Jon Boat Modifications

[spencer12]

Just curious to see what everyone here has done to "trick" out there jon boats.  I'm really interested to see what everyone else has done to make these small, lightweight aluminum boats the ultimate pond, small lake etc. bass catching vessel.

I don't have any pictures but so far this is what I've done and I'm always looking to improve my boat layout.  To start I have a 15 ft. Grumman Jon that was my grandfathers.  When I first started using it all that was on it was a stern mounted trolling motor. He mainly panfished so this was sufficient.

However, I am a bass fisherman. So first, I installed a depth finder.  I went with the Lowrance Elite 4x.  I then purchased a Minn Kota Edge 45 bow mounted foot control trolling motor. (36 inch shaft). I put all of my batteries in the back so the weight of me in the front is leveled off.  I then connected my transducer to my grandfather's old stern mounted trolling motor (works great). The wires for the depth finder and trolling motor I ran through the rungs of the deck and then taped together to keep them in place. I then covered all of this with carpet. 

It really is a great setup. So what have you guys done to your jon boats to help you catch more bass.  Also any tips tricks or pointers for Jon boat fishing?

[Catt]

I'm  runing a Alweld 1652VJT with a 2014 Tohatsu 40 HP 4 stroke.

It has an extended front deck, welded in floor & sides, gas tank under the back seat, tunnel hull, Minn Kota 55# Riptide, & Nauticus SX Smart Tabs

[fishnkamp]

i have run 11 different boats over 35+ years. My first bunch were aluminum jon and one thing i always added was an AnchorMate manual anchor system. Just one less thing to have loose in the boat. Some sort of pvc rod tubes were usually added as well

It was mounted on the top deck just on the other side of the trolling motor.  You can just see the handle knob just above the trolling motor shaft. Notice the 3 boys ready for action as well. The ram mount supported the depth finder right where I could easilysee it but not in the way of casting..  This was an electric reservoir boat so I added the aluminum walk way on the trailer and extra support boards. These supported the boat perfectly level all the way from the front to the back.

 

 

[crypt]

a really good seat is important,anchor stick,keeping it light is everything.best depth finder you can get also.      wish I had my first one back !!!!!

[Fish4bigfish]

[Fish4bigfish]

I don't know why my pics are side ways

[Team9nine]

Lots of mods - built decks, flooring and carpeted all; 24v TM; onboard charger; livewell w/recirc; bilge; command center with 12v receptacle and fuse panel for all electronics; built-in tackle box storage; nice Triton seats; Tackle Rac; rod straps; upgraded electronics

[crypt]

Team9nine….that's awseome. just perfect

 

[Roger, The Smiling BassHole]

9 hours ago, spencer12 said:

I don't have any pictures

Time to GET some pictures! This sounds great! Best part is you got the boat from your grandfather!

Team9nine,

I agree with Crypt.

That's awesome!

And lots of great photos here.

So how stable is a jon boat in waves and wind?

[Bluebasser86]

@gardnerjigman where's the pictures of Rippin Lips at?

[gardnerjigman]

13 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

@gardnerjigman where's the pictures of Rippin Lips at?

I suck at posting pics on here. Pull them off of FB for me. Lol

[bigbasshunter]

Alumacraft 1442 ncs. Added side console, hatches in the rear seat for storge, front deck extension and rear splash well decked. 24v 70lb motorguide x3 and eztroll recessed tray, minn kota 3 bank on-on-board charger, hds8 w/SS on console hds7t on bow with HDI ducers on TM, point-1 GPS mounted with Deck-it electronic mounts.

Next mod I'm working on is a rod locker. The entire rig is 85% wood free. Removed all wood and foam and replaced with closed cell foam and 6061 aluminum sheet and angle. Removed close to 60lbs and only added back 37lbs. 

[Master Bait'r]

Aluminum boat mods?  My hair is tacky with paint right now lol, I just finished spraying the inside of a 12'er today.  

[curtis9]

I'm in process of modifying a 1548 G3.  It's an electric only setup, so I've got 3 batteries in the rear, I added a hatch cover on the back.  I've extended the front deck ~2ft and added rod tubes under the deck extension with rubber rod clips on the side, so I can store 6 rods under the deck.  I'm also installing lighting on the deck.

All of the deck extension was done with aluminum to keep the weight down.  I still need to install carpet which I hope to finish in the next few week.  I'll put some photos up of the work in progress and the finished product.

[Kris2016]

I have been back in bass fishing about 4 years now with a 20+ year hiatus from serious fishing.  Let's just say that I have owned a couple of boats during the times I was fishing.  My last boat, a 1981 Grumman V-jon, was just sold to finance my next reservoir rig.  Nice little boat that I used to call my "Puddle Jumper".  My Buddy, Fishnkamp, found this at Lakeside Marine in Harrisburg, PA and it was a perfect fit for my pocket book.  I put floors in it, 4 Group 31 batteries, a Motorguide 43 lb TM on the bow, Minn Kota Endura 55 on the stern, a Garmin Echo 150 on the bow and a Garmin Echo 200 on the seat in front of the stern operator.  It was a nice little boat for the reservoirs and small lakes around here.

Next project boat is a 1973 Ouachita true flat bottom jon from bow to stern.  Working on floor supports using Azek "plastic wood" and repairing where previous owners abused and installed pressure treated plywood in the stern.  I believe it is the copper sulfate in the pressure treated wood that eats tiny holes in the aluminum.  New aluminum in the stern and a new bow panel courtesy of my Brother in Law.  Boat will share HB Helix 5s with my Ranger so there is no leaning curve.  Boat electronics and trolling motors will be supplied power with from four Group 31 batteries like the old one.  Minn Kota Edge 55, 12v,, foot control TM on the bow and a choice of a Minn Kota 24v Traxxis 70 or a Johnson 6 hp tiller on the stern.  This will make it usable in Lower Central PA and Maryland.  Rebuilt the trailer.

All my pictures are too large to upload so I will have resize a couple.  I shall return.

[Chris at Tech]

Pics of my rig here

http://shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,739,00.html

[curtis9]

Here are a few photos of my boat showing the deck extension and rear hatch cover, planning to install the carpet this weekend. 

[Geebo]

This is great!  Anyone have a recommendation for good and reasonably priced seats? 

[fishnkamp]

If you go look up at my previous post (3rd one from the top) I had posted two boat pictures. In the bottom picture there is a two toned high back seat (it is closed) that came from Cabelas. I believe it sells for around $50 each.

[Geebo]

Thanks Fishnkamp!

[Catt]

On 7/10/2016 at 8:41 AM, Catt said:

I'm  runing a Alweld 1652VJT with a 2014 Tohatsu 40 HP 4 stroke.

It has an extended front deck, welded in floor & sides, gas tank under the back seat, tunnel hull, Minn Kota 55# Riptide, & Nauticus SX Smart Tabs

Here's a few more!

Put the gas tank under the rear seat, installed gas/water separator, rod holders, light holders & strapped down the ice chest/live well.

[MassYak85]

I will probably end up doing these kind of things for my first boat whenever that is, I love the concept of taking a cheap john boat and basically turning it into a mini-bass boat with all the modifications. 

[lo n slo]

10 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

I will probably end up doing these kind of things for my first boat whenever that is, I love the concept of taking a cheap john boat and basically turning it into a mini-bass boat with all the modifications. 

i am currently looking for a 12-14' johnny although i already own a bass boat, which i am very pleased with. but the small lake (350 acres) that i have fished for nearly 40 years is not accessible to public boat launching anymore (as of July 5th) due to the sale of property surrounding the northern portion of the shore. there was no "ramp" to begin with, just a road that ran off into the lake and we all launched there. now there is a cable and signage soon to be followed by development. i do, however, have access to a boat slip thanks to a nice old lady who lives on the south shore and i shall keep my "new" johnny there. i once fished that lake via jon boat many years ago when the kids were young and money was tight. the lake is 5 minutes from the house and it is my sanctuary. it's hard to explain that to some but you all know what i mean.

good thread

[Chris186]

[Geebo]

On 7/24/2016 at 11:04 PM, MassYak85 said:

I will probably end up doing these kind of things for my first boat whenever that is, I love the concept of taking a cheap john boat and basically turning it into a mini-bass boat with all the modifications. 

I recently bought a 12' jon boat that came with a 40 lbs thrust trolling motor and battery for $250 (was advertised for $400) on Craig's List.  It was in rough shape, but my buddy and I put in some floors, carpeted them and are about to install some seats mounted on the benches.  When it's all said and done we'll probably spend $600.