Top 10 Aluminum Fishing Boats For 2016

In its Special Report on Fishing published last year, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation says that 46 million Americans participated in recreational fishing during the 2014 calendar year. Of that total, nearly 38 million fished in freshwater. No doubt many of them did so from an aluminum boat.

Aluminum boats remain the number one choice for freshwater fishing, outselling fiberglass freshwater fishing boats by a near 7:1 margin according to 2015 data from Statistical Surveys. It’s a crowded market to be sure, but some boats stand out from the crowd with their innovative designs and unique capabilities. Here are our picks for the 10 top aluminum fishing boats for 2016.

Alumacraft Competitor 185 LE

With its 18-foot, eight-inch length and massive 95-inch beam, Alumacraft’s Competitor 185 LE is a big tiller boat. That means a ton of interior space and the ability to precisely control your boat when either backtrolling or working super-finesse presentations. Rated for 150 hp, this bad boy is very a much a wolf in a sheep’s suit, eating up tournament competitors who never saw it coming.

Crestliner 1650 Pro Tiller

Like the idea of a do-it-all tiller boat but need something that better fits in your garage? Crestliner’s 1650 Pro Tiller tows easily behind a mid-sized vehicle and measures just a hair over 20 feet on the trailer, making it garage-friendly as well. But don’t let its size fool you, it’s an amazingly capable fishing platform, with tons of storage and interior space.

Crestliner 2100 Raptor

Bit by the tournament bug? Then Crestliner’s 2100 Raptor has to be on your radar. With mountains of storage space for a ton of tournament gear, the ability to handle up to 350 horsepower outboards and a hull that eats waves for breakfast, the big Raptor is fast, capable, tough and versatile. Bonus – that big wrap-around windshield lets you fish early or late in the season in surprising comfort.

G3 Angler V172 FS

G3 has begun making a strong name for itself with intelligently designed, nicely made boats that do a lot of things well. And being owned by Yamaha, you know they’re not going to mess around. The V172 FS offers a big front elevated casting deck, a full windshield for occupant protection, and flip-up rear jump seats that fold down to extend the size of the rear casting deck.

Legend 16 XGS

Who says serious fishing capability has to come with a hefty price tag? Canadian aluminum brand Legend nails it with their 16 XGS, a well made, versatile performer with a big elevated front deck for casting and an open stern that’s ideal for trolling. Wide gunnels easily accommodate downriggers, and a low-maintenance interior lets you spend more time fishing and less time cleaning the boat.

Lund 2275 Baron

Lund’s iconic Baron has been a favourite among serious big-water anglers for generations, and it remains so today thanks to its wide stance, generous freeboard, huge fuel capacity and space to accommodate multiple downriggers, rod holders and every other accessory imaginable. Its deep V hull eats big water, while the big wrap-around windshield and plush interior make this boat even more comfortable than it looks.

Smoker Craft 182 Pro Angler XL

Big enough for the Great Lakes yet still able to sneak into shallow back bays where the big bass live, Smoker Craft’s 182 Pro Angler XL is designed for hard-core anglers who fish for a variety of species in a number of different ways. The big front casting deck, open stern for trolling, massive amounts of interior storage space and thoughtful amenities give it tremendous versatility.

Smoker Craft 162 Pro Angler XL

For anglers who love the Pro Angler’s versatility but need it in a smaller, more budget-friendly package, the 162 Pro Angler XL is the answer. It shares the bigger boat’s huge elevated front casting deck and open stern design, yet keeps the cost down by offering tremendous performance with fuel efficient outboards in the 70 to 90 horsepower range. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

Starcraft STX 2050

The choice of hard-core pro tournament anglers, Starcraft’s iconic STX 2050 is not for the feint of heart. Built to be fished hard every day in any weather conditions, the battleship-like STX features a huge elevated front deck, a massive deep cockpit, wide open stern with plenty of room for multiple downriggers and rod holders, and the internal guts to fish comfortably in weather than sends lesser boats scurrying back to shore.

Starcraft Titan 186

Starcraft’s new Titan 186 takes the best features of the top-of-the-line STX and delivers them in a smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more family-friendly package. It will fish like a champ, or just as easily haul the kids around on a tube or take the family out for an evening cruise around the lake. There’s also a ton of storage space for gear, whether that’s spare rods and tackle boxes or water skis and coolers.