We found some public water we like this past season, but there would be a lot more of it accessible to us out there with a small boat. There's no convenient ramp so we're looking at launching from shore - the farthest we would have to run is about 1200 yards in shallow water.

Basically, the requirements are something big enough to hold two average sized men, a dog, and gear but small enough for two guys to pick up out of a truck bed or trailer and launch from shore. I'm looking at putting a trolling motor on a square back canoe or a 12' riveted jon, but am not sure what the advantages and disadvantages are of either.

Any thoughts and experiences are highly appreciated.

For that purpose I would go with a canoe if you are launching from shore. You don't have to have a trailer for a canoe and can portage it fairly easily. If it were me, I would not put a trolling motor on it. You want to keep it fairly light and a trolling motor and battery will add weight and not give you much propulsion anyways.

I vote canoe as well. If it's light enough and you aren't paddling against the wind you can one man it, which would be a nice advantage if you're launching from shore.

I used a pirogue at the end of the season and loved it. Small enough to move around by only me, but large enough to just barely haul two guys (in really shallow water, I wouldn't risk it in the open).

My preference would be for a canoe. Personally I think those real small Jon boats are cumbersome and unstable. A good canoe is more stable, sleeker and faster than a small Jon. I personally use an old town guide 147. I have no problems with two guys, a dog and our gear. It's not uncommon for me to paddle several miles in mine for a hunt. It solos well too with a long Mohawk kayak paddle designed for canoes. I flip it around and paddle it backwards to put my weight closer to the center and into the wind isn't a problem. (The new ones are harder to do that from because they went to a molded plastic backrest)

It's stable enough for me to stand and fly fish from as well. I have good balance to begin with but I routinely stand and fish in cold weather from it!

I wouldn't waste your time with a trolling motor. Two guys should be able to paddle it faster than a trolling motor will move you. It will save you boat registration costs too!

Great points. Thanks. I was a little surprised by the low weight capacities of some jon boats. I've never been in one with anything more than fishing tackle on anything bigger than a 10 acre pond. Thinking about pushing the limit in the dark and cold makes me wary.

You would be amazed at how much more you can do with a large canoe over a small flatbottom. You can carry more, more stable, get through tighter spaces, run shallower, skull creeks and rivers (without motor) to hunt on the move. portage easier. And so on.

If you don't want a flat back, know there are clamp on motor mounts you can buy. I have used everything from trolling motors all the way up to 2 stroke 5hp gas motors with a clamp on motor mount in the 40+ years I have had canoes. Recently picked up a 2 stroke 3.3 hp for next season that is lighter than my battery/trolling motor combination. Know that those mounts rated for a 5hp on a canoe had that original rating given for lighter 2 stroke motors and can't handle the top heavy weight of most of the 4hp to 5hp 4 strokes.

90% of the time I don't use a motor. For paddles, it is nice to have both a single blade, but also a double blade as someone pointed out. Canoes are going to have a wide beam. You will need a paddle longer than those used with most kayaks and may require a lower stroke. All depends on the size of the Canoe and the person and how and where you sit in the canoe. Probably 240cm or bigger paddle. Depending on where I am hunting, I also sometimes carry either an extra very long single blade paddle or a push pole for poling or to push off of stumps. And even if you are paddling alone, take two paddles. That way if you drop one, you have a paddle to paddle over to retrieve it with.

I too carry my single paddle when using my double. If you get up in tight areas a single can be stealthier. Also learn to use the paddle correctly. There is far more to it than just sticking it in the water and paddling it from front to back. Learn the strokes and it will make you more efficient. If not you will spend your time zig zagging across the lake, running into obstacles. In specific the forward, reverse, J and pitch strokes. The draws, sweeps and prys are good to know too.

Your front man is the power paddler. He mostly does the forward stroke. The back man does the steering with the j and pitch strokes. Good paddlers don't have to switch back and forth from side to side very often to maintain a strait course or make a turn. That's inefficient!

Google or YouTube canoe strokes if you go down that road. You will really enjoy a canoe. I agree with sniper. I'd get a double ended canoe with a motor mount before I got a flat back canoe. Double ended is more versatile if you decide you want to float rivers!

I ran a 14ft rivited alumacraft for 2 yrs. I had a Dilley hinge pin trailer for mine. W two guys we could launch it by hand. Was it work yes, but I could run 2 guys gear dog and my 5 yr old anywhere. Even when the lakes were closed I could still get out there. As long as your creative in where u can launch where u park etc I would do a Jon boat. A canoe would be easier I guess but I have no experience with one. And as long as you have a winch or a long rope you can pull it in or out w ease.

You mentioned public water but is the land public, too? Will you be shooting out of the boat or be able to use it just as a means to get to a spot? I like canoes for getting around in, but not for shooting from.

Mix of public and private land on shore. It's ok because most of it is knee deep or less. We hunted in the reeds with makeshift blinds.

I know 3 different people over the years that had canoes and dogs and every one of them got turned over.

I know 3 different people over the years that had canoes and dogs and every one of them got turned over.

They must suck at canoeing!

In a good stabile canoe it won't be an issue. I've been canoeing for more than 25 years and never turned one over accidentally! I've been in several small jons that were far more unstable than my canoe! I'll trust a good canoe any day over a Jon for stability! I hunt and shoot from my canoe frequently with no issues.

I don't doubt that, but I seriously doubt it was the dog's fault.

Here's what I have. You can get it at academy for around $550 I think. Super stable, and holds a ton of weight. I regularly ran it on the coast with two guys, dog, 5dozen decoys, shotguns, and other gear, and it never even got sketchy at all. Also it makes and awesome little poling skiff if you like to fish the coast.

Is that a Predator engine and mud motor kit in the first photo? How well does it push the rig when it's loaded up?

That's a nice rig.

That is a nice rig, and that last pic looks like it should be on their website!

Thanks! It's since been upgraded for fly fishing with a front and back deck. Even with me standing on the yeti on the back deck poling, and someone fly casting off the front deck, it still never gets tippy. I love it,especially for how much I paid.

Sweet ride!

Is that the SPS longtail?

I've got one on my jon boat.

Thanks! Yepp that's what it is, it's held up good. I've beaten the crap out of it and it's still going strong.

I,m also curious as to how the square back canoe does with the mud motor. I,m looking at buying one soon, mostly for freshwater fishing in small to medium sized lakes. I,ve seen some videos on youtube of those canoes with 3-4 hp outboards on them and they scoot along nicely. May do some hunting out of it also.

Bringing this conversation back with an update. I have a friend willing to trade his barely used 16' Old Town Guide for an 870 Super Mag I don't use much anymore. The boat is not a square back, which I originally wanted. I'd like to add a small outboard to whatever I get because I mostly hunt with my dad who is getting old and isn't up for paddling much. However, this looks to be a really good trade from my perspective. I think I could make it work with a motor mount but have never operated one of those. What do yall think?

Had one on a canoe we had when my son was small (he's 41 and 6' 180 now) and it was easy to make from a couple of 2x4's. Had either a 1.5 or 2 hp motor. Ran great till I came home one day and my FIL had sold it.