Hi there. I've been a lurker for awhile but registered to respond to your post. We have a half-acre small pond that is about 4' deep at the deepest point. I too decided this summer that I needed a jon boat for "maintenance." I found mine on OfferUp, a 9' aluminum Duratech Pramline that was built in the 60s. Great flat bottom boat, remarkably stable for standing in too. As someone mentioned above, this size fits right in the back of a pickup and weighs less than 50lbs. Paid $200 for it.
I too thought I could use a pole to navigate, but a pair of oars made a world of difference. Well worth springing for them and much faster and easier to move around the pond - I paid about $25 each from First Choice Marine online if we are allowed to name retailers here. If not I will edit. Lowe's home improvement stores also stock oars for around $35 each for another fair priced option.
This setup has been great for helping clear out cattails. I use a Redmax reciprocator for this, which slices through them below the waterline. I find it's easier to use from inside the boat versus standing in waders too.
Owning a small boat is fun for the kids to putz around with out there too. Not many fish in our pond, although we see there are a few little ones here and there. We have more frogs and turtles than anything.
