First Boat Ever vs Spider Rigging

[ppowell]

I have a 14 foot jon boat that I fish out of and absolutely love it. One of the funnest parts of owning such a boat is doing all the modifications. Can't go fishing? Just go work on the boat!

You need to login in to tinboats.net you can spend hours on that site researching every aspect of jon boats.

Why do you think you need two batteries?

Here are some suggestions:

• I suggest a mod-v boat, they are generally a better choice than flat bottom
• The motor condition is of upmost importance when buying. Buy a bad motor and you will have endless headaches and cost $$$
• You don't need a casting deck, works fine without one
• You'll definitely want to mount the trolling motor on the front. You can buy a mount or build one yourself.
• Take your time and don't rush into a purchase
• Don't get hung up on one technique (spider rigging). You want to make your boat versatile, spider rigging isn't always the best technique for a given time of the year!

Mistakes I made when I bought my first jon:

• Didn't test it on the lake
• Boat was too small
• Boat leaked
• Motor was too small (couldn't plane with 9.9)
• Motor didn't like to idle

If you have a limited budget you might want to buy a bigger boat than you think you need, and then plan to put a bigger/better motor on it in a few years after saving up more money.

[Mamba334]

I will have roughly MAX $3,000 to spend on a Jon Boat.

I do like the side pulling technique! Pretty cool. I don't need a deck. I have read on numerous sites that V Hulls are tipsy but the flat bottoms isn't good on windy days. I would only take the boat out in low mph wind maybe 1-5. I don't think going out on a 10pmh day would be a good idea. Lol. I rented a boat at Bibb County Lake, wind picked up to 10-12mph, I was so nervous and the wind had the boat just spinning ... even with the anker down! It was miserable.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I am saving this thread for future info to guide me before I buy. I would like a 25hp motor and a 40-45 lb thrust trolling Minnkota w/Co-Pilot.
As for spider rigging, I think this side pulling is cool. But I am old school and like to single pole with minnows.

Do you recommend a good fish finder with GPS? Maybe the Hummingbird? Check this link out @ 8:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPafujl2hgc

[Erin Brewer]

Mamba you can set up a boat any way you like it! I have a 1436 Waco. When I bought the boat it was plain as could be. I built the trolling motor mount, I have built a removable front deck for it. I spider rig, pull crank baits,jig fish and we run jugs for catfish in the river in this boat. The sky is the limit on how you want it set up.

[Mamba334]

Love it! Great job! I really like what you've done with this. I'd be out all day on this thing! Lol. This is exactly what I was looking at doing! The wind doesn't bother you when your trolling? I keep reading that wind makes flat bottoms spin? What mph wind do you Not go fishing in? Thanks!

Also, when you troll, how long does your trolling motor give you? 6 hours?

[ppowell]

For a fish finder, GPS and downscan imaging are essential for finding crappie in my opinion. I have the Lowrance Elite-4 Chirp and love it, I think now it is called the HOOK-4. Humminbird Helix are great units too.

[Mamba334]

Thanks! I'll pick one of those up then! I'm so excited man.

[Mamba334]

Are the Contour Maps for the GPS included, or do you have to buy them separately?

[Mamba334]

Wooooooooooooow Quachita boat

[Erin Brewer]

Love it! Great job! I really like what you've done with this. I'd be out all day on this thing! Lol. This is exactly what I was looking at doing! The wind doesn't bother you when your trolling? I keep reading that wind makes flat bottoms spin? What mph wind do you Not go fishing in? Thanks!

Also, when you troll, how long does your trolling motor give you? 6 hours?

Unless they are calling for thunder storms I dont let the wind stop me. I normally only get to go one day a week so I have to take what I can get. You just have to watch the weather and play the wind. If the wind is out of the north fish a north shore line, south wind south shore. It may not be your hotspot but you never know you could find a new hotspot. As far as the spinning goes if you have a outboard on the rear of it you will have no problems just keep it in the water. I have a minkota 40lb and a large deep cycle battery from walmart and I can go from daylight till dark. As long as you get a group 29 or larger battery you should be good to go. Alot of the guy around here try to get group 31 but the $$$ goes up on those. Also alot of them are running golf cart batteries.

[Mamba334]

THANKS!