Everything one would want in a bass boat

[Jbassboat]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jordan, and I am new to the forum.

I have had an interest in making a bass boat that is extremely versatile. I have a list of my own specifications that I want to try and include but I would like to hear some other fishermen's opinions and ideas.

For the most part this boat will be used for medium sized lakes and rivers, for bass, pike, crappie, walleye, pan fish. I'm Thinking of going with a 10-14' boat and I really only fish with one other buddy at a time for the most part. Any suggestions or things to stay away from?

I would like to know if any of you have features on your boat that really add value to your bass boat. Some ideas I have thought of include, some sort of anchor system, rod storage,a front and back casting platform/deck, seating in the middle, tackle storage, live well, and a bilge pump. Any other creative ideas? or any ideas to, for example, make an anchor system or rod storage?

I look forward to hearing from everyone

Thank you!!

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Good Luck with your boat build.

A-Jay 

[00 mod]

Get the absolute width bottom width you can afford.  Don't go less than 48".  And an on-board charger would be on my short list!

Jeff

[Jbassboat]

Would it be possible to take a 1236 jon boat and build a 7'x7' casting deck on the front that is supported on the outside of the boat with pontoons? If this could work I think the pontoons would add a ton a stability and buoyancy to maybe take on a larger max load and if I'm lucky handle a little rougher water or have a smoother ride. any thoughts?

[00 mod]

No clue?  I would advise finding a bigger boat before going through that trouble. 

Jeff

[Jbassboat]

What about using a 14' fiberglass tri hull? has anyone put a jet ski  engine in a fiberglass boat?

[J Francho]

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  I wouldn't even consider putting a deck on a 1236, let alone one that is twice as wide as the hull.

[riverbasser]

Getting a boat setup for you takes time spent on it. I customize all my boats so that they are setup for how I use it. Doing this always means taking it out and fishing. This is where the ideas come from. The thing a boat can never have enough of is space. When it comes to modifying aluminum Jon boats you should really check out tinboats.net. things can add up quickly and trying to mod a boat to be something its not will only end in dissapoitment so my advice is just get the best boat you can afford that will fit your needs the best the way it is. Then you can make smaller modifications to fit you better.

 

Oh and welcome to BR!

[Catt]

Alweld 16' 52" tunnel mod-v hull with smart tabs & a 40 HP Tohatsu 4-stroke

Trolling motor, depth finder, & livewell

[Jbassboat]

So the reason people don't put decks on 36" wide boats is for stability purposes correct? 

I am wondering if putting a large casting deck on a 36" boat is possible if I use pontoons on each side for support and stability?

If this wouldn't work could you explain to me why?

[J Francho]

Do you ever wonder why no one puts pontoons on them?  Get a wider boat.  Personally, I would just deck and carpet the bottom, so it was comfortable to stand in the boat, and leave it at that.  Retro fitting things to add stability isn't nearly as cost efficient or effective as just getting a stable platform to begin with.

[Scott F]

On September 11, 2016 at 6:22 PM, Jbassboat said:

Hello everyone,

My name is Jordan, and I am new to the forum.

I have had an interest in making a bass boat that is extremely versatile. I have a list of my own specifications that I want to try and include but I would like to hear some other fishermen's opinions and ideas.

For the most part this boat will be used for medium sized lakes and rivers, for bass, pike, crappie, walleye, pan fish. I'm Thinking of going with a 10-14' boat and I really only fish with one other buddy at a time for the most part. Any suggestions or things to stay away from?

I would like to know if any of you have features on your boat that really add value to your bass boat. Some ideas I have thought of include, some sort of anchor system, rod storage,a front and back casting platform/deck, seating in the middle, tackle storage, live well, and a bilge pump. Any other creative ideas? or any ideas to, for example, make an anchor system or rod storage?

I look forward to hearing from everyone

Thank you!!

Things that I would stay away from right off the bat is a 10ft boat. Everybody is different. I never keep fish or use live bait, so I wouldn't waste my money on a live well. I've had my boat for 28 years and can count on one hand the number of times I've used an anchor so I wouldn't have need for an anchor system. MY choices work for me. Let your style of fishing dictate how you set up your craft. Get the biggest boat you can afford to pay for, store and tow. How you modify it after that is up to you. What you can afford, and what will make YOUR fishing easier. God luck.

[Jbassboat]

Why dont they make boats that are 14' by 60" wide?

 

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, Jbassboat said:

Why dont they make boats that are 14' by 60" wide?

 

Because Tracker makes one that is 72" wide.

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3938

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

I never keep fish or use live bait, so I wouldn't waste my money on a live well.

To swing this back to "features" you might want, I'll offer a different perspective.  While I do some tournament fishing, I probably would not in a jon, though I would want a livewell to hold a caught fish to prepare for a picture or film footage.  It's one thing to say, "Always be prepared," but it's really easy to clip a cull tag on her, put her in the well, get everything set up for weight and measure, or a photograph if you have a livewell.  I also fish for other species, like jack perch, that I do keep for eating.  So, a livewell may be a consideration in those circumstances.  Just like you said @Scott F, "set her up your way."

Also, this is a route I'm considering, which is why I'm watching these threads.  Gives me a clear picture of what I'd like.  Starting look like I want a 22' tunnel hull with a 250 jet, lmao.

[Scott F]

Instead of a live well, a landing net to hold a fish in the water while settling up the camera works well. Of course if the boat already has a live well and it's not full of other gear, like mine usually is, that works.

[J Francho]

That works.  Some of the kayak guys I fish with even go so far to use a tethered, floating net, basically a landing net with no handle, and pool noodle floaties around the rim.

[HeavyDluxe]

26 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That works.  Some of the kayak guys I fish with even go so far to use a tethered, floating net, basically a landing net with no handle, and pool noodle floaties around the rim.

Genius. I love this forum.

[Choporoz]

59 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That works.  Some of the kayak guys I fish with even go so far to use a tethered, floating net, basically a landing net with no handle, and pool noodle floaties around the rim.

 

[J Francho]

There you go, @HeavyDluxe!

[Choporoz]

On a 'related' note, some women I've fished with would insist on a baitwell-size livewell.  Has come in quite handy while never using live bait.

[Jbassboat]

That link to tracker boats isn't 72" base. its a 48" like all of the rest

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, Choporoz said:

On a 'related' note, some women I've fished with would insist on a baitwell-size livewell.  Has come in quite handy while never using live bait.

I fish team tournaments with my girlfriend, occasionally.  I take a training potty for that.

2 minutes ago, Jbassboat said:

That link to tracker boats isn't 72" base. its a 48" like all of the rest

Correct, it's a 72" beam.  A 60" base would mean you'd have a boat nearly as wide as it is long.  It would drive like a pig.  You have move up to an 18' boat for a 60" bottom.  And not all the rest are 48".  Alweld are 44", G3 are 42", to name two.  The boat I linked would be a sweet platform for a utility jon.  Not much to do to it.

[HeavyDluxe]

43 minutes ago, J Francho said:

There you go, @HeavyDluxe!

I could envision the possibilities as soon as it was mentioned... just had never thought of it before. 

It's so cool to see what people hack together when they're forced to (or decide to) be creative.

[Catt]

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

 

Those attract these, these do not play well with others!