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billbo, thanks alot! where do you fish around here now? Will report back with what we catch and how many bites we get(mosquitos)!

Any tips for Thurs afternoon at Poplar Tree Lake? Never been, just want to get the "new" boat out and catch some... And lures, spots, help in general? Jeff

OK, I couldn't help myself and went ahead and added up the receipts! I have everything to finish the accessories including trolling motor, fish finder, rod holders, battery, battery box, seat poles, finger pulls for compartments ect.... The grand total I have in my boat is $1249.02 That includes $100 boat, $250 trailer, $110 battery, $140 troll motor and $85 fish finder...so subtract those and the total cost of redoing the boat has cost $564.02 Hope this helps anyone wanting to do their own, and I will post more pictures once everything is mounted! Planning on taking my maiden voyage Thurs afternoon! Will post results! Jeff

Thanks for all of the comments... I decided to angle the front and make storage under there instead of a casting deck because of the narrow bottom of the boat! At just 36'' i want to be safe first and foremost! I'm not sure how much added weight but the boat is rated for 4 persons so I would assume 2 people and the added weight wouldn't be too much! The only motor I have is a 9.9 which I am not going to use on this boat(for now)! Just a 45lb thrust trolling motor! I haven't exactly figured out the front mount trolling motor just yet, still searching pictures of everyone else's boats, but stay tuned! I hope to figure something out tonight and tomorrow! I have a running total of receipts but I have sworn to myself not to add them up until the first day I hit the water! So sometime this week I will post exact total of the build! Jeff

So today I finished the paint work, installed the carpeted flooring/sidewalls, installed hinges on storage areas, and put seat pedestal mounts in.......

And now for updated pics..... Carpeted all of the mocked up sides and floors... Sanded and prepped underside and sides for paint.... And then rolled on the cheapo bed-liner stuff for DIY'ers! Figured that would solve any problem I might run into with leaky rivets that I was unaware of and also help to deaden some sound from the flooring of the boat! Next up is to finish paint on the outside, install flooring and sides to the inside, mount seat pedestals, trolling motor switches, fish finder, and cup holders! Then make a trolling motor mount, attach it, and off to the lake! Jeff

OK first to answer questions... I wasn't planning on installing any additional support as there are ribs 16'' from front to back and I didn't think I needed any? Do I? Wouldn't additional weight make the slim bottomed boat more stable? Now for a question of my own.....??? Does having an engine on the rear help to control drift on windy days and does it act like a rudder to keep the boat straight when using the trolling motor? Jeff

What river are you fishing? Some thing you have to remember is Brown Trout are nocturnal feeders and are not as prevalent as rainbows! They are fun to catch! If you are fishing in a river I have fished, I MIGHT be able to help! Jeff

Im building right now, and I used regular 1/2'' pywood and treated it myself last night! Also picked up 30' x 6' to carpet the entire boat(floor/sides/deck and all) for $88 at home depot! They have 2 different types of indoor/outdoor carpet and have samples. I took both samples home and did a "hook test" on both to determine which one I wanted! Jeff

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awesome! Thank you very much and I will for sure hit you up on the opportunity to catch a few! plus it will give me some of your "secret" spots so I can take the honey there and she wont get bored! Jeff

oh ok...wow, I thought I had made a terminal error already and you knew something I didn't....Good to know! I'm sure I won't like something about it once i'm finished, but hey, I can always change it! Jeff

Sub flooring in and wired... Floor/walls roughed in before removal and carpet....

Live and learn? Am I doing something wrong? This is my first ever build.....if I am messing up please do tell! Jeff

she wont look like this for long... and after day 1!!

is Whiteville public? Jeff

any help for poplar tree? really interested in going there.. Jeff

Anyone have any updates on fishing there and any tips? What about anywhere else around Memphis? Jeff

Thanks again for the welcomes....trying to get posts so I can add pictures, everyone go check out my jon boat build under the boating thread... Jeff

Im new here, and actually found this site by looking for ideas on how to do this project... I've grown up fishing with my dad, and after not fishing for several years, ok maybe 10, i've decided to get back in it! A couple years ago I ran across this deal on a 1974 Polarkraft 1436 jon boat and trailer for $350...so I jumped on it. Have taken it out a couple times over the last 3 or so years, and it's just hard to fish out of with the bench seats, no casting deck, trolling motor on the transom, and to be honest a little tipsy standing so high on the bench seats. I've decided to remove bench seats, put full decking in bottom and mount bass style seats with pedestals. Oh yea and move the trolling motor to the front. So over the next few weeks I will be adding pictures to this thread and keep everyone up to date on how its going.... Started today with the removal of the bench seats... ***PS- before anyone jumps my case, I will use this boat in smaller ponds (5-35 acres) and electric only reservoirs around the area... I have done research and know that taking the foam seats out can allow the boat to twist under a gas motor, and also the chances of the boat swamping under bad conditions, but as I have stated this boat will see neither of those conditions...***

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I am about to start a jon boat build, and I will be sure to post updates and pictures along the way! (once I can post pictures here..lol) Jeff PS- If there is anyone around the Memphis area looking for a fishing buddy, ill gladly cast from the back of a boat! lol

hey bassin901...tell me a little more about poplar tree? thinkin about fishing it some as its not too far from the house here either...got any tips on lures/good spots? Jeff

hello fellow memphians....new here and wondering where the hot spots are right now! Jeff

Hello all! From Memphis Tn and been bass fishin my whole life! Just found this board while searching for new places to fish around home! Big Bass if the year so far.... edit: ok well after 10 posts ill put up the picture! LOL