Is just a trolling motor enough for my jon boat?
I'm complete new to the boating world but have been fishing for years. I am picking up a 12ft jon boat Saturday for a good price off craigslist and I only have enough for a trolling motor, not a gas. My question is, would a 50 thrust trolling motor be ok for lake fishing with my girlfriend and I? Maybe my 2 dogs to come with once in awhile? I know they only produce 5 mph on a good day, but I don't want to commit and then be out on the lake and not be able to move the weight. Total weight with my girlfriend and I and 2 dogs would be 350lbs without fishing gear. Thanks everyone as I am very new for this and hope to be able to buy a gas motor within the next few months! And if you could give me your setup for a good trolling motor under $250, that would be great.
--
by temporaryunwanted
As long as you're not in a big hurry to get anywhere yes it will work, my grandfather and I used a 35 pound thrust trolling motor on his 10 foot for years, only issues were if a storm rolled in fast we had to pull off to the nearest bank to get off the water until the storm passed.
--
by racerxxx676
can you recommend something at least?
--
by temporaryunwanted
My concern is where and what size of lake? I would always check voltage before going out and take a spare battery and oars.
I have a 10 ft. Jon boat and a 45 lbs. trolling motor and it works great. I carry two batteries, my son , and a ton of fishing gear and I never have any problems. If one of my batteries runs low we hook up the other one. On days where there might be bad weather I wont get too far away from the boat ramp in case it storms. But other than that it works great and I have no problems.
Minn Kota the best, better check capacity for that boat, great for small lakes, ponds and small creeks,rivers. Good Luck and hope you enjoy the boat. I have a 14 ft jon with a 9.9 outboard and 55# thrust troller and love it.
Yes, a 50 pound trolling motor should be plenty enough for a 12 foot john boat carrying 350 pounds. I've done it plenty of times on many lakes in Maryland. You will probably go about 5-7 MPH roughly. The one thing I might want to recommend is a second battery because if your girl wants to scoot around, and I have found that most want to, you may have to paddle back to the dock. A rather tiring thing. And do not forget to get paddles, some boats don't come with them. Good luck!
By the way, when you get your 5 hp motor, don't forget to put someone up at the front of the boat to keep it down. A 5hp motor on a 12 foot boat, you are gonna be surprised how fast it will go..
We're are you fishing at what state and city
According to Minnkota a 50lb thrust motor with 1 12V battery should be able to move a 20' boat weighing around 2500lbs or less. Just bought a 55lb for my 10' as primary lake power w/ spare battery. Your Jon boat with only the weight you are talking about should move very well. Just remember, do not part with entrance money for the local hydro races and take a lunch and gallon jug with you.
chefg
Loc: Fort Myers Florida
I fished Lake Fork in Tx for years with only a trolling motor and caught some of the biggest bass of my life. Just make sure you have enough battery power, I used 3 big marine batteries.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.