Bass Boat Anglers: Procraft's Professional Partners

ProCraft boats were first introduced in the mid-1970s by Maiden Craft out of Smyrna, Tennessee. The company moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1977, and by 1988, ProCraft had an impressive lineup of 18 bass boats and multiuse boats on offer. ProCraft boats were known for their quality and attention to detail, and professional anglers like Bill Dance absolutely loved them. ProCraft was eventually bought out by BPS/Tracker, with the ProCraft brand name being stronger in the market than its sister brand, Astro.

One professional angler who had a ProCraft bass boat was Jon Canada, who began his journey to becoming a professional tournament angler several years ago. Canada's passion for fishing and hunting was instilled in him by his stepfather and biological father, who would take him outdoors at every opportunity. At the age of 12, Canada's father began sending him out on Alabama's Warrior River in the family's old ProCraft bass boat, allowing him to fish by himself but not crank the big motor. This helped Canada gain confidence in his fishing abilities, and he eventually jumped into tournament fishing at the age of 20.

ProCraft's history and development

ProCraft boats were first developed in the mid-1970s by Maiden Craft out of Smyrna, Tennessee. The first advertisements for the brand appeared in 1975 in American Bass Fisherman (ABF). In 1977, Maiden Craft moved to Murfreesboro, TN, and in 1977 and 1978, American Bass Fishermen used two different ProCraft models for their Grand Prix fish-off. The '77 boat was built off a ProCraft 1640 hull and sported an Evinrude 140-horse motor, while the '78 boat was built off a ProCraft 1700 hull with a 140-horse Evinrude.

By 1988, ProCraft had an impressive lineup of 18 bass boats and multiuse boats. That year, ProCraft became part of the Tracker Marine Group, one of America's foremost boat builders and the nation's leading manufacturer of fishing boats. In 2000, ProCraft introduced the Super Pro Series, designed for top tournament competition. The Super Pro 210 was used by BASS Angler of the Year Tim Horton during his winning 2000 season. That same year, ProCraft expanded its line of ski-and-fish combos from two to four.

In 2007, ProCraft introduced two all-new midsize performers: the Pro 176 and Pro 186. These modern, low-profile boats featured new modular consoles for added strength and roominess, as well as redesigned gunnels that allowed for expanded fishing decks and high-capacity storage.

In its early days, ProCraft was known for quality and attention to detail, and fishing legend Bill Dance made ProCraft Boats his fiberglass fishing brand of choice. However, some sources suggest that the brand's quality declined after it was acquired by Tracker Marine Group, and eventually, the ProCraft line was halted.

ProCraft's reputation and popularity

ProCraft boats have been around for over two decades, and in that time, they have gained a reputation for quality and meticulous attention to detail across their line of performance bass boats and fish-and-ski combos.

ProCraft boats were first developed by Maiden Craft out of Smyrna, Tennessee, in the mid-1970s. By 1977, the company had moved to Murfreesboro, TN, and started advertising in major publications like American Bass Fisherman (ABF). ProCraft boats were featured in the ABF Grand Prix fish-off in 1977 and 1978, solidifying their presence in the fishing world.

In 1988, ProCraft became part of the Tracker Marine Group, a leading American boat builder and manufacturer of fishing boats. This partnership further elevated ProCraft's reputation and reach. By the year 2000, ProCraft introduced the Super Pro Series, specifically designed for top tournament competition. The Super Pro 210 model was used by BASS Angler of the Year Tim Horton during his winning 2000 season, showcasing the brand's performance and popularity among professional anglers.

ProCraft boats are known for their quality, performance, and versatility. The brand caters to both serious anglers and those seeking family-friendly boats that combine fishing and watersports capabilities. ProCraft's attention to detail, rigorous refinement, and customer feedback have contributed to their strong reputation and popularity within the fishing community.

ProCraft offers a range of models, from bass boats to fish-and-ski combos, with various features and specifications to meet different needs and preferences. Their boats are widely regarded as stable platforms on the water, with models suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing contexts.

Overall, ProCraft's reputation for quality, performance, and innovation has made them a trusted brand among anglers, including fishing legend Bill Dance, who has endorsed the brand throughout its history.

The performance of ProCraft boats

ProCraft boats have been around for more than two decades and are known for their quality and meticulous attention to detail. The brand has a range of performance bass boats and fish-and-ski combos constructed from fiberglass.

ProCraft boats are popular among professional anglers, with fishing legend Bill Dance making the brand his fiberglass fishing boats of choice. The boats are also competitively priced, making them a good entry-level option for those looking to get into the sport.

In 1988, ProCraft became part of the Tracker Marine Group, one of America's foremost boat builders and the nation's leading manufacturer of fishing boats. This partnership led to the introduction of the Super Pro Series, which included the Super Pro 190, 200, and 210 models. These boats were designed for top tournament competition, providing anglers with an exciting alternative for competitive fishing. The Super Pro 210, in particular, stood out as BASS Angler of the Year Tim Horton's boat of choice during his winning 2000 season.

ProCraft's line of ski-and-fish combos is also highly sought-after due to their outstanding combination of fishing and water sports capabilities. These boats offer agile and roomy platforms with expanded fishing decks and high-capacity storage, making them a true angler's delight.

Over the years, ProCraft has continued to improve its designs and listen to customer feedback. The introduction of the Pro 176 and Pro 186 models in 2007 showcased their commitment to innovation, with modern, low-profile boats that are fully featured and equipped with new modular consoles for added strength and roominess.

The ProCraft family of boats offers a range of models, from 16 feet to over 20 feet in length, ensuring there is a boat to meet the diverse needs of both professional and recreational anglers. Whether you're looking for a pure bass boat or a versatile combo model, ProCraft has established itself as a trusted brand that delivers on performance, quality, and attention to detail.

ProCraft's place in the market

ProCraft boats were initially developed by Maiden Craft out of Smyrna, Tennessee, in the mid-1970s. By 1977, Maiden Craft had moved to Murfreesboro, TN, and ProCraft was being used by American Bass Fishermen for their Grand Prix fish-off. The 1978 Grand Prix boat was built off a ProCraft 1700 hull with a 140-horse Evinrude motor.

ProCraft continued to innovate and, by 1988, had an impressive lineup of 18 bass boats and multi-use boats. However, their brochure from that year notably omitted key information that prospective buyers would want to know, such as the length, beam, and horsepower rating of each boat. Despite this, ProCraft had a reputation for quality construction.

In the late 1990s or early 2000s, ProCraft and Astro were bought by Johnny Morris, who continued making the boats for a few years before dropping the lines. Today, ProCraft boats are still sought after by anglers, with some preferring them over other brands like Ranger, Skeeter, and Stratos.

One of the latest ProCraft boats to hit the market is the ProCraft 5.3 Cuddy Cabin, a rebranding of the original Haines Travellers by Queensland's Coastal Powerboats. This boat offers a simple yet spacious layout, zipping performance, and a stable ride, all at an affordable price.

ProCraft's acquisition by Johnny Morris

John L. Morris, also known as Johnny Morris, is the founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, a hunting and fishing retail chain in the US and Canada. In 1978, he introduced the Bass Tracker, the world's first "fish-ready" professionally rigged and nationally marketed boat, motor, and trailer package. This revolutionized the marine industry and allowed thousands of families to access the water for the first time.

In 2015, the company he founded, the Tracker Marine Group, acquired Fishing Holdings, LLC, a manufacturer of premier fishing boat brands, including Ranger and Triton. This acquisition formed the White River Marine Group, which is also owned by Morris.

In addition to his interests in the marine industry, Morris has expanded his business ventures to include hospitality and tourism. He developed the Big Cedar Lodge, a nature-based resort nestled on more than 4,600 acres on the shores of Table Rock Lake. The resort offers lodges, cottages, cabins, restaurants, a spa, swimming pools, and various outdoor activities such as bass fishing, water skiing, and horseback riding.

Morris also transformed a massive sports arena in downtown Memphis into a dynamic retail experience known as Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. This immersive retail destination includes a wilderness-themed hotel, water features, a cypress swamp, and an observation deck.

Through his business ventures, Morris has earned a reputation as a visionary and influential retailer, pioneering the concept of destination retail. His passion for the outdoors and his understanding of the products and experiences desired by outdoor enthusiasts have helped transform the industry.

In recognition of his entrepreneurial success and contributions to conservation, Morris has received numerous awards, including the Missourian Hall of Fame Award and the National Retail Federation's Retail Innovator of the Year in 1998.

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