My boat should be ready in just a few weeks.
I am trying to get some ideas for rigging.

Right now I use Bee Readys and drift out of the left side of my 91 bass tracker.

I may look into a rod rack and drift out of the back.
I know there are lots of ideas out there about what works best.

The boat is 18' long 102" beam (so it's pretty wide), sides 31". It is gonna have a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke.

The layout is like this photo.



I liked winter fishing last year and hope to use the windshield to my advantage.
Maybe a portable heater, and partial enclosing. But I do understand that having 2 consoles can get in the way.

The front cushions unsnap and you can spray the boat out. It has a non slip surface. So that's a plus.

I fish alone, mostly. Sometimes 2 of us.
I fish with anywhere from 4 to 8 rods. Drifting or anchored.

Many don't like a deep v for catfish. I was mainly looking for safety and weather protection after fishing out of a small boat last winter. I have seen some guides and folks that really like them.

Any real world advice on making this a well set up cat boat would be appreciated.

I love those style of boats. And when I had a boat, I always preferred drifting sideways, but its all preference.

That is a massive boat and a nice one. I double checked and you have a 102" beam. You will not find a trailerable boat that has a beam greater than 102".

I would keep the bee readies.

If it were me I would set up with monsters with 4 out the back with 2 being on the corners 2 on each side before the consoles and 1 on each side up front making it 10 rod holders and it spreads the rods out better. I would however use drift master flush mount bases

That is one heck of an upgrade...91 tracker to new 18' Deep V.

I would go with monster rod holders also

Thanks I will fix the typo. Man, I am gonna freak out the first time I am backing this thing down the ramp. I shouldn't have a stability problem, though.
I might knock down every mailbox on the way to the lake.... hahhahah.
That 8.5 feet wide. Holy smokes.

Me too!, but with the windshield, I am looking at options.
With a single console, you would have the whole passenger side, which is what I am used to.

I was looking at those. There is no denying that monsters are overbuilt. I like that.....
I like the new 360 base, but that is 35 bucks each! Using the drift master bases is a pretty solid idea.

I like to boat layout and really wouldnt mind a deep v side console. Im still not sure if I would prefer that or a center console. As for rod holders I love driftmaster. Monsters look very simular and I have heard nothing but good about them. As far as across the back I use this and like it a lot. My brother weleded it up and it works great. I like that it is eaisly removable if it needs to be taken off.

To your point, I was all set to buy a center console.....
That is when the wife and I compromised.....

No carpet - me
Stable, safe boat with higher sides - me (I am not a fan of hypothermia)
Walk through windshield and seats up front - her (but I am thinking positive about the winter fishing)

Then it got worse. My son wants to ski. So we upgraded to a 150 and I am getting a removable tow hook and boarding step. hahahahahah

Ya, I know, it seems ridiculous, but I will not be buying many new boats at my age. So this one has to work for everyone.

Is there room for an hds 12 under the windshield??

Drifting out back limits your rods.

That's gonna be a cat fishing machine, and you gotta squeeze at least an HDS 8 under that windshield.

I could make it work.....
But, I can't afford it yet. I will end up having a lot wrapped up in just rigging and extras.
I have a DI hummingbird I can read pretty well that is gonna get sold with my old boat. The new one has an SI hummingbird, but a small screen (ya I know).
It will take my lake gps chip, so is ok for now.

Tom, after seeing your multimedia experience, I am gonna need to do that.
Time vs. money. ugh.