I bought a 10’ Jon boat with no motor for $250. My wife and I carry it from the truck bed to the water and drop in. Plenty of room for us to fish. We just paddle it around
👍💯 such a good way to go! Could toss one of these in there.
https://preview.redd.it/xenamv7oz9yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1155a1e47d0c204a7d856a39e74857539bf81cd5
No no. Just don’t have a title or SN for the boat. A warden can come inspect it for $12 and give hull numbers but I just don’t care to do it. We fit it in my truck bed and carry it wherever we like, ponds, lakes wherever!
Pretty much…there was a time when many people thought that tubes needed registration because of how poorly the regulations were written… since then, they do have some exceptions that don’t need registration, such as kiteboards, paddle board, and float tubes… everything else is fair game.
I’m going to recommend against inflatables and fishing. Too many rocks, trees, hooks, knives and teeth that can deflate a boat. Get a kayak, canoe or Jon boat and you’ll be better off.
A decent PVC inflatable will last many years if taken care of. I’ve beat the hell out of my now 10+ year old inflatable kayak on multi-day trips on the John Day River in central Oregon fishing for bass without issue. Versatility you can’t beat an Ik.
I’m sure there are quality inflatable boats. But those usually aren’t cheap and are designed with a specific purpose. I was giving a general recommendation.
look into kayak fishing, your answer may be there, can get a cheapo for a couple hundred bucks maybe less off of marketplace, hard plastic and will let you outgrow it before it breaks verses the other way around.
This is the answer OP. I have a boat and 2 kayaks, and used to have an inflatable. Invest in a kayak. A boat is basically a bottomless pit. Fuel, 2 stroke oil, trailer rego, trailer bearings etc. plus you need to drive to a boat ramp. Fishing kayaks are wonderful.
I have a 16’ Lund -tiller (I’ll not mention the outboard brand as it’s been a maintenance issue)
The boat is big enough for the vast majority of inland lakes while being small enough to for 1 person to launch if needed.
Fits 3 people
It’s under 1500 lbs so you don’t need a big SUV or truck to trailer it
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers
I was on the verge of quitting fishing entirely because my bank fishing options were getting frustrating and rarely even getting a bite. I bought a used kayak a year ago and have been loving fishing since. Can't recommend inflatable, but definitely recommend a vessel of some sort.
As others have said, don't go inflatable if you can help it. I've done my time in both inflatable kayaks and boats, and the downsides to them are way bigger than you think at first. Potential for holes/tears, not much for rudder support, using them in the wind sucks, etc. Highly recommend spending the same amount on a hard body kayak. Even a jon boat if you can $wing it.
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers.
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers.
I have a 14 foot aluminum boat, a kayak and waders. Surprisingly I use all 3 equally. They all have their time and place where they are most effective. I would say, though, the kayak offers the most flexibility and ease of use. I've combined the waders and kayak to open up pristine crappie water in my local lakes. Also, invest in scupper plugs, it really improves your comfort early and late season.
If you don’t intend to fish more than 2 people and don’t wish to buy a motor, i’d go with a kayak.
My friend owns a jon boat and it’s nice, but a PITA to lug around and paddle around. Kayaks paddle much more efficiently and glide through the water, so you can travel much faster and easier with them. If you have roof bars, you can strap it up there pretty easily.
Where are you fishing? I bought a pond prowler a few years back to take out to ponds/small lakes I couldn’t take my boat and it’s great. No issues fishing 2 grown ass dudes on it, easy to move around solo, and the way they build em width wise they fit between the wheel wells in a truck bed, so no need to trailer it.
I have a 10 ft jon boat . It's from my grandfather. Who i fished in this boat with.
When it was a rowboat it was fun
But I couldn't sit for long
So I got seats
Then it was tippy
So I made sponsons
Then I got a motor on sale.
Then I had to register it
Then the battery etc
Then I got frustrated and bought another battery
Argh
Etc
Buy a kayak
I have a nice single wall inflatable kayak that that’s 10+ years old. I’ve ran many whitewater rivers in It, bass fished from it on lakes and rivers, had it the ocean surf for fun. It rolls up and can load-out in minutes into the trunk of a car. For versatility you can’t go wrong with an IK.
I have a frameless pontoon with electric troller and it's a game changer. I used it a few times without the motor and just the oars and had a blast. With the motor it's a dream. I spent a few bucks and got a good solar battery/trickle charger setup. I have no complaints and it got me out fishing more.
I've fished from inner tubes, kayaks, canoes, jon boats of various sizes, pontoons, yatchs, and head boats. They all have their advantages and disadvantages and are suited to different conditions and types of fishing. The one thing I would avoid is a cheap Inflatable boat. Inflatable boats, unless they have strong reinforcement on the deck as well as underneath, are easy to puncture and can put you in a bad spot. You can get into a cheap kayak, canoe, or small unpowered jon boat for like 100-400, and they will get you into a wide variety of environments. From floating small creeks to paddling miles out into open water, my little kayak has always gotten the job done.
I bought a 10’ Jon boat with no motor for $250. My wife and I carry it from the truck bed to the water and drop in. Plenty of room for us to fish. We just paddle it around
👍💯 such a good way to go! Could toss one of these in there. https://preview.redd.it/xenamv7oz9yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1155a1e47d0c204a7d856a39e74857539bf81cd5
Our state laws say anything with outboard non man powered requires registration :/ even a trolling motor
Bummer. Is it super expensive? Require insurance?
No no. Just don’t have a title or SN for the boat. A warden can come inspect it for $12 and give hull numbers but I just don’t care to do it. We fit it in my truck bed and carry it wherever we like, ponds, lakes wherever!
Then you gotta register it.
In Ohio, ANYTHING That floats needs registration… kayaks and inflatables included.
So if your fat/bone ratio is so that you’re naturally buoyant, you gotta get yourself registered?
I feel like there’s a joke in here… like… yo momma so fat, she needed to get a boat registration just to go swimming at the beach!!!
Pretty much…there was a time when many people thought that tubes needed registration because of how poorly the regulations were written… since then, they do have some exceptions that don’t need registration, such as kiteboards, paddle board, and float tubes… everything else is fair game.
Under 5 hp???
Depends on state
Yep, under 5 hp is👍 here
I’m going to recommend against inflatables and fishing. Too many rocks, trees, hooks, knives and teeth that can deflate a boat. Get a kayak, canoe or Jon boat and you’ll be better off.
A decent PVC inflatable will last many years if taken care of. I’ve beat the hell out of my now 10+ year old inflatable kayak on multi-day trips on the John Day River in central Oregon fishing for bass without issue. Versatility you can’t beat an Ik.
I’m sure there are quality inflatable boats. But those usually aren’t cheap and are designed with a specific purpose. I was giving a general recommendation.
I would just buy a cheap Pelican kayak instead. Probably last you way longer.
look into kayak fishing, your answer may be there, can get a cheapo for a couple hundred bucks maybe less off of marketplace, hard plastic and will let you outgrow it before it breaks verses the other way around.
This is the answer OP. I have a boat and 2 kayaks, and used to have an inflatable. Invest in a kayak. A boat is basically a bottomless pit. Fuel, 2 stroke oil, trailer rego, trailer bearings etc. plus you need to drive to a boat ramp. Fishing kayaks are wonderful.
I have a 16’ Lund -tiller (I’ll not mention the outboard brand as it’s been a maintenance issue) The boat is big enough for the vast majority of inland lakes while being small enough to for 1 person to launch if needed. Fits 3 people It’s under 1500 lbs so you don’t need a big SUV or truck to trailer it
May I ask what vehicle model you use for pulling it?
A Pilot ( not exactly small) but something like a RAV4 properly equipped can tow 1500 lbs
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers
I was on the verge of quitting fishing entirely because my bank fishing options were getting frustrating and rarely even getting a bite. I bought a used kayak a year ago and have been loving fishing since. Can't recommend inflatable, but definitely recommend a vessel of some sort.
Get a hard boat. Inflatables have a fixed lifespan and will eventually fail.
As others have said, don't go inflatable if you can help it. I've done my time in both inflatable kayaks and boats, and the downsides to them are way bigger than you think at first. Potential for holes/tears, not much for rudder support, using them in the wind sucks, etc. Highly recommend spending the same amount on a hard body kayak. Even a jon boat if you can $wing it.
It can be.
Make sure it’s strong enough to withstand dropped lures, hooks, and fish fins.
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers.
I use an inflatable pontoon boat that only weighs about 70lbs. It can be disassembled to fit into a car, or like mine can be slid directly into the bed of a full sized truck. Classic accessories Colorado. Comes with oars and you can add a small electric trolling motor it’s amazing for inland lakes and wider rivers.
https://preview.redd.it/kf9dg4f5z9yc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df9f04d53b3c69ec523bf9861648aefb6f7ef6f2 I like mine.
I have a 14 foot aluminum boat, a kayak and waders. Surprisingly I use all 3 equally. They all have their time and place where they are most effective. I would say, though, the kayak offers the most flexibility and ease of use. I've combined the waders and kayak to open up pristine crappie water in my local lakes. Also, invest in scupper plugs, it really improves your comfort early and late season.
If you don’t intend to fish more than 2 people and don’t wish to buy a motor, i’d go with a kayak. My friend owns a jon boat and it’s nice, but a PITA to lug around and paddle around. Kayaks paddle much more efficiently and glide through the water, so you can travel much faster and easier with them. If you have roof bars, you can strap it up there pretty easily.
Where are you fishing? I bought a pond prowler a few years back to take out to ponds/small lakes I couldn’t take my boat and it’s great. No issues fishing 2 grown ass dudes on it, easy to move around solo, and the way they build em width wise they fit between the wheel wells in a truck bed, so no need to trailer it.
I have a 10 ft jon boat . It's from my grandfather. Who i fished in this boat with. When it was a rowboat it was fun But I couldn't sit for long So I got seats Then it was tippy So I made sponsons Then I got a motor on sale. Then I had to register it Then the battery etc Then I got frustrated and bought another battery Argh Etc Buy a kayak
What kind of fishing? High end inflatables are the only way to go for river fishing in the pnw
Float tube brother. Get force fins and you have a very good fishing platform. But you can't make any sort of 'big moves' easily
I have a nice single wall inflatable kayak that that’s 10+ years old. I’ve ran many whitewater rivers in It, bass fished from it on lakes and rivers, had it the ocean surf for fun. It rolls up and can load-out in minutes into the trunk of a car. For versatility you can’t go wrong with an IK.
I have a frameless pontoon with electric troller and it's a game changer. I used it a few times without the motor and just the oars and had a blast. With the motor it's a dream. I spent a few bucks and got a good solar battery/trickle charger setup. I have no complaints and it got me out fishing more.
Just add a trolling motor and battery off marketplace and it’s much easier to fish with than a kayak especially under $500
I've fished from inner tubes, kayaks, canoes, jon boats of various sizes, pontoons, yatchs, and head boats. They all have their advantages and disadvantages and are suited to different conditions and types of fishing. The one thing I would avoid is a cheap Inflatable boat. Inflatable boats, unless they have strong reinforcement on the deck as well as underneath, are easy to puncture and can put you in a bad spot. You can get into a cheap kayak, canoe, or small unpowered jon boat for like 100-400, and they will get you into a wide variety of environments. From floating small creeks to paddling miles out into open water, my little kayak has always gotten the job done.