6 Best Bass Tracker Boats For Tournaments That Pro Anglers Rely On

The alarm blares at 4 AM. In the pre-dawn chill, you hook up the boat, the quiet hum of the trolling motor batteries a promise of the day ahead. For a tournament angler, every piece of gear is a calculated choice, but none is more critical than the boat itself—your command center for a long, grueling day on the water. This is why so many competitive anglers, from local club heroes to seasoned pros, turn to the proven performance of Bass Tracker aluminum boats.

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Why Pros Choose Aluminum for Tournament Fishing

When you picture a high-stakes bass tournament, a glitter-flaked fiberglass rocket often comes to mind. Yet, a growing number of pros and serious amateurs are running aluminum, and for very good reasons. The primary advantage is access. An aluminum hull is significantly lighter than its fiberglass counterpart, allowing anglers to launch in unimproved areas and, more importantly, sneak into shallow, stump-filled backwaters where lunker bass hide and heavier boats simply can’t go.

Durability is another massive factor in the tournament world. You’re fishing hard, often in less-than-ideal conditions. Bumping a dock, sliding over a submerged log, or beaching on a gravel point is part of the game. On an aluminum boat, these moments might leave a scratch or a "memory mark," but on a fiberglass hull, they can lead to costly gelcoat and fiberglass repairs. Aluminum offers a rugged peace of mind that lets you focus on fishing, not on potential damage.

Finally, there’s the undeniable value proposition. A fully-rigged, tournament-ready aluminum boat from a brand like Tracker comes in at a fraction of the cost of a comparable fiberglass rig. This smart financial choice allows anglers to allocate more of their budget to other critical gear like electronics, tackle, and travel expenses. It proves that you don’t need the most expensive boat to be the most effective angler.

Pro Team 195 TXW TE: Maximum Performance & Features

Imagine you’re fishing a large reservoir like Lake Guntersville or Sam Rayburn, where long runs in heavy chop are part of the tournament plan. This is the exact scenario where the Pro Team 195 TXW Tournament Edition shines. As the flagship of the Tracker aluminum lineup, it’s built to maximize speed, space, and fishability for the most demanding competitor.

With a 150-horsepower rating, this boat has the power to get you to your best spot first, a critical advantage when the bite is hot at dawn. The massive front casting deck provides ample room for two anglers to fish comfortably without getting in each other’s way. The Tournament Edition package comes pre-rigged with upgraded electronics, multiple livewells, and an almost excessive amount of lockable storage for rods and gear.

The tradeoff, of course, is size and cost. This is the largest, heaviest, and most expensive boat in the Pro Team family. It requires a more substantial tow vehicle and a bigger storage space. But for the serious tournament angler who wants fiberglass-level performance and features in a more durable and accessible aluminum package, the 195 TXW TE is the top of the food chain.

Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW: The All-Around Star

If there is one boat that represents the heart and soul of the Bass Tracker lineup, it’s the Pro Team 175 TXW. For decades, this model has been the go-to choice for everyone from high school fishing teams to seasoned weekend warriors. It hits the perfect sweet spot between performance, size, and affordability, making it arguably the most versatile boat in its class.

The 175 TXW is large enough to handle the chop on a breezy day but nimble enough to navigate tight river channels and coves. Its layout is a masterclass in efficiency, with a generous casting deck, well-placed storage, and all the essential fishing features right where you need them. It’s easy to tow with a mid-size SUV or truck and fits neatly into most standard garages.

This is the boat for the angler who does a little bit of everything. It’s a reliable platform for competing in local club tournaments on a Saturday and taking the family out for some casual fishing on a Sunday. While it may not have the top-end speed of the 195 or the ultra-nimble feel of the Pro 170, it does everything exceptionally well, making it the undisputed all-around star of the tournament world.

Bass Tracker Classic XL: Best Entry-Level Competitor

Getting started in tournament fishing can be intimidating, especially when you look at the price tags on new boats. The Bass Tracker Classic XL is the answer to that problem. It’s a simple, honest, and incredibly effective fishing machine that provides a legitimate competitive platform without the hefty financial commitment.

This boat strips bass fishing down to its essentials. You get a stable, all-welded aluminum hull, a reliable Mercury outboard, a Minn Kota trolling motor, and a Lowrance fishfinder. The layout is clean and uncluttered, providing a surprising amount of fishing room for its compact size. Its lighter weight and smaller footprint make it a dream to tow and launch, even with a smaller vehicle.

Of course, there are compromises. Storage is more limited, and its 50-horsepower rating means you won’t be winning any races on a big lake. But for tournaments on smaller bodies of water, rivers, or horsepower-restricted lakes, the Classic XL is a giant-killer. It proves that a smart angler with a simple, reliable boat can consistently outperform someone with more horsepower and a bigger payment.

Bass Tracker Pro 170: A Nimble, No-Frills Option

Think of a small, stump-laden reservoir or a narrow, winding river where precision boat control is more important than outright speed. This is the domain of the Bass Tracker Pro 170. It’s a compact, no-frills boat built for anglers who value maneuverability and access above all else.

Slightly narrower and lighter than the 175 TXW, the Pro 170 can be squeezed into places bigger boats wouldn’t dare to go. This makes it an ideal choice for anglers who love to get off the beaten path and find unpressured fish. The boat is a pure fishing platform, offering a solid casting deck and a simple, effective layout that puts everything within easy reach.

The Pro 170 is a testament to the idea that less can be more. It lacks the large storage compartments and creature comforts of its bigger siblings, which is a conscious design choice to keep it light, agile, and affordable. For the solo tournament angler or the team that focuses on dissecting tight cover, this boat is a surgical tool for tough-to-reach bass.

Bass Tracker Pro Team 190 TX: A Stable Casting Deck

At first glance, the Pro Team 190 TX looks very similar to its slightly larger sibling, the 195 TXW. However, its design focuses on one key attribute that many team tournament anglers prize: stability. While still a fast and capable boat, the 190 often features a wider beam relative to its length, creating an exceptionally solid platform.

This enhanced stability is a game-changer during a long tournament day with a co-angler. When both anglers are moving around on the front deck, casting, setting the hook, and landing fish, the 190 remains remarkably planted in the water. This reduces fatigue and allows both partners to fish more effectively and confidently, especially when the water gets a little rough.

Choosing the 190 over the 195 is a deliberate tradeoff. You might sacrifice a tiny bit of top-end speed and a few inches of storage space. In return, you get a rock-solid casting deck that feels like a floating dock. For anglers who frequently fish team events or simply value a supremely stable fishing experience, the Pro Team 190 TX is an outstanding choice.

Bass Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC for River Tournaments

Not all bass tournaments happen on pristine, open lakes. Many circuits tackle challenging river systems like the Mississippi or Tennessee River, where current, submerged logs, and rock wing dams are the primary hazards. For this brutal environment, a specialized tool is needed, and that tool is the Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC.

This boat is less of a traditional bass boat and more of a utilitarian fishing tank. Built from thick-gauge, all-welded aluminum, the Grizzly is designed to absorb impacts that would cripple other boats. The center console (CC) layout provides superior 360-degree visibility for navigating tricky currents and spotting hazards, while the wide-open, flat floor plan can be customized to suit any angler’s needs.

The Grizzly isn’t going to win any beauty contests or speed runs against a Pro Team model. It’s a workhorse, plain and simple. But for the tournament angler specializing in harsh, shallow river systems, its unmatched durability and practical design make it a formidable and often-overlooked competitive advantage.

How to Choose Your Ideal Tournament Tracker Model

Picking the right boat isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for you. Your local waters, budget, and fishing style are the most important factors. Use this framework to narrow down your choice:

• Primary Waterways: Are you on massive, open reservoirs where speed and rough-water handling are key? Look at the Pro Team 195 TXW or 190 TX. Do you fish medium-to-small lakes with a mix of conditions? The Pro Team 175 TXW is your all-star. Are you focused on small lakes, rivers, or horsepower-restricted waters? The Classic XL or Pro 170 will excel. Do you live to fish hazardous, shallow rivers? The Grizzly 1860 is your rig.
• Budget and Tow Vehicle: Be realistic about what you can afford and what your vehicle can safely tow. The Classic XL and Pro 170 are the most accessible and easiest to manage. The larger 195 TXW will require a more significant investment and a more capable truck.
• Solo vs. Team Angling: If you primarily fish with a partner, the extra space and stability of the 195 TXW or 190 TX will be a huge benefit. If you usually fish alone, the nimbleness and efficiency of the 175 TXW or 170 might be a better fit.
• Storage Needs: How much gear do you really carry? If you’re a minimalist, the simple storage of the Classic XL is plenty. If you need to carry dozens of rods and a tackle store’s worth of baits, you’ll appreciate the cavernous compartments of the 195 TXW TE.

Ultimately, the best boat is the one that gets you on the water, competing and learning. Don’t get lost in the search for the perfect rig. Any of these Tracker models can be a winning platform in the right hands. Focus on what fits your reality, then get out there and spend your time mastering your electronics and finding fish—that’s what truly makes a pro angler.