I’ve been weighing the pros and cons. I’ve kayak fished for years living in Florida.

Now I’m in Iowa in the Midwest and want to get off the bank. I can get a kayak or a v haul Jon boat and trailer for the same price lol. Lakes I’d be fishing are small to about 150 acres. May hit some larger ones occasionally. Would you be leaning toward a kayak or a jon boat? Maintenance is not a problem at all on a Jon boat I’ve had boats in the past and I’m a 20 year diesel mechanic. So maintenance is least of my worries.

You could get both. Diesel mechanics are rich.

5 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

You could get both. Diesel mechanics are rich.

Far from the truth lol

the vehicle is the difference. Boat on a trailer vs kayak in the bed of a truck? If the vehicle is an SUV and you'd put the kayak on a trailer anyway, then I'd just go with the aluminum boat. You're going to be motorized either way so the boat gives you more flexiblity, space, and stability for a given price. You give up the smaller waters that don't have a ramp but if your kayak is trailer only then it's a wash. If it is Kayak in the bed of a truck then that's a little more consideration and I'd base it on the waters you fish. I loved my autopilot. For the <300 acre lakes around here it was great. Spotlock is awesome and I won't not have it. I could carry enough gear to fish and catch fish. I could take it on bigger water, though you had to plan your day a bit better- you weren't going to beebop around the lake trying spots. Having moved from it to a trailered boat, I've given up a couple of the small lakes that are hand launch (one that has a free hand launch but a paid ramp). I kinda miss being able to drop into one or two of those small lakes. But I've picked up a lake that I really couldn't fish and I've added some flexibility in how I fish another one or two. I did manage to put it on the river once and maybe I picked the wrong ramp but there is some river work possible now too.

since you'd be looking at used floaties, I'd start looking at pricing and what's available around you. If I were to look around here, good kayaks are slim and expensive. Small aluminum boats are plentiful and cheap. A 14' aluminum in decent shape with a decent trailer plus a 10 hp motor is going to end up cheaper than most of the used Kayaks available.

To be honest, I have never fished out of a kayak. I think I would go for the john boat. Possibly more stable, could handle larger water, could be motorized, more room for storage, not sure your age, but as you get older, it may be easier to get in and out and stand up when needed. I have seen some basic john boats customised into nice bass fishing machines for very little time or money.

Thanks guys! I’m 38. So not old but not getting younger. It would be Jon boat on trailer or kayak in the bed of my truck. Right now I can get a 12 foot with trailer. With an old 2 stroke fo the same price as a kayak. Trailer has been rebuilt as well. So it’s kinda a hard decision for me lol. I’m not sure what would be better. @casts_by_fly @rboat

I’m not sure if you’ve already seen it but check out @MN Fisher’s Jon Boat conversion he christened Bass Treker, it will give you some really cool ideas especially given your skill set as a diesel mechanic which I know involves cutting torches and welding equipment from my job.

6 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m not sure if you’ve already seen it but check out @MN Fisher’s Jon Boat conversion he christened Bass Treker, it will give you some really cool ideas especially given your skill set as a diesel mechanic which I know involves cutting torches and welding equipment from my job.

I’ll do that! Oh yeah none of that’s a problem. That is a fear though. Will I wana make a huge project out of it lol

I have a 12 foot aluminum Jon boat. Had it for about 10 years now. Mostly used it for waterfowl hunting and floating a shallow river in midsummer for smallmouth.

I don't duck hunt anymore, and the river I used to fish has been altered greatly due to upstream changes, so the fishing is terrible there now.

I can't comment on a yak, but the Jon boat does provide good stability for 2 people at that size. We would stand in it while shooting at ducks or casting for river bass without worry.

A yak is going to be basically just for you. You aren't going to be taking someone with you in a yak. If you fish mostly by yourself, then this would probably be a more viable option. You can rig it with accessories moving forward too. If you regularly take someone with, then the Jon boat is probably the better option.

3 minutes ago, gim said:

I have a 12 foot aluminum Jon boat. Had it for about 10 years now. Mostly used it for waterfowl hunting and floating a shallow river in midsummer for smallmouth.

I don't duck hunt anymore, and the river I used to fish has been altered greatly due to upstream changes, so the fishing is terrible there now.

I can't comment on a yak, but the Jon boat does provide good stability for 2 people at that size. We would stand in it while shooting at ducks or casting for river bass without worry.

A yak is going to be basically just for you. You aren't going to be taking someone without you in a yak. If you fish mostly by yourself, then this would probably be a more viable option. You can rig it with accessories moving forward too. If you regularly take someone with, then the Jon boat is probably the better option.

Thank you! Nah just me if my wife and daughter go with me. It’s just pond hopping.

23 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

I’ll do that! Oh yeah none of that’s a problem. That is a fear though. Will I wana make a huge project out of it lol

Given your skill set which I don’t know I’m thinking it could be the sky’s the limit within your budget constraints. Another really cool kayak option to check out is @FryDog62’s kayak that he shared the story on also. Here’s the title of his thread and I’m sorry I couldn’t find @MN Fisher’s thread title.

Edited February 27Feb 27 by Eric 26
Removed word

Yea I’m capable of getting out of hand fast but my wife I mean accountant will reel that in lol. Only reason I’d lean toward a kayak. Is ease of storage and time. Just a whole lot easier. Thank you for the threads to look at!!!! I love stuff like that for ideas and more advice

2 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I couldn’t find @MN Fisher’s thread title.

Most of the pictures in there have been removed anyway - but basically it's 1/8x2x2 aluminum angle attached to the hull under the gunnels, cuts every 3 inches to allow it to be bent to follow the curve. 1/16x1x1 aluminum angle for the rest of the framing, including a subfloor under which went pour-foam to give flotation and leaving the central channel open for drainage.

@MN Fisher You’re selling yourself and your work short my friend. It was a great thread to follow and the end result is nothing short of beautiful.

47 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Most of the pictures in there have been removed anyway - but basically it's 1/8x2x2 aluminum angle attached to the hull under the gunnels, cuts every 3 inches to allow it to be bent to follow the curve. 1/16x1x1 aluminum angle for the rest of the framing, including a subfloor under which went pour-foam to give flotation and leaving the central channel open for drainage.

I agree that is excellent work. Very nicely laid out

I started out in a kayak and fished from it for a few years. Last year I upgraded into a bass tracker.

I would recommend getting a Jon boat as opposed to a kayak. Jon boats are more customizable, more comfortable on the water, able to move around, and allow for more storage. Plus you can also bring a partner or two on the Jon boat.

I have nothing bad to say about kayak fishing, but I wouldn't go back to it. The only reason I would go back is if I no longer had a truck or the storage for a boat.

When I was shopping around for a boat, I checked out Jon boats first in my area and they were similar in price to a tracker so I ended up with a tracker.

43 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

Thanks guys! I’m 38. So not old but not getting younger. It would be Jon boat on trailer or kayak in the bed of my truck. Right now I can get a 12 foot with trailer. With an old 2 stroke fo the same price as a kayak. Trailer has been rebuilt as well. So it’s kinda a hard decision for me lol. I’m not sure what would be better. @casts_by_fly @rboat

In that case, I would make a list of the places that you fish or would fish listed by kayak and boat. See what is needed and what would fish best. If you have electric only or hp restrictions note them. I did the same and it's a useful exercise. It also means you're making a conscious choice that you live with later. A jon boat or small aluminum will give you some flexibility between an electric on the back or a gas engine.

You also have the option of how deep to go. On a kayak you can take a basic one or go up to what Frydog or Koz have done. On a jonboat you could just take a craigslist jonboat and add a little trolling motor or you could do a full on build yourself like MN Fisher. I always advocate to start small and build up as you go unless you know exactly what you want. I did that with the kayak and it was super helpful. I learned what I liked and how I liked things laid out. I know what's important for me. When I moved from the kayak to the boat that was really helpful so that I could make the big decisions easily. I did consider a build, but decided that while I'd love it I didn't need it. And I wouldn't have followed through to finish it. It would have been a lot of work and I'm glad I went premade.

Perception Outlaw 11.5 700 dollars at Dick's sporting goods online I think(or was that price a month or so ago. deck it out how you want. I'm 54 and stand up and turn around on it. It's super comfortable and stable. Fits in my 05 f150 no problem and it's easy to load and unload.

4 hours ago, Joedodge said:

I can get a kayak or a v haul Jon boat and trailer for the same price

My brother and I chose a 12' flat bottomed Jon boat. It can go super shallow, just like a kayak. Also, we don't need a trailer. Gets strapped down in a 5.5' pickup bed with the tailgate down. I rigged up a set of wheels that gets strapped onto the rear allowing one man loading and rolling down to the water a breeze. My brother at 56 easily does all of that by himself ever since my back surgery. Also, we're electric only which isn't a bother and we fish up to 250 acres. Just a 30lb thrust Minnkota and a 50ah LiPo battery zips us along just fine for over 8hrs. A 50lb thrust would be even better. Figure 500 lbs of brothers and gear.

Just something else to consider.

I got some options. Thing is I’m

Good with either lol.

Why does the boat have to be a jon boat? I would not own one. They are terribly noisy, even little waves slapping against the square bow is noisy.

3 minutes ago, MickD said:

Why does the boat have to be a jon boat? I would not own one. They are terribly noisy, even little waves slapping against the square bow is noisy.

Because I have a budget and space constructions for storage?

Loved my old Rich Line! It was 12' and came with trailer and the outboard. I added front casting deck and trolling motor up front when I got this back in 2000. Served me well for many years. I could get just about any where a kayak could as far as shallow water. Feels like the boat could handle rougher weather vs. a yak.

In 2021 I added the decking, new fish finders, lights, USB ports, etc. Fun project, but no where near what @MN Fisher can do(!).

I really liked having a boat. Nice to be able to stand and walk around. Plenty of room for coolers and even a second person. I could even lay down and take a nap(!)

My trailer wasn't great, so I had to put on chest waders and get a little wet to get this boat on the trailer. But better than lugging a yak out of my truck bed.

Good luck with your decision!!

3 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Loved my old Rich Line! It was 12' and came with trailer and the outboard. I added front casting deck and trolling motor up front when I got this back in 2000. Served me well for many years. I could get just about any where a kayak could as far as shallow water. Feels like the boat could handle rougher weather vs. a yak.

In 2021 I added the decking, new fish finders, lights, USB ports, etc. Fun project, but no where near what @MN Fisher can do(!).

I really liked having a boat. Nice to be able to stand and walk around. Plenty of room for coolers and even a second person. I could even lay down and take a nap(!)

My trailer wasn't great, so I had to put on chest waders and get a little wet to get this boat on the trailer. But better than lugging a yak out of my truck bed.

Good luck with your decision!!

That’s a sharp lil boat!!

Love my little 1448. You'd be amazed at some of the places I've put that boat with my 4x4. All aluminum deck, floor, sub floor, float pods, and massive under deck storage.