I've been landlocked my entire life and finally have saved enough for a boat. I am very excited at this opportunity but I want to make sure I choose the right boat by learning from others who have had experience.

Ill be fishing Canyon Lake, Bastrop, Granger, Somerville, & the highland lakes. They are 30min-2hr hauls from where I live.

Budget - $4000-$6000
Fish - Crappie, white bass, catfish. Not a big bass fisherman.
Need to be able to unload/load with 1 person at times.
Looking at pontoon, bass, and aluminum boats.

Any recommendations on which style would suit me the best?

I am looking for something that will last. I keep good care of my toys. Any brands that I should aim towards or run away from? (motor/hull)

How easy are pontoon boats to use for a novice? I know they get knocked around in the wind while fishing over crappie condos, but the extra space would be nice when the family wants to get on the lake. Won't happen very often though.

I have a pretty good idea as to what I want to do with the boat but need a direction in what type of boat would suit my needs the best. I want to be able to get to the fishing without alot of extra hassle. Oh ya, what extras should I look for in a used boat other than gps/ff, trolling motor, etc.

congrats....hope you find a good one....

I have a pontoon and love it for the same reasons you are speaking of.
I have had a small bass boat and a 14 ft v-hull before this Toon.
I don't want to go back, it is the most comfortable fishing platform I have been on.
I am older and overweight (but very happy, thank you!) and still I am able to load/unload by myself.
I do not bass fish either.
Yes wind affects you but can deal with it and with most of the other negatives.
I was drift fishing Ray Bob lake last Saturday in the high winds when most other boats except center consoles wouldn't come out.
A drift curtain or larger multiple socks helps here.
You can double anchor to make anchoring in the wind bearable.
It also drafts very shallow, that surprised me.
To fish sandy's and brush-piles you need a good trolling motor but they are out there.
I can tow it with my SUV or 1/2 ton pick up, it does catch more wind than a smaller boat but they are very light.
I heard warnings about it towing like dragging a parachute, I have not found that to be what I feel.
They are not for everyone but I love mine.

Just my input for this post, I pretty much fish for the same fish as you and the same exact lakes that you mentioned. If I were to do it again I would get a good sized aluminum boat with a V bottom, one without carpet. For the fish you are targeting such as catfish I don't like having carpet in the boat...you can always put neoprene in or whatever you want. I also say aluminum because they are a piece of cake to pull with your truck and are a lot lighter. Downfall is wind will blow you around a little more, but again, the type of fishing you will be doing doesn't require you running a trolling motor and standing the whole time so wind isn't much of a factor then (assuming you are anchored). Another reason I say aluminum is due to possibly hitting something...put a dent in it instead of a hole.

I am by no means an expert, but it sounds like a bass tracker would suite you well. Regardless of what you decide on, have the seller put it in the water. Have them toat you around for a bit, and teach you how to start and operate it. and ultimately make sure it operates properly. Also, watch them, watch how they treat the boat. If you notice Any abuse or, or seeing them do anything detrimental to the boat, obviously, don't invest. Also make sure the boat has been properly stored and been mechanically kept up. Hope it helps!

Also knew a guy who ran a pontoon and pulled it with a front wheel drive mini van!

Buy mine! It already has top of the line electronics on it! Or a center console

Thanks for the good advice. It sounds like all three types of boats are useable for the my kind of fishing. I notice that there are way more bass boat options on the market then aluminum v hulls and pontoon boats. I plan of testing out whichever boat on the water and having a mechanic look at it too. I don't mind paying a little extra for peace of mind.

I see your boat and omg, your not joking about top of the line electronics. I am weary about the age of the boat but it looks like it is through and through, built for fishing. I am in no rush to purchase anything unless I find an amazing deal thou, but ill keep your boat in mind.

Research the motor, you don't want to buy a company killer like the ficht

Highly recommend this.
I had a mobil mechanic check mine out and he checked things I would have NEVER thought to look at. Although any concerns he found were minor and mostly advise of things to look out for, it was very valuable to me. Very well worth the cost of him coming out for the peace of mind.
I was paying cash and didn't want to throw more money down the hole after I bought it.

Any progress on the boat hunt?