Small Jon Boat Or Mini Bass Boat?

[BlindSquirrel]

Hello all,

 

I'm new to this forum.  I'm looking to upgrade from my flatstalker to either a small jon boat or a mini bass boat.  If you're not familiar with a flatstalker, you can see them at www.flatstalker.com to get an idea where I'm coming from.

 

It's a handy little 1 person way to get to the fish but I'd like something a bit larger that would fit into the bed of my Canyon since I don't really have room for a trailer.  I've seen the mini bass boats and I like the looks of the Basshunter EX or the Basshunter Bass Baby.  I like the idea of no seams to take on water.  One of my coworkers who is big into fishing has a 14' jon boat that he likes and mentioned something like that as a possibility as well.

 

I'm 5'11" and 210# and I want to be able to take at least one more person with me from time to time. My girls are both about 100-110# each and my wife is slightly more.  I want something that I can handle by myself since I suspect I'll still be mostly fishing solo.  I wonder if the EX could handle both girls as well as myself.

 

The Basshunter EX looks to have a significantly higher weight rating than a 10-12' jon boat but I'm wondering if they tend to get water over the sides under normal circumstances.  I am a fair weather fisherman so I wouldn't deliberately be caught out in rough weather although I have been once or twice.  Also, would an EX be better for casting while standing?  I like to shift from sitting to standing and back throughout the day which is why I don't think a canoe would be ideal.

 

Also, would one be big enough for a couple of guys my size or so to fish off of without catching a lure to the back of the head?

 

I have a 40# TM that I use on the flatstalker and would be using on the new boat.  

 

I'm open to other ideas as well but would like to keep it under $750 if possible.

 

Thanks in advance,

mikeg

[Marty]

I don't know if I can be of much help. But my friend and I have fished many times in his 12' john boat that's powered by a trolling motor. When he was heavier the two of us weighed about 425# plus, of course, a battery and other gear. He generally stands while I usually sit. It fits in his pickup truck. It has a cap and we just slide it in and tying isn't necessary because it sits at an angle resting on the top of the tailgate.

 

It's a little clumsy but he can load and unload it by himself. As to catching a lure in the back of the head, sure, the odds are greater of that happening than in a bigger boat or different style, but you and your partner have to agree on some casting rules to make sure it doesn't happen.

 

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Hammytn]

Mikeg,  If the decide to sell the Flatstarker, let me know.

 

Hammy

[tnriverluver]

I have the Bass Hunter Bass Baby and I weigh right at 200 and my fishing partner Austrailian Sheperd is 55 lbs, plus battery, trolling motor, 2.5 Merc outboard, 50 lbs of gear, etc.  These little boats are extremely stable.  As long as you mainly plan to fish one person they are a great choice just because the built in wheels make launching and loading an easy one person job.  If you plan to fish with a buddy you should probably go with the 10 ft EX just to have enough room.  Stability will not be an issue with either on though.  I really like the Bass Hunters because the plastic they use just seems to be much tougher and more durable than a lot of the others out there.  I don't know about the EX but the 8 footer will splash a little water if you are fishing in larger waters and the wind gets up to around 15mph. There is a drain in the floor with a plug so letting the water out is simple.  When the wind gets that high I take my bigger aluminum boats.  These boats are more stable than a jon boat until you get into jon boats with 48 inch bottoms.  This picture is of my boat on Reelfoot Lake.  Standing and casting is not a problem and I have wobbly legs due to back problems.  The best deals on these boats is through Amazon.com - Sporstmans guide.

[BlindSquirrel]

Marty,, thanks for the input.  I figure I'll mainly be by myself so, with your information, I don't know about a jon boat.  Plus, last night I was surfingthe net and saw a neat canoe with homemade outriggers.  Another one for the mix!

 

Hammytn, I am planning to get rid of th flatstalker if/when I get something else.  I'm in VT, where are you?  Shipping would probably be steep.

 

tnrvrlvr, I saw your picture before, nice setup.  I love the idea of the wheels but was thinking the 10' would be better.  Why in the world don't they have the wheels on that one?!?  BTW, from what little I can see in the picture, it looks like a beautiful spot.

 

At the moment I'm leaning towards a canoe now since I could have both daughters in it with me at the same time if they wanted.  Or the daughter that lives with me and my wife.  Decisions, decsions!

 

Thanks again guys and I'm open to more input.

mikeg

[Neonsnow78]

 

 

i love my canoe,still in the process of customizing to my likings, which in all seriousness could be a forever project..lol ive added seats and a few other things since the pics

 

and trailer is almost done so no car topping or lifting high

[ww2farmer]

Not getting into brand specifics, but I have one of those small bass boats. I have not used it in a few years, but I used to use it a lot, and have plenty of time on the water in one. I have also fished out of 12', and 14' jon boats before. The little plastic bass boats are MUCH more stable, and way more comfortable to fish out of. There biggest enemy is wind, they sit so high in the water, if I went by the end of a dock and the people standing on it farted in my direction it would push me half way across the lake. You'll be fine with the 40lb thrust motor, I use a 30 on mine and it pulls it around with ease. If you haven't already done it, turn the head and mount it on the bow, it's much easier to fish and control with it up front. Mine is only an 8'er , even though it's supposed to be a "2 man" boat, unless the other person is a small kid or a midget, in all reality it's a one man boat. Get the 10' if your going to regularly have a 2nd person in it.  But then again, I am over 6' tall and 300+ lbs, so maybe two "normal" sized people will fit in the 8'.

[Hanover_Yakker]

You could always consider a kayak like the Native Ultimate 14.5 with twin seats.

[Hammytn]

Fry, keep me posted if you sell it.  Might need to make a road trip.

 

Hammy

[stew6371]

I fished out of a boat like a bass Hunter when I was a kid & it was ok. I have a 14 ft Jon boat now that has been modified to fish like a bass boat. 2 people can stand & fish. Call me crazy, but if you've got room to keep a boat, you should have room for a trailer also.A boat like mine requires a trailer. 

[BlindSquirrel]

Stew, you're right, technically, I have room for a trailer, but my lot is SO hilly that it would be a pain. The garage is out since one bay is used for the snowblower, riding mower and motorcycle and the other has my wife's car. The driveway is fairly crowded now and my daughter has her permit so another car is probably going to be in it in the near future. The only flat parts of the yard are the small front yard and the wife is not going to let me park a boat there, or a small section in the back yard which I can't get my truck to without going down my neighbors driveway and through their yard. They're good neighbors but I don't want to have to ask them to move their vehicles so that I could get a boat in or out of the yard.

Anybody know anything about flat back canoes like the scanoe? Seems like they would be uncomfortable to use the motor for any length of time since you' have to reach behind you. The scanoe doesn't look like you could sit sideways to use it. At least if you mount a TM on a traditional canoe, it's offset to the side.

mikeg

[stew6371]

I hear ya bro. Heck of a predicament you got there. Like they say, where there is a will, there is a way. keep search, I'm sure you will find it.

[Dyerbassman]

I would check Craigslist regularly. You can find all sorts of boats in your price range, or even less, and customize it how you want. Also check local estate sales. That where I found my 12' Alumacraft and got it for a steal! Then I decked it out the way I wanted. Saved a bunch over buying new. Just a thought....

[BlindSquirrel]

I pulled the trigger on Monday and picked up a 3 year old 12' Radisson wide transom canoe in excellent shape. Sorry hammytn, I traded my flatstalker towards it. I haven't had it in the water yet but hope to this weekend. I really like the weight, size, and the fact that I can row, paddle, or motor it. Plus it fits great in my compact pickup.

I know it's not as heavy duty as some canoes but I plan to use it on ponds and lakes.

Any other Radisson owners out there? It didn't come with an owner's manual, is there anything I should know about the care and feeding of it?

Can't wait to get it in the water!

mikeg

[Christian M]

 I owned a Scanoe for a few years, I just sold it because I stepped up to a 17' Tracker PT. I already miss it & I'm shopping for a Kayak to take its place. I'm pretty sure Radissons are a bit wider than Scanoes, but I would definitely invest in either a small trailer, or a good set of roof racks and a canoe loader (Cabelas sells them for about $100). I loved fishing out of my Scanoe, but dreaded loading it up on top of my truck. The other thing I would get ASAP is a comfy swivel seat since you're back will be killing you after a day of twisting around to control the motor. Rowing/paddling a canoe with such a wide beam can be a real chore. I remember getting caught in the rain on my Scanoe with no battery power left and having to row about 2 miles...it wasn't easy...Get yourself a bail pump just incase you get caught in the rain.

    Another key to fishing out of a square back canoe (especially solo) is weight distribution. This I cant stress enough, the better your weight is distributed throughout and along the canoe, the more stable and smooth your ride will be. I had my scanoe rigged up with the battery wires running up the gunwhales so that I could place my battery(s) in front and my gear in the middle. This way it counter balanced my weight (about 190#) and my 55# trolling motor. Stablizers are another option to consider, since I saw you mentioned you like to go from sitting to standing. If you're handy you an make some out of PVC and boat bumpers or even 2L soda bottles. I used to fish standing out of my Scanoe with a buddy all day without them, you just have to make sure you've got your sea-legs on. Other than that you're gonna have a blast customizing and fishing out of your canoe. One thing I loved is that you can get so much closer to the fish without spooking them and you can get into places boats just can't. Having a 6lb fish pull you around for a few minutes is really fun. Just remember to ALWAYS wear your PFD. The last thing you want is to fall out with your motor on high and noghting to keep you afloat.

[flyfisher]

I don't have one but i really like the idea of the twin troller myself.

 

http://freedomelectricmarine.com/blog/category/posts/twin-troller/

 

Shallow draft and seems perfect for smaller bodies of water. 

[BlindSquirrel]

Christian, a couple of things I like about the Radisson is that it's very lightweight, I can lift it over my head easily, plus it fits in the bed of my truck very well. I like the ideas of the swivel seat and the bail pump though.

Flyfisher, I saw the twin troller, it's neat but it sure isn't cheap! I got the Radisson for $350.

mikeg

[retiredbosn]

FWIW I'm 220 lbs my uncle about the same we fish from a 10 bass hunter, I can stand and flip or whatever very stable boat. Additionally the seats are moveable, I can put it in the middle if I am alone and handle the boat via trolling motor easily. Good luck