I am looking to get a small boat for small county lakes that are electric only and I need some advice.  I am looking at either a Bass Pro pond hopper or a jon boat, the catch is financially, I can only affort about $500 max for the boat, so my question is this.  Which would you get, the 9' pond hopper or a 10' jon boat.  I am looking for something that is pretty stable and that I can fit in the back of my Ford Explorer Sport Trac, that is another reason why I am limited on size.  

I have been looking at Craigslist, but haven't found anything that has really jumped out and said buy me.

I have a 12' pelican (plastic) jon boat, it's great for those little electric only lakes, but I am kicking myself for not getting an aluminum boat.  Keep looking on craigslist that's where I found mine.  

BTW, I drive a Ford Ranger, and I put it in the bed, so you shouldn't have any problems getting into your truck, since they are both built on the same platform.  You just have a shorter bed but, it should be ok.

I have a bass pro pond prowler it is 9 ft. and i love it but it is a little heavy to lift by yourself. in the back of a truck. I have a little trailer i haul mine on. but if you're looking for something stable in that price range i would go with the pond prowler. because you can stand in it and you can get a lot of places. other boats can't

As far as weight goes, all I need to be able to do is lift the front end in the truck and then slide it in the rest of the way.  I am trying to avoid having to get a trailer for the boat since I really don't have the storage space for a trailered boat.

Go aluminum.  You will beat yourself silly if you don't.  Also, buy used.  Buying new is a great way to lose money.

look around for a used boat. you can pick up a small used aluminum boat for under $500. You might be able to find one on a trailer and with a TM and even a small outboard for around $500.

I know in my local pennysaver there are 2, 12 foot aluminum boats on trailers for with TM's for $500 and less, and one with a TM, trailer and 6hp motor for $700.

I know you said you would rather not have a trailer. believe me, if you can get one with a trailer, get it. you will not be sorry. It makes using the boat so much easier. Lifting a boat in and out a a truck bed gets old real fast, and sooner or later you will not want to use the boat because it to much of a pain to load it, also it saves a lot of wear and tear on you truck, and the boat.

I would personally go with the Pond Hopper.  The new ones they have at BPS are actually the same model/brand as mine .... Patriot.  Highly recommend  I think with the size restrictions you couldn't find a Jon small enough and stable enough.  Stability is not an issue at all in the Pond Hopper type boats in that size class.

My vote is for a jon. X100

The smaller plastic boats like KU uses have 2 major set backs when compared to an aluminum jon, space and leakage.

The 2 we had in the past both ended up leaking at the seam (2 diff brands, one was a pelican and the other I'm not sure) No fun pullinh THAT thing up to the trailer full of water.

A jon can be configured to give you lots of room. Below is a link to my current boat.

Jons can be found by simply driving around in a lake community on the weekend and leave a note on every door that has a jon in the yard, you'll notice that many are overgrown with moss, etc. An offer of a couple Ben Franklins to remove what many homeowners see as an eye sore,...usually works. Many of these boats were left behind as kids went off to college. Just leave a properly written note explaining that you noticed the boat and if interested in selling to call (your # here)

The note can be generic and you can bring a bunch of copies with you.

You'll be surprised how many call backs you get.

Good luck

MY BOAT

Look at ebay under bassboats a guy in fayetteville nc had two bass tenders for 400.00 with a trailer!

Look at ebay under bassboats a guy in fayetteville nc had two bass tenders for 400.00 with a trailer!

Unfortunately, I have never found anything on Ebay less than 4 hours away from my house, with gas prices the way they are, it would eliminate any savings on a used boat if I had to spend just as much in gas as the cost of the boat.

I just want to add that my comments are merely my opinion based on MY experiences.  I know a few guys here in RI that love their basstender type boats.  There are more that own jons than tenders but still, the ones that like them are very loyal.  

I just want to add that my comments are merely my opinion based on MY experiences. I know a few guys here in RI that love their basstender type boats. There are more that own jons than tenders but still, the ones that like them are very loyal.

Count me in that group!!!! ;D

I guess it's all in what "floats your boat" so to speak.

I have personally owned two Jons ....... one 12 ft that we just kept at a pond we had permission to fish.  It was very basic.  No mods just bench seats.  Worked fine, but was pretty uncomfortable to fish out of.  Then last year I bought a 14ft and did a mini-bass mod to it with a front deck, floors and seats.  Well with the front deck in it was way too top heavy.  So I re did the mod much like LBH's with no deck.  It was better, but it was still too tipsy for my liking.  That is a big deal for me.  If I ever get another Jon it will be one of the BIG ones ..... which would be way too big to throw in the bed of a truck.

So specifically about the "Pond Hoppers" they have at BPS now.  The company that makes them for BPS (I guess) is the same brand boat that I have had now for 12 years.  I think they are about the best quality Pond Hopper you can get.  Like I said I have had it for 12 years.  I have beat the crap out of it (the first 10 years I threw it in and out of a truck bed) and it has been stored outside underneath the deck in all the elements.  This is the first year I have ever had a leak .......... but it's not from being on the water.  Rain water can seap in through the handle area.  Should be a quick fix this winter, but for now I just have to turn it over and let the water drain for about 10 to 15 minutes.  I have NEVER had water leak in while on the water.  As far as room .... I have had no issues.  Sure with 2 people you have to be cautious, but it's not a real big issue.  Solo .... don't know how much more room you would need from a small vessel.  I also like that they have the side areas to put your rods so they are out of they way.  that was always an issue for me with jons.  And then the biggest plus for me is STABILITY .... no way can you find a jon that is the same size that is that stable.

Plus we fush the same areas so I know the boat works well for waters around the area .... Kill Creek, Lone Star, Gardner, SM Park, Lake Olathe, Bone Creek, Louisberg, the strip pits down in Pittsburgh, etc etc etc

I just like having the option to STAND.  On a jon , you can stand and cast, don't have to be sitting down the whole time.  Heck, I can even take a walk up to the bow when I'm alone,lol

Fishing this boat alone is about as close to fishing off a real deck as you can get w/o dropping thousands of $'s.

I just like having the option to STAND. On a jon , you can stand and cast, don't have to be sitting down the whole time. Heck, I can even take a walk up to the bow when I'm alone,lol

Fishing this boat alone is about as close to fishing off a real deck as you can get w/o dropping thousands of $'s.

Got you there too ;D  When I am fishing solo I stand about 65%-75% of the time.  Now there's isn't much "walking" around though.

I just want to add that my comments are merely my opinion based on MY experiences. I know a few guys here in RI that love their basstender type boats. There are more that own jons than tenders but still, the ones that like them are very loyal.

Count me in that group!!!! ;D

I guess it's all in what "floats your boat" so to speak.

I have personally owned two Jons ....... one 12 ft that we just kept at a pond we had permission to fish. It was very basic. No mods just bench seats. Worked fine, but was pretty uncomfortable to fish out of. Then last year I bought a 14ft and did a mini-bass mod to it with a front deck, floors and seats. Well with the front deck in it was way too top heavy. So I re did the mod much like LBH's with no deck. It was better, but it was still too tipsy for my liking. That is a big deal for me. If I ever get another Jon it will be one of the BIG ones ..... which would be way too big to throw in the bed of a truck.

So specifically about the "Pond Hoppers" they have at BPS now. The company that makes them for BPS (I guess) is the same brand boat that I have had now for 12 years. I think they are about the best quality Pond Hopper you can get. Like I said I have had it for 12 years. I have beat the crap out of it (the first 10 years I threw it in and out of a truck bed) and it has been stored outside underneath the deck in all the elements. This is the first year I have ever had a leak .......... but it's not from being on the water. Rain water can seap in through the handle area. Should be a quick fix this winter, but for now I just have to turn it over and let the water drain for about 10 to 15 minutes. I have NEVER had water leak in while on the water. As far as room .... I have had no issues. Sure with 2 people you have to be cautious, but it's not a real big issue. Solo .... don't know how much more room you would need from a small vessel. I also like that they have the side areas to put your rods so they are out of they way. that was always an issue for me with jons. And then the biggest plus for me is STABILITY .... no way can you find a jon that is the same size that is that stable.

Plus we fush the same areas so I know the boat works well for waters around the area .... Kill Creek, Lone Star, Gardner, SM Park, Lake Olathe, Bone Creek, Louisberg, the strip pits down in Pittsburgh, etc etc etc

Thank KU, I think i am leaning that way just from the convenience of throwing it in my truck and going, the only problem is that not too may people are selling them on craigslist right now, hopefully that will change as winter gets closer.