Bait boats! love them or hate them, they are here to stay! But just like in all aspects of life, technology is increasingly making its mark with the goal of simplifying our tasks. When used correctly, a bait boat undeniably gives you a significant advantage in your fishing.
Whether it’s about placing your rigs quietly and accurately with minimal disruption, getting bait under that pesky overhang, or fishing in vast inland seas without the hassle of constantly boating out, a bait boat can greatly simplify these tasks. While they used to be predominantly used in carp fishing, more pike anglers and general coarse anglers are reaping the benefits of using them in their angling.
Best bait boats at a glance
However, with the wide variety of boats available today, selecting the right one is crucial. You'll need to consider factors such as lead acid versus lithium batteries, carrying capacity, stability size, sonars, GPS, and autopilot systems. Bait boats come in numerous shapes, sizes, and specifications and they aren't cheap, so getting it right first time is paramount!
In the following article, I will share some of my favourite bait boats, ranging from budget-friendly options to high-end boats filled with the best tech and features.
If you're looking for a bait boat that offers the same capabilities as more expensive models without breaking the bank, the New Direction Bait Boat 2 is an excellent option. Not only is it exceptionally durable, but you can also enhance its functionality through the mobile app, transforming the way the boat operates.
The single-handed control makes it easy to use while holding a rod in the other hand and thanks to its return home setting, once your rig has been dropped, you can set the boat to return automatically to where you first placed it in the water, saving you valuable time.
The app also features various functions, including real-time tracking on Google maps, and it allows you to save an unlimited number of spots to its cloud service. This is perfect if you're returning to a swim you've fished before and want to reposition your rigs with minimal fuss. Additionally, you can opt to add a Deeper sonar to help locate underwater features, while also boasting an impressive range of up to 300 meters.
An autopilot upgrade is available for an additional £199, and it takes all the hard work out of using the boat. Once you've set your points on the map via your phone, the boat will navigate to and from the spots with pinpoint accuracy with the touch of a button, which is incredibly useful for resetting rigs in the dark.
The twin hoppers can carry up to 3kg of bait per trip, which is more than enough for most fishing scenarios. They're also well-sealed, allowing the use of liquids and PVA bags without worrying about water ingress affecting them. The magnetic hook release at the rear of the boat is another great feature, ensuring your rigs won’t tangle, nor will the hookpoint be masked on the way to the spot. The twin propulsion system also gets your boat out to the spot quickly and efficiently even in windy weather.
Weighing just 5.5kg, it's hard to find another boat with this many features and such solid build quality at this price. This really is a fantastic bait boat for the money!
Pros
- Impressive features
- Magnetic hook clip is great
- Great battery life, USB chargeable
Cons
- Autopilot is an added extra
The Ridgemonkey Hunter 750 is a compact bait boat and is perfect for those new to using bait boats or who want to use them occasionally. For its compact size however, it still carries a decent amount of bait and you can pack upto 1kg of free offerings with every voyage.
Two lithium polymer batteries come as standard and the Hunter is the first of its kind to charge these bespoke RidgeMonkey batteries via USB-C. They will charge from zero to full charge in just an average of 2.5 hours per battery. And with the USB-C charging feature, using a powerbank like the RidgeMonkey Vault can keep the power flowing during your session, as the only thing worse than not having a boat is having a dead one.
The Hunter was the first-ever fully top-loading bait boat. Gone are the days of fumbling around underneath to load your baited rig. The smart design of its delivery system means the rigs can just be laid in the hopper when the boat is in the water. Featuring dual motors propelling it to a range of up to 200m, all controlled single-handedly, and you've got a little boat ready to conquer any UK waters.
So, if you’re looking to travel light without skimping on features and with a budget-friendly price tag? Then say hello to the Hunter. Small in size, mighty in features!
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- USB C rechargeable
Cons
- Will only deliver 1kg of bait at a time
- Max 200m range
Although it is a relative newcomer to the market, the Sabre Hydra Bait Boat offers incredible value for money and is set to be a favourite for those on a budget who still want a reliable boat.
These boats really motor through the water, which places far less demand on battery life, so you won’t be changing or charging them constantly throughout your session. It even has different gears that allow you to adjust the boat’s speed. While this might sound gimmicky, it can be useful if the fish in your water are particularly spooky or if conditions change, enabling you to adapt accordingly. This is a feature not found in many other boats, and it also helps extend battery life, and you can expect 5-6 hours of runtime on the lower speeds.
The boat is around 50 cm long, making it an average size for the market, but its 3 kg hopper load means you can pack in plenty of bait when the fish are feeding. Its 500 m range, however, is well above average, which is very impressive for a boat at this price point. While fishing at 500m is rare and not usually recommended, this range ensures you don’t have to worry about the boat going out of range and drifting off down the lake during normal fishing sessions.
This Hydra is also a superb choice for pike anglers who may want to use it occasionally on big waters like Chew Valley. Thanks to its ABS body, it can tolerate heavy leads and some rough handling as let's be honest, we don't always treat them with respect. The boat does feature a 12-month warranty too for peace of mind.
There is a GPS option available for around £200 more, which significantly improves the boat’s performance, and we would recommend it if you intend to use the boat frequently. This function allows you to save multiple fishing spots—great if you fish the same lakes regularly—as well as providing a return-home function, saving you the hassle of manually driving the boat back to the bank.
Pros
- Drives well, even in rough conditions
- Cruise control setting
- Great for pike and general coarse anglers
Cons
- Battery life is reduced to around 2 hours on full power.
The Rippton Catch X Pro GPS boat from the innovative team at Rippton Angling. They are rapidly gaining a reputation for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge hardware with user-friendly software in their products.
Equipped with the Hydrobat Fish Finder, this device attaches to the rear of the boat using a sonar arm. It connects to your smartphone through a complimentary app, boasting a range of up to 300 meters. This feature allows you to explore and map the lake bed, providing insights on depth, water temperature, and fish locations. You can choose from various modes, whether you prefer detailed bathymetric mapping or quick scanning, making it as simple or thorough as you desire.
As you map your surroundings, the boat automatically records fish locations whenever the fish icon is activated within the app. Additionally, you can save and log these spots for future reference, making it easy to return to your favorite fishing areas with the help of the boat's GPS and autopilot system.
With twin hoppers and a convenient single-handed design that includes a built-in phone holder, using this bait boat is a breeze. A simple press of the home button will send the boat back to you, so if you happen to get a bite while controlling it, there's no need to stress. The boat will navigate home automatically while you focus on reeling in your catch. Furthermore, in the event of a low battery, the boat will also make its way back home, providing you with peace of mind.
Powered by an 8,000mAh lithium battery, the boat features two high-performance 7,000rpm motors, offering a runtime of up to two and a half hours. For those planning longer sessions, an upgraded 13,400mAh battery is available. With a carrying capacity of 3kg and a sleek black carbon fibre finish.
Pros
- GPS and Fishfinder included
- Free App software and update
Cons
- Sits high in the water, so stability can be impacted high winds and turbulent water
Best bait boat for performance
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
When it comes to bait boats, Toslon are highly regarded for their performance, and the XR500 all-in-one sonar, GPS, and autopilot handset only reinforces that reputation.
The new XR500 combines the fish finder and GPS autopilot system into a single handset that is USB-C rechargeable. This feature ensures maximum convenience, eliminating the need to charge multiple devices or connect your phone while maintaining simplicity and user-friendliness. The autopilot system is simple and straightforward to use and it can store up to 500 GPS locations, including your home spot. When you discover a promising area you can log it along with any other spots you find, all without worrying about running out of memory. This means you can easily save nearly every location on your selected water body.
The XR500 introduces two exciting features. First, the Quiet Approach Mode reduces motor power as the boat approaches or departs from a target location. This function significantly minimizes disturbances caused by noise, as well as the loud intake of water into the props during orientation changes. This is especially beneficial in shallow waters or when carp are more cautious of bait boats, giving you extra time to position your rod to feel the lead settle upon release.
Additionally, you can now program the boat to perform specific actions upon reaching a target location, such as releasing bait from the left or right hopper and automatically returning home once completed. This feature is particularly useful when fishing in larger open waters with frequent bites or when pre-baiting.
The XR500 operates within the robust Toslon 730 X boat, which has proven its reliability over the years. The motorised independent twin hoppers allow for a substantial bait capacity of up to 5kg, while the batteries provide a remarkable 6-hour runtime from a single pair of 13,000mAh units, ensuring you have ample power for a 48 to 72-hour session.
With a range of 300 meters, the boat's size ensures stability even in expansive waters, and its bright LED lights allow you to maintain visibility at a distance. If you require even more range, booster aerials can extend this further.
Additional upgrades are available, and the boat comes with a 2-year UK warranty, including servicing within the UK. Existing X boat owners can also upgrade to the XR500 handset.
Pros
- Easy to use whilst offering high performance
- Reliable – UK warranty and servicing
- Long run time and bait capacity
Cons
- Price point, it's a significant investment
The Deeper Quest bait boat is a user-friendly device leveraging Deeper's expertise in sonar technology, it serves as a state-of-the-art tool for anglers. This elegantly designed, in-house developed bait boat merges advanced technology with intuitive features, providing anglers with a competitive advantage on the water.
Equipped with smart sonar technology, a signature of Deeper since 2013, the Quest enables anglers to explore underwater landscapes like never before. With a 400-meter range for both sonar and the bait boat, it can scan areas to create bathymetric maps or establish a multipoint path while you prepare your other equipment. Once you’ve identified the optimal spots, you can easily navigate back to them with GPS accuracy of 1 meter.
The Deeper Quest boasts a runtime of up to 7 hours and can be quickly recharged in just 5 hours, while a full charge requires only 4 hours. In the event of a power outage, the Quest will automatically return to a predetermined home point.
Featuring two BLDC electric motors, it delivers powerful, efficient, and durable performance, reaching speeds of 3 km/h and operating nearly silently at lower speeds. The compact, semi-transparent 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi controller weighs only 140g and lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge, achieving 80% charge in just 1 hour or a full charge in 2 hours.
The CHIRP sonar module offers three beam frequencies, allowing you to cover a wider area with the 47° wide-angle beam, take a closer look with the 20° mid beam, or focus specifically on points of interest with the 7° narrow angle beam. The CHIRP sonar continuously emits a flow of frequencies, resulting in clearer, high-resolution readings compared to conventional sonars. It boasts target separation of 1 cm, enabling you to easily identify target species even among bait fish.
With CHIRP sonar, surface clutter and noise are minimised, providing accurate readings in shallow waters and locating fish as close as 15 cm from the surface. It can also identify bottom-hugging fish in depths up to 100m.
You can operate the Deeper Quest through your smartphone using the Fish Deeper™ app. This app allows you to create depth maps and access scans, maps, points of interest, photos, and notes on both the app and web platform. You can visualize fish, vegetation, bottom structure, contours, hardness, and consistency. The Fish Deeper™ app includes features such as water temperature and depth readings, various color palettes, optional icons, sonar sensitivity adjustments, autopilot controls, and much more.
The Deeper Quest offers a 400-meter range for both sonar and bait boat, a battery life of up to 9 hours with a 3-hour fast charge, two BLDC electric motors achieving speeds of 3 km/h, safety features such as return-to-home capability, CHIRP sonar with three beam frequencies and 1 cm target separation, depth precision of up to 100 meters, and a 140g remote controller with a 12-hour battery life.
Pros
- Full control with dedicated app
- 400m range
- 100m depth precision
Cons
- Unable to import GPS data from another platform
What to look for in a bait boat
When considering a bait boat there are several factors you should consider when choosing the right bait boat to suit your needs. These include size, range, battery life, bait capacity, features, and price.
Bait boats come in various sizes, from small, compact models to larger, more robust vessels. Consider the size of the water you'll be fishing regularly and the amount of bait you'll need to carry when choosing a size. The size of the water you will be fishing will also dictate the range the bait boat needs so always pay attention to this, the range refers to how far it can travel from the remote control. Fishing larger waters? You'll need a boat with a longer range.
Another important consideration is battery life, the battery life of a bait boat determines how long you can use it before recharging. Consider how long you typically fish and choose a boat with a battery life that meets your needs and won’t constantly need recharging, boats with relatively low battery capacity (mAh) are better suited to short sessions.
The bait capacity of a bait boat is probably something that can be overlooked but if you need to be taking a boat back and forth just to get enough bait on the spot will soon drain the batteries so hving a boat that can carry sufficient amount of bait is paramount. If you plan on using a lot of bait, you'll need a boat with a large bait capacity.
Bait boats come with various features, such as GPS, fish finders, and lights. Consider which features are important to you and choose a boat that has them. With Bait boats ranging in price from a few hundred to several thousand pounds its important to consider what features and functions will suit your angling the best.
Glossary
Bait hopper: The compartment on the boat where you load your bait.
Range: How far the boat can travel from the remote control.
Receiver: The part of the remote control that picks up signals from the transmitter.
Remote control: The handheld device used to control the boat.
Run time: How long the boat can operate on a single battery charge.
Battery capacity: The amount of power the batteries can hold given in milliamp hours (mAh), the more power the battery can hold the longer it will typically run for and it's capability to power features
Transmitter: The part of the remote control that sends signals to the receiver.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bait boat for beginners?
The best bait boat for beginners is typically a small, affordable model with basic features.
What are the essential features of a bait boat?
The essential features of a bait boat include a remote control, a bait hopper, and a motor.
How do I maintain my bait boat?
To maintain your bait boat, rinse it with fresh water after each use and store it in a dry place.
Do I need GPS on a bait boat?
In short, no! Although GPS does make using a bait boat much more efficient and accurate, you can manually drive one really easily if you don't have the budget to stretch to add a GPS option.
How do you fish with a bait boat?
Bait boats aren't complicated and once you get used to them, they are very easy to use. Simply place your rig and bait in the hoppers, drive it out to the chosen location and drop the rig and bait in a compact pile on the lakebed. Some have GPS installed that map your spots and drive to and from where you are fishing with no intervention needed.
Is using a bait boat cheating?
This is an age old debate and while some anglers struggle to embrace technology, a bait boat is not cheating and can make your fishing much easier. In terms of accuracy you will struggle to get a better presentation with bait surrounding your rig than a boat can provide and it really aids anglers who struggle to cast or those who are disabled.
What are the benefits of a bait boat for fishing?
The immediate answer is for those anglers who are disabled or struggle to cast, a bait boat enables them to get their rigs out and fish effectively in the lake. They also offer unparalleled accuracy too as they can get your rigs back out to the area within cm of where you have just caught a fish from. If you use a bait boat properly they are very beneficial and can often get your rigs under overhangs and other areas you would struggle to cast a rig!