I've had a 14'er with a deck and a trolling motor and I caught a ton of fish in that little thing. I have a kayak nowadays and while I enjoy it, it doesn't really compare to standing in a boat with 4-5 rods and a bunch of tackle. Just about everything is more difficult in a kayak from boat positioning to retying to netting fish to skipping docks ect, ect. Now I know some kayaker is going to say he can do all that in his kayak. Sure, but not as well and not as easily. And we know that a jon boat or V hull is going to be safer. Granted, you have experience as a kayaker so you'd definitely know what you're getting into. Good luck with your decision and I look forward to reading about your adventures!

16 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I've had a 14'er with a deck and a trolling motor and I caught a ton of fish in that little thing. I have a kayak nowadays and while I enjoy it, it doesn't really compare to standing in a boat with 4-5 rods and a bunch of tackle. Just about everything is more difficult in a kayak from boat positioning to retying to netting fish to skipping docks ect, ect. Now I know some kayaker is going to say he can do all that in his kayak. Sure, but not as well and not as easily. And we know that a jon boat or V hull is going to be safer. Granted, you have experience as a kayaker so you'd definitely know what you're getting into. Good luck with your decision and I look forward to reading about your adventures!

Thanks so much for the great reply. I completely agree with you on all that

I vote kayak. I feel like I am up close and personal to the fishing experience. it's more challenging, so I think it's making me a better fisherman. going out with a group of kayaking buds is a highlight. I cant imagine a group of friends going out in a Jon-Boat armada.

I like how it's so raw really. I could actually flip and eff myself up. keeps me on my toes.

I love it.

I say kayak. The type of water you are describing is prefect for a kayak. I can currently carry way too many rods and way too much tackle with my kayak setup for one days fishing so storage is a mute point to me.

I think you will have an easier time storing the kayak too.

If you needed to make big runs to get to you fishing spot the the Jon boat would be a better choice but you are on smaller lake so not much difference between the two.

As far as stability goes you can fall out of both as well. There are many very stable kayaks out now that you can stand up in without issues like a Jon boat.

Also kayak come in better colors then Jon boats.🤪

There’s lots of great information on this thread. I’m a kayak guy for many reasons, but jon boats and bass boats are great as well.

One thing to think about is your fishing style, especially if you prefer to stand and fish.

My kayak is stable and I do stand and fish. But if I’m fishing main lake with lots of boat traffic and wakes I’m going to stay seated. If I get surprised by a wave or wake there’s not much room to reposition my feet and balance.

I also like to skip baits, and that’s much easier when standing. To better skip when seated, I bought a shorter rod.

The biggest drawbacks of the kayak are speed and range. There are times when I have to motor 90 minutes from the nearest ramp to get to my spots. You can overcome that with a jon boat.

For 150 acre lakes only by yourself I would do the kayak. For anything bigger or with anyone I would do the boat. I have a 14 ft Lowe v-hull with a 20 hp Mercury in it that I got for $4500. I built a deck on it but then took it out. It’s more comfortable and easier to organize without it. My family (wife/teenage son) go with me maybe 10% of the time, and I cherish those times like no other, but mostly it’s just me. The takedown/setup of the boat actually takes less time than my yak, and I can get that boat into 98% of what I can get my kayak into. And if you’re going to trailer a kayak, the boat trailer I have doesn’t take up any more space than a kayak trailer I previously had.

Back in the day I kept a 14ft. 44 inches wide jon boat with a thirty-power trolling motor on a small 100 acres plus private lake. Could bring a fishing buddy. Battery and trolling motor in the trunk of my car. 2 rods and small tackle box. Old school fishing and some of the best times I ever had.

Good Fishing

What about a bass raider 10e or similar no trailer needed I throw mine in the back of the truck and a 55lb thrust trolling motor works great. I fish ponds and bigger lakes with it.

11 minutes ago, Born 2 fish said:

What about a bass raider 10e or similar no trailer needed I throw mine in the back of the truck and a 55lb thrust trolling motor works great. I fish ponds and bigger lakes with it.

I have looked into those. I wouldn’t be opposed if I found a good deal on one

1 hour ago, Joedodge said:

I have looked into those. I wouldn’t be opposed if I found a good deal on one

Keep a eye on Facebook marketplace my neighbor got a great deal on one last fall.

I have a peddle kayak use on both freshwater lakes, and the ocean. I can launch it from the beach or at a remote lake with ease. I have a small SUV that will not tow a boat making my kayak the only real option. before I bought the kayak I looked for a small boat but there were none available in my area.

If I had my choice I would get a boat. The main reason is I could take someone fishing with me. Many friends ask if they could go bass fishing with me, and I have to ask them if they have a access to a kayak. If I had a boat I could say meet at my house at 3:00 AM and we will go fishing.

As far as catching bass, I don't feel there is any disadvantage fishing out of my kayak. I would never buy a kayak I had to paddle. I have tried fishing out of mine when my peddle drive broke, and I know it can be done, but not by me.

I believe a small jon boat with a good electric motor, would be perfect for my fishing, but for now I will use my kayak without any complaints.

One thing to think about is the registration and fees. I'm not sure how it is in Iowa, but in Missouri you don't have to register a kayak unless it is motor driven.

1 hour ago, Bankbeater said:

One thing to think about is the registration and fees. I'm not sure how it is in Iowa, but in Missouri you don't have to register a kayak unless it is motor driven.

Exact same here as well

On 2/27/2026 at 7:54 PM, Joedodge said:

Thanks so much for the great reply. I completely agree with you on all that

I also agree with @Junk Fisherman and I'm smitten by paddling, so I suggest you buy a jonboat unless, like me, you love to paddle. For this reason, I don't understand kayaks with motors, but to each their own.

On 2/28/2026 at 8:17 PM, king fisher said:

I would never buy a kayak I had to paddle.

This is why I am consider King Fisher to be a witch. A funny, wise witch who catches DDs, but a witch never-the-less. I'm not 100% certain. If I ever meet him, I'll test him to see if he floats like a duck.

8 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

I also agree with @Junk Fisherman and I'm smitten by paddling, so I suggest you buy a jonboat unless, like me, you love to paddle. For this reason, I don't understand kayaks with motors, but to each their own.

This is why I am consider King Fisher to be a witch. A funny, wise witch who catches DDs, but a witch never-the-less. I'm not 100% certain. If I ever meet him, I'll test him to see if he floats like a duck.

Recreational paddling definitely is not my thing. I enjoy the ease of a kayak a lot. But I don’t wana fight Midwest wind paddling and tryin to fish.

On 2/27/2026 at 3:56 PM, Joedodge said:

Because I have a budget and space constructions for storage?

Canoe w/55# trolling motor. Covers all your bases; easy maintenance, fits two easily, light weight, capable of gass or electric motors, easy to store and transport and best of all affordable.

I’ve had pontoons, deep V’s, bass boats and kayaks and enjoy my Sportspal canoe as much as any of them.

I contemplated kayak vs. smaller boat many times. For me it came down to two primary things:

1) If you regularly fish large expanses of water where speed is a premium factor, and/or fish with another person regularly - then you need to get a small boat.

2) If you’re emphasis is creature comforts or you are limited on garage space/storage options, then I lean towards a nice motorized fishing kayak.

On 3/2/2026 at 8:26 PM, Motoboss said:

Canoe w/55# trolling motor. Covers all your bases; easy maintenance, fits two easily, light weight, capable of gass or electric motors, easy to store and transport and best of all affordable.

I’ve had pontoons, deep V’s, bass boats and kayaks and enjoy my Sportspal canoe as much as any of them.

Fished a set up exactly like that hauled the same way and everything for years. My trolling motor canoe was pretty cool.

A 12' V-hull is much different than a 12' Jon boat.

I have a 12' V-hull and I've had it out in the intercoastal waterway with 3' swells (caught in a thunderstorm flounder fishing) and it handled it just fine, although I was pretty nervous!

I wouldn't want to be caught out in any type of rough water with a Jon boat, but the V hull will handle rough water much better and is a much safer boat in my opinion. Mine drafts about 4" and I can lift the outboard all the way out of the water and use the trolling motor to get me around. If a kayak can go there, I can almost guarantee I can get my V-hull in there too.

Some advantages of a small V-hull versus a kayak:

1. Outboard power - I have a 6 hp 2 stroke ('69 Johnson Sea Horse) on mine that is very reliable and lightweight. Miles and miles of range.

2. Room for 2 adults - can stand and fish simultaneously without issues.

3. More room for your gear, and much more comfortable.

4. Anchoring is easier and safer. I actually have an anchor winch on mine. Best $100 amazon purchase ever.

5. Take your wife / kid fishing. Some of my best memories ever have been made in that little boat watching my kids catch their first bass. I wouldn't feel safe with a 3 year old in a canoe or kayak... but the V-hull, most definitely (with a life jacket!!).

Canoes and Kayaks certainly have advantages too, especially for places with difficult access where trailering a boat isn't possible. I also have a 16' Old Town royalex canoe which is great for fishing shallow rivers that I wouldn't want to put my V hull in.

If you have a place to launch it from, my vote is a small V-hull boat all the way. So much more comfortable and easy to fish out of.

Unless you’re doing some real backwoods stuff go with the Jon boat. Most kayak guys try to make their kayaks into bass boats with all the electronics, motors, trailers, etc.

If you could find an old Coleman Crawdad boat in good condition it may work well. I believe they are about 11ft long and 130lbs. It could go in the back of a truck or small trailer, handle 2 people, and can go with trolling motor or small gas engine. They are made out of similar stuff as a kayak but are more like a jon boat. Stabil so you can stand up and fish. They work well in smaller lakes or rivers. They are no longer made, but have a cult following. People modify them with decks and storage. Just google it and you will see some nice setups. It is the boat I started with as a kid.

Another nice rig is a Geehnoe. They are like an extra wide canoe with a flat back for an engine. They come in many styles and configurations and can be modified. Stable and could probably handle many different lakes. Check them out.

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect rig for your fishing.

I lived near gheenoe in Florida. Wonderful small boats. Tricky to find in the Midwest.

I’m going to look at a 14’ aluminum boat tomm!!!