best river bass boat accessories?

[Undergroundbassin]

i just got a new 16 foat jon boat that ill use in the Susquehanna river, and juniata river. was wondering what suggestions anyone would have that is a must have on a boat? (other then life jackets, and oars )

[Spankey]

I'm a PA river rat also. Some time I wish I had a full blown river set up with a jet for super skinny water. I do it out of a 19 ft. Tracker. I get the job done but limited at times. Just make sure you have your safety equipment and a decent set up with your trolling motor. I use two deep cycle just for my trolling motor. My trolling motor means every thing to me. Have a Spare prop for t-motor and ob motor with you . I have them. Have not had to use them over the years. If I didn't have them I would have ran into issues. 

Smallie......what can I say. I've been addicted for 40+ years. 

[BrianinMD]

Push pole....

[Gundog]

When I had my jon boat I attached 2 large cleats to the inside of the boat about 2 feet apart. I wrapped the anchor rope around those cleats and if I was anchored up and needed to move my boat downriver slightly I just unwrapped some of the rope from the cleats and let the boat float down river. Its better than constantly being on the TM. 

[iabass8]

trolling motor and an anchor

[fishnkamp]

I lived up there ( right behind the Trading Post for 5 years.   Look to install an Anchor Mate anchor winch with maybe an 8 pound anchor.  I agree a good trolling motor. Go with no less than a 70 pound thrust in order to advance in heavy current.  I also made a drift chain that I kept in a small bucket ( really handy when it is covered in river muck or just wet). Start with 30 feet of rope then tie it to 3 feet of 1/2 inch chain. wrap the chain in duct tape, this keeps it somewhat straight and it hangs up on rocks less. Next have a 3 or 4 foot of 3/4 inch chain and a quick link

Cover the heavier chain in duct tape as well. Now when you are drifting between islands and rock ledges you can toss this up river.  Oh i forgot to mention to tie it to a cleat first, of course. I liked the ones that have 4 or 5 teeth and you just thread the rope up an down thru the maze of teeth. Anyway you tie the rope to the boat and let the rope and chain slow you down while you can cast at your targets. It works great. Also, if the lighter chain allows you to go to fast, then you can easily add the heavier chain. I used to fish on the Susquehanna down near 3 mile island, up near New Buffalo, and also up in Sunbury. I always had a decent depth finder to use in deeper water. Something like a Lowrance Hook 5, of course back then it was an Eagle brand unit. For river fishing with a jon boat I installed comfortable seats and ran my boat from the rear seat. I also ran both my 9,9 outboard and trolling motor off the transom. This was not going to be a stand up  full decked bass boat so it was easier to run and fish from the same position.

Man you live in a fantastic place for smallies and walleye.  Since you live where you do, check out the fishing in Little Buffalo State park. I think it was known as Holman Lake or Little Buffalo Lake.  Anyway, I think we could only use our trolling motors.  My bass club always made one trip to it a year, sorta as a wild card. We always caught good bass in it.  For whatever reason the largies cold not help themselves when I threw an original floating Rapala gold/black back in the 4 inch size.  On the river we used to throw a ton of rootbeer colored twin tailed grubs as well as green or brown creature baits and white tubes.  Never leave home without a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce spinnerbait either. I am certain a Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper in white trash would work well also.

[heavyduty]

Cooler, dry box for wallet and phone, toilet paper.

[riverbasser]

When I had a 16ft Jon (loved that boat) the most important thing to me was SPACE! You will soon know what and how you like things after a few trips. I spent a lot of time customizing that boat to my style of fishing and honestly doing that work was almost as fun as actually taking it out. Enjoy it and keep an open mind, a lot of things are possible with that setup. 

[RyneB]

a Talon and Powerful trolling motor. My river fishing success got to a whole new level with a Talon.

[Further North]

On 11/30/2016 at 6:00 PM, RyneB said:

a Talon and Powerful trolling motor. My river fishing success got to a whole new level with a Talon.

I've never had a Talon, so I can't offer an opinion about that, but can't agree enough on the trolling motor.  Ask around, see what most people say...then add an extra battery....

[Way2slow]

Since I know nothing about those rivers, I will base mine on the rivers I fish, where there are tons of obstacles, blowdowns, sandbars, and limbs/trees all through it.  

My question would be, is the motor bolted on or do you take it on and off?  If bolted on, does it have power tilt and trim?  A great addition to power tilt and trim is a hydraulic jack plate.    Now, if the waters you fish don't have all these land mines and sand bars in it I have to deal with, then there's probably not a big need for the hydraulic jack plate.

If you are by yourself much, Anchor Mates are a great addition, especially in the front. 

If you tie up and fish for cats, bream etc, cleats on all four corners to tie to are also a must.  A couple 5/16 or 3/8" ropes with hooks on one end, 5' - 10' long for tying off and at least one long 25'+ rope. 

I always keep at least one method of starting a fire, the flint with magnesium and usually a butane lighter.  I keep the flints/magnesium in everything I have, boats, vehicles, tackle box etc and usually a butane lighter, the flint don't leak out or get wet so it's always my backup.  After getting stranded/wet, you learn to appreciate having a fire starter handy.