Where will 2026 take us as far as new bass boats? Many manufacturers are introducing model tweaks and there are some totally new boats, too. Other trends we are seeing include a lot more padded foam flooring options instead of carpet, heated seats, push-to-start, and more boats for under $75K (a nice reversal of past trends). Here’s what you can expect to see at area shows and W2 dealer showrooms.
Bass Cat
Known as a stylish, smooth riding and bass boats popular with discerning anglers of means, Bass Cat has a new model for 2026 known as the Lynx STX. Rick Pierce and his crew in Mountain Home, Arkansas have created another masterpiece with the Lynx STX. Measuring 20’7” long and 96” wide, this boat will handle up to 300 hp and holds 64 gallons of fuel. It has a host of unique features
Bullet
Down in Tennessee they know how to make bass boats and one brand has been setting the speed standard for the past 45 years – Bullet.
For 2026 Bullet has eight bass boat models from nearly 22’ to 20’. The 21XST is the newest flagship model. This is the latest offering from the long-time Tennessee manufacturer (one owner since 1980) of small batch, high performance bass boats. The boat tapes 21’10” long, 91 inches wide and weighs just 1,380 pounds. It is actually not rated for a specific horsepower limit and said to be able to achieve speeds in excess of 85 mph when properly rigged with a 250.
The area Bullet dealer is Propeller Dynamics in Disputanta, Virginia (near Petersburg), operated by well-respected high performance boat guru, Robby Patterson.
Patterson shared some insight into the new Bullet.
“The 21XST is the same hull as the XRS with an updated interior and top cap. Bullet created more deck space by moving the console back and reshaping the bow deck to be wider forward.”
Patterson also told W2 that anglers can choose traditional opening rod lockers (open to the sides) or gull wing opening lockers than open toward the bow.
Other notable choices by Bullet on the new XST include push button analog controls (no more rocker switches and no touch screens to fail), oversize mounting spaces for today’s marine electronics, clean power wiring (heavy gauge wire for modern electronics), an option to pad the entire deck, standard SeaDeck material in the cockpit and other high wear areas (like along the passenger rod ramp), floor, deck, livewell and compartment LED lighting and two day box compartments in the front deck.
The Bullet 21XRS is another popular option for anglers that like a fast ride as is the 21’ 21SST.
Caymas
Caymas was founded in 2018 by long time bass boat builder Earl Bentz and the boats are built in their own Ashland City, Tennessee plant. Bentz was a pioneer boat racer/boat builder that created bass boat companies like HydraSports, Stratos, Javelin and Triton and he’s taken all he’s learned over his many years in the industry and produced the Caymas fresh and saltwater hulls.
Caymas offers two lines; the CX and XS. The CX bass boat models are the CX21, CX20, CX19 and CX18. The XS consists of the XS 21 and the XS20.
Lund
This Minnesota-based boat manufacturer has perhaps more models than any other boat builder in the world. There are boat options for bass, crappie, muskie, walleye, bay, great lakes, utility and hunting.
The most intriguing options for area anglers are the Pro-V Bass XS, the Renegade and Predator lines.
The Pro-V Bass XS is available in 18 and 20 models. The 1875 XS was made popular by Jon B of the Googan Squad, who used it during the filming of many of his popular YouTube shows. The 1875 XS is 18’9” long, 96” wide, holds 39 gallons of fuel and will handle up to 200 hp. The 2075 XS 20’10” long, 96” wide, holds 49 gallons of fuel and up to 250 hp.
The Renegade Lund line is positioned to compete against Tracker with 17, 18 and 19’ models. The 1975 is 19’9” long, 95” wide, holds 32 gallons of fuel, weighs 1,520 pounds and takes up to 150 hp on a modified v hull. The back deck has unique, dual pop-up seats set just outside the passenger and driver seats that also serve as lids to rear storage compartments. The cockpit floor is covered in vinyl and there is a center rod storage box in the bow.
The Predator line has models 16, 17, 18 and 20’ with the 2070 center console at the top measuring 20’ long, 96” wide with a 20-gallon fuel cell and able to hold up to 150 hp and available in an olive drab or marsh grass exterior.
Virginia’s Lund dealer is The Dry Dock at Lake Anna. 540.302.3142
Nitro
Missouri’s bass boat manufacturer will introduce two new models for 2026 – the Nitro Z19 and Z19 Pro. Both are based on a 19’3” hull, that is a wide 94”, hold up to 250 hp and 40 gallons of fuel and weighs 1,937 pounds. As with many manufacturers this season, Nitro is offering an all-high density foam mat version with no carpet. Anglers looking for a quick boat on a budget may want to look into this model with the Mercury 200 Pro XP.
Nitro offers boats ranging from the Z17 up to the flagship Z21XL Pro measuring 21’2”, 95” wide and holds up to 300 hp and 60 gallons of fuel.
You’ll find the 2026 Tracker boats at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Phoenix
This Tennessee boat manufacturer owned by angler Gary Clouse has a couple new models for 2026 created by combining their popular PHX hull with the Elite style bow. These models known as 21XE and 20XE bring all new features such as the E-style console with quick access panels, ProForm fiberglass seat base with EdgeForce performance seats, quick access cockpit drawer and black billet grab handles while still offering full fiberglass rod boxes and backlit analog push button switches. The 21XE also comes standard with an array of features to help like the Phoenix E2 Electronics Wiring System and a fully padded front deck and front deck lids. The 21XE measures 21’6” long, 96” wide, holds up to 250 hp and 50 gallons of fuel while the hull weighs 1,950 pounds. The 20XE has all the same measurements except it’s 20’6” long and weighs 1,850 pounds.
The 2026 Phoenix 921 ELITE X blends everything today’s anglers demand by delivering the speed of the Phoenix Pro XP series, the wider and intuitive, tournament-ready layout of the PHX and the elevated deck height of the 721. At the bow, an industry-leading design allows for up to three stacked graphs. The new “E” Style Console giving you unmatched visibility and control. The all-new ProForm Fiberglass Seat Base and EdgeForce Performance Seating ensure comfort in even the most demanding conditions. A seamlessly recessed trolling motor bezel rounds out a deck built for efficiency, precision, and total control cast after cast.
Ranger
The folks in Flippin, Arkansas have new Comanche Z Series models for 2026. The Ranger Z521R Ultra, Z521R Tribute and Z520R Ultra are boats that combine Ranger’s legendary fit and finish with modern features like a heated driver’s seat, push to start ignition, nine-inch touch screen, a traction pad front deck center lid, Echelon shelf system in the rod boxes, auto LED lighting in all storage compartments and a built-in 40-quart cooler. The Z521R measures 21’9” long, 96” wide, handles up to 300 hp and holds 54 gallons of fuel with a hull weight of 2,300 pounds. The Z520R model is 20’11” long, 96” wide, handles up to 250 hp and holds 54 gallons of fuel while weighing 1,850 pounds. This boat comes in around $97K. The Z521R Tribute package has a striking red and white color scheme with the original Ranger Man graphics and special Captains chairs reminiscent of the first Rangers.
Skeeter
Skeeter manufactures their popular boats in Kilgore, Texas and introduced a new line back in summer of 2025 – the ZXE20 and ZXE21 models.
The 2025 FXR 20 Pro and FXR 21 Pro are probably the most common Skeeter you see on local waters. There’s also a top-of-the line FXR21 Apex, a FXR20 Apex, an FXR21 Limited and an FXR20 Limited.
The new ZXE models come standard with a full fiberglass front deck and slam latches
8-gauge independent electronic wiring with six-position fuse block, console and bow
cockpit command center with mulit-function digital gauges, two bike seats, and larger day box with electronics “cabinet”, bolstered full-flex sport seating, stomp trim buttons, a Humminbird CMSI Xplore 12” at console and 9” at bow, Minn Kota Ultrex 112 Trolling Motor, Minn Kota 10 x 5 PCL Charger, 8’ Minn Kota Raptors, Hot Foot throttle with Pro Trim, two pedal seat locations, an oversized bilge compartment with raised battery shelf, a quick access bow electronics door and a redesigned console with rocker switches
You’ll find the 2026 Skeeters at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Tracker
With boats to fit just about any budget the Tracker line up is diverse and varied. New for 2026 is the Bass Tracker Savage 215. This all welded, all aluminum boat looks very much like a fiberglass bass boat but retails for around $57K with a 250 hp outboard. The hull measures 21’3”, 95” wide, handles up to 250 hp and holds up to 40 gallons of fuel with a hull weight of 1,900 pounds. There’s a tan all mat flooring version that looks like a winner. White and red painted hulls with carpeting are also available.
Also new from Tracker this year is the Bass Tracker Classic CC. This is an aluminum center console boat measuring 16’8” long, 77” wide that holds up to 50 hp. It only weighs 715 pounds. A factory-installed mat flooring kit is available for $845.
You’ll find the 2026 Tracker boats at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Triton
For now, it doesn’t appear there are any new Triton models coming for 2016. The Bass Pro Shops owned brand will continue to offer the 21XP Patriot, 21XP, 20XP Patriot, the 19TRX Patriot, the 19TRX, the 18TRX and the 179TRX.
Vexus
This is the company made up of ex-Ranger engineers and executives after the acquisition a number of years back by Bass Pro Shops. The Vexus AVX is their aluminum line and the VXs is the fiberglass line.
The flagship is 21 is 21’11” long, 97” wide, holds 58 gallons of fuel and up to 300 hp. The boat sports a number of exclusive design features, perhaps the most noteworthy is the Infused Composite Construction process that eliminates spraying layers of gelcoat and offers a much more exact molding process drive by vacuum.
The AVX line is topped by the AVX 2100. This aluminum/fiberglass hull is 20’8” long, 96” wide, holds 44 gallons of fuel and up to 250 hp. A hybrid AXV2085s offers the same bottom hull but with all mat flooring and a different seating arrangement. All the Vexus aluminum rigs look like fiberglass boats with the curving lines their exclusive manufacturing process permits.
New from Vexus this year is the Defender line – which looks very much like the more standard aluminum boat models made by Tracker, Ranger and Lund. There’s a Defender 181, Defender 189 and a center console Defender 201 model in the line.
War Eagle
This Arkansas-based aluminum boat manufacturer continues to offer six model lines for 2026; the Sportsman, the Blackhawk, the Predator, the VS Stick Steers, the Tomahawk and Renegade.
All models are built using all welded aluminum and the wings transom design that creates superior handling, even in choppy waters.
Since 1992, War Eagle Boats have been a force in the duck hunting industry, providing customers with the best camo paint jobs in the business. Each boat is individually painted using a tested process that produces HD camo results that blend perfectly with your environment. The Sportsman Gladiator model is a regional favorite with duck hunters that install mud motor type outboards on them.
If you are looking for a boat that can fish as hard as it hunts, then check out the Blackhawk series. These models come fully loaded and are built on an 18°V hull that not only provides a smoother ride but will keep you dry. The best feature of the Blackhawk is that the layout can be customized with either a side or center console.
The 2170 Blackhawk is a center console fishing and hunting rig that measures 21’6” long, 98” wide and holds up to 150 hp. The 961 Blackhawk is 19’5” long and 89” wide and is rated for 115-150 hp depending on the console choice.
Stop by Tomahund Marine on Rt. 5 near the mouth of the Chickahominy River for a look at the 2026 War Eagle boats. 804/829-9888
here will 2026 take us as far as new bass boats? Many manufacturers are introducing model tweaks and there are some totally new boats, too. Other trends we are seeing include a lot more padded foam flooring options instead of carpet, heated seats, push-to-start, and more boats for under $75K (a nice reversal of past trends). Here’s what you can expect to see at area shows and W2 dealer showrooms.
Bass Cat
Known as a stylish, smooth riding and bass boats popular with discerning anglers of means, Bass Cat has a new model for 2026 known as the Lynx STX. Rick Pierce and his crew in Mountain Home, Arkansas have created another masterpiece with the Lynx STX. Measuring 20’7” long and 96” wide, this boat will handle up to 300 hp and holds 64 gallons of fuel. It has a host of unique features
Bullet
Down in Tennessee they know how to make bass boats and one brand has been setting the speed standard for the past 45 years – Bullet.
For 2026 Bullet has eight bass boat models from nearly 22’ to 20’. The 21XST is the newest flagship model. This is the latest offering from the long-time Tennessee manufacturer (one owner since 1980) of small batch, high performance bass boats. The boat tapes 21’10” long, 91 inches wide and weighs just 1,380 pounds. It is actually not rated for a specific horsepower limit and said to be able to achieve speeds in excess of 85 mph when properly rigged with a 250.
The area Bullet dealer is Propeller Dynamics in Disputanta, Virginia (near Petersburg), operated by well-respected high performance boat guru, Robby Patterson.
Patterson shared some insight into the new Bullet.
“The 21XST is the same hull as the XRS with an updated interior and top cap. Bullet created more deck space by moving the console back and reshaping the bow deck to be wider forward.”
Patterson also told W2 that anglers can choose traditional opening rod lockers (open to the sides) or gull wing opening lockers than open toward the bow.
Other notable choices by Bullet on the new XST include push button analog controls (no more rocker switches and no touch screens to fail), oversize mounting spaces for today’s marine electronics, clean power wiring (heavy gauge wire for modern electronics), an option to pad the entire deck, standard SeaDeck material in the cockpit and other high wear areas (like along the passenger rod ramp), floor, deck, livewell and compartment LED lighting and two day box compartments in the front deck.
The Bullet 21XRS is another popular option for anglers that like a fast ride as is the 21’ 21SST.
Caymas
Caymas was founded in 2018 by long time bass boat builder Earl Bentz and the boats are built in their own Ashland City, Tennessee plant. Bentz was a pioneer boat racer/boat builder that created bass boat companies like HydraSports, Stratos, Javelin and Triton and he’s taken all he’s learned over his many years in the industry and produced the Caymas fresh and saltwater hulls.
Caymas offers two lines; the CX and XS. The CX bass boat models are the CX21, CX20, CX19 and CX18. The XS consists of the XS 21 and the XS20.
Lund
This Minnesota-based boat manufacturer has perhaps more models than any other boat builder in the world. There are boat options for bass, crappie, muskie, walleye, bay, great lakes, utility and hunting.
The most intriguing options for area anglers are the Pro-V Bass XS, the Renegade and Predator lines.
The Pro-V Bass XS is available in 18 and 20 models. The 1875 XS was made popular by Jon B of the Googan Squad, who used it during the filming of many of his popular YouTube shows. The 1875 XS is 18’9” long, 96” wide, holds 39 gallons of fuel and will handle up to 200 hp. The 2075 XS 20’10” long, 96” wide, holds 49 gallons of fuel and up to 250 hp.
The Renegade Lund line is positioned to compete against Tracker with 17, 18 and 19’ models. The 1975 is 19’9” long, 95” wide, holds 32 gallons of fuel, weighs 1,520 pounds and takes up to 150 hp on a modified v hull. The back deck has unique, dual pop-up seats set just outside the passenger and driver seats that also serve as lids to rear storage compartments. The cockpit floor is covered in vinyl and there is a center rod storage box in the bow.
The Predator line has models 16, 17, 18 and 20’ with the 2070 center console at the top measuring 20’ long, 96” wide with a 20-gallon fuel cell and able to hold up to 150 hp and available in an olive drab or marsh grass exterior.
Virginia’s Lund dealer is The Dry Dock at Lake Anna. 540.302.3142
Nitro
Missouri’s bass boat manufacturer will introduce two new models for 2026 – the Nitro Z19 and Z19 Pro. Both are based on a 19’3” hull, that is a wide 94”, hold up to 250 hp and 40 gallons of fuel and weighs 1,937 pounds. As with many manufacturers this season, Nitro is offering an all-high density foam mat version with no carpet. Anglers looking for a quick boat on a budget may want to look into this model with the Mercury 200 Pro XP.
Nitro offers boats ranging from the Z17 up to the flagship Z21XL Pro measuring 21’2”, 95” wide and holds up to 300 hp and 60 gallons of fuel.
You’ll find the 2026 Tracker boats at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Phoenix
This Tennessee boat manufacturer owned by angler Gary Clouse has a couple new models for 2026 created by combining their popular PHX hull with the Elite style bow. These models known as 21XE and 20XE bring all new features such as the E-style console with quick access panels, ProForm fiberglass seat base with EdgeForce performance seats, quick access cockpit drawer and black billet grab handles while still offering full fiberglass rod boxes and backlit analog push button switches. The 21XE also comes standard with an array of features to help like the Phoenix E2 Electronics Wiring System and a fully padded front deck and front deck lids. The 21XE measures 21’6” long, 96” wide, holds up to 250 hp and 50 gallons of fuel while the hull weighs 1,950 pounds. The 20XE has all the same measurements except it’s 20’6” long and weighs 1,850 pounds.
The 2026 Phoenix 921 ELITE X blends everything today’s anglers demand by delivering the speed of the Phoenix Pro XP series, the wider and intuitive, tournament-ready layout of the PHX and the elevated deck height of the 721. At the bow, an industry-leading design allows for up to three stacked graphs. The new “E” Style Console giving you unmatched visibility and control. The all-new ProForm Fiberglass Seat Base and EdgeForce Performance Seating ensure comfort in even the most demanding conditions. A seamlessly recessed trolling motor bezel rounds out a deck built for efficiency, precision, and total control cast after cast.
Ranger
The folks in Flippin, Arkansas have new Comanche Z Series models for 2026. The Ranger Z521R Ultra, Z521R Tribute and Z520R Ultra are boats that combine Ranger’s legendary fit and finish with modern features like a heated driver’s seat, push to start ignition, nine-inch touch screen, a traction pad front deck center lid, Echelon shelf system in the rod boxes, auto LED lighting in all storage compartments and a built-in 40-quart cooler. The Z521R measures 21’9” long, 96” wide, handles up to 300 hp and holds 54 gallons of fuel with a hull weight of 2,300 pounds. The Z520R model is 20’11” long, 96” wide, handles up to 250 hp and holds 54 gallons of fuel while weighing 1,850 pounds. This boat comes in around $97K. The Z521R Tribute package has a striking red and white color scheme with the original Ranger Man graphics and special Captains chairs reminiscent of the first Rangers.
Sea Doo
The 2026 Sea Doo Switch Fish is available in 13, 18 and 21-foot versions that feature a polytech material (plastic), pontoon design and a totally customizable Quick Attack Tile system that allows anglers to add or remove accessories.
The boats come standard with a Garmin Force Kraken 80-pound thrust 24V trolling motor and two, linked Garmin fish finders. There are two pedestal seats, rod holders on the side rails and a livewell, plus a nifty tilting handlebar instead of the traditional steering wheel.
Skeeter
Skeeter manufactures their popular boats in Kilgore, Texas and introduced a new line back in summer of 2025 – the ZXE20 and ZXE21 models.
The 2025 FXR 20 Pro and FXR 21 Pro are probably the most common Skeeter you see on local waters. There’s also a top-of-the line FXR21 Apex, a FXR20 Apex, an FXR21 Limited and an FXR20 Limited.
The new ZXE models come standard with a full fiberglass front deck and slam latches
8-gauge independent electronic wiring with six-position fuse block, console and bow
cockpit command center with mulit-function digital gauges, two bike seats, and larger day box with electronics “cabinet”, bolstered full-flex sport seating, stomp trim buttons, a Humminbird CMSI Xplore 12” at console and 9” at bow, Minn Kota Ultrex 112 Trolling Motor, Minn Kota 10 x 5 PCL Charger, 8’ Minn Kota Raptors, Hot Foot throttle with Pro Trim, two pedal seat locations, an oversized bilge compartment with raised battery shelf, a quick access bow electronics door and a redesigned console with rocker switches
You’ll find the 2026 Skeeters at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Tracker
With boats to fit just about any budget the Tracker line up is diverse and varied. New for 2026 is the Bass Tracker Savage 215. This all welded, all aluminum boat looks very much like a fiberglass bass boat but retails for around $57K with a 250 hp outboard. The hull measures 21’3”, 95” wide, handles up to 250 hp and holds up to 40 gallons of fuel with a hull weight of 1,900 pounds. There’s a tan all mat flooring version that looks like a winner. White and red painted hulls with carpeting are also available.
Also new from Tracker this year is the Bass Tracker Classic CC. This is an aluminum center console boat measuring 16’8” long, 77” wide that holds up to 50 hp. It only weighs 715 pounds. A factory-installed mat flooring kit is available for $845.
You’ll find the 2026 Tracker boats at Anna’s Marine Center. 540.894.9222.
Triton
For now, it doesn’t appear there are any new Triton models coming for 2016. The Bass Pro Shops owned brand will continue to offer the 21XP Patriot, 21XP, 20XP Patriot, the 19TRX Patriot, the 19TRX, the 18TRX and the 179TRX.
Vexus
This is the company made up of ex-Ranger engineers and executives after the acquisition a number of years back by Bass Pro Shops. The Vexus AVX is their aluminum line and the VXs is the fiberglass line.
The flagship is 21 is 21’11” long, 97” wide, holds 58 gallons of fuel and up to 300 hp. The boat sports a number of exclusive design features, perhaps the most noteworthy is the Infused Composite Construction process that eliminates spraying layers of gelcoat and offers a much more exact molding process drive by vacuum.
The AVX line is topped by the AVX 2100. This aluminum/fiberglass hull is 20’8” long, 96” wide, holds 44 gallons of fuel and up to 250 hp. A hybrid AXV2085s offers the same bottom hull but with all mat flooring and a different seating arrangement. All the Vexus aluminum rigs look like fiberglass boats with the curving lines their exclusive manufacturing process permits.
New from Vexus this year is the Defender line – which looks very much like the more standard aluminum boat models made by Tracker, Ranger and Lund. There’s a Defender 181, Defender 189 and a center console Defender 201 model in the line.
War Eagle
This Arkansas-based aluminum boat manufacturer continues to offer six model lines for 2026; the Sportsman, the Blackhawk, the Predator, the VS Stick Steers, the Tomahawk and Renegade.
All models are built using all welded aluminum and the wings transom design that creates superior handling, even in choppy waters.
Since 1992, War Eagle Boats have been a force in the duck hunting industry, providing customers with the best camo paint jobs in the business. Each boat is individually painted using a tested process that produces HD camo results that blend perfectly with your environment. The Sportsman Gladiator model is a regional favorite with duck hunters that install mud motor type outboards on them.
If you are looking for a boat that can fish as hard as it hunts, then check out the Blackhawk series. These models come fully loaded and are built on an 18°V hull that not only provides a smoother ride but will keep you dry. The best feature of the Blackhawk is that the layout can be customized with either a side or center console.
The 2170 Blackhawk is a center console fishing and hunting rig that measures 21’6” long, 98” wide and holds up to 150 hp. The 961 Blackhawk is 19’5” long and 89” wide and is rated for 115-150 hp depending on the console choice.
Stop by Tomahund Marine on Rt. 5 near the mouth of the Chickahominy River for a look at the 2026 War Eagle boats. 804/829-9888
