Hey guys im relatively new to jon boats and dont know where to start. Im looking for a jon boat that with a casting deck that i can use a foot controllled bowmount trolling motor while pitching jigs to wingdams for walleye in the slring and fall and bass fishing the mississippi river(probably backwaters in weeds and pitching docksand occasionally the main channel). I need something i can comfortably stand up in. Im 6'3 220. Ill be fishing pools 10-13. Speed isnt that important to me as i enjoy just being out. Ill be on the trolling motor fishing shorelines a lot anyway. Im not new to river fishing but im new to my own boat and dont have a huge budget right now. Is it possible to have a jon boat that isnt tipsy on the front deck. 98% of the time i will be fishing by myself. Can this boat be towed with a small v4 car? Sorry for the amount of questions. Im going from my dads ranger (he moved away) to this. Thanks guys!
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mississippi river jon boat?
- Thread starter bassguy31
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johnnybassboat
Well-known member
Welcome to the site I also fish those same pools. Do most of my fishing from a 1648 alumacraft johnboat. I have installed front and rear decks and foot controlled trolling motor. I usually fish 2 people in my boat and it is very stable imo, but we only weigh about 180 lbs each. If you ever get to my area dont be afraid to contact me to take a look or a ride in it. Oh yeah my boat is a short transom with a 25hp nissan outboard.
wingsnhammers
Well-known member
Try to find a flat bottom or Modified V hull, 14-16 feet long, with a bottom width of 48" or wider. In my opinion, a boat that size will give you very good stability, room for storage/mods, and should be light enough to tow with a car. A friend has a 1652 modified V that is all welded with a 40 horse outboard and he towed it all over the place with a 2009 Impala.
cva34
Well-known member
Never fished up there But the guys above seem to be right in line with my thoughts.D X W with a 25hp will get you around at a good clip. 1 or 2 people ...Think 40 hp if more people /weight cva34
Thanks guys. Is there a certain type of side i should be looking at? (Straight vs slant-i think those are the two) will a 1648 be stable enough to comfortably fish wingdams in the main channel? Im really glad you guys are here. Saves me a headache!
johnnybassboat
Well-known member
I run lock to lock all the time, aint a fast trip but not scary or unstable. You would be fine in a 1648 imho. I fish the main channel quite a bit at times,barge traffic gets annoying at times, but not scary. As far as sides go a 20 inch transom and sides wound be better than 16 inch. Mine is 16 inches with 25 horse power, but would prefer a 20 inch deep boat with a 40 horse power motor.
get the net
New member
I used to live on the river in eastern Iowa from 1988 to 1993 and got transfered to Oklahoma then to Texas. All the guys I knew ran 16' polarcrafts with 40hp motors. I had a 16' Lund with a 40hp and it worked great. I remember May was the best time for Walleyes on the wingdams using crank baits. Then in June find the hydrilla just above the dams and catch all the LMB you want. I sure miss that river.
