Since this website launched, I’ve expanded it to include my love of Jon boats. There are multiple different ways in which you can accessorize, customize, and pimp your Jon boat, and in the below sections you can see my recommendations for functional and “must have” items, plus some fun Jon boat accessories too.
It’s not a Jon boat accessories catalog so to speak, but instead a list of the best accessories that will help you maximize space, get better results from your boat, use your trailer better, have a little fun, and make the most of your time on the water.
The design and layout of these vessels means that you can make your memories and days out even better with the addition of some awesome gadgets and tools. I hope that you enjoy using what I believe are the most essential and fun must-have Jon boat accessories as much I have done!
My Jon boat accessories catalog
Below you can see the aluminum Jon boat accessories I personally recommend, split into various categories. All the products listed below I have either used, or have fishing friends you can’t recommend these gadgets and essentials enough.
Must have Jon boat accessories ideas
1. Anchor
No Jon boat is complete without a decent anchor. But you don’t need to go heavy duty here, as your boat is so light that a simple mushroom anchor should be all you need.
The anchor weight you choose depends on the conditions you boat in, with anchors varying from 8 to 20 pounds.
Take a look at the Danielson Mushroom Coated Anchor. It’s lightweight, holds fast in mud or weeds, and the coated surface means it won’t corrode and rust like rival anchors might do.
2. Anchor cleats
You will also need to tie your anchor rope securely to your boat, and that’s where anchor cleats come in.
You might already have black nylon cleats on your Jon boat that will work, but if you need a solution then look no further than these basic ones – they should be all you need and are very easy to fit and install.
3. Trailer
Once you have your new boat, how are you going to get it to and from the water. A trailer, obviously!
Jon boat trailers are lightweight and inexpensive, but an essential must-have accessory for anyone getting into these awesome little vessels.
To find out which ones I recommend, take a look at my guide to Jon boat trailers. It has recommendations on kits for all sizes ranging from 10 feet and up so you should find something to fit your boat.
4. Waterproof tactical flashlight
One of my must-have accessories for a Jon boat is my waterproof tactical flashlight. It’s got me out of countless scrapes in the past including getting back from the river to my vehicle at nightfall, and whilst on the water during night-time fishing trips.
The Cree flashlight on Amazon is waterproof, rechargeable, bright, light, compact, and dead simple to use. It will also light the place up like the 4thof July due to the 1050 lumen rating of the built in LEDs.
Buy one today as inevitably you will need it at some point during the fishing and hunting seasons.
5. Key floats
You get to the water, get onto your Jon boat, and start a great day’s fishing or hunting. But what about your vehicle keys? Have you ever dropped them?
It might not have happened to you, but if it does, it’s a whole world of pain and inconvenience.
Head that potential problem off at the pass with a key float device. Simply attach it to your keys, and if they do drop in the water, they will float with the brightly colored design meaning you can quickly and easily retrieve them.
6. Cell phone dry case with lanyard
And speaking of accidents, phones can get dropped too. I never go without a waterproof lanyard. It hangs around my neck, lets me take calls, use my hunting and fishing apps, and is always close to hand.
But more importantly, I know that there’s no risk of me dropping my expensive phone in the river. And this one on Amazon comes in 4 different colors – go check it out.
7. Boat cover
If you are accessorizing and modifying your Jon boat then it makes sense to protect your investment as best you can, particularly if you are going to be trailering it to and from the water.
What better way to do that then with a specialist Jon boat cover to protect it from dinks, scrapes, birds, weather and sun damage… and here’s the cover I recommend on Amazon.
It’s made from 300 denier PU coated marine grade materials, making it waterproof, UV resistant, and mildew resistant. The heavy-duty elastic cord lets you pull the cover tight over your Jon boat, offering great protection all year around.
This particular recommendation works on Jon boats that are 12 to 18 foot in length, so if you have a different size, take a browse around to find a cover that suits.
8. Comfortable seating
When you buy your first Jon boat, you might not get a premium seat with it that offers the comfort value you need when sat for long periods of time when fishing or hunting.
Thankfully are tons of after-market seat accessories you can choose from, and I’ve actually compiled the best ones into a super guide to Jon boat seats.
I’ve put together 11 you can choose from ranging from clamp-on and swivel options to camouflage patterns, all of which are rated for comfort and style. Please note, you will also need to buy a clamping and mount system if you decide to upgrade your seat.
9. Seat mount
However, you might not have an existing or suitable seat mount in your Jon boat, or simply want to upgrade to something more robust and stable.
Attwood make some of the best seats in the business, and thankfully also make a strong black powder coated swivel clamp (view Amazon prices).
Buy one of these and you can attach your new seat and then swivel, move, and position yourself in comfort all day long.
10. Waterproof dry bag
We’ve all been there. You have a couple of spills, get water in the boat, and before you know it all your gear and spare clothing are soaked through. And with more of us now taking technology with us, it’s never been more important to make sure that everything is protected from water damage.
And not to mention your packed lunch! You don’t want any bacteria from water and fish getting into your food.
The best solution is to pack all of your gear into a waterproof dry bag. The Earth Pak is an amazing product –just read the online reviews.
11. Carpet for floor
One of the more popular modifications you could look at is adding carpet to the floor to give you some inexpensive comfort and traction.
Take a look at what other people are doing as you could also consider vinyl as it can wear better.
Whichever you do decide to do, make sure that you check the weights and then opt for whichever is the lightest of the two to keep your Jon boat stable.
12. Cup holders
I like to have my preferred beverage close at hand and gone are the days when I would rest my can at my feet. I’ve had far too many spills and clean ups that way!
I now use a cup holder, and nothing expensive either – although there are pricier options available, for me this cheapo cup holder works just how I need it to.
It’s made by Attwood, a name you might already be familiar with – go check out the Amazon prices, it won’t be much I promise.
13. Storage ideas
I hate a messy boat, so always want ample storage to keep things neat and tidy, as well as being protected from the weather. You could look at a simple sportsman trunk on Amazon if you don’t want to spend too much money.
That box isn’t really designed specifically for a Jon boat though so this could be a DIY project if you have the time and expertise.
14. Paint & primer
You might love the pattern and colors of your Jon boat, but what if you do want to change things up? Well, aluminum needs a primer applied before you do the main paint, but don’t you just wish you didn’t have to do this?
Well, your wishes have been answered, as you can buy aluminum boat paint that comes with no priming required. Take a look at the Total Boat paints on Amazon to see what you could achieve.
Once you have bought the right paint, it’s time to go paint your Jon boat.
15. Navigational lights
US Coast Guard regulations state mean that Jon boats are not exempt from the law. As well as a flashlight which I also recommend in this guide to cheap Jon boat accessories, if you have a motor on your Jon, you need additional lighting.
As small boats, Jons should have a white light on the stern, with green/red lights on the bow. The red should be shown port, and the green should be shown on the starboard.
You can explore both options on Amazon with these red and green lights, and then an option for a fold down white light.
16. Repair kit
Jon boats are sturdy and built to last, but there could come a point where you need to make a repair to the aluminum.
That’s why it’s important to have repair kit on hand to do any patching and fixes yourself cheaply and quickly.
You buy kits from many of the leading outdoor and marine retailers.
17. Bilge pump
When water comes in your boat you have a few options, one of which is to scoop the water out by hand and hope for the best.
It doesn’t have to be that way though when you can buy a small bilge pump to do the dirty work for you.
The Rule 25D Submersible Bilge Pump (view Amazon prices) can pump 500 gallons per hour, and whilst I don’t think you would ever need that capacity, it offers you the peace of mind in knowing you can cope with all eventualities.
18. Outboard motor
If you are taking your Jon boat into larger water areas or have heavy gear on board, you will need the additional power that an outboard motor offers. The key here is to not go over the top with your motor, and your HP rating should be clearly displayed in the transom area.
Most boats of this size will be fine with a 5 to 6 horsepower motor, and Honda make some great options here.
You are probably going to want a 2.3 HP motor as it doesn’t require any mixing of oil, doesn’t weigh too much, and can work well on Jon boats that are 8 to 10 feet in length, offering 40 pounds of thrust or less.
I would recommend you go to a local dealer and size up exactly what you need rather than buying blindly online.
19. Pair of Oars
If you don’t plan on adding a trolling or outboard motor and prefer the manual approach to getting up and around, then oars will be a necessity.
Oceansouth range a pair of heavy-duty oars that are just perfect for Jon boats. They come with oar locks and a split shaft. Take a look at the online reviews to see what other boaters are saying right now.
20. Waterproof Bluetooth speaker
When I am out on the water, I like to have some background music, and my entire collection is now on my smartphone. But the volume doesn’t offer a great experience, particularly against a rush of fast water.
Instead I have a portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker with me which I pair up to my iPhone for a way better experience.
I’ve written a guide to waterproof portable speakers that do just the trick, so read that here to see which ones I recommend for varying budgets and uses.
Jon boat fishing accessories
Below you can see the essential Jon boat fishing accessories that you simply must-have if you want to get the best from your day’s fishing. Collect these essentials and it could help you get that monster catch you’ve had on your radar for months!
21. Fishing safety life jacket
There are PFDs and life jackets, but then there are ones like this specifically designed with the fisherman in mind.
I love my Lixada fly fishing vest, and I think you will too. It comes with loads of pockets to store your gear in, breathable lightweight fabric, and is designed to let you cast with ease.
But more importantly, it could keep you safe should you fall into the water. Ultimately though, if the most important thing to you is gear storage, then this life vest is one of a kind.
22. Portable fish finder
There are loads of fish finders on the market, but for Jon boats, you need something suitable for smaller vessels. And that’s exactly what the Garmin Striker 4 offers.
It comes with a keyed interface with dedicated buttons, is simple to use, and easy to set-up. You can choose from a 3.5, 5, or 7-inch display size, with Waypoint maps, sonar, and a built-in flasher.
If you would rather have a handheld portable fish finder, then I still recommend the Garmin Striker as it comes with a carrying case and it small enough to sling into your waterproof kit bag.
23. Trolling motor
For the best results, I recommend you use an electric trolling motor. It will let you approach the best catch or hunting area with stealth, letting you get the most from your day.
The best trolling motors in the market today are by Minn Kota, hands down. And for Jon boats, I’d opt for the Minn Kota Endura C2 55 trolling motor. It has a 42-inch flexible shaft to avoid damage and runs from 12-volt power supply.
What I love about it most is how quiet it is. You can move your Jon boat around in the water in virtual silence, so you don’t spook the fish or ducks.
24. Cooler & livewell
I’ve written extensively elsewhere on this website about cooler and livewell combinations, so you should know by now that my recommended brand is Yeti.
Their Yeti Tundra 35 is one of the best options on the market, is large enough to sit on, and has enough space in it to throw the cold drinks and anything else you want kept cool.
For true comfort, style, and capacity though, take a look at the Moeller Deluxe cooler and livewell seat combination – but only if you have the room of course!
25. Rod holders
I am not going to give any recommendations on this page on rod holders because I’ve written a larger guide elsewhere on the website.
You can read my guide to rod holders here, and don’t be put off by the fact I state they are for pontoon boats – they will also work on your Jon boat just the same.
Jon boat trailer accessories
26. Locks & security
Unfortunately, there are some real scumbags out there, and they won’t give a second though in stealing your trailer, possibly even when the boat is on it.
Thankfully though there are some precautions you can take to stop thieves stealing your trailer and boat, and I’ve put them in a security guide with some recommended locks, chains, gadgets and clamps you can use to secure yours.
To find out more, read about how you can secure your trailer from theft.
27. Trailer dolly
And how about getting your trailer to and from the water at those hard to access areas? Look no further than this dolly system on Amazon.
This package includes 2 very sturdy boating dollies capable of hauling your kayak, canoe, or boat up to 150lbs. Its solid metal frame is implemented with foam bumpers on each arm to protect your vessel.
It comes with a 12 ft tie-down strap that securely fastens your vessel to the dolly, and 2 very sturdy double-leg kickstands that allow for easy loading. Outfitted with 2 large pneumatic tires, you are able to cart your vessels through a variety of rough surfaces including sand and gravel.
To see which Jon boat dolly I use, click here to see the least dolly reviews.
The last word…
Thanks for reading my guide to adding accessories to Jon boat. This list is by no means exhaustive, but simply contains the must have accessories for a Jon boat that I use and personally recommend.
If you have anything else that you think would be valuable on this page, then I would love to hear from you so please get in touch via the usual channels.
And if you are a retailer or manufacturer who sells cool Jon boat accessories then I would also love to hear form you – get in touch so I can feature you here!
