An Angler’s Plea for His Boat: “Just Work”
Opinion – Courtesy of LAUNCH Boat Protection
See for yourself as you take a walk around the upcoming winter boat shows. The cutting-edge technology that has become expected in our vehicles has now crept into our boats. Remote starters, seat heaters, multiple graphs the size of TV screens, digital gauges and incredibly detailed motor diagnostics; yes, bass boats have become just as loaded as most luxury SUVs.
Nowhere was this technology more on display than Major League Fishing’s 2025 REDCREST Expo in Huntsville, AL. Every manufacturer brought their best on full display. Those boats were awesome. How do you pick one when so many players are making excellent boats? Well, it seems their strategy is to embed as many cool electronic accessories and digital technology as they can in their boat. Boats today have full-fledged operating systems.
Of course, this drives the cost of boats higher, but that may not be the biggest issue with anglers. More anglers are starting to ask questions like “Is a battery powered key fob with a button start better for bass fisherman? What about trolling motors that need software updates? According to some veteran bass fisherman who call Table Rock Lake, Missouri their home, the answer is a resounding “NO”.
“What’s wrong with inserting and turning a key? Introducing wireless connectivity, software, and a battery to something as simple as starting your motor just creates more problems.” Says Todd J., a bass fisherman who has fished the Ozark lakes for over 30 years. “Why introduce digital gauges on expensive screens when a simple speedometer has reliably told me how fast my boats have gone for years?”
“Have you ever had your fishing trip cut short because your trolling motor needed a software update?” asks Brooks B., another Missouri angler.
They both ask valid questions that outline a sentiment that is increasingly shared by other bass fishermen. In fact, some pro anglers request the traditional key start rather than opting for the Bluetooth fob.
Somewhat fittingly, Major League Fishing’s REDCREST 2026 tournament will be held on Table Rock Lake with the Expo hosted at Bass Pro Shop’s flagship store in Springfield, MO. The same anglers who are asking for simpler efficiency in their boats will have the chance to preview the newest enhancements that bass boat manufacturers will bring with the next generation of boats.
It all begs the question, “Do we really need all these features just to catch a bass? Is it worth the added headache and repair cost?”. From a warranty perspective, manufacturers must know how much they are spending on in-warranty fixes on both hardware and software for these enhancements. When the manufacturer’s warranty expires, an angler might consider shopping for an aftermarket warranty product like LAUNCH Boat Protection just to cover these features, especially on a used boat. Simple efficiency seems to have given way to shiny new features that may or may not enhance a boat owner’s experience on the water.
A growing opinion in the bass fishing community seems to be that while all these new enhancements certainly have a cool factor, the bass fishermen’s plea for his boat is this: “Just Work”.
Guest Contributor:
Chad Burris of LAUNCH Boat Protection
