How to Turn a Small Boat into a Simple Fishing Boat

November 18, 2025 Mike Ventura Refits 0

How to Turn a Small Boat into a Simple Fishing Boat (On a Real-World Budget)

You don’t need a fancy purpose-built fishing rig to get out on the water and catch fish. If you already own a small boat—a tinny, open runabout, dinghy, or basic skiff—you’re most of the way there. With a few smart changes, you can turn a small boat into a simple fishing boat that’s safe, practical, and comfortable enough for regular trips, without blowing your budget.

This guide walks through the essentials: layout, safety, rod storage, cheap electronics, and DIY fishing boat accessories on a budget—so you can spend more money on bait and less on hardware.

1. Start with what you’ve got: is your small boat fishing-ready?

Before buying anything, take a hard look at your current boat:

  • Is it stable enough for people to move around a bit?

  • Are the sides high enough to feel safe in the conditions you’ll fish?

  • Does the motor run reliably and start easily?

  • Do you have the basic safety gear sorted (life jackets, bailer, anchor, etc.)?

If the answer to those is mostly “yes,” then you’re already in good shape to start fishing from a small boat. Don’t get hung up on it looking like a glossy catalog boat. Function first, looks later.

2. Safety first: upgrade your small boat before you add fishing toys

Before adding rod holders and gadgets, make sure your small boat fishing setup is safe. Fishing means:

  • People moving around

  • Gear lying about

  • Excited moments when a fish hits and everyone forgets their footing

So:

✅ Stability and loading

  • Know your boat’s maximum capacity and respect it. Don’t overload with people and gear.

  • Keep heavier items (battery, fuel, cooler) low and central to avoid making the boat tippy.

  • If you often fish alone, test how the boat feels when you stand and move to one side.

✅ Safety gear

At the absolute minimum, carry:

  • Life jackets / PFDs for everyone on board (and get people to actually wear them)

  • Anchor, chain, and rope that will hold you in the depths you fish

  • A bailer or bilge pump

  • Sound signal (whistle, horn)

  • Navigation lights if you’ll be out at dawn/dusk

  • A charged phone in a waterproof pouch (and/or handheld VHF, depending on where you fish)

Safe fishing from a small boat is non-negotiable. It’s no fun catching fish if you’re constantly worried about tipping or losing someone overboard.

3. Clear the clutter: make a simple fishing layout

Fishing needs space more than anything. Hooks, lines, and nets catch on everything.

Start by:

  • Removing non-essential seats or cushions if they just get in the way

  • Storing odd bits of gear (buckets, ropes, extra tools) in lockers, crates, or tubs

  • Keeping the deck as clear and flat as possible

A basic, open layout is one of the biggest advantages of a small fishing boat. You want space to cast, move, and land fish without tripping over stuff.

Cheap organization ideas

  • Plastic milk crates or storage bins for tackle and spare gear

  • A small bucket that lives in one corner for rubbish, used line, and bait scraps

  • A soft-sided cooler bag instead of a bulky hard esky if space is tight

Organisation costs very little but makes your simple fishing boat feel much more usable.

4. Add rod holders the smart, cheap way

Once the boat is safe and tidy, it’s time to add proper fishing-friendly features. Rod holders are top of the list.

Types of rod holders

  • Clamp-on / rail mount rod holders

    • Great if you don’t want to drill holes

    • Can be moved around until you find your ideal “fishing position”

  • Flush-mount / fixed rod holders

    • Neater and stronger, but require drilling the gunwale

    • Best for long-term setups on metal or fibreglass boats

On a budget, start with:

  • A couple of removable rod holders for trolling or resting rods

  • One or two vertical storage holders to keep spare rods out of the way

Position them so:

  • Rods don’t block your steering or throttle

  • You don’t have to reach too far or twist awkwardly to grab a rod when a fish hits

  • They don’t snag clothes every time you walk past

5. Simple seating and standing positions for fishing

You don’t need fancy pedestal seats, but you do need safe, stable places to sit and stand while fishing.

Think about:

  • A solid seat or bench you can brace against when playing a fish

  • A spot near the stern where you can watch lines and control the boat

  • Enough room on at least one side to safely net or lift fish into the boat

On tight budgets:

  • A simple portable seat box or sturdy cooler can double as seating and storage

  • Non-slip mats or stick-on grip tape can improve footing in key spots

Try it out at home: imagine casting, fighting a fish, and netting it—are there obvious trip hazards? If yes, rearrange.

6. Tackle and storage: small, simple, effective

You don’t need a full tackle shop on board. A small, well-thought-out kit is ideal for a simple fishing boat.

Aim for:

  • One or two small tackle boxes with:

    • Hooks in a few sizes

    • Sinkers or jig heads

    • A handful of cheap lures that work in your local waters

    • Swivels, clips, and spare leaders

  • A pliers / multi-tool for cutting line, removing hooks, and crimping

  • A landing net that folds or stores easily

Keep tackle:

  • Where you can reach it from your main fishing position

  • In boxes that close securely (you only need to spill hooks in a swell once to appreciate this)

7. Budget electronics: fish finder and navigation basics

You don’t need electronics to fish. But a simple budget fish finder can make life easier and help you understand depth and structure.

On a budget, look for:

  • A basic combo unit with depth sounder + simple GPS

  • A small, portable fish finder that can move between boats or be removed for storage

Mount it where:

  • You can see it while driving and while fishing

  • It doesn’t get in the way of casting or moving around

Even if you skip a fish finder, consider:

  • Using a phone with a waterproof case and offline maps

  • Learning local depths and drop-offs from charts or websites beforehand

Remember: power needs matter. If your small boat has a basic battery system, keep electronics modest so you don’t drain it.

8. Cheap DIY fishing boat accessories that make a big difference

You can do a lot with very little money and a bit of DIY effort.

Here are some DIY fishing boat accessories on a budget:

  • Cutting board / bait board

    • A small plastic chopping board clamped or bolted to a rail or box

    • Gives you a dedicated place to cut bait and prep rigs

  • PVC rod holders or storage racks

    • PVC pipe sections screwed to a crate or side panel make excellent cheap rod racks

  • Home-made tackle station

    • A toolbox or plastic drawer unit strapped in place can become a simple “tackle station”

  • Simple live bait bucket

    • A sturdy bucket over the side with holes drilled and a rope attached

    • Or a cheap battery-powered aerator if you want to keep bait alive longer

The goal is functional, not fancy. As long as it’s safe, secure, and easy to clean, you’re winning.

Simple Fishing Boat

9. Think about comfort: shade, drinks, and “little things”

A comfortable angler stays out longer—and catches more fish.

On a small fishing boat, simple comfort upgrades include:

  • Shade

    • A basic bimini or clip-on sunshade

    • Or even just a good hat and lightweight long sleeves if shade isn’t affordable yet

  • Hydration and snacks

    • A small cooler with drinks, snacks, and maybe a simple lunch

    • Fishing is always more fun when people aren’t hungry and grumpy

  • Rubbish management

    • A dedicated bag or bucket for trash, old line, and bait packaging

These extras don’t cost much, but they make your small boat fishing trips far more enjoyable.

10. Practice boat handling as a fishing skipper

Driving and fishing at the same time is a different skill to just “going for a spin.”

Practice:

  • Anchoring and positioning

    • Practice dropping anchor quietly and setting it so you sit where you want to fish

    • Learn how wind and current will swing the boat around

  • Slow trolling

    • Get a feel for how your boat behaves at low speeds with lines out

    • Practice turning gently so lines don’t tangle

  • Drifting

    • In some spots, drifting over likely ground is better than anchoring

    • Practice controlling your drift direction and speed with small throttle inputs

The more confident you are with boat handling while fishing from a small boat, the more time you can spend thinking about fish and less about not bumping into things.

Key takeaways: turning a small boat into a simple fishing boat

You don’t need a custom-built rig to enjoy great days on the water. To turn a small boat into a simple fishing boat on a budget, focus on:

  • Safety first – life jackets, anchor, sensible loading, and a clear deck

  • Decluttered layout – space to move, cast, and land fish

  • Basic fishing features – a few rod holders, a net, simple tackle storage

  • Cheap but useful electronics – a budget fish finder or at least a phone with maps

  • DIY accessories – bait board, rod racks, and storage you can make yourself

  • Comfort and practicality – shade, drinks, and somewhere clean to cut bait

Start small, use what you have, and add upgrades slowly as you learn what really matters for the way you like to fish. Before long, that plain little boat will be your favourite simple fishing boat—and you’ll wonder why you ever thought you needed anything more.