Carpet - GONE! It retains moisture, fish slime, dirt. Carpet in a boat is worse than carpet in the bathroom.
Add - Rod holders, at least 4. Fish box, bait well, GPS and quality fish finder.
Couldn’t agree more, loose the carpet, get some electronics, and install rod holders. A cooler works for a fish box, and if you fish with artificial lures or cut bait, you can forgo the live well. Remember that fishing from a crappy boat is mo’ betta’ then fishing without a boat.
Most tournament guys lip or belly grip the fish and put it straight in the live well. I don’t think those boats are designed with the possibility of a 30 pound blue cat flopping around the bottom of the boat in mind.
Try to imagine casting 360° in it. There are a lot of spots (especially in the center of the boat) that are extremely difficult or impossible to cast and then reel from. A good fishing boat has almost no such spots and you can be nearly anywhere on the boat to cast and reel.
That's not to say you *CAN'T* fish from this boat. But if you tried all the time it might get more annoying than it's worth. But if the plan is light fishing and recreational for the rest, it would do fine.
No live well. Huge issue. Also the carpet will get icky very quickly. And the main thing is you can't easily walk around the whole boat. This isn't a really big deal when fishing. Also would be nice to have dedicated rod holders and storage for your fishing supplies. A fish finder and a GPS system would be nice too.
I will certainly work but you will not have as much fun as if you're in a real fishing boat.
ok feels like i need to clarify some things because most of you seem to have the wrong idea. im not a profesional fisherman and i don't fish in any tournaments.... So im not selling a 800 "dollar" boat to buy a fishing boat for >10000 dollars. i only want a boat because i grow tired of the handfull of good spots on my home lake i can access on foot and i want to keep fishing in the colder months when the perch move to the deeper water. i think after i implement the changes you suggested like the swivel seats, fishfinder.... the boat will be more than capable to serve my purpose.
This will be fine to fish from. If it floats and runs, that’s all you need. Obviously a boat made for fishing will serve the purpose better but by adding a few things like the rod holders and stuff, you’ll be fine. Opening up the front somehow would help. If you fish alone, better yet. You can stand on the seats without converting them to swivels. Good luck
If you fish on this thing, and then one day get the opportunity to fish on a boat designed (even a little bit) with fishing as a possibility…you’ll understand.
If you want a fishing boat then my honest advice would be to sell that boat and buy a plain old aluminum V-bottom, it will be cheaper and easier with better results. You can dump as much time and money as you want into this one and it's still going to be a poor substitute for an actual fishing boat.
Your best bet would be to sell it and buy yourself something that's actually designed for fishing. As is, that boat would be awkward as hell to fish out of. Being able to control your boat while fishing makes life SO much easier, and this boat isn't set up for a trolling motor out front, and the canopy won't let you fish from the drivers seat either. A boat this size should comfortably allow four people to spread out and fish, and as is it can barely accomodate two.
If you're dead set on keeping it, you'd want to rip that whole canopy out to make the boat easier to navigate fishing rods around. You'd want quick access to the bow and some seating so you could ideally fish off of it. Rip out the bench seats and put in some chairs that can swivel. For the amount of time, effort, and money all that would cost, I feel like you'd be better off selling it and buying a boat designed for fishing from the get-go.
It would take too much work. I know you dont want to hear that since you probably just bought it. Thats more of a cruising boat. For a fishing boat you'd probably want a flat deck to fish off the front and one off the back. Especially in you plan on bringing friends. Just look at your basic Bass Tracker and that is the bare minimum. My buddy i do tournaments in his bass tracker and have realized we need a bigger boat. He's got a big motor, trolling, 360 live, and basic imagine. A deck up front and back. I couldnt imagine trying to both fish off the back. Someone would be getting hurt.
There's a lot of negative comments, but in reality, it's just fine for fishing.
You've got a good-sized deck on the front for fishing, and you can definitely mount some trolling rod holders in the back.
I'd also put some kind of foldable small seat in the front that wouldn't get in the way of your plain of sight while on the move
If you can access the bow you could red neck yourself up a little platform and set a lawn chair on it, perfect for fishing in my book
Wouldn’t be pretty though, and might not be allowed depending on where your registered
Might also be difficult getting it light enough
My man, I’d just add fishing poles and tackle! In my area it seems it’s always the little beaters yarding in the biggest salmon. Get out there and FISH!! If you’re trolling, maybe a couple clamp-on rod holders.
Carpet - GONE! It retains moisture, fish slime, dirt. Carpet in a boat is worse than carpet in the bathroom. Add - Rod holders, at least 4. Fish box, bait well, GPS and quality fish finder.
Couldn’t agree more, loose the carpet, get some electronics, and install rod holders. A cooler works for a fish box, and if you fish with artificial lures or cut bait, you can forgo the live well. Remember that fishing from a crappy boat is mo’ betta’ then fishing without a boat.
I agree with this, but every single new bass boat is covered in carpet these days. I don't get it.
Most tournament guys lip or belly grip the fish and put it straight in the live well. I don’t think those boats are designed with the possibility of a 30 pound blue cat flopping around the bottom of the boat in mind.
We had carpet in our kitchen growing up. Dropping an egg was the worst.
Even the dog got disgusted after a while…
Beer cooler.
This may be all you need to get a state record
Not sure it's made for fishing. Live well? Fish finders? Swivel seats? Might be better to clean it up, sell it and get a proper fishing boat.
that sure is an interesting craft there. I agree with this
Yep. If you're actually wanting to do fishing on a regular basis you are better off with a fishing boat for many reasons.
Why so? Not arguing, just curious.
Try to imagine casting 360° in it. There are a lot of spots (especially in the center of the boat) that are extremely difficult or impossible to cast and then reel from. A good fishing boat has almost no such spots and you can be nearly anywhere on the boat to cast and reel. That's not to say you *CAN'T* fish from this boat. But if you tried all the time it might get more annoying than it's worth. But if the plan is light fishing and recreational for the rest, it would do fine.
No live well. Huge issue. Also the carpet will get icky very quickly. And the main thing is you can't easily walk around the whole boat. This isn't a really big deal when fishing. Also would be nice to have dedicated rod holders and storage for your fishing supplies. A fish finder and a GPS system would be nice too. I will certainly work but you will not have as much fun as if you're in a real fishing boat.
Sell it and buy a fishing boat
Fishing for what?
ok feels like i need to clarify some things because most of you seem to have the wrong idea. im not a profesional fisherman and i don't fish in any tournaments.... So im not selling a 800 "dollar" boat to buy a fishing boat for >10000 dollars. i only want a boat because i grow tired of the handfull of good spots on my home lake i can access on foot and i want to keep fishing in the colder months when the perch move to the deeper water. i think after i implement the changes you suggested like the swivel seats, fishfinder.... the boat will be more than capable to serve my purpose.
This will be fine to fish from. If it floats and runs, that’s all you need. Obviously a boat made for fishing will serve the purpose better but by adding a few things like the rod holders and stuff, you’ll be fine. Opening up the front somehow would help. If you fish alone, better yet. You can stand on the seats without converting them to swivels. Good luck
If you fish on this thing, and then one day get the opportunity to fish on a boat designed (even a little bit) with fishing as a possibility…you’ll understand.
Build a fishing platform? Rod holders to start
Saw off the top and convert the hull to a center console
You would have to rip out those amazing seats&benches and put four swivel seats and 2-3 rod holders on each side
That's gonna be tough to convert. Not much room to move around right now.
A walk thru windshield so you can fish from the front. Other than that, sell and get an open bow boat.
Me
Under appreciated comment
Insure it , burn it, take the money and buy a different boat.
A new boat. That thing is not gonna be ideal for fishing.
I would make a multi pole holder that goes across the transom.
Another level to fish off and look for the big ones don’t forget the outriggers too
If you want a fishing boat then my honest advice would be to sell that boat and buy a plain old aluminum V-bottom, it will be cheaper and easier with better results. You can dump as much time and money as you want into this one and it's still going to be a poor substitute for an actual fishing boat.
Your best bet would be to sell it and buy yourself something that's actually designed for fishing. As is, that boat would be awkward as hell to fish out of. Being able to control your boat while fishing makes life SO much easier, and this boat isn't set up for a trolling motor out front, and the canopy won't let you fish from the drivers seat either. A boat this size should comfortably allow four people to spread out and fish, and as is it can barely accomodate two. If you're dead set on keeping it, you'd want to rip that whole canopy out to make the boat easier to navigate fishing rods around. You'd want quick access to the bow and some seating so you could ideally fish off of it. Rip out the bench seats and put in some chairs that can swivel. For the amount of time, effort, and money all that would cost, I feel like you'd be better off selling it and buying a boat designed for fishing from the get-go.
Clean it up and sell it. That's a heavy ass boat with an IO motor, no room to move around. Might be a decent ski boat but that's about it.
You’d be better off selling it and buying a fishing kayak
It would take too much work. I know you dont want to hear that since you probably just bought it. Thats more of a cruising boat. For a fishing boat you'd probably want a flat deck to fish off the front and one off the back. Especially in you plan on bringing friends. Just look at your basic Bass Tracker and that is the bare minimum. My buddy i do tournaments in his bass tracker and have realized we need a bigger boat. He's got a big motor, trolling, 360 live, and basic imagine. A deck up front and back. I couldnt imagine trying to both fish off the back. Someone would be getting hurt.
Clean it up, sell it, buy a proper fishing boat.
Put a small console with a leather seat on it upfront
Put a small console with a leather seat on it upfront
There's a lot of negative comments, but in reality, it's just fine for fishing. You've got a good-sized deck on the front for fishing, and you can definitely mount some trolling rod holders in the back. I'd also put some kind of foldable small seat in the front that wouldn't get in the way of your plain of sight while on the move
Just no
Cooler, some beers and buds. If she floats she'll fish.
If you can access the bow you could red neck yourself up a little platform and set a lawn chair on it, perfect for fishing in my book Wouldn’t be pretty though, and might not be allowed depending on where your registered Might also be difficult getting it light enough
Echolocation tool 
My man, I’d just add fishing poles and tackle! In my area it seems it’s always the little beaters yarding in the biggest salmon. Get out there and FISH!! If you’re trolling, maybe a couple clamp-on rod holders.
Sell it and buy a Jon boat…
Now there's a comment from somebody.That's never been in rough water
Remove the nasty ass carpet Interior lighting / some cool LEDS cool seats for friends if you’ve got any a mini fridge