First Boat Ever vs Spider Rigging

Good morning all, yup - it's Mamba again ..... :fingerdance

Next year I am looking at buying myself a Jon Boat.

Now, I have been reading ALL morning on this subject, but I trust YOUR input over all else. So I'll bring this to the table;

First question: For Spider Rigging I want what kind of boat? Flat Bottom or V Style?

Now before you answer please remember that I have Never owned a boat, and I'm not a fan of tipping over in the water. I can swim, but would like not to! Lol. I keep reading that the Flat Bottoms are not good even in 5 mph winds. Is it That bad?! I see people with really nice Flat Bottom boats for sale in the paper already set up with a deck modification and everything!

So lets have it guys! Thanks!

I'll be watching:popcorn

Well a deck on a flat bottom is gonna make it even more tippy. Also what type of hull design really depends on what type of water your going to be fishing. You can spider rig out of any of them.

What kind of water you gonna be fishing? Big? Small? What kind of budget ( not specific) but are we looking at big boats with lots of storage or jon boat and adding a smaller motor? I have a Lowe stinger 195. It has a TON of in deck storage and its big. I love the layout. Has 2 33 gallon livewells. It is a pain in heavy winds on big lakes tho. It will beat you to death and tear up everything heavy that is mounted on your boat. I think that is just the way it is on a alumnum boat. There are alot of other boats comparabe to the Lowe like Express, War Eagle, alumacraft to just name a few. Each has its pro's and cons. I sacrifice a smooth ride on my boat for all the in deck storage that the Lowe has. I looked alot of other boats and could not find one that had as much storage. Now this was back in 2014 so the story may be different today. I hope I helped and didn't confuse you. I can only say what I have personally experienced. In now way am I saying this is the boat for you....the Lowe was the boat for me. Hopefully others will chime in and give you their experiences as well. Good Luck! You are doing good buy shopping this soon in advance... you need time to weigh all the options that you wil learn to consider so you make a smart choice. Hang in there!

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Originally Posted by "G"

Well a deck on a flat bottom is gonna make it even more tippy. Also what type of hull design really depends on what type of water your going to be fishing. You can spider rig out of any of them.

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Well, every jon boat modification video I am watching has decks on the front ... ??

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Originally Posted by LowePro

What kind of water you gonna be fishing? Big? Small? What kind of budget ( not specific) but are we looking at big boats with lots of storage or jon boat and adding a smaller motor? I have a Lowe stinger 195. It has a TON of in deck storage and its big. I love the layout. Has 2 33 gallon livewells. It is a pain in heavy winds on big lakes tho. It will beat you to death and tear up everything heavy that is mounted on your boat. I think that is just the way it is on a alumnum boat. There are alot of other boats comparabe to the Lowe like Express, War Eagle, alumacraft to just name a few. Each has its pro's and cons. I sacrifice a smooth ride on my boat for all the in deck storage that the Lowe has. I looked alot of other boats and could not find one that had as much storage. Now this was back in 2014 so the story may be different today. I hope I helped and didn't confuse you. I can only say what I have personally experienced. In now way am I saying this is the boat for you....the Lowe was the boat for me. Hopefully others will chime in and give you their experiences as well. Good Luck! You are doing good buy shopping this soon in advance... you need time to weigh all the options that you wil learn to consider so you make a smart choice. Hang in there!

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I am going to start off with a jon boat, adding a smaller motor. I am looking some in the paper that are already geared up. I am also looking at these 40lb thrust Minncoda trolling motors. I wouldn't take it out with high winds. Let me see if I can find you a pic of one I like and go from there. Thank you for your input. Nice boat you got there! I don't need a lot of storage. I'm probably only going to take a cooler and a few life jackets. I just like to catch Crappie. Not a Bass hunter myself. I will onyl have maybe $2,500 at most and the ones you see in the paper are small for that range. I am looking now because I want to be on the water by next spring! I am looking at getting the Interstate Deep Cycle battery (2 of them). I'm not needing some suped up big motor. I'm pulling it with a Chevy Impala, so I can't go too big. Lol.

I want something like this ... https://columbusga.craigslist.org/boa/5574763611.html

But I'll probably end up with something like this ... https://okaloosa.craigslist.org/boa/5570348914.html

As far as lakes go, I am looking at like Cooter's Pond in Prattville, AL or Lay Lake or Bibb County Lake ... just different areas I guess. I would stay away from big wave like the river where the big boats come through.

That second one would work great for you and your budget. Don't get carried away to start with. Move that clamp on motor back to the side of that front seat. Look up PVC rod holders, pick you a design, mount a 2x4 with clamps across gunnel just in front of your knees, mount holders to board and go fishing. Even though most of us turn it into rocket science it's not. It's crappie fishing. So start slow and work your way into it.

Thanks! But wouldn't the baits be under boat? Also, having the trolling motor on the side doesn't matter?

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Originally Posted by Mamba334

Well, every jon boat modification video I am watching has decks on the front ... ??

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Yes....thats a bass fishing thing....platforms to get you higher so you can stand up and cast. Nothing wrong with that but the higher up you are sitting the more it will affect rocking the boat.