Experience Fishing From a Simple Jon Boat

In previous blogs and videos I have mentioned about fishing from a kayak. In this video, however, I am fishing out of an aluminum Jon Boat. These are great boats to use on small lakes and ponds; they are flat bottomed, and are stable enough to stand in almost any part of the boat, and they can go in very shallow water without bottoming out. As far as aluminum fishing boats go, they are reasonable when it comes to pricing.

Of course there are drawbacks, too. While the boat says it can seat 3 people, realistically it can fish with two people. The front “seat” is basically a shelf on the front edge of the boat, although I’ve seen many people build a deck in the front part of the boat to suit 3 anglers. The wind seems to have no problems blowing this type of boat around, so invest in an anchor and trolling motor!

My Dad bought our 15’ boat new back in 1995 and its still being used today. There are dings, dents, scrapes, scratches as well as faded paint. It is a tough boat with battle scars, and it still takes us out on the water year after year.

I use an older Minn Kota trolling motor and recently I scored a pair of high-back swivel seats at a yard sale for $7 a couple years ago which makes fishing so much more comfortable.

For the motor, it is an old mid-80’s Evinrude. It can be hard to start at times, smokes a little, and sometimes runs a little rough when you first start it. However, once it warms up, it runs like a champ for the rest of the day. These old 2-stroke motors all have different personalities on how they start and run.

The video below is the first time having it out earlier this year. After getting it set up and in the water, a brief fishing trip resulted in a few nice bass- including a really nice smallmouth on the second cast! It was a good voyage for the first launch of the year.

I hope to see you on the water!

Ben Magee

About Ben Magee

My name is Ben Magee, I am a fishing and outdoor enthusiast, and have my Registered Maine Guide's license. I live in Levant with my family, and have lived in this town for most of my life. I have also spent a lot of my life in the next town over, in Stetson, at my family's camp on Stetson Pond. This is like a second home to me and many of my upcoming videos will feature this pond.