If you have a jon boat, you probably have some experience with paddling it around your favorite lake using handheld oars or pulling it through the water with a pole.
While these methods work fine for small, shallow bodies of water, they are a lot of work, and they don’t get you anywhere very quickly.
That’s why a lot of jon boat owners use trolling motors to get around.
Maybe that’s why you’re reading this article now: you need a more convenient and quick way to move your jon boat through the water.
So, what are the best trolling motors for jon boats? And what are some important considerations when choosing a trolling motor specifically for your boat?
Glad you asked!
In this article, we’ll review some of the top jon boat trolling motors currently on the market.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for When Buying a Jon Boat Trolling Motor
- Top 3 Picks for You
- Jon Boat Trolling Motor Reviews
- 1. Size Options: Minn Kota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor
- 2. Budget Option: Newport Vessels NV-Series Transom Mount Trolling Motor
- 3. Best for Fishing: Watersnake Venom Electric Trolling Motor
- 4. Best Value: PEXMOR Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor
- 5. Most High-Tech: AQUOS Haswing Transom Trolling Motor
- Conclusion
What to Look for When Buying a Jon Boat Trolling Motor
When choosing your trolling motor, it’s important to remember that even those that look similar aren’t all the same.
Jon boats come in different sizes and may be used in different ways. The same is true of trolling motors.
Let’s take a look at some important factors you should take into consideration when deciding which trolling motor will work best for your boat.
Thrust
Thrust simply means the power that is needed to move your boat. Trolling motors are generally classified according to the amount of thrust they produce.
For most jon boats, you’ll need a trolling motor with 40 to 60 pounds of thrust. Of course, this will depend on the size of your boat, as well as the water conditions you typically encounter when boating. Trolling motors with greater thrust will handle rough waters better.
Again, though, jon boats aren’t typically used for really intense boating or fishing excursions. Their use is most often limited to calm lakes and ponds. So unless you’re a particularly hardcore boater with a large jon boat, a 40- to 60-pound trolling motor should suit you just fine.
Shaft Length
Trolling motors have different shaft lengths for different size boats. How can you determine the appropriate shaft length for your boat?
Most jon boats use transom mounted trolling motors, which are generally clamped onto the backside of the boat. To determine your correct shaft length, measure from the top of the transom to the waterline, then add 20 inches.
So, if the distance from your transom to the waterline is 18 inches, you’ll need a trolling motor with a shaft length of at least 38 inches. If you can’t find one of exactly that length, go for the next size up. It’s better to have a slightly longer shaft than one that’s too short.
Again, the shaft length you need will vary and will depend on the size of your jon boat.
Speed Control
It’s a good idea to look for a trolling motor with various speed settings, as well as both forward and reverse capabilities.
If you’re running your trolling motor on high speed the entire time you’re on the water, your battery is likely to run low long before you’re ready to call it a day. Multiple speed options will allow you to run on lower speeds most of the time, which will conserve your battery better.
It’s also nice to be able to go in reverse as needed, just in case you get yourself into a tight spot and don’t have room to simply turn around.
Prop Style
Most trolling motor propellers come in either 2-blade or 3-blade styles. Though one isn’t necessarily better than the other, some boaters believe that 3-blade propellers do a better job of cutting through underwater weeds, while 2-blade props tend to become entangled.
If you have a prop style preference, make sure and double check that the trolling motor you buy has that style of prop. If you’re not sure which you prefer, it wouldn’t hurt to find out if the motor you’re considering is compatible with both prop styles so you can change it out if you want.
Top 3 Picks for You
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 10:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jon Boat Trolling Motor Reviews
1. Size Options: Minn Kota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor
Minn Kota’s Endura trolling motor boasts all of the great features and high-quality materials you would expect from a Minn Kota motor. It also comes at a pretty great price, making it our top pick in our list of jon boat trolling motors.
Made of heavy duty composite materials, this trolling motor features an indestructible shaft that comes in size options of 30, 36, and 42 inches, so you can choose the size you need for your boat. The shaft also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Depending on the size, this motor offers between 30 and 55 pounds of thrust, making it perfect for most jon boats.
The telescoping tiller makes operating the trolling motor simple and hassle-free. The motor comes with 5 forward and 3 reverse settings so you don’t use more of your battery than you need to.
This trolling motor is perfect for anyone who spends a lot of time on the lake and wants to have a dependable, high-quality trolling motor that will last.
Some of the motor’s key features include a powerful 2-blade propeller that can handle tough underwater foliage; a lever lock bracket that allows you to switch from trolling to back trolling easily; and a quiet motor that won’t scare the fish away.
It’s worth noting that this motor doesn’t come with a battery gauge, so it isn’t always easy to tell when the batteries are running low.
What We Like:
- This trolling motor is made to last and comes with a 2-year warranty.
- The motor runs nice and quietly in the water.
- The motor comes with 8 total speeds to help you get around the water easily and efficiently.
What We Don’t Like:
- There’s no battery gauge on the trolling motor.
2. Budget Option: Newport Vessels NV-Series Transom Mount Trolling Motor
This trolling motor by Newport Vessels gives you lots of options to choose from, as it comes in five different shaft sizes and thrust levels. This makes it super easy to find a size that will fit your jon boat, no matter how large or small it is.
Like the Minn Kota above, this trolling motor has 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds, and the motor’s efficient design allows you to get the maximum battery conservation. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.
The motor’s hardware is made of stainless steel, zinc, and magnesium, so it will resist corrosion in both freshwater and saltwater environments. The motor moves quietly through the water, so you don’t have to worry about scaring off all the fish.
This is a great trolling motor for anyone who wants options–options of size and thrust, speed, and water conditions. If you fish in a variety of places and enjoy a good challenge, this trolling motor is sure to meet your demands.
Some great features of this trolling motor include an LED battery meter so you can keep an eye on your battery levels; a 3-blade propeller to cut through underwater vegetation; and a 50-amp circuit breaker to help you avoid electrical damage.
The main drawback of this trolling motor is that the power cord connecting the motor to the battery is quite short, so you’re limited when choosing where to place your batteries.
What We Like:
- The hardware is made of durable materials, and the motor can handle both fresh and saltwater.
- The motor operates very quietly.
- The built-in circuit breaker is a great feature to have.
What We Don’t Like:
- The power cord is inconveniently short.
3. Best for Fishing: Watersnake Venom Electric Trolling Motor
This Watersnake trolling motor shares many of the same great features with the more well-known Minn Kota and Newport Vessels motors above. It also boasts some great new features that further proves Watersnake motors are “made by anglers to be used by anglers.”
Like the two trolling motors reviewed above, this trolling motor has 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds, tiller hand control, and high quality composite materials. It is made to handle both freshwater and saltwater.
The tiller has a newly-designed ergonomic grip, making it easier and more comfortable to steer. The digital voltage meter allows you to keep an eye on your battery levels, and even the mounting bracket has received upgrades to make it quick and easy to mount.
This is a great trolling motor for anyone who’s looking for convenience and ease of use without giving up quality.
Some of this trolling motor’s features include a weedless propeller, which has 2 blades on the smaller models and 3 blades on the larger ones; stainless steel prop shafts for extra durability; and a telescopic tiller so you can adjust it for your comfort.
This trolling motor only comes in two size options, a 34-pound/ 30-inch and a 54-pound/ 42-inch, so it may not work for all jon boat sizes.
What We Like:
- The ergonomic tiller and mounting bracket make it comfortable and easy to install and operate.
- The motor is especially designed for saltwater, so it’s sure to hold up great in freshwater as well.
- The trolling motor has both 2-blade and 3-blade prop options.
What We Don’t Like:
- The motor only comes in two size options.
4. Best Value: PEXMOR Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor
This trolling motor by PEXMOR is a fantastic affordable trolling motor that comes in four different sizes. It is highly adjustable, making it easy and convenient to adapt to changing water conditions.
This trolling motor contains 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds, a telescoping tiller, and an LED battery light indicator. It comes in 36-, 46-, 55-, and 86-pound thrust options, giving you plenty to choose from whether you have a large or small jon boat.
The shaft can be easily adjusted to various angles simply by pushing a button, so you can adjust it for whatever water conditions you may be facing. It’s also easy to raise or lower the motor head simply by turning a knob.
This trolling motor is great for anyone looking for a good trolling motor that’s easy to use and comes in various size options..
Key features include sharp, 3-bladed propellers, with additional 2- or 3-bladed props included as an accessory; durable aluminum motor head; and both fresh and saltwater capabilities.
Some users have noted that the tiller is rather sensitive, so if you bump it or pull too hard on it accidentally, it may throw you off course.
What We Like:
- The trolling motor is easily adjustable for a variety of water conditions.
- The angle is adjusted at the push of a button.
- The additional prop included as an accessory is a nice feature.
What We Don’t Like:
- This tiller is overly sensitive.
5. Most High-Tech: AQUOS Haswing Transom Trolling Motor
The Haswing trolling motor by AQUOS is a more premium, high-tech option for the serious fisherman. Coming in both hand/ foot control and remote options, this trolling motor comes with numerous features to give you the ultimate relaxing day on the water.
The trolling motor comes in three different thrust options: 55-, 110-, and 130-pound. For this reason, it is generally used for larger boats, but those with jon boats will likely enjoy the three different 55-pound options: hand-control, foot/ remote control, and remote control.
The remote control options allow you to operate the trolling motor from anywhere in the boat at the push of a button. The shaft length can be adjusted, making this a great trolling motor for both shallow ponds and deeper waters.
The motor is corrosion-resistant and rated for both fresh and saltwater use. It comes with a battery display, can be easily tilted to different angles, and can go in reverse when you turn the motor 180 degrees.
This trolling motor is great for anyone willing to pay a bit extra for a premium, high-tech trolling motor.
Key features include a variable speed setting, which allows you to customize your speed; cruise control, which will keep you traveling at the same speed automatically; and a 39-inch adjustable shaft which is great for a variety of water depths.
The main drawback with this trolling motor is that it is rather noisy, which may become annoying in quiet areas and may spook the fish.
What We Like:
- The trolling motor comes with hand, remote, and remote/ foot control options.
- The cruise control function is great to have for times when you need to focus on something besides operating the trolling motor.
- The trolling motor is durable.
What We Don’t Like:
- This trolling motor makes a lot of noise.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 10:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Of the five trolling motors listed above, our top pick for most jon boats is the Newport Vessels NV series motor. This is because it comes with the most size options and features at the best price.
Now that you’ve seen some of the top jon boat trolling motors on the market, you’ll be able to make an informed choice as to which one is best for your boat.
Sarah Hood has been writing for Anchor Travel since 2021. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.