How to Pick Your Catfish Boats
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- If you fish for catfish, at some point you may decide to buy a catfish boat. Catfishing boats vary in size, style and price. In this fishing video I discuss some of the best catfish boat styles available and what the good and bad points are with each of them. Pontoon boats make a great catfish boat, but they have their positive and negative points just like a jon boat or a deep-v hull catfishing boat. In this video I discuss some of the good points and bad point of the various types of boats that people use for catfishing.
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#catfishingboats
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I have a 21 foot Bennington fishing pontoon boat. It is a great boat for trolling and spider rigging. The playpen allows children and seniors to fish safely. However the playpen makes it very difficult to shoots docks. My F-150 gets 26 mpg when not pulling the boat, but only 9.5 mpg when pulling the boat. The wind drag is real. Lots of room for extras like a grill!
the best catfish boat is like the best catfish rod, it's the one you've got, just like the worst fishing trip you will ever have is the one you don't go on
Any boat is better than no boat!!
I just picked up a 1960 texas maid 14' standard I'm making into a catfish boat. Great first boat. Wish there was more room but I'm learning how to manage with my 2 girls and all my gear. Alot to learn still.
Just purchased a used 20ft commercial fishing boat. All welded aluminum, 70hp Nissan and double axle trailer, (reminds me of the boats used in Swamp People) for 3k. I fish stumpy lakes and rivers in SW Ark. Currently upgrading with accessories, so I can take my grandnephews out with me. They outgrew my 14ft Jon boat.
I have a Old 1983 lund deepv and love it, have had metal and plastic jon boats. My lund already had the ladder on the bow and i am glad,
I have a mod v 1648 riveted jon with a 25hp tiller 2 stroke. I like how lightweight the entire rig is. It goes 26mph with wood floors, 2 adults and gear, which is good enough for that hull (how I use it). I like how customizable it is, sitting back just looking at it and thinking about what I want to do to it next is a lot of fun. I wish it didn't have the middle bench because it can be a little tricky to step over to get to the front of the boat while fighting a fish in the waves, but it's still doable if you can grab onto a boat seat as you pass by. It has limited storage (part of being a jon boat is everything is pretty open), but you can create your own systems that don't eat up as much floor space, etc. I like how cheap it was vs other options. If I were to upgrade (have thought about it a lot) I would probably go to an 1860 or 2072 center console jon or a 16.5-17.5 deep v type boat (which would be about 3-4 times as much money as I have in this one). Either way I would get a 4 stroke engine that saves gas vs two stroke, and I would get the maximum hp motor that I could afford or justify buying on it. I like the way Dieter's boat has the half bimini top around the middle section of the boat, that seems to be a nice compromise that won't get in the way as much. Realistically, I can fish two people comfortably out of my boat and I don't "have" to upgrade anytime soon. I'm going to extend the front deck about 17" back when I get the time, and probably add a pedestal seat mount up there, get a nice Minn Kota power drive and a nice sonar. It's very easy to load/unload by yourself. My last boat was a 1436 mod v with the same motor and this has been a great upgrade.
Agree on the pontoon !!!!
We moved to N. Central Arkansas 2 years ago. Right next to Bull Shoals & Norfork Lakes.
If I could get a dock slip - I'd have a pontoon in a heart beat.
But I do not - long waiting list also.
Just after moving down here. I picked up an 18 ft. Lund v hull. Been redoing wiring & so forth. Had to do some engine also. Like it so far.
My 1972 Glastron 16-foot tri haul with a 50hp Merc works for me!!!
I have a Grizzly Tracker 2072. It is of the Jon boat style, but it is a center console, 21 1/2 feet long and 8 feet wide across the beam. It also has 24-inch sides and floats in 11 inches of water. It really works great and gives you an enormous amount of room.
I fish a 1754 grizzly. Big rear deck big front deck. I have had 3 types, jons,pontoon and skiff. This is my "personal favorite". I fish rivers and creeks mostly.
Love my old restored tri-hull. Best bost I've owned for catfishing
I have a older tracker bass buggy... 18ft. I stripped out all the seats and rebuild the floor.... I use the rails at the back of the boat but not the front. For rails for the front i used metal 3/4 inch pipe. The rails are 36 inches tall. So as you lean out to snair a Jug line it braces you in place in ruff water.
As far the driver seat its like a center console style. For the Drivers seat you sitting on the livewell and the steering is on you right and controls is on the left. The driver doesn't have to go around a console to help with a fish. My wife had me at least put her a nice soft seat at the back of the boat.
I kept it lite and open to fish out of. As for trailering because it small it pull very well and not to ruff to get in and out of the water.
Me snd my grandkids love it.... It is only has a four stroke 60 HP and is not fast but very safe and fun
I've had 21 ft cc mako, 22 ft Tritoon with 150, and now a 19 ft deep v Targa, all since 2020. Won't get into all the issues, but in my opinion the deep v is much better for my wife and I. I fish catfish tournaments and I have plenty of room.
Dieter this was very interesting. Having fished with you twice I have enjoyed your Carolina Skiff. As a handicapped person it was easy enough to get in and out of. Haven't been in your Lund yet but I have gotten into one and had more trouble than I did with your skiff. I do prefer a pontoon most of all but your points about trailering them makes total sense. Keeping one on the water is more ideal. You didn't mention steering on the different boat types. Pontoons can be horrible to steer in the wind and impossible to bring into a pier if you are alone. My limitations make that part of pontoons complicated. I could never handle one without help. Hope to fish with you again one day soon.
I have a 1650 Carolina Skiff with a front and back pedestal. Stick steer up front, pushed by a 40hp Tohatsu. For what I do around these medium sized rivers in South Georgia and bigger lakes around middle Ga, (Sinclair and Oconee), I love it. It about for me and my wife. Stable enough for me to get up and walk around in, and maneuver stuff. With fishing gear, coolers, me and my wife, it’ll run around 23mph. I run 3 monster rod holders off each side, which is plenty for me.
Having said that, what I don’t like is, there is barely any room for storage. Aside from the cubby holes under the seats, and the small section under the front deck (holds 4 life jackets, first aid kit, and whatever animal has decided to crawl in it) it has no storage. With the batteries in it, gas tank, cooler, tackle boxes, etc.. it fishes comfortable, but the floor fills up quick. It’s like Tetris getting everything to fit and Jenga when it comes undone. 😂
I’d love more room for junk I don’t use all the time, but like to keep in the boat.
The ride is pretty rough on choppy water unless you hit the chop at an angle.
Thanks for the podcast and all the info you so graciously share with us all!
Have a 22' Manitou Angler tritoon, 120 Merc Optimax, 80lbs minnkota Treeova. Love it, don't find it hard to trailer, still has seats but use it for lounging, tubing, and fishing. Had 2 rod holders and added 2
My boat is a all weld 1994 Duracraft 1542 with a 1984 18xd Mercury. It'll do 25 mph all day whether there is one or two people in it. Best boat I have ever owned for cat fishing. It has all the room I need for landing 60+ pound Blue cats. You can stand on one side and it barely dips down. Went fishing today and my son and I had a blast. It's easy to work on and one person can take it off the trailer and flip it upside down for it's yearly inspection.
I picked up a 1993 spectrum console steer 15 foot with 67” beam 25 horse got it rigged with lights and 8 rod holders-was using a 12’ 36” beam feel so much safer and comfortable and can still get into skinny water and I can haul it with my Highlander easily works for me 👍
After fishing Kerr and Gaston in NC in everything from a 20' pontoon down to a 10' kayak, my fave is a 17' Tracket deep V. Preferably one with Versa Trac set up for suspend and drift fishing. It's small enough for most of the back creeks, yet the design works well for the big lake swells.
Hi, ok, I'm speaking from 12yrs experience here with my Lund. I've been retired 6 yrs and travel full time, fishing 😂 I have averaged close to 3 days a week on water since 2012. Positives. It's wide, super stable. High gunnels foam floatation excellent for reasonably big water at 17.5'. excellent storage and loads unloads fairly easily. Negatives.. Rod lockers aren't deep enough for anything over 8'. To this day this vessel doesn't leak a drop and hull configuration keeps you dry ( except cross wind) 🥴 I had a Whaler center console. Tuff, utility and flat out gets it done. However , it's wet, and, beats the S#$t out of you. Ive owned Johns as well and they definitely have there place. You will be happy with your current purchase 🙏
I've also heard... B-O-A-T stands for, "Break Out Another Thousand."
IMHO, Use it often. You'll have less problems with the boat and more peace of mind.😊
I have 6 kids so I've accepted the fact I will buy a pontoon. The only things I haven't decided on are whether to get the tritoon and if I want to buy a fishing pontoon pre-configured or get one with rotten furniture and do the layout just like I want. I agree 100% on the tandem trailer. I will have a tandem trailer for mine with surge brakes.
I found a smallish pontoon boat and I got it for 600$ plus trailer, I worked on it for about 5 years and now it is a decked out catfish boat. I love it because it’s not so big I’m limited to big water but I can still use it on the Mississippi River. The down sides are the motor I need and transportation + hard to find a good cover for it.
You should do a review video on landing nets for catfish
Looking to get a boat after 10 years without one. In my area, there are bass boats (called lake boats) and jon boats (called river boats). I was originally planning on getting another bass boat, since I mostly fish for catfish and crappie. Then I started to notice: I see a lot of river boats on the lake, but I have yet to see a lake boat on the river. So I've been looking at various river boats. Just something to keep in mind.
Ive got a 16 john boat with jet drive for shallow water and a 19 ft trihull glassmaster for big water. Love both for what they used for.
Glassmaster is a good big water boat, full transom with high sides. Lots of room.
I like the stability of my sea predator with inboard jet motor
I love my 2072 mv sea ark
In my 3rd year on my deep v and not sure I could go back. Really like it
Now that I'm living in central Oklahoma and fully retired, I'm looking for a catfish setup for mostly solo trips. A 16.5 ft deep-V sc with a 90hp 4-stroke is what I'm leaning toward.
I have a 2024 tracker proguide v16sc. Best boat i have owned. That being said, i also love my built out tracker 1436 that i fish on a small local lake.
I'm in a kayak,I love all of it but the fact that I can't take others. But for the price of a used pontoon I can buy 3 top quality kayaks, a trailer and haul them with a sedan
My 24ft pontoon is great for my situation. Wife likes to lounge, boys have room to play a little. Downsides are windy days will swing the boat unless using 2 anchors, and when the boys get rowdy the shaking is vibrated thru the rods.
My dream boat is a Northwestern style boat. 20ft. RH boat with the coastal package
I love my 2006 champion 22 Bay champ center console I absolutely love the boat. I love how fishable the center console is but I have it for sale currently so I can buy a pontoon since they’re more family friendly
I have 2 boats, my 16ft 1648 jon with 25hp jet drive is my fishing boat, 21 ft GW is our family boat but I will use that also since it's comfortable to sleep in. Jet gets me anywhere I want to go and only need 4 inches of water. I'm in Indiana have reservoir next road over, so lake and rivers for me
I got a old 24 ft pontoon with 90 horse Johnson about 24to25 mph trolling motor love it for catfishing but like you loading little harder for one person but love it lot of room to move in
I've got a Bass Buggy 16 DLX pontoon that does what I need. Only issue is in gusty winds because of the higher profile. Just like any boat you have to figure out how you want to use it. I've got my rod holders on the front and drift / troll it backwards which takes some doing because a pontoon naturally drifts sideways. Even at 16' I have plenty of room for 3 or 4 adults, ideally however fishing is more comfortable with only 2 of us on board. I've also figured out how to launch and reload by myself, just takes a little longer.
Best catfishing boat is the one that floats. And has room for gear and people. Anything else is just for di¢k measuring. 👍🇺🇸
Sea ark looks like a tough boat for getting into the back water
Yes, they are a sturdy boat that is well suited for places where the boat gets beat up.
I have a 24 foot pontoon with the Tennessee trailer that has bunk boards where the pontoons rest on the trailer. It’s 10 times easier than the other style trailers. I have 2 six foot benches on the boat and a seat for the driver. I have 18 rod holders Around the boat with a flip up Bimini top I would like to get a Deep V hall boat, but I do love my pontoon
I have a 1989 Alumacraft Lunker V 16 LTD 1656 Wide enough to be stable . Its perfect for the rivers and big coves but not for big open rough water. big built in live well . I dont think they make a boat for skinny water and open choppy water. I just repowered it with a 40hp 4 stroke so yes i like it enough to repower it and keep the boat.
I have both, a semi v with a jet and a deep v. Lots I can find wrong with the Jon boat, only complaint about the deep V is how in heavy currents while spot locking the front will “hunt” or violently go left/ right. I’m guessing the hard V catches more current. I’ve noticed the seaark/g3 boats don’t do it. The ride makes up for it as I only skip jack below a dam one week a year.
1989 Traveler, Aluminum 15'11", 60" bottom width. 50hp Rude 2-stroke, modified V-Hull. No V actually. Low sides. Good shallow water boat. Not for a windy day on the reservoir at all. However it's easy all the way. Handling, trailering pulling. So, for the reservoir we have a 2014 rig, SeaArk VCat 200 SC, 150 Merc. Opti-Max 2-stroke. Now retired can't seem to find the time to be on the water as much. Ironic. Traveler is my favorite but we love the SeaArk too...
Glad you got something you like!!
The Coast Guard uses 185#'s as the "average weight of a person" FWIW
All I know is the price of all boats has gotten so high. The prices were rising faster than I could save. That's why I just quit saving and went ahead and bought one.
I have 1680 landau brute love it . But I think I’ll be looking for a used deep V and take my time outfitting it
Good one Dieter. Center console boats are a waste. No room in em at all if your fishing. They are a look at me boat. Best bang for your money is the Lund type boats like a Lund Fisherman 2075. Plenty of storage and walk around room. A little pricey though.
Good perspective and thanks for watching!!
I fish out of a 23ft fiberglass deep v with a t-top. It isn't good at anything but will do everything. I have been bream fishing a small river on a Friday and 40 miles offshore chasing wahoo on Saturday.
Great Feedback!!
Can't fish shallow water ,small creek's or narrow channels!
@@grayrecluse7496 I only daft 18 inches.
After k got my boat I realized no where to mount a side scan transducer my jet drive blocks it
Video of solo launch do’s and don’t would be good
I don’t see why people have such a hard time loading and unloading. I live about 200 miles from santee and go there often. Never have trouble pulling or loading.
My 1754 is not wide enough. 1760 is much more stable when moving around. I recommend an 1860 or larger from experience .
I just recently bought my first boat. It's a 1975 ranger tri hull. How good are those cat fishing
If it floats it’s good! 😆😜 In all seriousness, if YOU like it, that’s all that matters. 😉
I like them but never have carpet n another boat I catfish out of
I like your neon catfish behind you.
Where can I get one??
Still use Dales tackle ? Placed an order with them 3 weeks ago. Still no shipment. Called and emailed them with no luck.
Hey Dieter, been watching for a while and even caught my 1st Blue Cat!! What do you think about the fishing SeeDoos that are out there? Good for single anglers or do you think they are unsafe?
I think they’re more sizzle than steak….😆😜
@@DieterMelhorn lol..noted. thank you
Always pick or build your boat for the lake you fish the most
Big drawback to a pontoon is wind
But you didn’t say anything about a…..bAs$ boat 😢
They are not one of the optimal catfishing platforms, ask Steve Douglas…😜😆
@@DieterMelhorn 😂
@@Five_string73 Thanks for watching!
"el cheapo john boat.... Hull for about 2000 bucks..."
What the hell are you smoking, dude?