Bass-boat-vs-jon-boat-which-to-buy
At some point fishing from the bank stops feeling like enough and you start thinking about a boat. The first fork in the road is almost always the same question: do I buy a purpose-built bass boat or start with an aluminum jon boat? The right answer depends on where you fish, what you have to spend, and whether you want a platform that grows with you or one that gets you on the water fast for less money.
Jon Boats: The Working Angler's Platform
A 16-foot aluminum jon boat is one of the most practical fishing platforms ever built. Flat-bottomed and wide, it draws only a few inches of water fully loaded — which means you can fish shallow flats, back-country marshes, and weed-choked ponds that a fiberglass boat cannot reach. The hull shrugs off minor collisions with rocks, stumps, and submerged debris in a way that expensive gel-coat finish never would. Entry-level jon boats run $800–2,500 new, and a used hull in good condition with a small outboard can be had for under $1,500. The downside is ride quality. A flat-bottomed hull in chop is uncomfortable, and at any wind above 15 mph on open water, you are getting wet and working hard to stay in position. Most jon boats top out at 20–25 mph with a matching motor — adequate for reaching fishing spots, not practical for covering large reservoirs quickly. For the angler who primarily fishes small to mid-size lakes, rivers, and shallows, a jon boat outfitted with a small trolling motor and basic electronics is a legitimate multi-year setup.Bass Boats: Built for a Specific Game
A proper bass boat — fiberglass hull, 150–250 hp outboard, forward-facing sonar and livewells — is an expensive, specialized machine. New, they run $25,000 to $65,000. Used, even a 10-year-old tournament-quality boat demands $15,000–30,000 in good condition. The speed and fishability are genuinely excellent: you can cross a large lake in under 20 minutes, run to structure breaks before dawn, and fish all day from a stable, feature-rich deck with rod storage, a fish finder, and an integrated livwell. The hull design handles rougher water better than a flat-bottomed aluminum boat, and the dedicated electronics mounts, trolling motor bow plates, and pedestal seating make serious bass fishing more efficient. These boats are optimized for tournament-style fishing on large impoundments where covering water fast matters.The Practical Middle Ground
Between a $1,200 jon boat and a $40,000 bass boat, there is a useful middle category: 14–16 foot semi-V aluminum boats from manufacturers like Lund or Alumacraft. These run $8,000–15,000 new, handle moderate chop far better than a flat bottom, and accept a trolling motor and fishfinder installation without trouble. For most recreational anglers who fish a variety of waters without tournament ambitions, this category offers the best balance of versatility and cost. Whatever platform you choose, budget for the tow vehicle as carefully as the boat. A boat trailer and a vehicle rated to tow the combined weight is part of the real cost calculation.What I'd Skip
Do not buy a used fiberglass boat as your first boat unless you have someone experienced in marine mechanics willing to inspect it — hidden delamination and motor problems are expensive surprises. Do not buy more boat than the water you fish demands. **Bottom line:** For most first-time boat buyers, a 16-foot aluminum hull with a reliable outboard is the smartest start. It is cheaper to repair, easier to maintain, and gets you fishing the same water as a much more expensive rig. Ready to shop? Compare Outdoors & Recreation across stores →📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you click through and purchase.
