Hello all -

This is my first post here.  Getting back into bass fishing after a few years hiatus.

Anyway,  I used to have an aluminum jon boat that I had rigged up real well, but unfortunately I sold it.  I can't afford a "real" boat right now, so it looks like my options would be float-tube, wading, or perhaps an inflatable.

These seem like somewhat lousy choices to me since I really like to stand and have good footing when I cast (like everyone else), and of course your access to parts of a lake are limited (except perhaps with the inflatable).

What would you folks recommend?  I live in CT, so our lakes are smaller than down south but we do have large "ponds"....(I do plan on heading south when I retire but that's another story)!

Thx in advance for your suggestions!

I've been reading stories lately of people using kayaks. That might be an option if you don't mind bringing minimal tackle.

Get a basshunter boat from bass pro shops. they are $300 to $400  and are 9 to 10 feet long. they are really stable and seat 2people and gear.

I have a boat like the one above that I use to fish small lakes and ponds around me.  They worl out great.

yeah i would go with the basshunter, 9 ft minimum, u can stand up in this. with one person they work great

I pond hop with a friend with one all the time. Just keep an eye out when the other guy casts. Besides the new piercing I get sometimes they work out great.

I fish a small lake within walking distance of home.  I use a 9 1/2 foot kayak, rigged it for three poles.  I carry 1  Plano box for lures, hooks, weights, and a ziplock bag of plastics.  The ziplock, when inflated doubles as a footrest.  I am looking for a  portable finder.The kayak is fun.  But at my age getting in and out and sitting "in there" for 6 hrs is getting tough.  My neighbor has an 8' basshunter with a trolling motor and a rigged cart to get it to the lake.  The chairs sit up and comfortable.  Pole and cup holders etc...a cool stable ride! 8)

I have fished from a Scamper II for years.  Mine has a shallow draft and is only 7'6" long, and if I bought a newer one I'd go for 8'6" or 9ft. and a little taller draft.  I have to agree you have to get used to casting from the same side and if you stand up, be careful not to sway front and back, or the boat will slip out from under you.  I recently bought a 12 ft. jonboat so my wife and daughter could go with me at the same time.  Nobody can have enough boats!!  ;D

I bought a used 14ft Duraboat w/a 9.5hp for $1000.00 awhile back. Came with trolling motor, anchor, life vests, battery etc. Been a good boat so far. Oh yea, it came with the trailer!

You can buy an old used canoe for a couple hundred bucks.That will get you around until you can get what you really want.

Last year i bought a pelican 10' pontoon boat. It works out great. One person can get it in and out of the back of the truck. Weighs 170 pounds.

basstenders is a good choice they make a few different models made of plastic and very durable i owned one for 2 years and i was very pleased with it

Im actually lookin for something to. My friend got a nice  12 ft boat with a trailer for a 100 bucks!

It need to be painted and fixed a little but you cant beat that price. Your best bet is probaly to just keep lurking ebay til som1 puts one up there in your area.

I use an 11 ft. kayak on a few small lakes I fish.  If you can't afford a motor I think a kayak is a good choice because it moves much faster than a boat with a trolling motor or a canoe.   I've gotten my kayak equipped with an anchor, gps, and depthfinder.

I BOUGHT A LIL PONTOON CALLED A WATER SKEETER. BASS PRO HAS THEM FOR ABOUT 350 BUCKS. I DID SOME MODDING TO IT AND NOW WHERE THE SEAT IS , NOW A DECK FOR STANDING. GOT A FISH FINDER AND A TROLLING MOTOR ON IT. HAD TO PUT SIDE RAILS UP TOO CAUSE OF OTHER BOATS WAKES. FIRST TIME I TOOK IT OUT WITHOUT RAILS I WENT OVERBOARD.