Bladesmith,

There are several companies that make a small craft (Bass Buggy, Bass Buster, Water Scamp, Pelican, etc) that are very stable in the water (unlike canoes and kayaks. They are inexpensive and easy for a beginner to manage. They can be outfitted with all kinds of accessories (electric trolling motors, depth finders,etc) as you can afford it. They are an excellent choice for a beginner boater to get on the water, both in terms of safety and affordability. You can often find one used and already outfitted for very reasonable. Once you have the ability to move around on the water, you will see a huge difference in your fishing experience.