![Best live-bait center console fishing boats](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/sevenliveboats.jpg)
When I asked several top boat manufacturers for their opinion of what characteristics make an ideal vessel for anglers fishing with live bait, I heard mostly about superior livewell systems. But while the number, location and capability of livewells certainly rank high among live-bait-boat qualities, I was sure there must be more. Besides livewells, I suggest the following should also be considered:
- The number and location of rod holders, including a place to perch kite rods or multiple lines to feed kites (i.e., a rocket launcher);
- Convenient rigging station for bridling materials, dip nets, etc.;
- Optional bonito/tuna tubes for larger liveys;
- Ample electrical outlets for kite reels; and
- A strong saltwater washdown system for cleaning up slime and scales.
What’s convenient to one angler might not be for another. And many specific live-bait-boat features must be added as options. To get you started: Here are seven offshore center-consoles that offer superb live-bait amenities. They are listed alphabetically.
Contender 35ST
![Contender 35ST center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/contender35st-1.jpg)
![Contender 35ST center console fishing boat live bait wells](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/contender35st-2.jpg)
LOA: 34 ft. 10 in. • Beam: 10 ft. • Deadrise: 24.5 deg. • Draft: 21 in. Courtesy Contender
Hydra-Sports Custom 4200 SF
![Hydra-Sports Custom 4200 SF center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/hydrasportscustom4200sf-1.jpg)
![Hydra-Sports Custom 4200 SF center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/hydrasportscustom4200sf-2.jpg)
Hydra-Sports 4200 SF
![Hydra-Sports Custom 4200 SF center console fishing boat live bait wells](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/hydrasportscustom4200sf-3.jpg)
LOA: 41 ft. 7 in. • Beam: 12 ft. 2 in. • Deadrise: 23 deg. * Draft: 24 in. Courtesy Hydra-Sports Custom
Invincible 42
![Invincible 42 center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/invincible42-1.jpg)
![Invincible 42 center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/invincible42-2.jpg)
![Invincible 42 center console fishing boat live bait well](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/invincible42-3.jpg)
LOA: 42 ft. 9 in. • Beam: 11 ft. 7 in. • Deadrise: 22 deg. • Draft: 23 in. Courtesy Invincible
Jupiter 38 HFS
![Jupiter 38 HFS center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/jupiter38hfs-1.jpg)
![Jupiter 38 HFS center console fishing boat live bait wells](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/jupiter38hfs-2.jpg)
LOA: 38 ft. 2 in. • Beam: 10 ft. 7 in. • Deadrise: 24 deg. • Draft: 24 in. Courtesy Jupiter Marine
Regulator 34
![Regulator 34 center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/regulator34-1.jpg)
![Regulator 34 center console fishing boat live bait well](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/regulator34-2.jpg)
LOA: 33 ft. 10 in. • Beam: 10 ft. 11 in. • Deadrise: 24 deg. • Draft: 27 in. Courtesy Regulator Marine
SeaVee 320Z
![SeaVee 320Z center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/seavee320z-1.jpg)
![SeaVee 320Z center console fishing boat live bait wells](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/seavee320z-2.jpg)
LOA: 32 ft. 5 in. • Beam: 9 ft. 4 in. • Deadrise: 25 deg. • Draft: 20 in. Courtesy SeaVee
Yellowfin 36
![Yellowfin 36 center console fishing boat](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/yellowfin36-1.jpg)
![Yellowfin 36 center console fishing boat live bait well](https://www.sportfishingmag.com/uploads/2021/09/yellowfin35-2.jpg)
LOA: 36 ft. 8 in. • Beam: 10 ft. • Deadrise: 24 deg. • Draft: 20 in. Courtesy Yellowfin