Jon boat must haves

[GreenPig]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

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 

Come on man! Everybody knows my wife ties all my baits on at the house. If I break off I just grab another rod. I ain't letting no dawg sports interrupt my fishing and singing.?

[Deleted account]

On 3/19/2023 at 11:57 AM, JayMac89 said:

I'm a HVAC/R mechanic,

 

Hey, I'm converting an AC condenser to a heat pump, how do I size the suction line accumulator?

[Bankbeater]

If you can afford it I would get rid of the 30-pound motor and get one with at least 40-pound thrust.  If you are on a 50 acre lake and get hit with a hard gust of wind it will turn that jon boat before you know what's happening.

I would also go with the suggestion that @MN Fisher made about a 15 pound anchor.  I've dragged a 10 pound anchor on the bottom during a windy day.

Something else to think about is getting a push pole just in case you run up on top of something.

[Scott F]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

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 

That was the same thing I thought when I saw that photo. Pliers, rods, sunglasses, lures, towels, everything would wind up sliding or blowing over the side eventually if that was my boat

[txchaser]

 

On 3/19/2023 at 8:12 AM, JayMac89 said:

I have a 30lb thrust trolling motor.

If you can swing it, upgrading to a variable thrust 55lb trolling motor will make you happy. The variable thrust will let you nearly hover/spotlock in place; the 5-speed will leave you always a little too fast or too slow. 30lb may leave you drifting in the wind. Even with 55 I've had times where I had to push pole off a bank, trolling motor couldn't cleanly cut through all the weeds and the wind was in my face. But I'll fish in pretty high winds in a jon boat because I think it's good fishing weather. 

On 3/19/2023 at 8:12 AM, JayMac89 said:

Is a bilge pump a must have

Nope. Big sponge, a coke can, whatever. If it's leaking fast enough to need a pump you're in trouble. 

On 3/19/2023 at 8:12 AM, JayMac89 said:

Do i need a on/off switch for the motor? Obviously a battery charger at home, but any battery accessories for on the water? 

No switch. Get a battery box for the battery though. Most have a breaker built it. I use the Minn Kota one. It's fine, but when I replace it I'll try the northport (northlands? something like that) one because MK should have put lok-tite on the nuts inside, and they didn't. You'll have to retighten them every now and then and it is kind of a pain in the butt. 

On 3/19/2023 at 10:15 AM, Catt said:

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

yes

On 3/19/2023 at 10:57 AM, JayMac89 said:

Little mushroom anchor should be enough? 

I carry a 17lb anchor with three spines on it, kind of a cross like a mushroom anchor with teeth. And a 10lb kettlebell to add on when the wind is high. 

 

On 3/19/2023 at 1:32 PM, MN Fisher said:

anchor rope

I got a 50' and cut it in half. Usually only need the 25 ft, and I just tie on the other 25 when I think I'll need it. Otherwise there's a bunch of rope everywhere and it makes me nuts. 

 

On 3/19/2023 at 8:49 AM, Choporoz said:

Spare boat plug. 

100% yes

 

Also, trolling motor wrench, flathead screwdriver that fits the shaft, and an extra pin. Sometimes they get sheared off. I think there's a whole kit you can get that's like $10 for the wrench and pins. The TM wrench will be much easier than messing with a crescent wrench while you are out on the lake, leaning over the side, trying to replace the pin. Put the wrench on a bit of twine or 550 cord so when you drop it in the water you won't be stuck. 

 

A pushpole has been nice in really shallow water, you can get some places that others might not be able to go, and may save you downwind. I use frabill's extendable lure retriever as double duty. 

 

Even a really inexpensive fish finder will let you know how deep you are, and find offshore structure. A mapping one will be even better, but anything is better than no having one at all. 

 

[Catt]

5 hours ago, txchaser said:

I carry a 17lb anchor with three spines on it, kind of a cross like a mushroom anchor with teeth

 

[GRiver]

Check out tin boats.net or tiny boat nation.net 

I fished out off a 12/36 with a 9.8hp for a few years, loved it. 
Get all your safety equipment, extra plugs etc. ( and make it legal) and fish out of it for a season, you’ll know ya want and need by then. A lot of nice and knowledgeable people on the tin boat site, just like here. A ton of diy stuff, I had a lot of fun building mine.

Have fun, be safe and send some pic of your boat. 

[airshot]

On a 14' boat, 1/2" rope is overkill unless you already have it. 1/4 would be fine or 5/16 if you want heavy duty!  I agree with others, upgrade that 30 lb trolling motor to a 50 or bigger.  Or get a little 2-3 hp gas and use the elec on the front.  A plastic milk jug with a cut out makes an awesome bailing can and a good place to store  sponge !  This isnt happening without pics to prove it !!

[JayMac89]

21 hours ago, txchaser said:

 

If you can swing it, upgrading to a variable thrust 55lb trolling motor will make you happy. The variable thrust will let you nearly hover/spotlock in place; the 5-speed will leave you always a little too fast or too slow. 30lb may leave you drifting in the wind. Even with 55 I've had times where I had to push pole off a bank, trolling motor couldn't cleanly cut through all the weeds and the wind was in my face. But I'll fish in pretty high winds in a jon boat because I think it's good fishing weather. 

Nope. Big sponge, a coke can, whatever. If it's leaking fast enough to need a pump you're in trouble. 

No switch. Get a battery box for the battery though. Most have a breaker built it. I use the Minn Kota one. It's fine, but when I replace it I'll try the northport (northlands? something like that) one because MK should have put lok-tite on the nuts inside, and they didn't. You'll have to retighten them every now and then and it is kind of a pain in the butt. 

yes

I carry a 17lb anchor with three spines on it, kind of a cross like a mushroom anchor with teeth. And a 10lb kettlebell to add on when the wind is high. 

 

I got a 50' and cut it in half. Usually only need the 25 ft, and I just tie on the other 25 when I think I'll need it. Otherwise there's a bunch of rope everywhere and it makes me nuts. 

 

100% yes

 

Also, trolling motor wrench, flathead screwdriver that fits the shaft, and an extra pin. Sometimes they get sheared off. I think there's a whole kit you can get that's like $10 for the wrench and pins. The TM wrench will be much easier than messing with a crescent wrench while you are out on the lake, leaning over the side, trying to replace the pin. Put the wrench on a bit of twine or 550 cord so when you drop it in the water you won't be stuck. 

 

A pushpole has been nice in really shallow water, you can get some places that others might not be able to go, and may save you downwind. I use frabill's extendable lure retriever as double duty. 

 

Even a really inexpensive fish finder will let you know how deep you are, and find offshore structure. A mapping one will be even better, but anything is better than no having one at all. 

 

Thanks for the input!

 

I'm actually thinking the 30lb might be a tad light. I like to fish in wind.  But it was cheap enough. Who knows, I may end up hating a boat and go the kayak route. If I end up loving it, which I think I will, I'll splurge and upgrade to a beefier motor. 

 

And thank you again for the input, that battery box you mentioned im going to look into. Kills two birds with one stone. I like that.

 

Any suggestion on a cheap fish finder. I started doing a little research but don't really know what's good or bad. Saw two that looked interesting. A smaller garmin, can't remember the model. And i think the other was a helix? Somthing like that. Bigger but less features i belive. But i couldn't comprehend what half the features even were 

 

[Lead Head]

I definitely agree with everyone who is suggesting you upgrade your TM. If you have no plans to put a gas motor on it I would suggest something 24v. You want to be confident in your mobility on windy days, otherwise you will miss out on some good fishing. 

 

Even if you have no interest in "fancy" electronics, simply knowing your depth is extremely beneficial. I suggest something with basic downscan, gps, depth, and water temperature, if you can get by with a small screen you can get all of that at a very affordable price. If you use it a lot you can add it to your list for upgrade. 

[Dogface]

5 hours ago, airshot said:

On a 14' boat, 1/2" rope is overkill unless you already have it. 1/4 would be fine or 5/16 if you want heavy duty! 

 

A 1/2" rope is much easier to handle than a thin rope in cold weather. 

 

Here are Minn Kota's recommendations for engine thrust vs. length and weight.

 

 https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/support/trolling-motor-installation-guides/motor-selection-boat-size-guide

[txchaser]

3 hours ago, JayMac89 said:

Any suggestion on a cheap fish finder

100% your best bet is in the flea market here. Barring that, something like a striker 4 which will be a little over $100 new. I haven't used any in that price range, so hard to make a specific recommendation; I started with a deeper pro. But either go as inexpensive as you can from one of the major brands, or get something like a 7" with SI. I'd start with the former though. 

 

One thing to note about the digital/variable TM - they use a different approach to managing speed, so my 12v battery usually ends the day at 75%, instead of the 25% with a 5-speed. Anyway you'll know real quick after a few days on the water whether the 30 is workable for a while. 

 

 

[Catt]

8 hours ago, Dogface said:

A 1/2" rope is much easier to handle than a thin rope in cold weather. 

 

Exactly ?

 

I didn't suggest 1/2" because of break strength. The same goes for braided rope over twisted...it's about comfort. 

 

Some of y'all laugh when I suggest only 25' of rope. If a 17-20# Tri-fluke anchor with 25' of rope doesn't hold a jon boat ya might wanna get off the water.

[TnRiver46]

46 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Exactly ?

 

I didn't suggest 1/2" because of break strength. The same goes for braided rope over twisted...it's about comfort. 

 

Some of y'all laugh when I suggest only 25' of rope. If a 17-20# Tri-fluke anchor with 25' of rope doesn't hold a jon boat ya might wanna get off the water.

Well I fish swift water so you have to use 100 ft of rope and it still never holds. And if it does grab, you will never see that anchor again (unless your buddy finds it years later and gives it back as a joke)

[Catt]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Well I fish swift water so you have to use 100 ft of rope and it still never holds. And if it does grab, you will never see that anchor again (unless your buddy finds it years later and gives it back as a joke)

 

Understand but the OP is fishing out of a 14' Jon boat on small bodies of water. 

[Troy85]

On top of everything else mentioned.  I  carry a spare Trolling motor blade and a spare fuel primer ball, I've had to replace both while out on the water. 

 

This may not be necessary for you, but I fish a lot of shallow water with old oil field equipment scattered around and all sorts of other stuff, so I always carry a spare prop for my outboard.

[Dogface]

6 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Exactly ?

 

I didn't suggest 1/2" because of break strength. The same goes for braided rope over twisted...it's about comfort. 

 

Some of y'all laugh when I suggest only 25' of rope. If a 17-20# Tri-fluke anchor with 25' of rope doesn't hold a jon boat ya might wanna get off the water.

 

One day while duck hunting in the winter I was letting out some rope in a current. I was holding the rope because I wanted to position the boat in a precise spot. The rope was sliding through my neoprene gloves. After I got positioned I realized the rope had cut two slits right through my gloves. Thin rope can cut like a saw blade.

 

I lost my Tri-fluke anchor in Lake Champlain last year. Dropped the anchor to fish a rock pile. When I was done fishing I pulled up the rope and somehow the anchor came off and all I had was a hook no anchor.   

[TnRiver46]

33 minutes ago, Dogface said:

 

One day while duck hunting in the winter I was letting out some rope in a current. I was holding the rope because I wanted to position the boat in a precise spot. The rope was sliding through my neoprene gloves. After I got positioned I realized the rope had cut two slits right through my gloves. Thin rope can cut like a saw blade.

 

I lost my Tri-fluke anchor in Lake Champlain last year. Dropped the anchor to fish a rock pile. When I was done fishing I pulled up the rope and somehow the anchor came off and all I had was a hook no anchor.   

There is a monster similar to nessie in champlain, maybe she has your anchor 

[Dogface]

7 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

There is a monster similar to nessie in champlain, maybe she has your anchor 

 

That would be Champ. BTW I was thinking the same thing. Maybe Champ is into salvaging scrap metal in addition to monstering. ?

[Gera]

A buddy and a cooler with nice beer

[airshot]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Exactly ?

 

I didn't suggest 1/2" because of break strength. The same goes for braided rope over twisted...it's about comfort. 

 

Some of y'all laugh when I suggest only 25' of rope. If a 17-20# Tri-fluke anchor with 25' of rope doesn't hold a jon boat ya might wanna get off the water.

Different for me as I have arthritus in my hands, the 1/2" is much more difficult to handle. I also always use braided, much easier on the hands!!  In a small boat, having 50 or a 100 feet of 1/2" rope takes up a lot more room then 50' of 5/16" !!!   1/2" is much more difficult to tie a knot than 5/16.... But to each his own!!