Wanted: Trout Boat

[Ham]

Do me a personal favor. Come fish with me in a 20 foot boat and you should quickly see that the extra length is a good thing. I’m not putting down any boat, but there is a reason so many ppl use the traditional Trout Jon. I personally believe you would safer and more effective fishing from the 20 footer. 

I have not followed the Jigfest threads closely enough to see how many seats are open, but that’s a chance to ride in a couple of different boats. 

 

[Troutguy]

I think a 20' boat would be great on the White river, but it might be a little long to also use it in lakes, large creeks, and big farm ponds. 

I have to have just one boat to cover anywhere I want to go fishing.  That's why a 16' boat would be more practical for me. 

If I only used it on the White river, a 20' boat would seem nice.

I will rent a 20' boat one day this spring and see how it handles. 

[fishinwrench]

20 minutes ago, Troutguy said:

I have to have just one boat to cover anywhere I want to go fishing.  That's why a 16' boat would be more practical for me. 

Smart man.  A 1648 jon is without a doubt the most versatile boat ever made.  With a few tweaks in the rigging it can do anything well enough.

[gotmuddy]

get a 1648 tunnel with pods and you should be set.  Run skinnier than a trout boat.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I was in the same situation as Troutguy when I got mine.  I love to fish tail waters but I also wanted to go to small lakes and Ozark streams.  Went with a 1752 and 60/40 jet and love it.

I've had on it the Meramec, big, Gnade and even the MO River.  Also plenty of tail water time in it and even Tablerock along with some smaller lakes in IL.  It's a great fishing platform for what I do.   It's not much more boat than a 1648 but it fishes two guys better I think.

[Terrierman]

I've had a lot of jon boats in my lifetime.  The 20 footers are just plain better in my always humble opinion.  Yeah a 1648 will do it but a 2048 will do everything the 1648 does better, more comfortably and more stably and usually shallower.  My first 2048 was an aluminum jon with a 35 mercury on it.  Seemed like every time I took it to the river, somebody tried to buy it from me.  Sold it and got an 18'6" x 54 with console steering and a Yamaha pro 50 with tilt and trim.  That was a good one too.  But I swear the 2048 Shawnee with the prop Yamaha 15 I am in now is the best jon I've ever had.  LOVE all that rocker it has, really helps running shallow water.  I'm sure a jet can get a few places I cannot, but there are not many.   Aluminum is lighter but to me that's the only advantage.  Glass boats are quieter, cooler in the summer and do not stick to rocks like aluminum does.  All that said, it's your money.  Best of luck with whatever you do.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Side note on my 1752.  With a swing away tongue on the trailer it fits in my suburban garage.  

When I talk to guys with bigger aluminum jet rigs the biggest and really only complaint I hear is they are too heavy to dig out alone.

[Terrierman]

Another side note.  I started owning jon boats with a 1436, then a 1648 for several years, then got the 2048 offered to me at a price I could not refuse.  That 1436 was a death trap.