Pontoon Boats

[wsuweston]

Do any of you guys use inflatable pontoon boats or float tubes for bass? I have been looking at a lot of ponds that I can not get boat access and think that a pontoon boat might be the answer. What do you guys think? What do you use?

[raptorschild]

Do any of you guys use inflatable pontoon boats or float tubes for bass? I have been looking at a lot of ponds that I can not get boat access and think that a pontoon boat might be the answer. What do you guys think? What do you use?


First off....Go cougs....I graduated from Pullman in 2003.

Second off.....Pontoons are awsome for ponds. I havent used mine so much since I got a little 16 ft boat..but they are an awsome way to fish small water, and small rivers that don't allow motors.

Just remember that when it comes to $$$ for the pontoon.....It matters. You can get away with a cheap one for sure...they will get it done....but you get what you pay for in the pontoon department....

Check the Ifish classifieds....i've seen some GREAT deals over there but usually get snatched up quick. Ebay is where I got my Fishcat. I recommend Fishcat as a fairly cheap, but pretty darn nice pontoon for what you are looking to do. My friends all have fish cats too...they love em. I have other friends that have the Trout unlimited...and they sucked. leaked air. Bad valve design.

[veilside180sx]

I use mine quite a bit for bass on all sorts of water with a trolling motor and anchor. Just be careful when those trebles are flying through the air on a failed hookset. =)

[fishinjay]

I have other friends that have the Trout unlimited...and they sucked. leaked air. Bad valve design.


I second that. Trout unlimiteds suck. Total waste of money even if you get it for 5 dollars. I used to fish out of a pontoon all the time, it was a blast. I made the mistake of getting a trout unlimited and all the welds on the frame cracked and it literally fell apart while i was in a small pond. Luckily it was only 3ft deep when it happened, so i walked to shore and threw the boat in the nearest dumster on my way home.

So make sure it has a stout frame before you buy.

[LegalAddiction]

I have a $200.00 9' creek company and love it. Set up with rod holder, trolling motor and fish finder. I purchased my girl one at Big R called a water sketer, sturdy boat, but hard to control. If the frame holds up on my creek company then I will be completely satisfied.

I would suggest buying one to anyone. If you do buy one make sure it does not have the circular oar locks that the oars slide through. Get one that has the pins that slide into the poly bushings that are fixed to the oars, they are easy to control. Hope this helps a little.

[GraphiteZen]

Just remember that when it comes to $$$ for the pontoon.....It matters. You can get away with a cheap one for sure...they will get it done....but you get what you pay for in the pontoon department....

I recommend Fishcat as a fairly cheap, but pretty darn nice pontoon for what you are looking to do.

Agree with that 100% I have a Fishcat FC9 Deluxe and it has been 100% trouble free for 4 years, and I have put that thing through its paces that is for sure.

Here's a little hint: The Fishcat that I have is somewhat of a bulk model that was made in China. Outcast bought a ton of them and silkscreened their Fishcat logo to it, and Sportsman's Warehouse did the same thing. After I bought mine at The Scarlet Ibis in Corvallis, a buddy bought the same one at Sportsman's Warehouse. Compared, they were EXACTLY the same. Same pontoons, same frame, same paint, same weight. The difference is that Outcast charged about $90 more for the same boat.
I was just at Sportsman's Warehouse the other day and they still have the same general model (pontoons are a different color and the frame is a different color) but I'm pretty sure it is still the same craft. The price was just over $300 I think. I got mine for $480 I think but that was when they were just coming out. If you get that model you will not be disappointed.

One thing I ALWAYS tell people is to get a model that has a sturdy oarlock and riser, and make sure the pontoons are tough. Some pontoons I have seen are made of a woven fiber of some sort and have no zipper which means there is no way to access the internal bladder to patch a leak (if it even has one). From experience I can assure you that you will be dragging it around a lot, and even the thick PVC material mine are made from get worn along the bottom. If you drag a woven material over gravel for any amount of time it's not going to last long, and if you poke a hole in it (glass, discarded hooks, metal shards etc) you can't patch it period. You can't get a good seal on a woven fiber of any kind, and even if you could the patch will be on the outside and will just get torn off again.

Also, whatever you get, make sure the pontoons are large in diameter. That will put you higher in the water and your feet won't get wet.
Buy a better seat because the stock ones are not very comfortable if you spend 8 hours in them...
Scrap the 6' oars and get 7' with Oar Rights. Makes a huge difference.
If the clips on the bottom of the oarlocks are anything other than thick cotter pins, replace them. Mine came with keyrings, and the first day I went down a river I tried to push off a rock and it flattened the ring and sucked it right up through the upright and I almost lost my oarlock.
And whatever you do, always have an extra set of oarlocks. I broke one in a large tidal change and had I not had a spare I would have lost my boat, or took an unwanted vacation in Hawaii had a chose to stay aboard.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/28/fishcatli5.jpg

[wsuweston]

I just picked one of those up last night for $180, I figured for that price if it falls apart lesson learned. It is rated for up to 375 lbs. If I end up liking it I will buy a nice one with a fishing deck. I plan on buying the motor and anchor kit soon. Thanks for the info.

[flippinbaits]

I just picked one of those up last night for $180, I figured for that price if it falls apart lesson learned. It is rated for up to 375 lbs. If I end up liking it I will buy a nice one with a fishing deck. I plan on buying the motor and anchor kit soon. Thanks for the info.


what kind did you get?
:applause:

[wsuweston]

what kind did you get?
:applause:

The 9' creek company. It was cheap but seemed pretty solid, so I will give it a shot and if it falls apart they have a lifetime warranty. Also breaks down easily, which was also a factor.

[xs2kdriver]

I've got a North Fork Outdoors model Skykomish Sunrise. It is 10.5 feet long, has a retractable standing platform and can hold up to 800 lbs. Costs $1000.00 but is an awesome 'toon. I have used it on small lakes and have floated the John Day from Service Creek to Clarno multiple times without a single problem or complaint!

[sbasser]

Have you thought about a canoe? I have hundreds of hours of bassin' out of a canoe, and like them a lot. If interested, I would willingly advise on selecting a canoe, paddles, etc.
Stealthy approach can make a lot of difference in catching big bass! :meme: C&R, Steve

PS: The transom won't fall off!:passout:

[wsuweston]

Thanks but I already bought a pontoon. I wanted something that would fit in my car so a canoe was out.