Vibe Shearwater vs Jonny Bass 100

[th365thli]

Thinking about getting into kayak fishing again. I've got a 19 foot bass boat but I miss spelunking small creeks and ponds. Plus if my boat is ever out of commission I wouldn't be landlocked.

 

Pretty much have it narrowed down to these. Any opinions? The Jonny Bass 100 at first glance seems super cool with all the options, but I'm not sure if having an outboard introduces more problems than it's worth. No pedal option, but it does have the steerable trolling motor pod which is pretty cool.

 

The Vibe Shearwater is bigger with more space and storage. They have a "Bixpy" electric motor and you can get a pedal drive for it. No outboard option. Also more expensive. 

Is the shorter length of the Jonny 100 a real issue? Does anyone have experience with these boats?

 

 

[Bird]

Been fishing out of the Jonny 100 since it's introduction, with the motor pod.

It's stable, it's heavy but a great fishing platform in smaller bodies of water. 

I've modified mine with a foot throttle vs leaning forward and turning a knob.

 

Also have the Vibe seaghost 110 for paddle fishing. 

 

Both boats are robust and well built. 

 

[th365thli]

What water

1 hour ago, Bird said:

Been fishing out of the Jonny 100 since it's introduction, with the motor pod.

It's stable, it's heavy but a great fishing platform in smaller bodies of water. 

I've modified mine with a foot throttle vs leaning forward and turning a knob.

 

Also have the Vibe seaghost 110 for paddle fishing. 

 

Both boats are robust and well built. 

 

What waters do you primarily fish? Creeks I assume? Is that an issue with stumps, cover, branches etc, do you find yourself lifting the motor a lot? How "paddable" is it? Would you put an outboard on it? 

[Dens228]

I actually fish quite a bit with two guys, one has the Jonny the other has the SW.  
I would NOT want to paddle the Jonny on a regular basis but it is very stable.  The SW is good for both paddle and motor as well as a pedal option.  It is also stable.  

If I were buying one I'd go with the SW if for nothing else than being a better paddling kayak.  Because no matter what, there will be a time when you have to paddle it. 

 

[Bird]

18 minutes ago, th365thli said:

What water

What waters do you primarily fish? Creeks I assume? Is that an issue with stumps, cover, branches etc, do you find yourself lifting the motor a lot? How "paddable" is it? Would you put an outboard on it? 

I fish nothing but small resivours with the Bass 100......rivers are virtually impossible with raising and lowering the motor pod. 

[th365thli]

Thank you guys. Looks like the paddling of the SW will help in creeks and the length and helix drive will help with small lakes. I already have a bass boat for any lakes that allow that, so I'm not too interested in fishing medium/large reservoirs. I wanna hit waters I can't with my bass boat. Looks like the SW will be the way to go. 

[pagliaroj]

On 5/11/2021 at 6:51 PM, Bird said:

Been fishing out of the Jonny 100 since it's introduction, with the motor pod.

It's stable, it's heavy but a great fishing platform in smaller bodies of water. 

I've modified mine with a foot throttle vs leaning forward and turning a knob.

 

Also have the Vibe seaghost 110 for paddle fishing. 

 

Both boats are robust and well built. 

 

Can you show how you modified it for a foot throttle? That is one mod I want to add, I just added the rudder system so I don't need to stick steer and the foot throttle would complete the whole thing! Thanks in advance

[Bird]

I simply removed the kill switch in middle of motor pod and used the existing wires to wire in a heavy duty on/off switch, worked perfectly.

I have one terrible pic.

I've since sold the boat because wife wanted to start fishing so bought a Bass Raider.