FISHING BOAT BUILD - How To Build a Catfish and Striper Boat on a Budget!

I didn't start out with much in this fishing game and had to make due with what I had. That held true for bank fishing for catfish and stripers, and now holds true on the boat I fish out of nearly every single day. I made this video to you show you guys the most effective way that I've found to setup and build a catfish/striper boat from scratch and on a relatively small budget. This style of boat also does extremely well in shallow water for trout and musky. I've caught nearly everything that swims in the lakes/rivers around me with this boat. During the video, I discuss some pitfalls not to fall into, how to find products for a deal, and the best way to lay your fish slaying boat up for maximum effectiveness. She ain't pretty but she sure does get the job done day in and day out.
CHECKOUT SOME OF MY LATEST VIDEOS HERE:
We Had a Hard Time Keeping Rods in the Water!
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqQJx...
How To Jug Fish for Catfish with Homemade Jugs/Noodles
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1eB...
The Summer Catfish Bite Was on FIRE 🔥
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UT8g...
INSANE Topwater Striper BLOWUPS | Sometimes You Gotta Improvise!
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=usKc0...
Striped Bass Fishing Tackle Tips, Tricks, and Secrets from a National Champion
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ofko...
MY BICEPS WERE SORE Dam Fishing for Summer Striped Bass
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkfVL...
BIG Freshwater Striper Fishing Action Using HUGE Live Baits
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIxzM...
Catfish Commando | How to Target Blue and Flathead Catfish on Heavy Cover
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-TCx...

[@TopKnoxFishing]

Who wants to see a beginner level video on reading topography maps for lakes and rivers?

[@forreelzfishing]

me!

[@TopKnoxFishing]

Got a couple up already buddy

[@tonymostello6853]

Yep

[@jacksonbeverly3250]

Like your simple style

[@allaboutthebenjamins2781]

I've got a boat just like that one except flatbottom and it is all I have needed for 20 + years. Xpress makes a mighty fine boat. A tiller steer also gives a lot more control.

[@doubled431]

Awesome video. Thanks for being so transparent. I’ve learned a BUNCH from watchin your videos. DEFINITELY would appreciate videos on reading the lake better! 👍

[@mlutzy9016]

Hi Mark, I've been watching for awhile now and must commend you on the simplicity and honest candor. It's refreshing. This is not my normal type of fishing so I am learning a great deal. I will be staying in Harriman the whole month of July this year and will be putting your knowledge to the test. keep em coming

[@outdoorssteve1929]

I wanna go down and catfish with this man

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Thanks for this video and all of your content Mark! I like your no BS way of putting things out there!

[@catfishreaper4922]

Great Video ! And Great Advice ! I`ve been chasing cats for 50 years and have been on the semi pro bass trail and sunk WAY too much money into my addiction, now ? I buy a used boat in my budget and fix it up, I just picked up a Polar Kraft that was in good shape and didn`t break the bank. As soon as I sell my Tracker I`ll pay this off and be back to square 1 on out of pocket, it`s good to see someone ( specially YOUNGER ) advising people NOT to go into debt !

[@solgerin4christ]

Good job. A few years ago my wife and I started with a 1963 16 ft aluminum v , we called it the ugly duckling. Paid $250 with trailer and a non working 8 hours 2 stroke . We bought a trolling motor and fished the Tn river for a year after repaint and adding a floor , front deck and seats . We had a blast , but on the Tn it can get a bit tricky with all the big boats and waves . So I worked my way up by buying a few more boats and repairing them and selling them . Last we bought a 1990 17 ft aluminum v spectrum with bad floors has a good 48 hp Johnson . New floors , seats and I used vinyl that they put in rv it’s very tough and cleans good . I paid $2,700 and now it’s a $5,000 catfish boat.

[@TopKnoxFishing]

A fine vessel I'm sure!

[@myronhigh3527]

Great job buddy,keep up the hard work!!! God Bless!!!👍😊🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@michaelwomack9705]

I do and have enjoyed everything that I have seen you put out So good job and thank you

[@stevenmurray6149]

Awesome rig and I too have used blocks for an anchor ⚓.

[@jdpgte]

Good video, and good content as usual. I like simple, I downgraded from a bassboat to a 1542 Tracker with a 20hp motor several years back and that will do what I want as long as Im able to fish. Bigger is not always better.

[@cheeseeater1349]

Keep grinding nothing like when you keep it real. 💯💪🏿 and a nice set up

[@dunbarbrown1405]

Great video I have a similar setup myself you did a great job at explaining everything enjoy and keep having fun fishing

[@timothygreen9884]

Great show very informative !

[@charlesgilliland532]

Easily got a new subscriber! Great video I look forward to looking at your method you sound like you have your priorities right

[@catfishcrazy4288]

Great video. I’m getting ready to start at old vhull boat.

[@timothymcvay7286]

Awesome video buddy keep up the great work

[@tonymostello6853]

Just starting to look into a boat and love this layout it's overwhelming especially on a budget but like you said a little at a time. Just recently subscribed and have some rivers here in Indiana that can produce some fish anyway love the content and the channel!

[@TopKnoxFishing]

Have fun!

[@davesuddreth3749]

Good info!

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

All great points worth considering. Spending more money does not make us better at fishing.

[@nateplissken3019]

Hey awesome video man, thanks.

[@JugginMikeBoozer]

My new favorite catfish chanel

[@thomasl1937]

Love the stucture and depth map video idea . PLEASE do that!!! I've got the gear and a way out on the water I can get skipjack. But where I stuggle is where to fish using NAVIONICS lake map and DI SI sonar. PLEASE I can only beg so much lol. Love the videos. Alot. Small suggestion keep language to a minimum if you want to attract family oriented viewers. Becoming big fan! The language thing my wife stated. Made me turn it off because I have young kids. Nothing in this video, others. Keep it up....

[@lsoutdoors2354]

Great video

[@texasplumr]

The cinderblock is an amazingly good, cheap and effective anchor. Myself, I've lifted weights my whole life so have literally a ton of plates at my house in all different sizes. I just threw a few 10lb iron plates in the boat. I have a smaller boat, 1436 Lone Star Jon Boat and a 10lb plate in front and another one in back will hold me steady in the water I fish. Being a small boat, I don't get it on big water unless it's super calm but I haven't had a problem with my anchoring system yet except I need 20lbs in deeper water. I built 2 shallow water anchors for it too since I fish mostly on a smaller river. I just cut a joint of 1/2" galvanized pipe in two and screwed a tee bullheaded on the threaded end with two 6"X1/2" galvanized nipples for the tee handle. (You can also screw caps on each nipple if you don't feel comfortable with exposed threads.) A joint of pipe is 20' long so I have 2 -10' anchors for each end of the boat. Your set up is nice and one day I'll have a bigger boat. But then again, maybe not.

[@krisbrown5322]

Well said man

[@markmanis4267]

Good video you mentioned doing videos on graphs and charts I for one would be interested. I’ve mostly bank fished my life so I don’t have a lot of experience with graphs etc. A lot of times I’m not sure what I’m looking at on my graphs. I can tell fish when I see them but not not always sure to what kind etc.

[@ofwoodsandwords4424]

Good stuff! Even if I was a multi millionaire I wd still dyi stuff, aka your anchor.

[@CarpKiller_Bowfishing]

I spent only 2k on my jon boat with a newer 9.9 motor. Best 2 grand I have ever spent. You don’t need the big money to get the big boats to go out on the water and have the most fun ever with your friends

[@careyatkinson3243]

Liked the video

[@MannieSmith]

Mannie B, Just getting into electronics, would love to learn how to use a fish finder.

[@TNRVG]

Love your boat! The only thing I don't like is the back bench being in the way. I think a lot of people know I hate back benches in Catfish boats lol! I know its flotation for a boat that small so its a choice to be legal or not.

[@krisbrown5322]

It also adds to the support for the boat

[@TNRVG]

@@krisbrown5322 I agree. Most manufacturers do not add ribs under the bench or only have a half of rib. The SeaArk MV jon boats have a half rib under the bench. The 17 foot Weldbilt I had did not have any rib. On the Weldbilt I was able to buy a rib from them and had a professional welder put it in. On a now defunct SeaArk MV build there is absolutely nothing you can do after removing the seat. Nobody makes a "real" catfish boat IMO.

[@solgerin4christ]

I added a drop in truck aluminum Diamond plate toolbox ,not the one that sits on the bed rails but a full box . Dropped in my cranking battery on one side and now have tones of storage. It’s a easy step up and I’m 64 years old. It gets me higher above the boat for easier casting. I’m going to make it a giant live well soon.

[@TheMrpalid]

Can it handle chop?

[@lilrivercatsfishing]

What size motor you running

[@tomedwards643]

Hey! What are the rod holder extensions you use? Would greatly appreciate you telling me how you rigged those up. Thanks!

[@TopKnoxFishing]

I believe driftmaster sells them

[@tomedwards643]

@@TopKnoxFishing appreciate it, Mark.

[@stevebugmanduncan4145]

They rope cost money but yes good idea buddy

[@Mart1927]

How much did this boat cost you before you upgraded it?

[@leesmith5419]

Do you do guidesI would be very interested in learning how to do that

[@TopKnoxFishing]

I do not guide.

[@fishracer7]

Do you use a filter system in your bait tank? How do you put air into your bait tank?

[@TopKnoxFishing]

Nope, just a 12 volt bubbler from academy. I change the water often and put salt in it

[@ktee5998]

Where did you buy those Mul-T-Bar rod rack?

[@TopKnoxFishing]

They have a Facebook page. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I love them.

[@anthonyqiu9042]

All the cinderblocks are going to be sold out now XD

[@TopKnoxFishing]

🤣

[@HIWASSEEJAY]

Where did you get the lid made for your bait tank?

[@TopKnoxFishing]

Friend got it made in South Carolina somewhere.

[@HIWASSEEJAY]

@@TopKnoxFishing got any pictures of how it attaches and what's it made out of? I would like to have somebody make me one. Somebody who builds bait tanks could do that?

[@randybaker7686]

Is your truck a 4 or 6cyl and is it 2wd?

[@TopKnoxFishing]

V6 2wd. I cross my fingers on boat launches sometimes

[@alexwolfe140]

Hey man, I finally got a boat basically the same as yours. How does the bait tank handle in the boat? As far as stability goes? I striper fish primarily in northern nc.

[@TopKnoxFishing]

I would go with a smaller tank if you're not trying to keep skipjack alive. A 50 would be perfect for gizzard shad.