Two Man Boats - Aluminum Jon Boats or Fiberglass 2 Man Boats Called Crawdads, Pond Jumpers, Stump Jumpers, Pond Prowlers

      

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All of my readers hear me talk about fishing the lakes that are close to my house and they are not big enough for my big bass boat.

You can bank fish and see the big ones breaking the top
of the water out in the middle of the lake and not be able to cast to them, and say to yourself I sure wish I could get to those big ones.

This is where the two man boats come in handy and are easy to get into the small lakes and ponds.

The small boats can be fiberglass or you may choose the Aluminum Jon boats.

The small fiberglass pond jumpers like Uncle Buck's Pond Prowler Boat - 9' are used in calm and small lakes and should not to be taken to large lakes. Most of the time the power comes from a trolling motor or paddles and usually carry one to two persons.

The small boats, either fiberglass or the smaller  Aluminum Jon boat, can be loaded in the back of a truck and pulled right up to the lake.

The fiberglass two man boats are also known as Crawdads, Pond Jumpers, and Stump Jumpers.

Which Aluminum Jon Boat Should You Select?

The Aluminum Jon Boats come in lengths from 10' to 18' and I suggest if you are going to have it in the back of the truck, go with the 10 footer.

If you are going to use it in larger lakes that you will be running a gas motor on the back, go with a 16 or 18 footer.

The boat is rated for what is the MAX Horse power can be mounted on the Jon Boat. The rating information is usually displayed on a metal I.D. tag on one of the seats.

DO NOT... repeat...Do NOT think that you can run a larger horse power motor on it.

The rating tag will also give you the amount of people and weight that is recommended.

What Equipment Should I Load On The Two Man Boat?

You have to stop and really plan the loading of the two man boat because it is not like your big boat that you can put everything in.

First, you need life jackets:

 this is a must seeing the boat will not be as stable as the big one and chances of getting wet are greater.

I recommend no standing up in the small two man boats,
and make sure both of you do not lean over the same way. If you do, make sure that you both have a spare change of clothes and more fishing equipment.

Second is the power source: 

Either paddle or trolling motor, and I would suggest a small paddle anyway in case your battery wears out and you find yourself at the other end of the lake.

Limit Your Tackle and Ice Chest Size:

You only have 1/10 the amount of space and no sense in taking every rod and reel you own. Do that and you will deposit one or two in the lake; been there and done that.

Where in my big boat, I carry a large ice chest; in the small boat, I carry a small six pack ice chest.

Do Not Overload or Imbalance The Small Two Man Boat Plus Think Safety at All Times

Most of all, do not overload to boat with either tackle or go over the boat's recommended rated weight for safe operation.

You will want to distribute the weight and balance the boat out or just one person leaning too far one way may get both of you wet.

The one biggest thing is you really have to practice being safe in the small boats. It can be the best day on the lake or a great big nightmare because you did not follow the rules.

What About Kayaks? 

They have come out in the past years with Kayaks like the Bass Pro Shops Excursion II Tandem Kayak that are used for fishing also, but I have not tried one.

This boat will really try you as far as what to take.

The storage is very limited and will restrict you on what you can take and can not take.

They also make a cool looking one man Kayak, like the Ascend FS12T Sit On Top Angler Kayak - Sand designed for the kayaker who loves to fish...Sweet

Do I Have To Register And Put The Decal Numbers On The Two Man Boats?

Check and verify the regulations for your state yourself concerning the registration requirements for the two man boats and kayaks because the fines can be high.

Pick The Right Day For The Two Man Boats

I have attached a picture that was taken this past Feb 09 of my little two man boat along with my two nephews.

We were about to tackle a lake close to the house.

The only problem with this day we went is we should have taken an ice pick instead of a rod and reel.

It was still great to be out and enjoy nature even though we did not get to catch any fish that day. 

Notice the registration numbers on the boat?

Last But Not Least:

You will notice that you can get in some spots that the fish have never seen what you are throwing and your chances will increase on getting that Bass Hog.

Do not be surprised when you do hook a hog that he or she drags you around a little.

Keep The Hooks Wet!

Steve McGoldrick