jon boats and mud motors for bass fishing

how many of you guys use jon boats with long tail mud motors with electric bowmounts for your bass fishning platforms?

I don’t have a longtail motor, but I do run a ProDrive on a 17′ flat bottom with a 55lb powerdrive on the bow. I’ve fished alot out of it, have had it for almost five years. The biggest issue with my setup is the boat has a totally flat, smooth bottom on it. That makes it like fishing out of a canoe or inntertube when it gets windy… And my boat is HEAVY, the 55lb thrust is barely adequite.. it’s as big as you can get 12v though… would really like to have an 80# or 101# but battery storage is an issue along with the extra weight.

Other than the few drawbacks really like the totally open floorplan, the fact you can go just about whereever you want, don’t have to worry about winterizing either. Just had mine out on Saturday, got home and covered it up, ready to go for the end of the week or next time it warms up. Also you can RIP thruogh thinner ice without worrying about your motor or aluminum prop.
All that said I’m kinda looking for a used 50hp OB that I could slap on for open water fishing, my ProDrive does have reverse but it’s a pain and slow, you just have to plan ahead a little.

what i was looking for is this and thanks for response. I live in iowa and want to fish backwater areas for bass around lansing iowa. can i get by with the mud motor or should i ivest in the outboard?

Being around Lansing with Big Lake, Phillipi Lake, the other backwaters on the Iowa side along with cuts below the Lansing bridge, you could definitely get by with a mud motor! I’ve seen many people out doing what you’re looking to do.

I’ve run my ProDrive for almost 6 years and about 200hrs now like this, you’ll have no problem. The main motor just gets you there, I always run the troller when I fish so the boat shape and weather conditions has more effect on my fishing abilities and methods. As far south as you are the mud motor in the backwaters is ideal, you need to stay away from sand… Mud, logs, rocks, ice, no problem but sand will just rub your prop away. Good thing with sand is if it’s that shallow just get out and walk the boat. Another bonus of the mud motor is no winterizing per say, I run seafoam year-round in my gas so it’s good to sit for a couple months or when weather permits (like tomorrow ) I’m hitting the river around here.
So you definitly can get by for quite a while with just a mud motor.