Thread: 14ft jon boat or get a kayak?

This was my first year doing some heavy crappie fishing and what to get off the bank, was looking into buying a small jon boat with a 9.9hp mercury for around 3gs used, I have a friend that fishes off a kayak and tells me to just get a yak no ramp fees, taxes and all the expenses that come with a boat but I don't know if I'm gonna like all that paddling what's yall take?

I love kayak fishing personally. I can put in anywhere I can get to the water. Plus I can get places a John boat can’t. Just my opinion. Good luck.


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Get a pedal kayak. Now that I pedal it’s faster and keeps hands free for fishing more. Plus on windy days paddling sucks!! Look for one with a good seat, and high seat option helps standing and comfort. I can throw in back of truck and go. No fees, taxes or maintenance. Go try them out before buying. Lots of kayak shops have date for trying them out first.

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Get a pedal kayak. Now that I pedal it’s faster and keeps hands free for fishing more. Plus on windy days paddling sucks!! Look for one with a good seat, and high seat option helps standing and comfort. I can throw in back of truck and go. No fees, taxes or maintenance. Go try them out before buying. Lots of kayak shops have date for trying them out first.

Hi Dave, been thinking about a pedal kayak myself lately . could you tell me what kind of outfit your using and do you like it? are there any other models you'd recommend me checking into? i mainly fish small lakes and sometimes reservoirs' if the conditions are right . Thanks

Originally Posted by treepotato

Hi Dave, been thinking about a pedal kayak myself lately . could you tell me what kind of outfit your using and do you like it? are there any other models you'd recommend me checking into? i mainly fish small lakes and sometimes reservoirs' if the conditions are right . Thanks

linked to another thread so not to hijack this one. Hope this helps.

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/kaya...e-titan-3.html

It really depends on the waters you fish. I opted for a small two man bass boat because I fish alot of bridge pilings. I have a 5hp outboard but about half the time I simply use the trolling motor. A kayak would not be a good choice for how I fish. Your needs could be totally different.

Yup where and how do you plan on fishing? Rawr has a kayak fishing video where he fished under bridges that were to low for boats. I haven’t had any problems fishing bridge pilings but like Grainraiser said your needs may be different. Does your buddy have any trouble with his anywhere? Are there days you both could go in Jon boat together instead? Kayaks can get heavy, Capable of lifting it constantly or rather just load a trailer? Just things to think of.

I will be fishing local lakes around 12 mi² On windy days water gets pretty rough so I'm worried about fishing in the winter with a kayak, I have never owned a boat or a kayak that's why I'm doing my research before choosing one, I would like the boat so I can take a friend or my 12 year old son with me fishing but I like how simple the kayak would be no ramp fee no taxes no maintenance , I don't know anybody that owns a boat so I cant ask for their advice.

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Yup where and how do you plan on fishing? Rawr has a kayak fishing video where he fished under bridges that were to low for boats. I haven’t had any problems fishing bridge pilings but like Grainraiser said your needs may be different. Does your buddy have any trouble with his anywhere? Are there days you both could go in Jon boat together instead? Kayaks can get heavy, Capable of lifting it constantly or rather just load a trailer? Just things to think of.

Originally Posted by Rodrigoelgu

I will be fishing local lakes around 12 mi² On windy days water gets pretty rough so I'm worried about fishing in the winter with a kayak, I have never owned a boat or a kayak that's why I'm doing my research before choosing one, I would like the boat so I can take a friend or my 12 year old son with me fishing but I like how simple the kayak would be no ramp fee no taxes no maintenance , I don't know anybody that owns a boat so I cant ask for their advice.

Unless you want to buy multiple kayaks sounds like you know the answer for you then. I think I would try for the boat as well with your situation. Nobody likes having to pay anything but somethings are worth it. The memories you can make with your son.......priceless.

I do plan on giving my oldest daughter my old fishing kayak so she can go with me when she is old enough. Between me, my wife and our girls we have 4 kayaks now. Probably will add more as the girls age. We love it.

I have to agree on those priceless moments especially with my son, but since I don't own either if kayak is a better option I can get my son an I one, I just wanna make the best decision possible and would like opinions from people that own both and have the experience I don't have, thank you sir..

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Unless you want to buy multiple kayaks sounds like you know the answer for you then. I think I would try for the boat as well with your situation. Nobody likes having to pay anything but somethings are worth it. The memories you can make with your son.......priceless.

I do plan on giving my oldest daughter my old fishing kayak so she can go with me when she is old enough. Between me, my wife and our girls we have 4 kayaks now. Probably will add more as the girls age. We love it.