needed to go boating in one stop seems 
unrealistic. It's not. Here is how we do it.

Off Road
Tracker Off road ATV or UTV

How To Choose An ATV Or UTV To Buy

The enticement of accessing the wide open outdoors where you can’t drive even the most tricked out 4x4 pickup is the allure an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). You can take a hike, but why not go farther while easily packing everything you need for the adventure?

Service – Boating
Woman working on Tracker Boat

DIY Tips To Repair Boat Wear & Tear

Even the best-built boats need TLC over time. That tiny upholstery tear in the passenger seat needs attention before it spreads. Same thing with the spider crack in the gelcoat. Someone spilled a glass of red wine on the cockpit carpet, and it’s looking pretty shabby, too.

Service – Boating
Truck pulling Tracker Boat

Trailer Maintenance Tips and Checklist

For boaters, nothing is worse than a trip to the lake being cut short by a mechanical breakdown of the boat trailer. The sad—but true—fact is your boat spends more time on the trailer than on the water. The good news is that most problems can be avoided by taking precautionary steps at home.

Service – Boating
Man winterizing boat

Should You Winterize Your Boat?

Winterizing the boat. Just the thought can send shivers down the spines of boat owners. For one, the timing generally means the end of a fun boating season. Plus, winterizing ranks low on the priority list of “fun” fall chores like raking leaves and cleaning gutters.Before blowing them all off, remember, those chores have a purpose. For boaters, winterizing keeps money in the fun budget, instead of being wasted on costly repairs.

Quiz – Fishing
Swordfish

Can You Identify These Saltwater Fish? Keep Your Species Recognition Sharp With Our Quiz

How many saltwater fish can you correctly name?

Off Road
 Tracker Off road 800 SX

10 ATV Safety Tips for Winter Riding

Mud, snow and cold. Those are some of the givens for wintertime off-roading. Your ATV can handle all three conditions. But can you? There is more to ATV riding in winter than bundling up to beat the chill.

Boating
Trot Lines

Prep Your Deep V for Northern Spring Fishing

For northern anglers, waiting for ice to melt is kind of like watching water boil. It’s a real test of patience. Here are tasks that should be considered to prevent problems later on, or sooner.

Boating
Trot Lines

Build a Boating First Aid Plan

Accidents happen, even on the water. That is why boaters should be prepared with what to do should someone onboard—or on another vessel—need medical help. Knowledge, quick action and proper treatment can slow down an injury before it worsens.

Boating
Trot Lines

How to Choose an Outboard Propeller

Should I switch from an aluminum propeller to one made of stainless steel? Will a four-blade prop improve my holeshot? Is my prop too big or small? What prop do I need to make my boat go faster?

Boating
Trot Lines

Tips For Better Boat Performance

Improving the performance of your boat is more than making it go faster. Better fuel economy and even safer boating are among the benefits of fine tuning the performance of the boat, engine or both.

Off Road
Tracker Off road UTV

Conservation Duties of the Off Road Community

Offroading adds another exciting reason for enjoying the great outdoors. ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and UTVs (utility vehicles) can take riders farther into the wilderness than any 4x4 truck. With that benefit comes a responsibility to respect the land and water that is centric to the offroading environment.

Boating
Trot Lines

Boater FAQs

Got questions? Here are answers to common questions asked by boaters.

Boating
Trot Lines

Launching and Loading Checklist

Going through a checklist of steps you need to take for launching and loading a boat might seem too much like work. Yet the little things add up—like remembering to install the drain plug—and all it takes is forgetting one step to ruin an otherwise picture-perfect day on the water.

Fishing
Trot Lines

No Rod & Reel Needed For These Fishing Tactics

There’s fresh seafood, and then there’s really fresh seafood. The taste is noticeably more delicious when seafood comes directly to market from the commercial fishing boat. 

Boating
Tahoe Boat driving into sunset

13 Weird Boating Superstitions

Ancient mariners endured great danger and uncertainties as they crossed the open ocean in search of new worlds. Faced with so many unknowns, sailors put their faith in superstitions, omens and luck.

Boating
Sun Tracker while people enjoy the water

Should I Trade My Boat Or Sell It?

You’ve had another great summer with your boat. In the back of your mind, though, is one thought—you want to upgrade to a newer model. We'll help you consider whether you should trade your current boat in at a dealership or try to sell it privately yourself.

Fishing
Man Jigging

Hook To Table: Prepare Freshwater "Trash Fish"

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” has an epicurean definition when it comes to what are called “trash fish” in the freshwater angling world. Some species get a bad rap based on their uncommonly bad looks. But like they say, looks aren’t everything.

Fishing
Saltwater Fish meal

Hook To Table: Prepare Saltwater Fish

Even if you live on the coast, some of the tastiest fish in the sea are not available at the fish market. Why is that so? The answer is good news for boaters who catch their own saltwater fish to eat.

Boating
Coast guard logo over water

Coast Guard Rules To Know & Follow

Boaters in the 42 states with mandatory boater education laws must obey specific rules when boating on their home waters. If you live in those states, there are other rules to know and follow—the U.S. Coast Guard Rules of the Road.

Fishing – Off Road
Tracker Off road ATV  on ice

Winter Safety Gear To Pack For Ice Fishing

Preventive maintenance and repairs, rigging new accessories and repowering your boat is what you expect to find at the service department of a boat dealership.

Boating
Truck pulling Nitro Boat out of water

Trailering Your Boat On Vacation? Follow Our Travel Tips

Do you sometimes want to be a kid again? You can by taking a real kid fishing. Children are curious about and fascinated with the outdoors. Even the simple things that you might have outgrown—like skipping rocks along the shoreline—excite young minds. You might even rediscover how those little things can make spending outdoors so satisfying and fun.

Boating
Waking boarding behind Tahoe Boat

Need Ideas For A Boating Vacation?

Just as there are boats designed for every interest, the same goes for where to go and enjoy boating activities. You might already know the best places on your home lake for fishing. The truth is, though, some lakes are better than others, and that goes for just about any other activity in the boating world.

Boating
Wake boarding behind boat

Watersports for All Ages

Wakeboarding. Waterskiing. Tubing. All three watersports peg the fun needle for thrill-seeking boaters. What is so fun about watersports is anyone, regardless of age, gender or skill level can find a ride that suits their boating fancy.

Boating
Mako Boats

Mako Boat Skiff Comparison

The growing popularity of inshore and nearshore saltwater fishing is creating a demand by anglers for boats catering to their specific needs. Whether the pursuit is venturing into the backcountry to search for snook in the mangroves, intercepting migrating tarpon in the pass or stalking redfish in the marshes, there is a rig to meet your needs

Off Road
Tracker Off road ATV  going through water

10 Standard Safety Tips For ATV & UTV Riders

The enticement of accessing the wide open outdoors where you can’t drive even the most tricked out 4x4 pickup is the allure an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). You can take a hike, but why not go farther while easily packing everything you need for the adventure?

Boating
Tahoe Boat running shot

Outboard vs. Sterndrive? How Do I Choose?

Life is good. You have just decided to buy a new TAHOE sport boat. There it sits in the showroom, ready to be all yours. You envision warm, sunny days on the water with the family in the boat of your dreams. There is nothing left to do but give the nod to the sales consultant and close the deal, right?

Boating
Sun Tracker Fishing Barge, Party Barge and Sport Fish

Comparing SUN TRACKER 22ft. Pontoon Models

Not all pontoons are created equal for every task. What separates them is the boater's choice in on-the-water activities, performance needs, and the pontoon's interior organization, particularly at the bow and stern. Find out what pontoon configuration may be best for you!

Boating
Invasive mussels

How To Avoid Spreading Invasive Aquatic Species

A well-kept boat is the joy of any proud boat owner. There is more to keeping a boat clean, though, than just soapy water and good old-fashioned elbow grease—especially lately. 

Boating
Woman working on Tracker Boat

Meet A Sales Outfitter – Manny Pardo

Ask Manny Pardo, boat sales manager in Gainesville, Florida, what he likes most about his job and the answer is universal among his colleagues at any Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center.

Service – Boating
Bass Pro Boating Center Pro winterizing

Where Can You Have A Saltwater Boat Winterized?

Shorter days and chillier nights mean that winter is coming. Are you prepared for it? Before you put another log on the fire, take a seat and tune into a football game, remember that there are chores to do beyond stacking firewood.

Service – Boating
Man winterizing boat

Warm Climate Boat Maintenance & Winterization Tips

Winterizing the boat is an all-too-familiar autumn ritual for northern boaters. What about boaters living in warmer climates? Is it worth spending the time and money on a boat that won’t be used until next spring?

Quiz – Boating
Woman putting lifejacket on little girl

How Well Do You Know Boat Safety? Test Your Knowledgebase.

How much do you know and practice boating safety? Take our quiz and test your baseline for how much you prioritize safety on the water!

Boating
Trot Lines

Learn The Ropes of Boating

An abiding rule with mariners is that rope becomes “line” when it comes on the boat. Is the christening of rope just a formal seamanship term? Not at all and here are reasons why.

Off Road
 Tracker Off road 800 SX

Off-Road Vehicles Are Ideal For These 10 Tasks

You can easily come up with a list of reasons why off-road vehicles are ideal for hunting. A ride through the gnarly countryside to your deer stand might top the list, as it should. What about a list of non-hunting uses for your ATV or side-by-side?

Fishing
Trot Lines

How To Choose The Best Rod & Reel

The shopping task sounds simple enough—pick up a new rod and reel. Once upon a time, that might have been as easy as that, too. Choices were fewer with rods and reels essentially universal in their angling applications. For light line and small lures, you went with a spinning outfit. For everything else, it was a baitcaster.

Boating
Trot Lines

To Upgrade…Or Not?

The dead of winter gives many boaters the itch to think about the boating season ahead. If you are among them, you might be thinking of upgrades or changes to accessories on your boat.

Boating
Trot Lines

How to Choose a Tow Vehicle

Once upon a time, choosing a tow vehicle to pull a boat began and ended with one feature—fastening a hitch and tow ball to the rear fender. Today, boaters can benefit from vehicles that are geared specifically for towing boats.

Boating
Trot Lines

Knowing Aids To Navigation

If you are new to boating, you have probably encountered myriad shapes, sizes and colors of signs, markers and buoys. Some have beacons and strobes, while others might have horns to alert you of a danger. Those aids to navigation are the traffic signals that guide boaters safely along the waterways. They also identify dangerous or controlled areas, and give directions and information.

Fishing
Trot Lines

Recycling Christmas Trees For Fishing Habitat

A holiday downer comes when it’s time to take down the Christmas tree. If you are an avid angler, though, you can actually look forward to what otherwise is a gloomy task. Best of all, you can enjoy the spirt of giving long after Christmas ends.

Off Road
Person riding Tracker Off road on trail

Safety Gear For ATV & UTV Riders

Enjoying outdoor sports takes two things. Having fun and keeping it safe. Wearing protective gear designed for just about any activity is how you do both.

Fishing
Trot Lines

Trot Lines, Limb Lines, Jug Lines

Cast and retrieve. Repeat. That is what it takes to catch fish with a rod and reel. The idea is the more casts you make, the more fish you will catch.

Fishing
Pacific Sturgin Saltwater fish

Unique Fish Species to Catch

Some strange species are elusive loners. You never know what’s on the end of the line until the fish appears on the surface. Others make spawning runs that are “save the date” angling events due to their numbers.

Boating
Boat Hull Graphic

Boat Hull Comparison

When boat shopping, the first question that comes to mind is how you plan to use it. Anglers want tackle storage, families like comfortable seating and wakeboarders need speed. With the needs and features checked off the list, what comes next? Most often it’s the price. There might be something missing from the list, though—the boat’s hull design.

Boating
Man pulling boat anchor out

How to Choose a Boat Anchor

Does your boat have an anchor? If so, is it of sufficient size and strength to hold your boat in place? Believe it or not, many boat owners decide on which anchor to buy based on convenience and storage space.

Fishing
Man caught saltwater fish

Fun Saltwater Fish To Target

Saltwater anglers have a good problem—there are so many species from which to choose. Catching them all could be a full-time job, which in fact, it is! Only charter captains have that luxury, so what about the rest of us?

Boating
Conservation river

Tips For Green Boating

Boating is your gateway to the fun of being on the water. Why not respect this precious resource with environmentally friendly boating practices?

Boating
Cell phone on holder in boat

Helpful Mobile Apps For Boating

You might have heard the phrase, or even used it yourself to describe the ubiquitous mobile phone software that connects everyone with the cyberworld. Not surprisingly, there are apps for just about any boating need. Reserve a slip from your phone, find the best times to fish, file and share a float plan and check the marine weather. Yep, there are apps for ALL that.

Boating
Two men discussing Tracker Boat

Getting To Know Your Boat On The Water

The dealership called and the boat of your dreams will arrive soon for you to pick up. This exciting news has you giddy and already making plans to rush to the dealership, hook up the boat and go to the lake for a maiden voyage.

Fishing – Boating
Fishing Knots

Knots To Know for Fishing & Boating

Knots. Many are challenging to learn, let alone remember how to tie. Tying some knots takes time, too much of it, when you’d rather be fishing. In this day of instant gratification, you won’t find a packaged, ready-to-use Improved Clinch Knot at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s. Too bad!

Boating
Kids tubing behind Sun Tracker Boat

How To Choose A Tube & Other Towables

Choosing watersports towables can be like deciding which thrill ride you want to take at a theme park. It all depends on your level of courage and how much you want to laugh and scream as your waterborne joyride is towed behind the boat.

Fishing
Nitro Pros Josh Bertrand Brian Snowden Ott Defoe

How NITRO Pro Anglers Prepare For The Season

How do the pros spend the winter “off season” between tournament seasons? The answer is staying busy preparing for the next season. Boats are ordered, rigged with accessories and decked out with all the latest tricks of the trade. Christmas comes nearly every day. Shipments of the newest tackle arrive and must be unboxed, organized and prepped for duty.

Boating
Three men fishing on Nitro Boat

10 Winter Boating Tips

Soaking in the rays and spending long summer days on the water. Those are the dreams of boaters during winter. But, why wait when you can take a cruise now? Sunny, mild winter days are rare but perfect for getting your boating fix before summer finally arrives.

Boating
Bass Pro Boating Center Boats

Buying A New vs. Used Boat

Is a new boat for you? Or is pre-owned more your style? Let us help with some tips to guide you toward the boat that is right for you, new or used!

Boating
Danyeal Posing next to Tracker Boat

Boat Buying Tips From A Boat Sales Consultant

Buying a boat is much different than an automobile for more than the obvious reasons. Getting you from one place to the next is the fundamental use of a vehicle. More than just a mode of transportation, a boat is your ticket to fun, from fishing and cruising to tubing, skiing and more.

Boating
Family sitting on boat in showroom

Top 5 Questions From First-time Boat Buyers

This summer, did you spend weekends on the boats of friends or family, wishing you had your own? That’s not surprising. Along the way, you most likely discovered that boating takes the enjoyment of being outdoors to another level (if you didn’t, maybe you should consider trying again with different friends!).

Service – Boating
Woman working on Tracker Boat

What to Know About Repowering A Boat

Today’s well-built boats are made to last. That means repowering—or updating the engine—will eventually need to happen if your boat is a long-term investment. What is more, preowned boats need repowering sooner than new boats. In either case, repowering extends the life of a boat regardless of age. That’s a good thing, and so are the choices that can make your boat perform even better.

Service
Bass Pro Boating Center Jody Graves

Meet The Power Pros – Jody Graves

Preventive maintenance and repairs, rigging new accessories and repowering your boat is what you expect to find at the service department of a boat dealership.

Quiz – Boating
Find The Boat Brand for You!

What Is The Best Boat Brand For Me? Our Quiz Can Help You Choose

Are you more of an aluminum fishing boat person, a luxury pontooner or a sport boater? Takes this quiz to find the boat brand that fits your personality!

Boating
Trot Lines

Do’s and Don’ts of Towing A Boat On The Water

Birds of a feather flock together. When a boater is in need, another will gladly pitch in to help. Such is the case with rendering aid and towing a fellow boater in need, right? Not necessarily, and here is why.

Fishing
Trot Lines

10 Unique Lures To Try Out

Anglers are notorious for blaming slow fishing conditions on the fish, when they could blame themselves for not using the right bait.

Boating
Trot Lines

How To Choose A Trolling Motor

A successful day of fishing from a boat comes down to teamwork. Your outboard can get you from the shore to the hot spot, but it falls short in maneuvering the boat to where the fish are biting.

Off Road
Hand holding Tracker off road picture on phone

Helpful Mobile Apps For Offroading

Your smartphone should rank low on the gear priority list for off-road adventuring, right? Nobody wants their chill time in the great outdoors interrupted by the annoying ding of incoming text messages. On the practical side, smartphone-powered apps can add convenience and fun to offroading.

Fishing
Trot Lines

Guide to Live Bait

Sometimes nothing beats live bait for catching fish. Sport fish get conditioned over time to seeing the same lures, especially in waters receiving heavy angling pressure. Bass don’t eat spinnerbaits, nor do red drum dine on hard plastic topwater plugs. So why not offer them a meal that looks, smells and even tastes like dinner?

Boating
Trot Lines

How Does That Part Work?

You turn on the depthfinder and the high definition screen lights up with a colorful display of the bottom contours and a number displaying the depth. How the heck does that work? Well, there is a part in the bottom of your boat that makes it happen.

Boating
Trot Lines

Boat Financing Beginner's Guide

Why should you be thinking about boating during the dead of winter? There are a lot of reasons, beyond just brightening those cold days with daydreams of warm, sunny days on the water. One is that boat show season is coming soon, and with it the opportunity to take advantage of the best deals of the year. 

Boating
Boat Capacity Label

Boat Capacity Plates Decoded

Do you ever look at the white boat capacity plate near the console of your boat? Probably not. You might think it’s there to justify a legal requirement by the manufacturer.

Fishing
Striped Mulet, Southern Sting Ray, Lion Fish

Unique To Eat: Saltwater Species

The allure of saltwater angling is sometimes shrouded in mystery. You don’t know what kind of fish is on the hook until it appears at the surface.

Boating
Tahoe Deck Series

Compare Models: TAHOE Deck Series

Think of TAHOE Deck Series boats like today’s ever popular crossover SUVs. You get a smooth sedan-like ride with the roomy interior of a sport utility vehicle. What’s cool about these deck boats is they are designed for fishing and family entertainment.

Off Road
Tracker Off Road UTV Ice Fishing

Trick Out Your ATV or UTV For Ice Fishing

ATVs and UTVs are becoming increasingly popular for ice fishing because…why not? The same off-road vehicle used during the hunting season is highly adaptable for ice fishing.

Boating
Mako Boat running shot

Boating Terms & Jargon Glossary

The language of boating jargon has a logical purpose—shorten phrases into single words of uniformity that can be clearly communicated—and understood—by anyone involved in the navigation or tending to of the vessel.

Fishing
Man catching fish

Fun Freshwater Fish To Target

Largemouth bass get most of the attention from freshwater anglers, and rightfully so. From local bass clubs up to the big leagues, there are tournaments that make chasing bass for cash very lucrative. At the top of the freshwater food chain, bass grow big and fight hard. 

Boating
Fireworks over Tahoe Boat

The Best Fireworks Viewing Is From The Boat

The Fourth of July is like Christmas Day for boaters. Nothing represents this celebratory summer holiday more than a cookout (on or by the water!), a lot of watersports fun and of course, fireworks!

Fishing
Kids fishing off Sun Tracker

Take The Kids Fishing!

Do you sometimes want to be a kid again? You can by taking a real kid fishing. Children are curious about and fascinated with the outdoors. Even the simple things that you might have outgrown—like skipping rocks along the shoreline—excite young minds. You might even rediscover how those little things can make spending outdoors so satisfying and fun.

Fishing – Boating
Fish in livewell

Keep Fish Healthy In The Livewell

You catch, weigh and release bass in tournaments, giving little thought to what happens to the fish next. After all, bass are released into the wild to be caught another day in catch-and-release tournaments, right? Not necessarily and here is why.

Fishing
Bowfishing at sunset on Tracker Boat

Bowfishing – Learn The Basics

Bow hunters begin limbering up for the whitetail deer season in summer by taking aim at practice targets in their backyards. That can get downright boring while sweltering in the summer heat when the season is months away.

Fishing
Two people fishing off Tracker Boat

Fishing Tournament Etiquette To Remember

Are you fired up about the tournament season ahead? Of course! There’s a lot to be excited about when winter gives way to spring. New tackle, a clean slate and a winning attitude are all part of the game.

Boating
Enjoying  the water around Sun Tracker Boat

Get Your Boat Ready For Spring

As winter nears an end the shared attitude among boaters is usually—"thank goodness".Whether mild or one for the record books, how many times during the colder, darker season did you daydream of getting out in your boat, basking in the warm sunshine? Well, now is the time to start preparing to make the most of those days ahead.

Boating
Woman putting lifejacket on little girl

Boating Safety Basics

You go boating to have fun. There is a serious side, though, that when overlooked can bring unwanted and/or tragic circumstances to your favorite pastime. The topic is boating safety, and it’s not as boring as you might think.

Boating
Older couple enjoying hot beverage

10 Fall Boating Activities The Keep The Fun Going

Fall signals the conclusion of boating season, or does it? Not really! Even in northern climes, there are fun boating activities—many you never thought of—that can extend the season for creating memories on the water. It’s time to break tradition and make boating part of your fall traditions. Waterways are less crowded, days are cooler, and above all else, changing leaves add a brilliant splash of color to the backdrop this time of year.

Boating
Tracker 195 txw and Nitro z18

TRACKER 195 TXW And NITRO Z18 Model Comparison

Once upon a time, a wide gap separated fiberglass and aluminum bass boats. Performance, stability, durability and interior storage made fiberglass the front-runner on mainstream bass lakes. Lower prices, better fuel economy and getting to unpressured skinny water were short list advantages of lighter weight aluminum models.

Service – Boating
Woman working on Tracker Boat

How To Replace Trailer Bunks

Unless stored in marina slips or dry docks, most boats spend their downtime on the trailer. Boat trailers are prone to normal wear, just like your vehicle. Tires need replacing, that’s a given. Brakes and lights need checking and replacement. But what about those trailer parts that you don’t give much thought about?

Service
Bass Pro Boating Center Tim Thompson

Meet A Power Pro – Tim Thompson

Taking delivery of a new boat is just the beginning, not the end, of doing business at a Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center. Here, the experience continues at the service department for as long as you own the boat. 

Service – Boating
Mercury Marine Technicians

Power Pros Are Mercury Master Certified Technicians

As a boat owner, you want to spend more time on the water and less time at the dealership. Preventive maintenance and unplanned repairs are obviously givens, and where and who you choose to do the work can prolong those sunny days of fun on the water.

Quiz – Fishing
Fish swiming

Can You Identify These Freshwater Fish? Keep Your Species Recognition Sharp With Our Quiz

How many freshwater fish can you correctly name?

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