Bay boats are great. The Mako is a bass boat on steriods and yes it will do every thing a bass boat will do. I dont think its sides are as high as some bay boats which makes it more bass boat like. I have Ranger Bahia 220 and love it, but its not a bass boat, but technically it does everything a bass boat does. Its a great ride, and on calm days fishes the same. I am lucky to have both the bay boat and a bass boat. I use the bay boat with the kids in the summer. Great for trolling and open water fishing. But for spring time close up bass fishing, I still prefer the bass boat.