Jon boat for me in our waters. I have a 16x70 that only takes a couple inches of water loaded and I can stand on the gunnel and it won't tip.

I have trapped out of various boats since I was a teenager. A big factor for me is being able 2 get back to the starting place so I have always used a vessel that I could r o w. I am currently using a 14 32 Jon Boat with a Mud Motor and works well even when loaded with traps, and one other person. I usually use a push pull or and oar 2 check water depth before getting out. Always wear a life jacket.

The type of water you are running determines what you need for a boat. I have spent a lot of hours in a 12 foot Jon on small water hunting, fishing and trapping. I would take a Jon boat over a canoe or kayak any day of the week. I have spent time in all three.

Yep wasn't planning on not wearing a life jacket and we have a potato rake out in the garage too, so that is already covered. I don't have to carry very much weight for long-distance as I'm using it for a pond/slough hopping rig.

Yeah, I would be hauling the Jon boat in the back of the truck driving to a spot unloading the boat and checking traps and then heading back to the truck to load it back up.

The problem is I have a 2000 S10, and it has a topper on it, so a rack isn't an option for me, because the topper is very nice for keeping your gear dry. I would love to run a canoe, but I just don't have the truck for it.

Yeah, I will go out there this summer and check it out for sets and different active huts. I will always wear a life jacket, because I know I'm not the best swimmer.

Idk I feel like I can't store very many muskrats on it.

Yeah, that is how my state is with electric and gas motors, but I just don't have the truck for it.

Yeah, I don't have very much money with the fur being as low as it is, so I'm trying to keep it used. If I had good fur prices, I don't think it would be a problem.

Yeah, I have a kayak that would be getting sold to afford a Jon boat, it's an 11.5-foot sit on top with the same front hatch on it which I wish was open deck.

Yeah, I was planning on running a life jacket as I know I'm not the best swimmer.

Yeah, I have seen a few canoes for sale around my area and I just don't have the means to transport one safely.

Yeah, that was my reasoning for running a Jon boat for running up onto muskrat huts and cattail banks, I could probably trap it in waders, but having a boat to throw my catch in would be really nice. I'm going to buy a nice jacket because I don't trust my swimming capability.

Yeah, I would be running a 10 or 12-foot max since I don't want to trailer it.

I want to avoid using a motor since my state requires it to be registered if you use one, no matter if it's electric or gas.

It would be small ponds and sloughs maybe a couple of acres at the most.

I know you said boat, but if you can wade with just waders on ,think about an otter sled. Very light, easy to tow or drag, holds all your stuff and can carry some weight.

In my area, the rats do not build huts until the fall. But it's still a great idea to get out on the water and explore and become comfortable with your watercraft.

Yeah, I was thinking about that, but this boat would also be fished out of and have a few other purposes too. When it's hot out I'll go out one day and figure out the depth.