Building the Perfect Shallow Water Fishing Boat

Here’s a detailed look at how river rat Ott DeFoe has customized his river fishing boat. Chances are there’s some outstanding shallow water fishing to be had near you, but this can spell danger for hulls and lower units.

This doesn’t mean you can’t tackle skinny waters from a boat. Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe walks us through his tricked out jon boat.

He’s modified the hull and electrical systems to support running shallow water, while powering useful equipment like timed aeration, dual shallow water anchors and even a jack plate. Top if off with functional boat accessories, and you can transform any aluminum boat into a well equipped fishing rig.

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[pseudopetrus]

Interesting features, very well done for shallow water. Of course boat hulls are always a compromise, just so people are not mistaken. You can't expect this shallow draft boat to have the sea keeping characteristics of a deep vee hull inboard in heavy off shore seas. But in terms of specialization, this is a great combination of shallow water features!

[TheVirginiaStew]

awesome boat, we are getting ready to modify our 3 boats, some great ideas...Thanks

[Shanester]

Those mods you added are fantastic! What a great option to river fish. Im jealous bro. lol

[MrMharley]

Awesome video Ott and awesome boat ! Thanks !

[Fishnwithjoe]

I just about went through all of the work to try and build a boat like this until I found out the make them factory. I haven't looked back since. Shallow River fishing is a blast.

[ajp]

What a nice little boat you will catch some nice fish out of that

[Seveneleven]

My old man had a four stroke mercury jet on his 18 ft triton Jon boat...it was underwhelming in its power. He then sold it for a 90/65 optimax. Man what a difference. We always have ran mercury motors, and love them, but for us, the optimax is stil the best running motor on the market, IMO. My grandfather has a 90 horse evinrude E-tec, I believe it’s a 2009. It’s meticulously cared for, and it just doesn’t get up and go like the 90 merc we had on a 190 sport fisher. His boat is a Lund 18ft V hull. Boats are almost identical in size and weight, and my fathers mercury walks has walked away from that ‘rude since he had it. We fish the St. Lawrence.

[ToledoBendLoLife]

Love my Grizzly tracker too. Mines almost the same besides big motor and jackplate. I go just bout anywhere my buddy's gator tail goes.

[DustinApple]

ill be honest most people don't understand what it takes to make a boat perform in the shallows. I was skeptical clicking on this video, but the modifications where very well thought out. im still really surprised your hanging onto a prop. why not run a 2" tunnel and trade the 90 for a 150/105 jet? it would operate in less water and the smaller tunnel would displace a little more water and compensate for the slightly heavier motor. guess you don't have to worry about a clogged intake. nice rig, and good spot for your sponsors.

[sheet-son]

I contacted an aluminum boat builder yesterday to get a poling platform and some waterproof cabinets put in my same exact boat and he told me the only way is to cut the entire boat in half to reweld everything 😭😂😂. You wouldn't believe the builder if I told you, I guess you're builder is smarter than him. Where did you get this work done?

[hellifiknow]

Hey ott ! huge fan from k town. Has anyone ever asked to see a pic of the bottom of your custom john boat ? lol

[gixxxerk]

lol, bad ass little boat man, love it

[leoashrae]

Want a lesson in shallow water boats? Check out the bass boats they use on the Susquehanna River. This thing would be so much scrap metal if he tried "skip'n rocks" on the Susquehanna. Get a Jet drive and some skid plates!

[djfearon]

Excellent video! Looking for shallow water alternatives for SW FL.

[sponge]

Really nice video man but you need to ditch the TP and get sponsored by Dude Wipes!! :)

[envylures]

I have a Ranger rt178, seems like this might work for me for all the river fishing I wana do. The lakes are so packed anymore every wkend I just wana get back on the rivers. Where do you find a shop to do all that at?

[HolyEcoly]

Man I thought I could buy a boat like this. Looks like I'm gonna have to make it a project.

[stephenjray]

Yea all that stuff is definitely useful where he was shown in video at Pickwick super shallow their at dam

[tonyreno]

with so much going on the back of the boat were did you mount your trandusers

[foxpaws]

What are the details on the added mounting area on the back of the boat where the talons and motor are bolted on?