HOW To Solo Launch a Bass Boat

How to easily launch your boat with this step-by-step guide. Let me know if this video helped you out! Thanks for watching.
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#bassboat #basstracker #boatlaunch

[@solobo5823]

Noice! I am old, just retired and have not had a Bass boat in years. I just bought one! I’m excited about getting out there but I will be solo most of the time and I appreciate the help! Great video and well done bubba! Thanks! 👍

[@stevesmith9254]

What’s the name of this ramp? Man, it looks like a great place to fish. Get ready for fall fishing, I can’t wait. Nice video. Thanks.

[@pancakeface5717]

You had me at "check out the ramp." Great tip, even if you've launched there a few times. Ramps can get silted-in, logs drift in, in tidal areas low tide vs high tide can be very different, and ramps get damaged, etc.

[@dreamfly555]

Nah, the boat won't sink without the plug. You just can't get to plane but can easily drive up the ramp, let it drain, then plug it back in. Or if you have long hands, plug it in while on the water and use the bilge pump to pump the water out. I always hang the plug on the steering wheel so I will never forget.

[@robertmckinstry7282]

Yes, being a journeyman fisherman we must share our secrets so it doesn’t happen to you. I’m 70 but doesn’t give me the qualifications to buy know what I’m saying but I’ve been missing since I was probably around nine I first boat when I was 12. So yeah I’ve been around a little bit. It’s a lot of tournament Days are over. Anyway, I’ll get to the end of it. Got a safety chain around my boat always travel with a SleepIQ chain on your boat and when you take your feet off if you have a clevis on the end of it, remove it because they’re butt cracks out there that will steal them. Also, if you have a plug for your lights on your trailer, take your plug out put the back your truck somewhere where nobody can see it but a couple of those stolen when I had them wrapped up with electric tape . Hope you have a Lotta fun out there. Bad back, Bob Arizona.

[@Riddlemethisgaming]

Only thing I would add would be never keep your windows up..roll it down so if anything happens on the ramp you can get out alive..and also never turn your truck off..nothing worse than having a dead battery blocking everyone else

[@BentRodBassin]

Definitely good points!

[@Riddlemethisgaming]

@@BentRodBassin thanks man..I solo launch al the time with a rope but I started looking up solo launch video for if I ever do a tournament alone..I'm afraid of hitting one of those 80k bass boats..and I'm also afraid I won't be able to solo launch without getting my shoes wet in the winter

[@BentRodBassin]

@@Riddlemethisgaming dude for real! I need my space, I get a lil wonky on the ramp sometimes lol.

[@yesitsme6851]

I hook a rope to my winch pole and boat hook. I also leave my tailgate down so when the boat floats i just get in the bed using my rear tire, grab the rope and tie off.

[@andrewjernigan799]

For me I have a 07 Tacoma with a manual and I don’t really trust the hand brake so I do turn it off and put it in gear just incase before I get out

[@TLRChad]

1:47.....ha ha ha....any of us that boat know exactly what you're talking about ;-).

[@Jon_Ray]

One time I was going out in the boat with my grandpa and we had forgotten to put the plug in 😂 what a day that was. Thankfully the boat didn’t sink and it’s still perfectly fine, will now always check if the plug is in

[@BentRodBassin]

Definitely! I left it out one time, started to sink quick!

[@dalebechtel8904]

Been there before twice lol😂

[@banjohappy]

I tie long lines from the front and back of my boat to the truck before letting the boat off the trailer and unhooking it. Then control the boat with the two lines to tie it off to dock cleats. Park the truck and trailer, and take off in the boat.

[@Hatfield1198]

sure could use a video on how to load it... dock it...?... how to get it on the trailer yourself and the steps you take before you leave

[@RD-ve3wi]

Don't dump hot rotors .brakes and bearings in water. Let things cool down a bit after a lengthy trip, sizzle and steam is not conducive to long parts life. Unplug your lights. Tie long bow rope to winch riser, remove all other restraints. Back trailer to water at a brisk walking pace and use brake to bring to an abrupt halt at desired depth. Remove bow rope and lead to pier or dock. Park rig. Getting in and out of boat by walking the trailer is risky.. I've seen so many wet tennis shoes dump people between tailgate and trolling motor. Start the big motor at the dock. If you have problems get back in line.

[@skyjackercracker3560]

One of the most important things you forgot is to start the motor before you fully remove it from the trailer. Can't say how many times I seen people get the whole process done and the boat doesn't turn over or has trouble idling

[@BentRodBassin]

That’s true, good looking out 🤙

[@platinum9898]

The boat i purchased doesn't have a bow eye 😅

[@bodybuilderschickensnortht6121]

Awesome looking bass boat. Video was great. Man, i wish my bass boat looked like that.

[@phillamoore157]

Lake and ramp are absolutely gorgeous. I miss that style of lake, and the scenery. You can fish all year around, but you don't get that kind of scenery. Excellent video. Going to get this method a shot today. It looks MUCH easier than what I've been doing. Thank you for sharing!

[@phillamoore157]

In my original post I meant to say "You can fish *FL* all year around, but don't get that kind of scenery".

[@nickrobinson9503]

This is the hard way

[@tracycampbell4526]

It looks like your safety strap is attached to the hook on your winch strap. That seems less than ideal in that it doesn't protect you from a main strap failure. Mine is attached directly to the trailer. A tip for trailering: back in a little deeper than you need to wet your bunks, then pull out to the proper depth. In my experience, the boat slides up a little easier. I'm so jealous of the quiet 4-stroke. I've got an old 85hp 3 cyl 2 stroke that sounds like somebody shaking a coffee can full of quarters.

[@BentRodBassin]

Definitely better attached to the trailer, might mount it up like that for a little project. Your right, dipping the bunks a bit further definitely a plus, especially on non-steep ramps 👍

[@tracycampbell4526]

@@BentRodBassin I’m completely wrong on your safety strap. There is a hole below the wench where the safety strap hook attaches to the trailer, rather that the boat.

[@caseysaunders2137]

Nice Video. Thanks. Only step / caution I'd add for self launch... 1) drivers window fully down on truck during launch and trailering 2) keep a 50 foot line in the boat in case you gotta get back on the trailer w/o engine power Those 3 foot tie off ropes are cool.

[@HoosierBowfishing]

We had a bass boat when I was a teen but I'm 26 now and just bought a 2072 sportsman kicker. I was super nervous backing the boat in for the first time so I followed an article I read and backed it in until my rear tires were almost to the water line... The back of my boat wasn't quite floating yet so I let out some slack on the winch and just gave it a couple good pushes before hopping on. Do you sometimes go just a little further in depending on the ramp or do you always follow that rule of not hitting the water line? Seemed like another foot or so back would've been perfect but all those videos of people sinking trucks had me scared to death.

[@NomkuFishing]

Good vid, just picked up a 2024 tracker 175 txw. Your vids have the best info, just subbed!

[@BentRodBassin]

That’s awesome! Thanks

[@donaldmartin4980]

Just an old habit from years ago is disconnect the lights ….. I have had hot bulbs blow when hitting cold water.

[@mikejoned7148]

The first thing I did was go to an empty parking lot and practice backing that trailer into spots and then at the ramp I got in and out of the water for 10 mins

[@613BASSN]

Would advise to always put both front truck side windows DOWN all the way -shit happens

[@midwestgrunt]

Bro stop repeating yourself we can rewind if need be. Wasting time

[@joeyingle8286]

Saw this and said that's lake Ann and then saw you were from NWA. Keel it up man!

[@ddvette]

You could tie boat to the other side of the dock so you are not blocking it for the next guy. No other boats were there when you did this video but on a busy day there is.

[@fishingconvelazquez]

Whats up brother. New sub here. What brand of step is that on your trailer?

[@BentRodBassin]

Bass Pro, a must have!

[@robm78]

wow....never ever have i checked out the ramp before backing in....LOL... makes sense tho! Awesome vid!

[@BentRodBassin]

For sure, I seen a dude get stuck on a washed up log one time, crazy!

[@joedaniels255]

Tip; put the pin for your outdrive stabilizer/brace in the rod before you stow it. Don't throw a loose pin in the storage compartment.

[@marmadukedog]

Right??? Cringey

[@theone4929]

So that's how you dock block so people wanting to launch have to wait for you to park your vehicle.

[@BentRodBassin]

Block who? lol

[@MikeG02061]

Great video! Where did you get the Step trailer piece? Thanks!

[@BentRodBassin]

Picked it up at Bass Pro.

[@FisForFishing777]

#1 put plug in at home that way you never forget it.

[@BentRodBassin]

That’s a good reminder

[@Eric_nail]

Forget the boat, look at that lake!

[@chestophercolumbo4561]

This would be panick-inducing on a crowded boat ramp... Everyone watching... the pressure is on...the struggle is real

[@BentRodBassin]

lol for real!

[@JeffScott-1978]

Yeah. Imagine living in Carson city and making the thirty minute drive over the winding mountain highway to Lake Tahoe on a weekday morning. Only to find out the boat ramp is crowded and you're in for a solo launch with half the boat owners in California and Nevada watching you. Under pressure for sure. Videos like this really help you get you're game together.

[@TysonEdwardsFishing]

I'd look into some dockbuddy tie offs. They keep the boat off the dock or even other boats if you tie to another boat sometime.

[@BentRodBassin]

I’ll check em’ out, thx!

[@ansinlattimore8468]

Were did you get this vinyl kit for your boat? Looks nice

[@BentRodBassin]

I made it myself.

[@dalebechtel8904]

Great video thank you 👍

[@chrisscully9922]

Great job, very helpful

[@teammit]

Which model boat is that really nice

[@BentRodBassin]

Tracker 175 TXW

[@jerryjones3817]

Where did you get your boat step by the winch ?

[@BentRodBassin]

Bass Pro Shop 🤙

[@aricpearson2872]

Good video man !

[@mikewalker9769]

Where did you get the trailer step?

[@BentRodBassin]

Bass Pro

[@kurtheidelbach]

That's a lot of hold up time at the ramp. You can disconnect the winch close to the water before it's even in with a long rope attached. It's not going anywhere. No reason to get in the boat and drive it clogging up the ramp.

[@duro845]

Should unplug lights

[@BentRodBassin]

Waterproof

[@theodorestanfield3969]

Yo. You need to put your plug in from the inside out so that it can't come out and sink to the bottom of the lake.

[@jamesorth1521]

I put a permanent small chain on mine.

[@jeffhardin6411]

My boat you can't plug from inside only outside

[@danperry1415]

Not laughing, but when you have launched a 20' bass boat by yourself for forty plus years, this is for the rookies.

[@bigred805100]

well no shit sherlock