Grading the Bass Cat Puma STS - Great Bass Boat Search Revisited

Today we grade the 2023 Bass Cat Puma STS. Although we completed The Great Bass Boat Search of 2021, last last year with over 100 hours spent in 15 different boats, 40 videos, there is a new boat around introduced this year that I had to go review. The new Bass Cat STS, Cat's newest wide deck design was introduced last year and I finally had a chance to spend a day in it, and here is part 4 of that review. As a reminder last year we looked at a Ranger 521C, a Ranger 520L, a Bass Cat Puma Hybrid, a Charger 210, a Caymas CX21, a Bullet 21 SDC, Phoenix921 ProXP, , a Vexus VX20, a Blazer 650 Pro Tour, a Phoenix 21 PHX, a Skeeter 21 FXR, a Falcon F215, a Bass Cat Lynx, a Ballistic 204 and an Allison XB 21, now we look at Bass Cat's newest offering.
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[@richardcraig2282]

And the prop guy is….?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Crap I forgot to say that in the video, it is Ronnie Gilbert, his shop is called The Prop Shop in Lafayette La

[@jeffporter100]

Always love the boat reviews and this one was very informative. Love the puma sts now that I see the details on it

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thanks Guy I know!

[@johnmoran6172]

Trick step made entry to the boat easy

[@davedorland7444]

Ken, how about a review of the new 2023 lynx with the new hull? Would love to know your thoughts.

[@Irishmule169]

Love my Cat ! Great company… Welcome to the family !

[@KenSmithFishing]

The best!

[@jimmyhoweth4732]

Glad to hear your positive review on the Puma STS as I am waiting on my new Puma, still several months till my delivery. Was a bit nervous about buying a new design but being a loyal Cat owner I had complete confidence that Rick Pierce would only build a quality boat. I’m planning this to be my retirement boat so I just thought I’d treat myself so I ordered it with a 300 on the back. I enjoy all your videos, especially this last series with the boat reviews..thanks a bunch!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jimmy I wish I had one coming....

[@chrishampton8842]

Great review video!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thanks!

[@sandyjones1239]

This is a great boat as I bought the boat 1.5 months ago. Is a beautiful boat and runs out great.

[@codyhooser3333]

Enjoyed watching all the videos my friend, great content an info. Wishing I went with my gut an bought the Bass Cat instead of my Charger.

[@cliff7634]

I Would like to see a review on Gambler, iKon. I believe the iKon bass boats has the best live well system hands down to keep your fish in the best shape possible so far in the market. iKon is also is super stable in rough water but not as fast as allot of boat but is the most expensive. Would just like to see what you think of these.

[@waylonlevins]

They are gonna have to expand manufacturing to keep up with demand for this boat. Great vid Ken

[@KenSmithFishing]

they are way out there on when you can get one. motors are the same

[@jabojr5171]

I'd like to get the Jag. Looking forward to your review.

[@KenSmithFishing]

me too

[@doughines3151]

I really enjoy your watching your videos. You do a great job of going into the fine details. I would like to see you do some reviews of the Pantera 2, Pantera classic and Bobcat. Maybe more in depth on the Sabre as these boats are more in my price range. Thank you.

[@Irishmule169]

Doug I own a 2022 P2… It’s a awesome rig bud..fast fast and handles like a sports car in tight creek running..turns on a dime.. The only thing that I might complain about is the fuel tank is under the seats so there is no storage there.. battery storage at the stern is huge with room for whatever you want to add.. I’m out running the other brand boats with 250’s on them with my V8 200 Pro XS… A+ boat..

[@KenSmithFishing]

I really want to do both those boats, they just can't get them in

[@randalluthe4792]

I am still enjoying your boat reviews, both glass and tin. I don't know how many more glass boats you plan on doing, but would be REALLY interested to get your input on a Lanier Cat bass boat. I am not sure if you could even get a hold of one outside of Florida. They are a niche custom market but to get your honest side by side with a traditional glass bass boat would be immeasurable.

[@Irishmule169]

Prop and motor height set up is everything for speed..you have yours set up better than the other guys with Lynx’s..

[@KenSmithFishing]

You know Phil, the guy I did the original Lynx review with, his boat is just as fast as mine

[@kellymiller3136]

Thanks Ken on your review. Question to you is why don’t you like carpet in the boxes? A couple of weeks ago I dropped in on the fine people at Basscat unannounced. Everyone there were so nice from the delivery guys to Rick himself. As I said I dropped in unannounced and as I approached the front door out walked Rick. Not expecting to much of his time being I dropped in I introduced myself and Rick proceeded to spend at least a half hour with me answering my questions and then passing me off to Jackson Braun who took me on a tour and continued to answer all my questions. I just want to say these people at Basscat are the best. I drove from Colorado to see the boats first hand.

[@larrymansy9290]

Great review it’s just as good as I thought ! Just wish I could afford 110k 😩

[@KenSmithFishing]

get this, we don't drink the water in Zavalla, get boil notices all the time, it tastes terrible etc. Anyway, a gallon of water at the Brookshires there last year was $1.01, it's now $1.35. Now I'm not mathematician, or economist, but pretty sure that is a 30% rise in 1 year... it's everywhere

[@DHW448]

Thanks for the video. Hopefully the boat manufacturers will continue to listen to their customers. For the prices they are asking. We want a great boat.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Right....even junky stuff is thru the roof

[@zachcottrill5935]

As always great review,if I was gonna go fiberglass I'm pretty sure itd be a sts.For me though hoping to see you do the xpress x19 for me think itd work best.but not many good videos out on them.

[@KenSmithFishing]

it is on the list!

[@jabojr5171]

Hi Ken, thank you again for all your vids and for answering questions. What do you mean the Lynx has side slope? Probably spelled it wrong. thank you.

[@KenSmithFishing]

I actually noted it in the Lynx, both Phoenix boats, actually in pretty much all the boats that would get in excess of 70 mph, when you are hammer down in them with a quartering wind you get some side to side motion in the tail end. I call that side slop

[@clarence1149]

Love these reviews. Question, when you refer to side slop is that your term for chine walk?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Several guys have asked so I’ll cover in a video

[@tonyperez3666]

Ken, I have a 2004 Cougar FTD and have not had a dashpad failure. 500+ hours on the motor. FYI.

[@ewwee2k]

Thank for this series of videos! The information you provide is invaluable to anyone interested in bass boats, especially if their access to various models is limited. With that said, I too am a Bass Cat guy. I have an older Cougar. But had been looking at the Lynx because of its big water ability. I’m a Georgia angler but get to the Great Lakes each summer. So looking for a big water capable boat. Which of these two would you pick now. The Lynx or the Puma STS?

[@MJ_Bass]

I know Rick himself recommends the Lynx for big water still, simply because it is a deeper hull.

[@KenSmithFishing]

I'm like MJ, in really big water I like that extra bow rise in the Lynx, so if I were a great lakes guy that's what I'd be in

[@MyZinkie]

I wrote basscat a several times for information. I’m very interested to get a basscat to Europe in the Netherlands. Strange that they are not reacting for my request. I love your reviews!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Mark shoot me an email at [e-mail] and I'll try to connect you

[@georgeadcock2347]

I am not sure about the seat belt thing yet. You would almost need air bags if you are slammed side to side or forward to the console... maybe a shoulder harness would be preferable. This seems like a slippery slope and could get complex...

[@KenSmithFishing]

George, 100% agree, slippery slope. But a the slammed thing is exactly why I'd want it. Several years ago a local here around Dallas had a steering failure, as I recall he was only going like 35 mph, he got whipped sideways and broke, either his back or neck, went in the water. Luckily someone saw it happen and knew how to handle someone with that type of injury, got him rolled over (he was temporarily paralyzed) and waited until first responders could get him out of the water. If someone hadn't seen it happen, could have been a way worse story (he's fully recovered btw).

[@rickvann3489]

I'm still going to say bang for the buck is the RANGER 520R is going to be the new Champ... hey Johnny Morris has got all 3 brands going in the right direction now. trailer parking is an extra good for nothing cost. give me that money towards graphs. How come no scores with what they come standard with... Ken I guess the Bass Cat you bought last year didn't measure up? is the STS really worth 30k more?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Love the boat I have, wouldn't change boats if they hadn't come out with the STS, just something new and I think based on everything I saw and felt that i'll love it. Not sure about Ranger, I head the new R is fast, but I also know from several guys that the quality control is still an issue, and I just (pure curiousity) just priced one, rigged like my current boat except no 360 imaging and no dealer prep or shipping added, the boat prices out at $120,530

[@rickvann3489]

@@KenSmithFishing I just bought a 520R I'll let you know my 2 cents . I'll Have it down in Arkansas in October I'll bring it to Texas we can fish

[@SkiiDoggy]

Good evening Ken. Contacting you in regards to the Bass Cat Puma STS. Was wondering what you think about outfitting it with the Mercury Pro XS 300 4-Stroke as opposed to the Pro XS 250 4-Stroke. Would the 300 be a bit overpowering or overweight for the Puma, or is it a great fit for this size rig? I really respect your opinion and have been paying much attention to your videos. In the very near future, I expect to purchase a tournament grade bass boat. So you know, I live in Michigan and heavily fish the Great Lakes and Inland Lakes. Thanks. 👍😎

[@KenSmithFishing]

Skipp if you go back that's the way Mark rigged his and he's been really happy with it, so I'd say if you have the $$ for the 300 then why the heck not!

[@bnasty8653]

Buying this boat when I win the lottery

[@KenSmithFishing]

buy me one too?

[@bnasty8653]

@@KenSmithFishing most definitely!!

[@tannerherrington8914]

How is the new cougar going to look? Will be a STS model as well?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Tanner haven't seen it yet, I'll be interested to know

[@stevebrockman6713]

Bass Cats not the first manufacturer that had a not penetrating lock and latch. The Ranger Z series had it with the rail system. Do I like the rails hell no but they were way ahead of the time.

[@KenSmithFishing]

I sat down on one of those once on a Texas summer day...only once

[@jswartz1999]

Did I miss what side slop is in a prior video?

[@KenSmithFishing]

I'll address in a video soon, but it's the side to side motion you get in a bass boat at speed, most noticeable when you have a quartering wind

[@makeithappen8473]

Are the rod tubes removable on this boat?

[@KenSmithFishing]

I'll find out

[@djrener1]

What took you so long to figure out what some of us have known for years? I have loved my Bass Cats for 10+ years now!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Boater, we never get in any boats except our own and whatever our team partner fishes out of

[@djrener1]

@@KenSmithFishing the pre JM rangers were close with build quality. Cats din't have plastic in them and have always been rock solid. Lots of people do not know the true quality of the builds.

[@jeffvernon8406]

I don't see a Triton tested?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jeff I never did one, I fished with a buddy that had one and meant to do one, but at the time I kept hearing they were going away....guess that was 100% incorrect1

[@jawsmod]

Would you switch from your Lynx to the Puma STS?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jaws I may on my next one, unfortunately I can't get a motor until next spring due to the backlog, so its a decision I'll make this fall

[@jawsmod]

@@KenSmithFishing Thanks for the reply. I have not been in the Puma STS, I am planning on ordering a boat this summer. Right now it would be a Cougar Hybrid. However, I might change my mind after getting in a Puma STS.

[@jimmcculloch5825]

I would think it would be hard to hit a golf ball from the deck of a boat.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jim...done it, you just gotta catch it a little thin, bad place to leave a divot

[@rcc7170]

Gambler elite

[@KenSmithFishing]

You know Heath was supposed to get me one to run, I'll circle back with him and see if one's available.

[@travis9217]

@@KenSmithFishing Any update on getting in a new Gambler? Very interested in the new hulls abilities in rough water.

[@mikeharris130]

BassCat quit using Vault hubs. My 2022 Cougar has traditional grease hubs. I keep a boat longer than you and I'm on my 3rd. A BassCat never disappoints.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thanks Mike