I'm only 17 but I fish any chance I get usally a few times a month. Last summer I went and got a coleman boat 30 dollar boat and a cheap plastic oar. It does pretty good but difficult to unhook a fish from those. So I then decided to make a boat and did in one night. i made a 6ft by 2ft 2man boat with some nails, old wood, and liquid nails to seal it. It works good but it is just a small floating box... Now I want to get out on the lakes and my grandad has a 10 hp engine for me now I need a boat. I have 200 bucks... So i'm thinking jon boat... Is a jon boat worth my time or should I save for a year or two?

In your position, I'd be thinking float tube. Check out the float tube page and see what some of those guys are doing. Also, check out www.lsfta.com and you'll see some good places to fish along with some tube photos.

They're a blast!

i started with a float tube, then found the jon boat to be more accessible to different water. I used to tak my jon boa to Marshall creek and catch anything and everything that swam.. was even known to snag a few gar with monster treble hooks....hehe.

Wader8888,
Keep asking and looking, you'll find a jonboat that fits your needs.
Try this:http://dallas.craigslist.com

When I was a 17 I bought a "4 man" inflatable dinghy with oars...caught lots of fish from it, too, but I also got good at making repairs. At least I could take one guy and some tackle with me. I used it for a couple years while I was in university. It got me on the water and I caught lots of fish from it. They have multiple compartments, so a leak in one compartment won't sink you. The advantage over the float tube is that you can still take a buddy along with you. Most of these rubber boats can even take an electric trolling motor. I'm not sure about a 10 hp gas motor, however.

Good luck.

thanks for the advice. My only problem with inflatables is my mom is afraid I am going to pop it and drown or get bitten by an alagator. So she is telling me to go with something thats not an inflatable.

Look into the "pond hopper" or "bass hunter" type boats. they are made of heavy molded PVC and will accept a motor up to a 15 hp and move well with just a trolling motor. Iused one for 4 or 5 years before I got my Tracker. they are great for fishing aroung marinas and up into creeks. I'm a fat butt and use to fish standing up in mine with no problem. I sold mine for $150 so you can probably find one in your range. Good fishing to ya.

I'll look into those, Thanks!

first of all you got to love the passion you have for fishing. lots of us with boats forget what it was like to try anything to get on the lake(me included).i used to have a 8ft water spider 2 man bass boat (heavy molded pvc) and had a blast in it. i used a small outboard motor and it worked fine. this time of year you can check the classifieds and find them. if i find one that is in your price range i will shoot you an e-mail.good luck

Thanks!

Check the classified section now right here on the TFF.....look for "pond boats for sale" the second one sounds perfect for you....smedley


Edit!!!!!! just click here, scroll down to the second boat. http://www.texasfishingforum.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=015142

Man... he sold the pelican schmedley and the other boat is a little too much money for me. Thanks for looking for me though!

If you are not locked into something with a motor, a Kayak is very flexible. A new one might run you 600+ but a used one might be possible for the moeny you have. I fish out of one all the time.

Wader...sorry man I didn't read the whole post or the dates. I just remember that you were looking for something like that. If I still had mine I would make you a deal. I'll keep my eyes open. Have you checked Craigslist.com?

If you go with that jon boat, remember, you can always customize it. Add a fishing deck, seats, depth finder, etc, as you can afford it. check around construction sites and you can find plenty of free scrap wood and a bunch of other building materials.

Check with John's Tackle shop (512)585-2029
He carried some used pond boats that might be just what you need, at a price you can afford.
P.S. At 17 I had built my second boat. The first was a paddle boat made from parts from my bicycle and the beater bar from a combine. The second was Alum. sheet of metal bent and hammered into a flatbottom with a wood bow and transum. LOL