Jon boat must haves

[JayMac89]

Hey guys, was new here last year but learned a ton from guys on here. Excited for the upcoming season.

 

Anyway, some of you may remember but i was trying to decide between a pond prowler or kayak last year. At the end of last years season i got lucky and got a jon boat and trailer... for free. 

 

It's still cold but starting to warm up, and I'm getting ready for this season. Iv never fished from a jon boat. I do have plans/ideas to spruce this jon boat up, but i decided to wait a year. Use the boat as is for this season so that i can figure out what it is that i want/need. Don't want to waste time, money, and energy just to use it and realize i could of done it better. 

 

Which brings me to my questions. Keeping it bare bones, what are the must haves? Its a 14ft boat, nothing in it except 2 seats. I have a 30lb thrust trolling motor. Plan on putting a group 27 100ah battery in. Normally i only fish for 3-4 hours at a time. But again iv never been in a boat so that might change. And my "lakes" are small. You guys would probably consider them ponds. 20-40 acres. Would like to try night fishing but probably not to often honestly. I guess we'll see how i like it. 

 

So for now i plan on setting that motor and battery up. Definitely putting a inline fuse or breaker in. Throwing a paddle in there for obvious reasons. Will always have a bag/box with first aid and tools. Flashlight. Maybe some temporary AA/AAA stick on style lights. But is there anything that I'm missing? Is a bilge pump a must have and if so, run it off a separate battery? Do i need a on/off switch for the motor? Obviously a battery charger at home, but any battery accessories for on the water? 

 

Again this is my first time fishing from a jon boat. You guys have been a wealth of information as far as building the boat out and iv been directed to great resources such as tbnation. But im having trouble figuring out what's a must and what can wait till i get some time in the boat and come up with a full plan to build this boat out in a way that suits my style and needs. Just don't want to be making any major mistakes and finding out too late. 

 

As always, any input is greatly appreciated. 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

PFD should be #1 on any list for a boat - before anything else.

[Choporoz]

I rented jon boats for years.  I always had:

Spare boat plug.  Or 2.

PFD and cushion

Hummingbird Fishing Buddy

Anchor and rope

First aid kit

Two trolling motor batteries

My bilge pump:

Also, I'd first be concerned/checking out a free trailer's bearings, tires, lights, etc

[Catt]

Anchor & 25' of 1/2" braided rope.

 

Small tool box with a minimum of Channel Lock® pliers, crescent wrench, Standard/Phillips screw driver, electrical tape, standard pliers, & small electrical kit.

[king fisher]

I would add a pair of oars to the list.

[JayMac89]

Trailer lights, tires, and bearings i already replaced. It was free but from a close family friend who doesn't use it anymore. Point being there no secrets. Needs work but everything was laid out.

 

Ofcourse pfd is number 1, just didn't mention it because it's obvious

 

I'm a HVAC/R mechanic, I got a small pouch of tools that iv replaced over the years in my truck. It'll get put in the boat every trip. 

 

Spare plug is a good one, didn't think of that. But good idea. 

 

And anchor i also thought of but forgot to mention. Was going to get 2 since they are cheap enough. Little mushroom anchor should be enough? 

 

 

[Will Ketchum]

You will appreciate a boat seat with a backrest after a couple hours. You'll need wiring from your car's lights to the trailer lights.

[GaryH]

Sounds like what you already have and the good advice from others you should be pretty well covered. After a little use you’ll see what you would like to add. Good luck and enjoy.

[Dogface]

4 minutes ago, Will Ketchum said:

You will appreciate a boat seat with a backrest after a couple hours. You'll need wiring from your car's lights to the trailer lights.

 

I have a 14' Jon. The first thing I thought of when I read your post was "seats". I have two seats with backrests in my Jon. I also mounted them so you sit about 3 inches higher than the standard mounts. It makes getting up and moving around easier for me. 

 

I have a depth finder and running lights. Both are fused and connected to the battery with alligator clips. Nothing fancy but efficient. 

 

I always have a paddle, but I take oars for use on some big electric-only lakes in case the battery gives out.  

 

I have a small toolbox with the boat's paperwork, spare bulbs, spark plugs, drain plug, and tools.  

 

I also have rod holders mounted. I fish the Susquehanna River a lot and I troll. Leaving a rod in a rod holder lets me concentrate on maneuvering the boat in the current.  

[Catt]

[detroit1]

Go with 50" feet of anchor rope. 25' is fine if the waters you fish are only 10' deep.

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, JayMac89 said:

Little mushroom anchor should be enough? 

If you mean 8# - nope - go with 15# minimum. I've got two 20# anchors for my 14' so I can anchor stern and bow to lock my orientation as well as position.

 

12 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

Go with 50" feet of anchor rope. 25' is fine if the waters you fish are only 10' deep.

50' Is plenty for small/shallow ponds. If you plan on fishing bigger lakes, get 100' right off the bat.

[Catt]

I use a 20# tri-fluted river anchor & 25' of rope for my 1652 Alweld ?

[JayMac89]

Great. Thanks guys. It sounds like I'm in good shape then. I do have seats with backrests. They're good but old. 

 

My plan is to essentially do a deck, build storage underneath. Same old thing you've guys seen time and time again. But I'm thinking now maybe do a rear and front deck. Or just deck the whole thing. Not sure. Like i said I'll see what works for me and go from there. At this point I'm just excited to fish out of it. 

 

Mark my words, at this point i don't want any fancy electronics. Guarantee by end of the season I'll be back here asking about fancy electronics. 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, JayMac89 said:

Mark my words, at this point i don't want any fancy electronics. Guarantee by end of the season I'll be back here asking about fancy electronics. 

Even basic electronics is better than none. I ran a Lowrance Hook 2 4" for two years on my canoe before upgrading. Even just seeing bottom structure and depth will help locate potential spots.

[Susky River Rat]

1 hour ago, JayMac89 said:

Great. Thanks guys. It sounds like I'm in good shape then. I do have seats with backrests. They're good but old. 

 

My plan is to essentially do a deck, build storage underneath. Same old thing you've guys seen time and time again. But I'm thinking now maybe do a rear and front deck. Or just deck the whole thing. Not sure. Like i said I'll see what works for me and go from there. At this point I'm just excited to fish out of it. 

 

Mark my words, at this point i don't want any fancy electronics. Guarantee by end of the season I'll be back here asking about fancy electronics. 

Watch out decking it. It may become very tippy when all the weight is above the gunwales.

[Deleted account]

2nd battery, oars, anchor (do I need to say rope to go with it?), some way to keep rods from getting beat up, fish finder, lure retriever. Everything else , just use the "I wish I had" from time on the water.

[airshot]

6 hours ago, king fisher said:

I would add a pair of oars to the list.

Absolutely...much easier to row than paddle !!

[airshot]

Jon boats are not that deep, adding a deck in my opinion would be a waste of time and added weight. Your flat floor shoukd be plenty good, confortable seats are a must !!  Whether new or old, you need to be comfortable or you will soon loose interest.  You might consider a small little gas motor, I have a little 2.2 hp Merc two stroke that weighs less than 30 lbs but moves you much quicker than an electric troller. Many folks rush to make there boat into a bass boat, but it is more important to make your boat comfortable and accomodating than just looking good.  Take your time and above all else, post pics!!

[Bankc]

Outside of the safety equipment (PFD) and trailer maintenance, I'd just take it out on the water and see what you actually need.  Everyone's going to have different preferences.  Everyone fishes a little differently.  You'll know what you need, as you start to come across those needs.  

 

Like I wouldn't deck that boat.  And if I did, it would just be the front 1/3rd or so.  Just enough of a platform to stand on and pitch from.  You'll have more stability, storage and be less likely to lose things by working from the bottom of the hull.  Plus you'll save some money and time.  I'd get a large sponge for a bilge pump.  You shouldn't need it, as you'll likely not want to be out on the water when waves are big enough to come crashing over, and should you spring a leak, you just need to get to land as quickly as possible, and not fight it.  I would also install some kind of sonar unit right away.  But that's because to me, the whole point of having a boat is to fish offshore structures, and they can be hard to find without a sonar.  But those are just my preferences.  Other people will have different ones, and that's perfectly fine and valid.  

[TnRiver46]

Anchors are cheap enough??? I must be shopping at the wrong places. I lost two last summer and I’ll never pay for another. Might as well have lit fifty bucks on fire 

 

you’ve already mentioned paddles and life jacket, others said toilet paper and bail bucket. To me the rest is just fishing 

[Scott F]

One of the main uses for oars I’ve found isn’t for rowing but as a way to push yourself away from shore. Sometimes, you need to get in close to retrieve a lure and are too shallow to use a motor to get out. If you don’t want oars, get a strong, collapsible pole. One with a hook on the end helps grab tree limbs, line or a dock.  If you fish in or near shallow water, you’ll use it more than you thought.

[GreenPig]

A bilge pump is cheap insurance and I fish in the rain often as I can and my 750 GPH bilge pump saves alot of scooping. I may of missed the width of your jon. If it 40 inches or wider I deck it, if for nothing else the storage. My decked 1448 below.

[casts_by_fly]

On 3/19/2023 at 3:42 PM, JayMac89 said:

Great. Thanks guys. It sounds like I'm in good shape then. I do have seats with backrests. They're good but old. 

 

My plan is to essentially do a deck, build storage underneath. Same old thing you've guys seen time and time again. But I'm thinking now maybe do a rear and front deck. Or just deck the whole thing. Not sure. Like i said I'll see what works for me and go from there. At this point I'm just excited to fish out of it. 

 

Mark my words, at this point i don't want any fancy electronics. Guarantee by end of the season I'll be back here asking about fancy electronics. 

 

For me, I would say get the basics and start fishing it.  Don't make any big decisions until you've fish out of it a few times and have a better idea what you want and where.

 

I've done that with my kayak now and I've got it pretty well tuned to me.  If I were to jump into a boat, I have a pretty good idea where I like things and what I need/want.  I would give it at least a couple trips, maybe a full season, and put a deck in.  Part of the benefit of having the boat is that you keep your rods, tackle, and gear loaded and ready to go.  That would mean a rod locker and at least 2-3 other hatches for tackle and gear.  Definitely one in the back for rain gear, tools, PFDs, etc.  The fishing stuff would stay at the front.  If you're going to deck it eventually, you might find that you prefer an inset for the trolling motor pedal.  Or you might not.  Fish it and see for you.  

 

And yes, you'll want some electronics soon.  How much and where will depend on how you fish.  If you just fish down the bank you might just want a small piranha type unit in the back.  If you actively use electronics you might want one in the back (for side imaging and navigation) and one in the front for 2D and/or livescope.  If you are interested, I have a helix 7 in the classifieds right now that I just took off my kayak.  Might as well jump to where you're going to end up.

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, GreenPig said:

A bilge pump is cheap insurance and I fish in the rain often as I can and my 750 GPH bilge pump saves alot of scooping. I may of missed the width of your jon. If it 40 inches or wider I deck it, if for nothing else the storage. My decked 1448 below.

Lord have mercy what happens when you drop a sinker?? It’s just rolls off the side??? You watch dawg sports on that tv too, don’t lie