What is each model Bass Cat best for?

[Zeb Ates]

I’m looking around at Basscat boats and want to know what each model is best at. I’ve been looking at the Jaguar but I’m not sure if that’s the right one. Any information about any of the models will be appreciated. I mostly want to know about ride, draft, handling big water, and comfort. I fish shallow a lot but also need something to run in big water when I get in it. I fish tournaments so a 250hp is big as I can go on the outboard.

[dean c]

I don’t think you can beat any of the STS platforms. They have the wide body and big front deck of a modern bass boat. They perform very well. Just have to decide which one is right for your application. I really thought hard about a Jaguar STS 400R, but just didn't want to get into that price range. The Puma STS suits me very well.

[mactlman]

you want a sts, which one of the 3 is up to you!!!

[dean c]

you want a sts, which one of the 3 is up to you!!!

4 now with the Lynx

[mactlman]

4 now with the Lynx

i forgot!!!

[caddyjoe77]

You definitely want an STS. Which price and configuration is up to you. I have the Puma STS. I came from a Phoenix 21 PHX. This STS hull is something else. The ride is just as good if not a little better because you are on top. 50 + in crappy water is not out of the question. A friend of mine fished out of the puma, who had also fished out of the PHX. I asked him what he thought and he said this is a better boat and the ride is amazing. Had a friend a couple weekends ago who comes from the walleye world in PA. He loved the boat.

[Zeb Ates]

You definitely want an STS. Which price and configuration is up to you. I have the Puma STS. I came from a Phoenix 21 PHX. This STS hull is something else. The ride is just as good if not a little better because you are on top. 50 + in crappy water is not out of the question. A friend of mine fished out of the puma, who had also fished out of the PHX. I asked him what he thought and he said this is a better boat and the ride is amazing. Had a friend a couple weekends ago who comes from the walleye world in PA. He loved the boat.

I’ve sat in a phoenix before so I’m fairly familiar with how the sit at the console. How would you compare the phoenix to the bass cat as far as room and seat height at the console?

[caddyjoe77]

I’ve sat in a phoenix before so I’m fairly familiar with how the sit at the console. How would you compare the phoenix to the bass cat as far as room and seat height at the console?

Hi Zeb

I dont notice a difference to be honest; the cat definitely isnt smaller nor does it feel like i sit any lower. I am 6'. Plenty of room to easily control the hotfoot, i dont find that my knees are above my hips or anything. i can stretch both legs and touch the cooler or put my left foot between the hotfoot and the cooler. as far as feeling comfortable, certainly feels that way. Steering wheel is great, at first it feels different. view over the bow is great, no issues there especially on plane.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Zeb, this is a very different question than most ask. Much of your answer depends on where you fish. No one can properly answer this question without knowing if you fish Bussey Brake, Atchafalaya, Blacks, Toledo Bend, Shell Canal, the Wagon Wheel, or Sam Rayburn.

All hulls have the Bass Cat drier ride capability and we turn the water off the bow at the front. We also use a variety of air flow for varying performance on top end, as well as keeping water off the front portion for that drier ride. The sub 21” hulls can be larger bodies than some competitive products measuring as 21’ models. It’s not in a number, it’s in how it’s framed, shaped, and used.

Obviously you are doing an in depth dig on what you’re after.

Basic on Hulls:
>Jaguar STS - big deep boat for big water, nimble for its size and all body. It is an amazing platform.

>Puma STS - second in the STS lineup, most enhanced ride for that size category of 21’ (20’7”), almost 7” shallow at the bow than a Jaguar STS, this hull fast made a name for the ride it gives users. Extreme turning characteristics, moderate lifting at mid range for larger waves. By all rights the net scabbard and front storage internal grill design should give ride an edge over some platforms.
(same hull on new Lynx STS)

>Caracal STS - comes off the 2015 intro’d Caracal hull with larger frame and STS enhancements, 3” deeper than the Puma STS frame, shortest running surface line of the main hull, enhanced bow rise and hull controls for large water, nimble in timber and creeks, flatter running at low speeds.

>Cougar FTD - Legacy hull with tweaks. (1996 intro as 20’ 4”) Has an amazing performing hull in all conditions, narrower bow area than wide body products, does not have pointed bow some competitive boats have, so it fishes and measures much wider than perceived, performance with a 250 can range into 80 plus while most are above mid 70’s. Depth at bow is about 7 1/2” less than a Jaguar STS and roughly 1” less than a Puma STS. So it fishes closer to the water if you hand land or lip fish. Rides good, has a bit different character to the STS platforms. Probably the most versatile hull in the lineup.

*Hybrid 203 hull available on Cougar FTD: This spun off a Champion style hull that began with the old 1970’s Skeeter Wrangler. Champion took that template and there are those loyal to that brand, in time those buyers dropped the sales to obscurity. Eventually crushing its existence. We took this frame and placed the running surface on our drier bow area, blending modern styling into the old design. It’s rides like a Champion from mid range through the top, with the best performance we could grasp on this design. Sales of this hull range low, but the loyal following that prefers this ride continue to keep it alive. A new stringer was built for it two years ago to improve the fits. Sales plummeted when the Puma STS was introduced, and have bounced back to a tolerable number. With what still is our lowest performing mold use. It runs lower to mid 70’s for most with that 250 series. The ride mimics that of the expectations from their characteristic hull.

>Eyra - smaller frame boat, narrower body at front, wide rear beam, pointed bow stretched, long running surface, uses lots of air in performance, good big water boat, Very Nimble. Top end numbers can range high empty with a 250. The boat gives everything to the driver in feel and feedback. A solid drivers boat with a go cart like reputation. Cockpit boat, with lower seating, and fishes very tight spaces well with good draft capability.

[Bill2e]

Zeb, this is a very different question than most ask. Much of your answer depends on where you fish. No one can properly answer this question without knowing if you fish Bussey Brake, Atchafalaya, Blacks, Toledo Bend, Shell Canal, the Wagon Wheel, or Sam Rayburn.

All hulls have the Bass Cat drier ride capability and we turn the water off the bow at the front. We also use a variety of air flow for varying performance on top end, as well as keeping water off the front portion for that drier ride. The sub 21” hulls can be larger bodies than some competitive products measuring as 21’ models. It’s not in a number, it’s in how it’s framed, shaped, and used.

Obviously you are doing an in depth dig on what you’re after.

Basic on Hulls:
>Jaguar STS - big deep boat for big water, nimble for its size and all body. It is an amazing platform.

>Puma STS - second in the STS lineup, most enhanced ride for that size category of 21’ (20’7”), almost 7” shallow at the bow than a Jaguar STS, this hull fast made a name for the ride it gives users. Extreme turning characteristics, moderate lifting at mid range for larger waves. By all rights the net scabbard and front storage internal grill design should give ride an edge over some platforms.
(same hull on new Lynx STS)

>Caracal STS - comes off the 2015 intro’d Caracal hull with larger frame and STS enhancements, 3” deeper than the Puma STS frame, shortest running surface line of the main hull, enhanced bow rise and hull controls for large water, nimble in timber and creeks, flatter running at low speeds.

>Cougar FTD - Legacy hull with tweaks. (1996 intro as 20’ 4”) Has an amazing performing hull in all conditions, narrower bow area than wide body products, does not have pointed bow some competitive boats have, so it fishes and measures much wider than perceived, performance with a 250 can range into 80 plus while most are above mid 70’s. Depth at bow is about 7 1/2” less than a Jaguar STS and roughly 1” less than a Puma STS. So it fishes closer to the water if you hand land or lip fish. Rides good, has a bit different character to the STS platforms. Probably the most versatile hull in the lineup.

*Hybrid 203 hull available on Cougar FTD: This spun off a Champion style hull that began with the old 1970’s Skeeter Wrangler. Champion took that template and there are those loyal to that brand, in time those buyers dropped the sales to obscurity. Eventually crushing its existence. We took this frame and placed the running surface on our drier bow area, blending modern styling into the old design. It’s rides like a Champion from mid range through the top, with the best performance we could grasp on this design. Sales of this hull range low, but the loyal following that prefers this ride continue to keep it alive. A new stringer was built for it two years ago to improve the fits. Sales plummeted when the Puma STS was introduced, and have bounced back to a tolerable number. With what still is our lowest performing mold use. It runs lower to mid 70’s for most with that 250 series. The ride mimics that of the expectations from their characteristic hull.

>Eyra - smaller frame boat, narrower body at front, wide rear beam, pointed bow stretched, long running surface, uses lots of air in performance, good big water boat, Very Nimble. Top end numbers can range high empty with a 250. The boat gives everything to the driver in feel and feedback. A solid drivers boat with a go cart like reputation. Cockpit boat, with lower seating, and fishes very tight spaces well with good draft capability.

What does "Shorts Running Surface" mean?

[Zeb Ates]

Zeb, this is a very different question than most ask. Much of your answer depends on where you fish. No one can properly answer this question without knowing if you fish Bussey Brake, Atchafalaya, Blacks, Toledo Bend, Shell Canal, the Wagon Wheel, or Sam Rayburn.

All hulls have the Bass Cat drier ride capability and we turn the water off the bow at the front. We also use a variety of air flow for varying performance on top end, as well as keeping water off the front portion for that drier ride. The sub 21” hulls can be larger bodies than some competitive products measuring as 21’ models. It’s not in a number, it’s in how it’s framed, shaped, and used.

Obviously you are doing an in depth dig on what you’re after.

Basic on Hulls:
>Jaguar STS - big deep boat for big water, nimble for its size and all body. It is an amazing platform.

>Puma STS - second in the STS lineup, most enhanced ride for that size category of 21’ (20’7”), almost 7” shallow at the bow than a Jaguar STS, this hull fast made a name for the ride it gives users. Extreme turning characteristics, moderate lifting at mid range for larger waves. By all rights the net scabbard and front storage internal grill design should give ride an edge over some platforms.
(same hull on new Lynx STS)

>Caracal STS - comes off the 2015 intro’d Caracal hull with larger frame and STS enhancements, 3” deeper than the Puma STS frame, shortest running surface line of the main hull, enhanced bow rise and hull controls for large water, nimble in timber and creeks, flatter running at low speeds.

>Cougar FTD - Legacy hull with tweaks. (1996 intro as 20’ 4”) Has an amazing performing hull in all conditions, narrower bow area than wide body products, does not have pointed bow some competitive boats have, so it fishes and measures much wider than perceived, performance with a 250 can range into 80 plus while most are above mid 70’s. Depth at bow is about 7 1/2” less than a Jaguar STS and roughly 1” less than a Puma STS. So it fishes closer to the water if you hand land or lip fish. Rides good, has a bit different character to the STS platforms. Probably the most versatile hull in the lineup.

*Hybrid 203 hull available on Cougar FTD: This spun off a Champion style hull that began with the old 1970’s Skeeter Wrangler. Champion took that template and there are those loyal to that brand, in time those buyers dropped the sales to obscurity. Eventually crushing its existence. We took this frame and placed the running surface on our drier bow area, blending modern styling into the old design. It’s rides like a Champion from mid range through the top, with the best performance we could grasp on this design. Sales of this hull range low, but the loyal following that prefers this ride continue to keep it alive. A new stringer was built for it two years ago to improve the fits. Sales plummeted when the Puma STS was introduced, and have bounced back to a tolerable number. With what still is our lowest performing mold use. It runs lower to mid 70’s for most with that 250 series. The ride mimics that of the expectations from their characteristic hull.

>Eyra - smaller frame boat, narrower body at front, wide rear beam, pointed bow stretched, long running surface, uses lots of air in performance, good big water boat, Very Nimble. Top end numbers can range high empty with a 250. The boat gives everything to the driver in feel and feedback. A solid drivers boat with a go cart like reputation. Cockpit boat, with lower seating, and fishes very tight spaces well with good draft capability.

Wow! Thanks for the in depth description of the models. Bass Cat has been so helpful in my research. I see what people mean by the customer service being amazing. This definitely encouraged me to look at all the models Bass Cat offers.

[mactlman]

Wow! Thanks for the in depth description of the models. Bass Cat has been so helpful in my research. I see what people mean by the customer service being amazing. This definitely encouraged me to look at all the models Bass Cat offers.

Well look at the forums and notice all the replies you get from all the other boat companies out there lol!!!!
Basscat even help you with somebody else’s brand if they can

[Zeb Ates]

Zeb, this is a very different question than most ask. Much of your answer depends on where you fish. No one can properly answer this question without knowing if you fish Bussey Brake, Atchafalaya, Blacks, Toledo Bend, Shell Canal, the Wagon Wheel, or Sam Rayburn.

All hulls have the Bass Cat drier ride capability and we turn the water off the bow at the front. We also use a variety of air flow for varying performance on top end, as well as keeping water off the front portion for that drier ride. The sub 21” hulls can be larger bodies than some competitive products measuring as 21’ models. It’s not in a number, it’s in how it’s framed, shaped, and used.

Obviously you are doing an in depth dig on what you’re after.

Basic on Hulls:
>Jaguar STS - big deep boat for big water, nimble for its size and all body. It is an amazing platform.

>Puma STS - second in the STS lineup, most enhanced ride for that size category of 21’ (20’7”), almost 7” shallow at the bow than a Jaguar STS, this hull fast made a name for the ride it gives users. Extreme turning characteristics, moderate lifting at mid range for larger waves. By all rights the net scabbard and front storage internal grill design should give ride an edge over some platforms.
(same hull on new Lynx STS)

>Caracal STS - comes off the 2015 intro’d Caracal hull with larger frame and STS enhancements, 3” deeper than the Puma STS frame, shortest running surface line of the main hull, enhanced bow rise and hull controls for large water, nimble in timber and creeks, flatter running at low speeds.

>Cougar FTD - Legacy hull with tweaks. (1996 intro as 20’ 4”) Has an amazing performing hull in all conditions, narrower bow area than wide body products, does not have pointed bow some competitive boats have, so it fishes and measures much wider than perceived, performance with a 250 can range into 80 plus while most are above mid 70’s. Depth at bow is about 7 1/2” less than a Jaguar STS and roughly 1” less than a Puma STS. So it fishes closer to the water if you hand land or lip fish. Rides good, has a bit different character to the STS platforms. Probably the most versatile hull in the lineup.

*Hybrid 203 hull available on Cougar FTD: This spun off a Champion style hull that began with the old 1970’s Skeeter Wrangler. Champion took that template and there are those loyal to that brand, in time those buyers dropped the sales to obscurity. Eventually crushing its existence. We took this frame and placed the running surface on our drier bow area, blending modern styling into the old design. It’s rides like a Champion from mid range through the top, with the best performance we could grasp on this design. Sales of this hull range low, but the loyal following that prefers this ride continue to keep it alive. A new stringer was built for it two years ago to improve the fits. Sales plummeted when the Puma STS was introduced, and have bounced back to a tolerable number. With what still is our lowest performing mold use. It runs lower to mid 70’s for most with that 250 series. The ride mimics that of the expectations from their characteristic hull.

>Eyra - smaller frame boat, narrower body at front, wide rear beam, pointed bow stretched, long running surface, uses lots of air in performance, good big water boat, Very Nimble. Top end numbers can range high empty with a 250. The boat gives everything to the driver in feel and feedback. A solid drivers boat with a go cart like reputation. Cockpit boat, with lower seating, and fishes very tight spaces well with good draft capability.

Of the lakes you listed I fish two of them very regularly. For example, I need the boat to float shallow at bussey, but I need it to ride in rough water at Toledo Bend. Your answer helped me a lot on understanding the difference and what boat is best for me. But, bussey is not the shallowest lake I fish at, I have an aluminum bass boat and have drug it over dirt with the trolling motor, wouldn’t want to do anything crazy like that with a Bass Cat anyways. Although, it would be a dream to be able to comfortably float in 10-15” of water with a fully tournament loaded boat.

[printman71]

Zeb, this is a very different question than most ask. Much of your answer depends on where you fish. No one can properly answer this question without knowing if you fish Bussey Brake, Atchafalaya, Blacks, Toledo Bend, Shell Canal, the Wagon Wheel, or Sam Rayburn.

All hulls have the Bass Cat drier ride capability and we turn the water off the bow at the front. We also use a variety of air flow for varying performance on top end, as well as keeping water off the front portion for that drier ride. The sub 21” hulls can be larger bodies than some competitive products measuring as 21’ models. It’s not in a number, it’s in how it’s framed, shaped, and used.

Obviously you are doing an in depth dig on what you’re after.

Basic on Hulls:
>Jaguar STS - big deep boat for big water, nimble for its size and all body. It is an amazing platform.

>Puma STS - second in the STS lineup, most enhanced ride for that size category of 21’ (20’7”), almost 7” shallow at the bow than a Jaguar STS, this hull fast made a name for the ride it gives users. Extreme turning characteristics, moderate lifting at mid range for larger waves. By all rights the net scabbard and front storage internal grill design should give ride an edge over some platforms.
(same hull on new Lynx STS)

>Caracal STS - comes off the 2015 intro’d Caracal hull with larger frame and STS enhancements, 3” deeper than the Puma STS frame, shortest running surface line of the main hull, enhanced bow rise and hull controls for large water, nimble in timber and creeks, flatter running at low speeds.

>Cougar FTD - Legacy hull with tweaks. (1996 intro as 20’ 4”) Has an amazing performing hull in all conditions, narrower bow area than wide body products, does not have pointed bow some competitive boats have, so it fishes and measures much wider than perceived, performance with a 250 can range into 80 plus while most are above mid 70’s. Depth at bow is about 7 1/2” less than a Jaguar STS and roughly 1” less than a Puma STS. So it fishes closer to the water if you hand land or lip fish. Rides good, has a bit different character to the STS platforms. Probably the most versatile hull in the lineup.

*Hybrid 203 hull available on Cougar FTD: This spun off a Champion style hull that began with the old 1970’s Skeeter Wrangler. Champion took that template and there are those loyal to that brand, in time those buyers dropped the sales to obscurity. Eventually crushing its existence. We took this frame and placed the running surface on our drier bow area, blending modern styling into the old design. It’s rides like a Champion from mid range through the top, with the best performance we could grasp on this design. Sales of this hull range low, but the loyal following that prefers this ride continue to keep it alive. A new stringer was built for it two years ago to improve the fits. Sales plummeted when the Puma STS was introduced, and have bounced back to a tolerable number. With what still is our lowest performing mold use. It runs lower to mid 70’s for most with that 250 series. The ride mimics that of the expectations from their characteristic hull.

>Eyra - smaller frame boat, narrower body at front, wide rear beam, pointed bow stretched, long running surface, uses lots of air in performance, good big water boat, Very Nimble. Top end numbers can range high empty with a 250. The boat gives everything to the driver in feel and feedback. A solid drivers boat with a go cart like reputation. Cockpit boat, with lower seating, and fishes very tight spaces well with good draft capability.

I'm on my 3rd BassCat, current one is a 2022 Cougar FTD, previous was a 2016 Puma FTD. These are the perfect platforms for this old man, fit my garage, plenty of room, stable fishing platform, and perform like no other. Best boats I have ever owned, and I have owned several of them (Stratos, Ranger, Triton, Skeeter, along with the BassCats).

[Bass Cat Boats]

The straight line of the running surface before the bow rises at the Vee.

[Bill2e]

The straight line of the running surface before the bow rises at the Vee.

Thanks - how does that affect performance? All I know is the Caracal STS is a blast to drive! Handles big water well and cuts boat docks as good as my old PII

[Rebel1]

Pad size and length affect speed and load carrying characteristics.

[Bill2e]

Pad size and length affect speed and load carrying characteristics.

In what ways?

[Rebel1]

In what ways?

The wider or longer a pad is, theoretically makes a boat slower and easier to drive but they carry a load better. A narrow pad boat, like an Allison or Bullet, is faster but harder to drive and they don't carry a load as well.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Good explanation on possible impacts with the running surface and pad. It doesn’t honestly make a boat slower if they are longer, we find it makes the boat faster in most cases. The pad width can influence speed either way and that depends on the design of those hulls and the individual pad. Narrower pads are characteristically faster, while wider ones can be either faster or slower.

The wider or longer a pad is, theoretically makes a boat slower and easier to drive but they carry a load better. A narrow pad boat, like an Allison or Bullet, is faster but harder to drive and they don't carry a load as well.