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fonewiz

Years ago I owned a flat bottom Jon boat that I used on lakes and loved it.

I have been on the path to buy a couple of kayaks for fishing around the bay and off 361 near Aransas pass. Basically, all the back water areas, anything that's not the open gulf waters.

I bought one kayak already and am in the processes of looking for another for my 15 year old son.

After uses the first Kayak, it's not terrible but I don't think it's going to be as enjoyable as my old flat bottom Jon boat to fish out of.

My question is, will a 14ft flat bottom aluminum Jon boat with a decent motor and a trolling motor be safe enough to use around the back water areas and the bay? I don't want to get out in water that's bigger than the boat can safely handle.

I live in San Antonio so I can make a lot of use of this kind of boat on the lakes around here.

If I can safely use this type of boat around Corpus, it's a no brainer for me to buy one.

I like these types of boats because I don't have the hassles of larger boats. I can basically lean it up against the fence in the back yard and cover it. Maintenance is MUCH less than a "Real" boat. If I buy a pickup later, I don't even need a trailer, I can put it in the pickup. Getting in the water would kinda suck if I was by myself though, LOL.

Any thoughts from you real fishermen or fisherladies would be appreciated. I don't spend enough time around the back waters when I go down to see what type of boats people use back there.

Thanks.

TailStalker · Horse Mullet Joined: 11 May 2014 Posts: 131

I couldnt count the times that I have been all the way to the land cut in a 14 ft jon boat with a 35 on it. Game wardens always got a laugh stopping a 2 guys in a tiller handled aluminum boat on the south side of baffin with their limits of trout and reds, and finding out we launched at Marker 37. From that boat, I went to a Carolina Skiff j16 with a 35 on it, and fished the same areas up until 09 when I got my Majek.. Many times I wish I would have just kept that boat instead of jumping up to the bigger boat.

fonewiz · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:19 pm Post subject:

fonewiz · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:21 pm Post subject:

Also, it seems this type of boat should allow me to get most places a kayak could get, right? I keep hearing a lot about really shallow 3-4' water that people catch lots of reds and other fish in.

At some point, I am going to figure out this flounder gigging thing as well and I think this boat should allow me to do that as well. Even if I find my spot, then get out and walk with boat tied to me LOL..

Just learning and thanks to any and all for advice.

TailStalker · Horse Mullet Joined: 11 May 2014 Posts: 131

Definetely. Nice thing about them is they are so light if you have to get out and drag it, it's and easy task.

BayFly · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:24 am Post subject:

Make sure your teeth are well rooted, because they can be rough to ride in, while great to fish out of. Also, I would not plan on dragging it in the sand too much, because you will just have to repair it at some point. I've got an old 11' footer which I had drug a few too many times and had to have the transom area re-welded to stop the leaking. Also, you might consider installing a bilge pump, because they are far from being self bailing. Having a motor with tilt & trim would be nice, including a manual jack-plate. Good luck and enjoy!

chapcat54 · Horse Mullet Joined: 15 Jun 2015 Posts: 185

I had a 16' jon that I bought brand new in the late 80's including a Mariner 20 hp w/ tiller handle. I loved that boat, and fished with it a lot around CC. It worked fine fishing the ULM and Redfish bay. I would only advise to be careful for sudden winds as they can be a real bear if caught in the open water or even a channel like the ICW. but I am sure you know that already.

I was fishing in Steadman flats one evening when the winds suddenly picked up. I had launched at the marina in AP, so I had to navigate across the ICW. The winds were blowing strong right down the length of the ICW, and those waves got up to about 2 ft or more and scared the bejezus out of me while crossing the channel.

fri8632 · Finger Mullet Joined: 28 Aug 2015 Posts: 16

In the early 70s got myself a 14 ft aluminum heavy gauge (.072) i think....loved that boat..had a brand new 40 hsp evinrude....every other weekend I'd launch from Goose Island and hit Cedar Bayou in an hour and 20 minutes or so..oh the memories...you won't regret getting a jon boat but just make sure you get heavy gauge aluminum.....

RPool · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:34 am Post subject:

It's how Doug Bird, a Canadian, learned the lagoon well enough to guide. Bought a new one every year.

ironmanstan · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:47 am Post subject:

It's all I ever used. I didn't own a fiberglass boat until I was 50 years old.
Aluminum boats are a fine way to start out.
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landlocked beachbum · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:19 am Post subject:

I had a 1994 Lowe Panfisher for about 17 years: 15' 11" with a 40 HP, all aluminum with a 5 degree "semi V" bottom, which is basically a flat bottom. It also had front steering, which was great for rives and the flats on fairly calm days, not so much for lots of chop or waves.

Still, I fished down there many times in LM, the bay, Packery channel and outside and never had a problem. Also fished those same places in Orange Beach Alabama and Destin Florida, going more than a few miles offshore in some fairly rough/windy conditions.

Was it comfortable doing that? NO! Was it safely capable? Yes, WITH the right person driving! THAT is the biggest thing of all, not the boat type or length.
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Anthoknee · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:39 am Post subject:

a. Where would you go in Corpus Christi to look at Jon Boats?
b. What kind of budget do you need to get started?

Only reason I am asking. I am on the fence about getting a kayak. I simply want to get to skinny water and fish. If the bite isn't there, I'd much rather like to turn on the engine and get to another spot. I'd also like to take my gal and pup with me, which isn't do-able in a yak... Also, if I tell my gal that the boat purchase is "for the family", it'd be a much EASIER purchase LOL

dmchan · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:42 pm Post subject:

rodandroll · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:44 pm Post subject:

My next boats is gonna be aluminum, but its gonna be one of those big flat bottom boats the gator people down in La use on the gator show. Add a trolling motor and your set to go.
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BayFly · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:37 am Post subject:

Fishing out of a jon boat and a kayak are two very different experiences. You can get more places, and quicker in a jon boat, but you can probably catch more fish out of a kayak in shallow water, providing you know what you are doing. That being said, it does not improve the carrying capacity or comfort of the kayak. BTW, I love the new seats in some of the kayaks! Maybe two kayaks, or a bigger jon boat you can carry two kayaks on? Every boat is a compromise, because we all wish we could buy one boat in which we could do everything we wanted to, but it's just has not been invented. When you get to be an old man like me then you have hopefully, or unfortunately accumulated one of each! Very Happy