post your jon boat setup

Im looking to rig my John boat for crappie fishing. I have seen pics of several guys here fishing out of john boats. I love fishing out of my john and love how it sits low in the water when shooting docks. Please post pictues of your boats so that I can get a idea of setting up my boat.

I have a 14ft alumacraft with a 40 tahatsu stick steer no floors no carpet. Its a nice river boat and fun to shoot docks with. I want to start fishing out of this boat more and would love to make it more fisher friendly for 2 people. I have a new motor guide trolling motor and a lowrance x135 mounted on the rear. Im looking for something to mount to the trolling motor and a good gps for marking trees and other structure (any suggestions). I have found lots of used sonars on ebay for $100 or less just not sure what to get. I also dont have any idea how to use a gps or what to look for when buying one I will take suggestions on that also.

I have heard of a switch that will allow you to use 2 transducers with 1 sonar but I Cant find it. If any of you have one and would like to help a fellow fisheman out please let me know... or would it just be better to by another unit for the trolling motor? I know a transducer is around $50-$60 for the x135 and not sure how much the switch is so if I would come out cheaper or better off with another sonar I will do that.

Help me set up my little jon boat without breaking the bank. I look forward to seeing pictures of yalls jon boat setups!
Thanks!

I set up my 1860 Landau jon for the methods of fishin that I use most often...

This is my spider riggin setup.....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...c/IMG_2793.jpg

Now, I realize your boat is not as wide as mine and you probably don't have room for 2 people side by side in the front.....but I also have a spider riggin setup where I can fish out the front and my partner can fish out the back...

I sit on the front deck fishin forward and my partner sits in front of the rear bench facing rearward....

For my stationary night fishin I have pedistal bases in the floor so I can move the seats "down into" the boat....I feel it's a little safer sittin lower in the boat when it's dark.....

For castin I sit on the front deck and my partner sits on the rear deck....

Basically I have pedistal bases mounted in several different places so I can move the seats around to accomodate the method of fishin for that day.....

As for your FF question...I like having 2 separate units on my boat so if 1 craps outs in the middle of fishin...I can use the other and keep fishin...

As for your GPS question I like the E-Trex because it's simple...like my brain...

I sold my Jon a few years ago to get a boat that was safer in large reservoirs. Here is what I did to customize it before I sold it.

Keith Davis' Home Page

LEI Extras

Your unit is listed(right hand box).

You might also want to check eBay and see if any transducer switch boxes are listed ... but, I wouldn't buy one unless the seller guaranteed it worked or will take it back & refund your $$ (if it don't).

They also have the TM (puck style) transducer for your unit ... $70 + $12.50 S/H
You may well be better off getting a totally seperate unit and puck style transducer for the front (TM mount).

I defer you to the other members, for the other equipment questions ;)

... cp :cool:

Dont have it rigged to spider rig, but heres my setup, and it works great for me!

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5703.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5702.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5700.jpg

Locater, That boat would be perfect for where I fish.

It goes everywhere!

Nice rigs guys! I wish mine had a casting deck but it don't... I think this is why I can't figure out how to rig my boat. Mine is the type with 2 benches and the little bench up front. I had a fabrication shop quote me on putting a deck on my jon and would have almost in it as I do the entire boat!

Keep the pics and ideas coming! And thanks for the ideas and info given thus fer.

Bobberstop....I wouldn't want to be sitting very high in a 14 footer anyway....


If you mostly shoot docks....I think most people do that standing up....and standing up on a raised deck in a 14 footer might be pretty unstable....


You might think about just putting a floor in your boat with pedistal bases in the floor..... and in your benches..... and use the small deck in front for your TM and maybe some configuration of rod holders (if you think you might be interested in spider riggin)...

If you notice in my pic....my home made rod holders screw right in to flush mount 3/4 pin style pedistal bases....I can move the rod holders anywhere in the boat that I have a pedistal base...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Bobberstop....I wouldn't want to be sitting very high in a 14 footer anyway....
If you mostly shoot docks....I think most people do that standing up....and standing up on a raised deck in a 14 footer might be pretty unstable....

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You really don't want to be sitting high in any boat ... for dock shooting.
I do alot of dock shooting when I go to Watts Bar, each Spring & Fall ... fishing out of a 17ft Tracker TX17 (raised decks). I don't usually stand to shoot a dock .. I usually sit. The closer you are to the water's surface, the better skip angle you get from your jig. Even when sitting, occasionally I will bend over and lean forward out of the seat, to make my shot. Some of my other dock shooter buddies will even go into the open slip of a dock, and shoot from there ... and they're in a boat without raised decks. It's a bit easier for them to do so, than it is for us. (of course none of us do it without prior permission from the dock owner).

... cp :cool:

I think you guys may have misunderstood me a little. I was wanting a raised floor more or less at the tip of my boat for vertical fishing. I didn't want it raised but about 6-8 inches and just remove the front bench. Basically something like locator's center seat. As far as the dock shooting goes I also like to sit on the bench seat and shoot. I wouldn't think sitting on a actual casting deck pedestal would be much good for shooting docks maybe pitching but not shooting. I hope this clears up everything I don't want yall to think I would be dumb enough to sit on a high pedestal on the front of a 14 footer.
I also love locator's boat that looks like a crappie machine!
Thanks for all the help guys!

I too have a 14' Alumacraft, although mine is an older model, circa 1967. This past winter I installed a floor, livewell, couple of seats, battery storage, bow storage, lights, anchors, yada, yada, yada.

Link to my project, first few pages are about rebuilding my trailer, after that I get into the boat work. I may have gone overboard a little bit, however it works very well.
TinBoats.net • View topic - '67 14' Alumacraft Shallow V and Trailer remodel.

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/downlo...hp?id=5941&t=1

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/downlo...hp?id=5943&t=1

I placed all the original floatation foam in the new version. the bow has all the foam from the front bench, plus one can of expanding foam. I made a floatation box to hold the middle and rear bench seat floatation foam. I figured I added about 100-150 pounds of materials. The boat works great for two people.

I've done several over the years and I won't start with the details cuz we fish different. If you spend a little time getting your needs together on paper, then try to make a rough drawing as to how they might fit, you'll be ahead of the game. I have 2 peices of 1/8" alum boiler plate if you need deck material, you can have em for what I got in em. But think it out. Sit in the boat with no one around and imagine what you're gonna need and how it's gonna work when it's all done. If you're like me there's 2 things you don't have; extra time and extra money. Have fun and good luck with the remodel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hanr3

I too have a 14' Alumacraft, although mine is an older model, circa 1967. This past winter I installed a floor, livewell, couple of seats, battery storage, bow storage, lights, anchors, yada, yada, yada.

Link to my project, first few pages are about rebuilding my trailer, after that I get into the boat work. I may have gone overboard a little bit, however it works very well.
TinBoats.net • View topic - '67 14' Alumacraft Shallow V and Trailer remodel.

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/downlo...hp?id=5941&t=1

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/downlo...hp?id=5943&t=1

I placed all the original floatation foam in the new version. the bow has all the foam from the front bench, plus one can of expanding foam. I made a floatation box to hold the middle and rear bench seat floatation foam. I figured I added about 100-150 pounds of materials. The boat works great for two people.

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Looks like you really thought this out and did a bunch of work. Great job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Sit in the boat with no one around and imagine what you're gonna need and how it's gonna work when it's all done...

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I sat in my boat many times while it was in teh garage undergoing the remodel. I got a few laughs from my wife and kids when they saw me just sitting in it concentrating. Sometimes I was sitting on a bucket, or my tool box, or one of teh pedistal seats. For some reason I looked funny sitting in the boat in the garage with my fishing pole in hand. :D

Thanks for the kudos. I spent a ton of time thinking about it. Real estate is at a premium on a small boat, I wanted to utilize every square inch and yet keep the plan simple.

They have just never caught one of the most elusive of all fish. The lawn Crappie. A hybrid between a white and a black bass, with one grandparent being a Kentucky Blue and the other grand parent being a winter rye grass, this fish is seldom seen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hanr3

I sat in my boat many times while it was in teh garage undergoing the remodel. I got a few laughs from my wife and kids when they saw me just sitting in it concentrating. Sometimes I was sitting on a bucket, or my tool box, or one of teh pedistal seats. For some reason I looked funny sitting in the boat in the garage with my fishing pole in hand. :D

Thanks for the kudos. I spent a ton of time thinking about it. Real estate is at a premium on a small boat, I wanted to utilize every square inch and yet keep the plan simple.

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Lol I can picture this! And it is hilarious!!

Well I have seen some fine fishing boats here so fer surly there's more let saw dem babies!

I do the same... sit in the garage in my portable ice shanty dreamin' of cooler temps.

:)

Jeff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hanr3

I sat in my boat many times while it was in teh garage undergoing the remodel. I got a few laughs from my wife and kids when they saw me just sitting in it concentrating. Sometimes I was sitting on a bucket, or my tool box, or one of teh pedistal seats. For some reason I looked funny sitting in the boat in the garage with my fishing pole in hand. :D

Thanks for the kudos. I spent a ton of time thinking about it. Real estate is at a premium on a small boat, I wanted to utilize every square inch and yet keep the plan simple.

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Been there...done that also.....ah the memories of building a boat from the bare hull up...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Locator79

Dont have it rigged to spider rig, but heres my setup, and it works great for me!

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5703.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5702.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...9/101_5700.jpg

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That is good enough to get to the crappies. Nice job.

my hybrid fish/duck rig.

[IMG]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/IMG_1163.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/IMG_1164.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/IMG_1166.jpg[/IMG]

pic of my 15ft. lowe http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/s...g/100_0540.jpg

built a deck on front out of 28/32 plywood with a frame under it to make it stronger.mounted a 55lb motorguide foot controlled trolling motor on it.fish finder up front with a transducer mounted to the trolling motor.seat base and pedestal on the plywood,a rope clevis for the anchor.and fog lights to the front of the boat.nothing fancy but it works

Here is my rig. Lowe Roughneck 1652.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/026.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/027.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/032.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/031.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/030.jpg

I made the front larger for batt and storage, but it still isnt a casting platform. I dont want to be that high in a 1436.

These are a few pic's of my last boat, used it for 6 yrs and countless fish. Deleted the close ups but here's a few ideas. Maybe. My fat fishin buddy was good company. It was a 16/48.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/104_1839.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/104_1838.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...an/jonboat.jpg

I beg to differ with you about setting high in the front of the boat. I have 3 different pedistals for different things. I always have taken the middle seat out and made extentions from the front deck tothe first bottom brace out of angle. nothing as fancy as you guys as I can't handle weight. so I keep it simple stupid. Like my live wells aftermarket hard to find but out there. can't show pic don't know how..

I kept mine low and elevated the seat because I'm so clumsy I might fall off!!! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by texascrappiefisherman

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/104_1839.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/104_1838.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...an/jonboat.jpg

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That is what I was looking for. My boat looks just like yours. Did you take the middle bench out?
If so how does it effect flotation? Can the rear bench also be removed or should one stay? I would like to take both benches out if it will still be safe.
By removing the benches would it make my boat bounce and skip at high speeds? I have seen boats on the water like mine that just looked painful to ride in. My boat don't beat me up unless I'm in ski waters and I would like to keep it that way.
I would also like to know how much it will effect the structure of my boat. This is a fast boat for what it is I have no problem staying with a friend that has a bass tracker with a 60 hp motor. I would not want to risk twisting my boat up for a bit more fishability.
Again I can't say it enough to thank you for yalls help and ideas.

I left the factory benches in. I intend to make the middle one into a livewell as a winter project. I think the benches keep it more structurally sound. With the 5hp motor mines not real fast but gets me where I want to go with no problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magnum500

Here is my rig. Lowe Roughneck 1652.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/026.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/027.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/032.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/031.jpg

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u...am1500/030.jpg

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That's a nice Jon boat

You guys who have the Jon boats, how do they handle when on bigger bodies of water? And when dealing with big speed boats zinging around making large wakes?
I'm keeping my eye open for a boat and am hesitant to look at Jon boats because of this reason. Other than that I like Jon boats better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smoltz

You guys who have the Jon boats, how do they handle when on bigger bodies of water?

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They don't. I live close to Kentucky Lake and take my 1648 into the bays, but avoid the main lake unless the water is very smooth and I am only going a short distance. Like to the next bay. This time of year is one of the down-sides of Jon boats. When the fish are out in the main lake down on the ledges, I stay content to shoot docks and look for the shady spots in the corners of the smaller coves.

I kinda figured. Thanks for the reply!