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Bass Boat Batteries

TL;DR: For most bass boats, go lithium for trolling (Dakota Lithium or RELiON), stick with a proven AGM like Optima BlueTop for cranking unless your outboard explicitly approves lithium starters; pair live-sonar with a dedicated electronics battery (12V or 16V). Bass Pro Shops

Manufacturer Overview

  • Dakota Lithium — Value-forward LiFePO4 lineup (12/24/36V) with broad fishing fit, 11-yr warranty. Dakota Lithium Batteries
  • RELiON Battery — Premium LiFePO4 (incl. cold-weather LT, high-performance HP) under Brunswick/Navico Group, 10-yr warranty. relionbattery.com
  • Optima Batteries — SpiralCell AGM workhorses (BLUETOP) for starting/dual-purpose. Bass Pro Shops
  • Ionic Batteries (LithiumHub) — LiFePO4 with Bluetooth monitoring; aggressive pricing, 11-yr warranty. LithiumHub+1
  • Lithionics — Ultra-high-end marine LiFePO4 systems; dealer/OEM-centric (pricey). 4th Ave Electronics

Brand Strength Summary

  • Dakota Lithium — Strong angler adoption; ISO 9001 factory QA; long warranty; wide 36V single-pack option. Dakota Lithium Batteries
  • RELiON — Backed by Brunswick/Navico Group dealer network; broad catalog (RB, HP, LT); robust documentation. relionbattery.com
  • Optima — Decades-long AGM reliability, excellent vibration resistance; 24-mo marine warranty. Bass Pro Shops
  • Ionic — Popular for Bluetooth SOC/app and sales promos; direct support; deep spec sheets. LithiumHub

Top Categories Comparison

  • Category: lithium (12V 100Ah class for 24V/36V banks & electronics)
    • Best pick (model): Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah (Heated)
    • Key spec: ~27.5 lb, LiFePO4, internal heater, 11-yr warranty. Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Review consensus: Big runtime/weight win; ensure lithium-profile charger; avoid charging below freezing unless heated. Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Street price & where: $795 at Dakota Lithium; $795 at Tackle Warehouse (as of 2025-09-15). Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Availability: In stock at both (checked 2025-09-15). Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Alternative 1: RELiON RB100 12V 100Ah ($899.95 direct; 10-yr warranty). relionbattery.com
  • Category: lithium (single-pack 36V trolling)
    • Best pick (model): Dakota Lithium 36V 60Ah
    • Key spec: 44–48 lb class, G27 footprint, single-battery simplicity. Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Review consensus: Cleans rigging; long days on Ultrex/Foretrex; verify charger supports 36V LiFePO4. Tackle Warehouse
    • Street price & where: $1,700 at Dakota Lithium; $1,700 at Tackle Warehouse (as of 2025-09-15). Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Availability: In stock both (2025-09-15). Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • Alternative 1: RELiON RB36V40 ($1,089.95 direct; lighter 40Ah option). relionbattery.com
  • Category: AGM (starting / dual-purpose cranking)
    • Best pick (model): Optima BLUETOP Group 27 (SC27DM)
    • Key spec: ~1,000 CA / 800 CCA, spiral AGM, high vibration resistance; 24-mo marine warranty. Bass Pro Shops
    • Review consensus: Reliable cranking with graphs/pumps; heavier & less usable capacity vs. lithium. Boating Magazine
    • Street price & where: $359.99 at Bass Pro (in-store only, not available online as of 2025-09-15). Bass Pro Shops
    • Availability: “In Select Stores Only” / Out of Stock online (2025-09-15). Bass Pro Shops
    • Alternative 1: RELiON RB100-HP (dual-purpose lithium for approved 4-stroke starters; confirm engine spec). relionbattery.com
  • Category: electronics-only battery (FFS, graphs)
    • Best pick (model): Ionic 12V 100Ah (Bluetooth)
    • Key spec: App-based SOC; ~28–30 lb; 11-yr warranty. LithiumHub
    • Review consensus: Clean power for FFS; easy monitoring; mind charger profile. LithiumHub
    • Street price & where: $549 direct (sale, 2025-09-15). LithiumHub
    • Availability: In stock (2025-09-15). LithiumHub
    • Alternative 1: Ionic 16V 52Ah Electronics Battery (for FFS; $399 direct + charger). LithiumHub

Price & Availability Snapshot (as of 2025-09-15)

  • Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah (Heated): $795 (In Stock) — [Tackle Warehouse], [Dakota]. Tackle Warehouse
  • Dakota Lithium 36V 60Ah: $1,700 (In Stock) — [Tackle Warehouse], [Dakota]. Tackle Warehouse
  • RELiON RB100 12V 100Ah: $899.95 (Buy Direct) — [RELiON]. relionbattery.com
  • Optima BLUETOP Group 27 (SC27DM): $359.99 (In-store only; OOS online) — [Bass Pro]. Bass Pro Shops
  • Ionic 12V 100Ah (Bluetooth): $549 (sale; In Stock) — [LithiumHub]. LithiumHub
  • Powerhouse 16V FFS Kit (reference for 16V rigs): $349.99 — [Tackle Warehouse category page]. Tackle Warehouse
    Disclosure: Prices and stock frequently change; Bass Pro doesn’t list RELiON/Ionic — verified via manufacturer sites. relionbattery.com

Pros/Cons (aggregated)

  • Lithium (LiFePO4)
    • + Huge weight savings & flatter voltage (longer, stronger trolling runs). westmarine.com
    • + Faster charging; long cycle life; Bluetooth/app on Ionic. westmarine.com
    • – Needs lithium-profile charging (≈14.4–14.8V); avoid charging below 32°F unless heated. Dakota Lithium Batteries
    • – Lithium starters only if your outboard is on the approved list and battery meets specs (Mercury bulletin). relionbattery.com
  • AGM (Optima BLUETOP)
    • + Excellent cranking/stability under vibration; wide alternator/charger compatibility. Bass Pro Shops
    • – Heavier, less usable capacity per Ah vs. LiFePO4; shorter warranty (24 mo). Boating Magazine

Tactics-Specific Recommendations

  • All-day spot-lock, wind/current (36V trolling): Dakota 36V 60Ah; alternate RELiON RB36V40 if weight priority. Dakota Lithium Batteries
  • Heavy graph + forward-facing sonar (12V electronics only): Ionic 12V 100Ah (BT); or go Ionic 16V 52Ah for extra headroom (ensure 16V-compatible gear). LithiumHub
  • Budget-minded lithium upgrade (24V): Dakota 24V 60Ah single pack. Tackle Warehouse
  • Tournament travel & cold mornings (cranking): Optima BLUETOP AGM; consider RELiON RB100-HP onlyif your Mercury 4-stroke and wiring meet the bulletin specs. Bass Pro Shops

Tips & Tricks (quick hits)

  • Use a lithium profile on onboard chargers; target 14.4V for 12V LiFePO4. Dakota Lithium Batteries
  • For series banks (24/36V), charge each 12V battery on its own bank; avoid mixing ages/capacities. Tackle Warehouse
  • Cold weather: choose heated models (RELiON LT, Dakota Heated) or warm batteries before charging. relionbattery.com
  • Outboard starting: Many Yamaha models still don’t approve lithium starters; Mercury allows LFP starters meeting strict specs. When in doubt, use AGM. relionbattery.com
  • House/electronics isolation: Run graphs/FFS from a dedicated battery to prevent voltage sag/reboots. (General rigging best practice; supported by lithium electronics offerings.) LithiumHub

Manufacturer Guides

Maintenance Guide (intervals & storage)

  • After each trip: Inspect terminals, verify SOC (app for Ionic), top off charge same day.
  • Monthly: Balance check on multi-bank setups; ensure charger banks see each battery.
  • Seasonal storage: 40–60% SOC, disconnect loads; LiFePO4 self-discharges slowly; recharge every 2–3 months. Charge above 32°F. Dakota Lithium Batteries

Final Picks

  • Best Overall Trolling Setup: Dakota Lithium 36V 60Ah (simplicity + runtime). Alt: 3× Dakota 12V 100Ah if redundancy preferred. Dakota Lithium Batteries
  • Best Electronics Battery: Ionic 12V 100Ah (Bluetooth); Alt: Ionic 16V 52Ah for FFS-heavy boats. LithiumHub
  • Best Cranking (broad compatibility): Optima BLUETOP AGM; Alt: RELiON RB100-HP only when engine OEM approval is confirmed. Bass Pro Shops

Notes on data gaps/conflicts: Bass Pro does not list RELiON/Ionic; Optima D31M not shown online at Bass Pro (Group 27 shown, in-store only). For Yamaha outboards, public OEM web guidance on lithium starters remains limited; treat forum posts skeptically and default to AGM unless your manual explicitly approves lithium. 

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