Fishing in 12 ft Jon boat (Page 4): That's a good place to buy Drew. Many years ago I bought a 12ft Fisher jonboat at a local winter show. List price was$549, but I got the "show...

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Drew Barrick wrote:

Grizzly 17: thanks. Going to go for the 14 ft Jon. Folding lawn chairs sound comfortable. Will keep that in mind. Have great day. Looking forward to boat shows this winter. 😊🐟

That's a good place to buy Drew. Many years ago I bought a 12ft Fisher jonboat at a local winter show. List price was$549, but I got the "show special "price of $299. I went back Sunday night and picked it up at the end of the show, no delivery charges. I then proceeded to load it up with "Stuff " and wound up putting it on a trailer. When I outgrew it, I sold that and bought my 14ft Lowe deep V. Still have that.

Started as a cartopper, but didn't stay that way long

Anybass Loc: Pa.

Hi Drew. May want to find the post by someone who had a Jon boat and to increase stability, he attached a 4" pvc pipe to each side of the boat and never had any tipping issues. It didn't say if right at water line or above or how attached. I guess experimentation would be the key. Good luck and safe fishing.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Big A wrote:

Lawn chairs ? Was that a serious remark or are you yankin' our
chains ? Unsafe, except maybe
on a large pontoon boat - find (or make) pads for the boat seats and
secure them to the seats ! If not enough padding, then sit on your
PFDs as well - can't speak for
others, but my old butt gets flat
and sore after a couple of hours
on a wooden or metal boat seat !

I got a couple of boat fold down padded seats and bolted them to swivel seat clamps. The seat clamps don't work worth a darn, but if you put a couple of ratchet straps under the aluminum seat and to the clamps, they work as well as bolt down and can be removed or just moved. The back rest is a God send.

Stoneman Loc: Walker, Minnesota

used 1985 lund 16 ft , urban lakes minneapolis trolling motor only, 12 volt bow mount 80 lb thrust couldn't use gas motor on certain lakes go for 5 to 7 hours putzig along shore never ran out juice caught lots of fish would not use anything less, easier no put in lake using trailer my opinion Dan

Miker99 Loc: Florida central Gulf Coast Tampa to Veni

If you are thinking to up to a 14 footer, I recommend a 14 foot deep vee aluminum. A 55 lbs thrust trolley will do fine but If the lake or pond is more than 50 to 75 acres, make sure you have a high capacity battery.

Drew Barrick Loc: Illinois

Andy cacciatore: thanks for your insights! Some people say straight flat bottom Jon. You think vbottom is more stable? I’m all ears for more of your input. Thanks and blessings.

Fireguy Loc: Alton Bay NH

Drew Barrick wrote:

Contemplating buying 12 ft Jon for myself and friends. Inexperienced in boating. Just want to fish towards banks, without buying a gas motor. Will a trolling motor do the job? Thinking a Lund 1240 or similar at 140-160 lbs dry wait. Do I need a live well? Thank you.

I picked up a 12' Pelican, Jon Boat this year, using a 55 lb thrust trolling motor. No problems moving 2 of us. I added raised seats, different heights, for convenience. Had to add non skid mats because the plastic is pretty slippery when wet.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Big A wrote:

Lawn chairs ? Was that a serious remark or are you yankin' our
chains ? Unsafe, except maybe
on a large pontoon boat - find (or make) pads for the boat seats and
secure them to the seats ! If not enough padding, then sit on your
PFDs as well - can't speak for
others, but my old butt gets flat
and sore after a couple of hours
on a wooden or metal boat seat !

No joke Big A. It had the two metal bench seats buy we had two aluminum law chairs. The cheap light ones. We anchored alot catfishing. Don't remember the brand but it was deep n wide n very stable. 👍

Ridgerunner Loc: South Mississippi

Drew Barrick wrote:

Contemplating buying 12 ft Jon for myself and friends. Inexperienced in boating. Just want to fish towards banks, without buying a gas motor. Will a trolling motor do the job? Thinking a Lund 1240 or similar at 140-160 lbs dry wait. Do I need a live well? Thank you.

I own a 12 ft.john boat, with a 50 pound thrust minkota trolling motor. I'm pretty sure you don't want any more than 2people in it. Works well when water gets too low for my 14 ft.boat with outboard motor.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I have made several thought out comments on this post, but the most important is that I do not want any boat with small enough freeboard to allow a swimming snake, any snake, to crawl over. And that is all I have to say about that.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Drew Barrick wrote:

Grizzly 17: thanks. Going to go for the 14 ft Jon. Folding lawn chairs sound comfortable. Will keep that in mind. Have great day. Looking forward to boat shows this winter. 😊🐟

Drew this is what I call safe. My 1754 tracker.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

Drew Barrick wrote:

Andy cacciatore: thanks for your insights! Some people say straight flat bottom Jon. You think vbottom is more stable? I’m all ears for more of your input. Thanks and blessings.

Yes an V bottom is hard to tip over and if you want to go farther out in to body of water you are fishing you can!!
And I would also buy a 5 or a 7 horse out board motor.
You will not be happy if you don't believe me.
And when you pull the trigger get a top brand boat like a Lund , or a Valco or a Mac Gregor .
You don't want a offthe wall brand!! You want the back of the boat to be square ⬛ not rounded.
This gives you stability.
And I would highly recommend it to be 14ft.
If you have any questions please contact me on a personal message I would be glad to help you there are reasons why I suggest 14ft hull and a out board motor !!
Have a great even !!
One more thing never be in a rush to buy the 1st thing you see. ( trust me)
Andy
Bassman

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Andy cacciatori wrote:

Yes an V bottom is hard to tip over and if you wan... (show quote)

Bassman, He is 71. Push electric start if he gets a gas motor. Trust me, I know. I am just short of 73 and gave up on my pull start even though my son in law started it on a pull or two. I am just not strong enough to get the RPMs. If I do start it, I pay the next day with a sore shoulder.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

bapabear wrote:

Bassman, He is 71. Push electric start if he gets a gas motor. Trust me, I know. I am just short of 73 and gave up on my pull start even though my son in law started it on a pull or two. I am just not strong enough to get the RPMs. If I do start it, I pay the next day with a sore shoulder.

I'm going to be 70 in April lm no young rooster myself but electric motors only can do so much!! And you know what the wind can do ?
I understand about the age .
Andy

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

bapabear wrote:

Bassman, He is 71. Push electric start if he gets a gas motor. Trust me, I know. I am just short of 73 and gave up on my pull start even though my son in law started it on a pull or two. I am just not strong enough to get the RPMs. If I do start it, I pay the next day with a sore shoulder.

Bapa you got that right brother. I've seen too many guys pulling their guts out with a rope start. 👌