Jon Boat For Fly Fishing

As someone who has had small boats and kayaks for years, I found that the best days of ownership were not when I bought and sold, but the many days of fun in between. Their unique design makes them more stable on calmer water bodies, which is perfect for anglers and hunters. Are Jon boats good for river fishing? After reading many positive reviews online, I decided to purchase the Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV fish finder. These vessels are perfect for ecotourism, hunting, bow-fishing, and fishing on rivers. A huge live well, ample rod storage, and four below-deck gearboxes make it easy to fish and hunt and still comfortable for family picnics on the sandbar. Before we get into what you need to look for in the best Jon boats in the market, here are three questions you need to ask before you make that all-important purchase decision.

Fly Fishing Jon Boat

Jon boats can be powered by small outboard gas motors that range from 3 to 25 horsepower. Trailers For Sale or Rent. That's smaller and lighter than some fishing kayaks. Adding a motor requires navigation lights, life vests, throwables, and other gear. Now days there are several different boating options fly fishing anglers can choose from and with each having a unique design and price point.

Jon Boat For Fly Fishing Boats

So look for a quiet fishing spot and set sail; after all, fish can easily spot and smell the bait in peaceful rivers. If that's the case, you might want to get a 14-18 ft. boat with a fairly large motor. Unlike oceans, rivers have no tide, with some lakes having small waves that can cause damages. Portability is easy. Carrying Gear and Anglers. So let's take a look at the main things you should consider before making a buying decision. With jon boats, the key consideration is convenience. Best for the Money: Sun Dolphin Pro 120. The most recent incarnation of the latter is the pontoon boat and I've been fascinated to observe its evolution over the last 20 years or so. You need to know which features to look out for when picking a suitable river for fishing. Yes, due to their small size and shape, Jon boats can easily access lots of fishing grounds in the river. A fly fishing raft is very similar in a lot of ways to a drift boat and is used in similar fishing situations. I also added an L-shaped metal strip along the top edge for additional strength. This is what comes to mind but I'm sure I will have some more questions.

Jon Boat For Fly Fishing Fish

Inexpensive and easy to maintain, these simple fishing boats are favorites of fly fishing aficionados and hardcore anglers alike. If you are a bowfishing enthusiast then you will probably want to opt for a Jon boat as you can add a shooting platform or buy a new Jon with one already fitted. A Jon boat makes for a perfect boat to fish on rivers. Each type of fly fishing boat comes with its own strengths, weakness and price point. Today, jon boats feature all the comfort and convenience of a bay boat or bass boat at half the cost.

Fishing Jon Boat For Sale

A drift boat is restricted to motor size because large HP motors generate too much thrust for the boat to handle. Size is by far the most important consideration when buying a Jon boat. Most people who fish, including fly fishers, have or will have some sort of experience with owning a boat. Like all flat-bottomed boats, Jon boats have a shallow draft that makes it possible for anglers to fish on shallow water bodies like rivers since they are unlikely to touch the ground. A few years ago, I considered selling my Crawdad until I saw a Facebook post by Chad LaChance. For safety, I kept the original foam blocks in place to ensure the boat would stay afloat in case of an accident. And that is because there are no tides; consequently, they will be more stable and move faster than those with V-shaped bottoms, designed to cut through the strong waves. To get around this limitation, I purchased a new set of 12-inch tires on Amazon that had a speed rating of around 80 MPH. Although it can be quite the workout, rowing a jon boat is also an option depending on the size and weight of the boat. They are on the more expensive side, but they can be a lot of fun to fish out of and are used on most fly fishing guided trips. Both boats can also be propelled by pole when in very shallow waters.

Best Jon Boat For River Fishing

River fishing can be challenging for anglers with V-bottomed vessels. They are perfect for fishing in rocky rivers or the ones with underwater obstructions that can damage other boats. As each boat type has a flat bottom and a shallow draft they lend themselves well to ducking hunting. Jon boats however come in a range of different sizes from small 8 foot craft to large 21 foot monsters. In this article we compare the drift boat to the Jon boat pointing out each boats strengths and weaknesses so you can better decide which one is right for you.

We needed a hull that was made to perform with one. I rarely get excited anymore when I get a new one since I have owned so many of these. They offer exceptional stability, which is what you want when navigating these tranquil waters. So, if you do come across them, they are likely the result of a home DIY project. Can stand while in the raft, making casting easy. To compare and contrast all different types of boats, please visit our boat finder page today! As we pointed out in our guide to buying a drift boat there is no such thing as budget drift boat buying. Storage is another issue. Is that they are more stable than most flat-bottomed vessels. The Stalker MV 120 (12'2"), for example, weighs only 140lbs. A jon boat (also known as a johnboat) is a flat-bottomed vessel made of aluminum, fiberglass, or wood. In such environments, the flat-bottomed hull design of Jon boats may not work in your favor. The unique curved shape of a drift boat also makes it extremely responsive to the oarsman.

And what a better option than a Jon boat!

Designed to give duck hunters exactly what they want—a light, tough, and quick vessel—the original duck boat step deck transom boat comes standard with a low or high front deck, optimal 17-degree transoms for superior mud motor trim control, and a reinforced floor that allows you to navigate through skinny waters effortlessly. On the other hand, if you are fishing in your waders it can be much more difficult to switch to the other side, especially in bigger water. I will be using the boat on rivers like the American, Feather, Sacramento, and this boat will Never see the Delta. But, if you feel like splurging, then, by all means, go right ahead. The purpose of the boat determines the type of craft you'll need. I purchased a Harbor Freight "Haul Master" utility trailer, which, after some simple modifications, worked well for my needs. Even if the boat is propelled with an electric trolling motor, it probably needs to be registered.