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

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@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 !

[@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.

[@stephenjohnson6841]

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

[@jacksonbeverly3250]

Like your simple style

[@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!

[@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 ⚓.

[@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.

[@myronhigh3527]

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

[@outdoorssteve1929]

I wanna go down and catfish with this man

[@dunbarbrown1405]

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

[@Capt_Billy]

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

[@Capt_Billy]

@@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.

[@JugginMikeBoozer]

My new favorite catfish chanel

[@cheeseeater1349]

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

[@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....

[@timothymcvay7286]

Awesome video buddy keep up the great work

[@catfishcrazy4288]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@MannieSmith]

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

[@timothygreen9884]

Great show very informative !

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

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

[@davesuddreth3749]

Good info!

[@TheMrpalid]

Can it handle chop?

[@lsoutdoors2354]

Great video

[@nateplissken3019]

Hey awesome video man, thanks.

[@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.

[@leesmith5419]

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

[@TopKnoxFishing]

I do not guide.

[@lilrivercatsfishing]

What size motor you running

[@charlesgilliland532]

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

[@ofwoodsandwords4424]

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

[@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

[@krisbrown5322]

Well said man

[@AnimallAntics]

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

[@Mart1927]

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

[@careyatkinson3243]

Liked the video

[@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.

[@stevebugmanduncan4145]

They rope cost money but yes good idea buddy

[@anthonyqiu9042]

All the cinderblocks are going to be sold out now XD

[@TopKnoxFishing]

🤣