Inflatable kayak or Pontoon??

[Patrick L]

I'm new to Oregon (though I've been a member of Ifish for awhile) and I'm looking at buying a pontoon or an inflatable kayak for flyfishing (NRS Bandit II)(<http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1626&deptid=1134>). I would want to use it for rivers and some stillwater, though I already have a float tube for the stillwater. Any thoughts on which would be better? I know that the pontoon would be easier to fish with, but since I've never used one, I don't know how much easier. Also, the kayak has the advantage of letting my kid ride with me. Also, what kind of pontoon boat would be best?

Thanks
Patrick

[stoneflyguy]

I couldn't tell you wich pontoon to buy because there are so many out there that are good and it's all personal prefrence. I can tell you it would be more practical to fish from and very stable for fly fishing. As far as taking you son, you could do it on a pontoon that has a deck in the back but I wouldn't do it in white water although I wouldn't out of a kayak either. My vote would be for the pontoon. I have owned a few and I love mine, just my 2 cents... :cheers:

[lilnorthfork]

Patrick,
That kayak looks cool. :cool: I think not being able to stand up in it could be a big disadvantage... stand to fish, stand to stretch, stand to sight fish, and, most importantly, stand to scout the river ahead. Other considerations might be storage, fish box, etc.
I have a 13' 2-person pontoon... let me know if you want to check it out. For that matter, I also have a small fiberglass kayak with a similar design to the NRS... we could drag them both out to Hagg Lake and you could try them both for comparison. I'll pm you my contact info.
lnf

[Billy Tillamook]

Having tried both, the pontoon gets my vote hands down.

[KillerDave]

Pontoons are better to fish from but Kayaks get you in to more secret spots.

Stay off my water, get the pontoon :grin:

[MattyFlavor]

3 words:
Bruce - Water Ready

(iFish sponsor and a great resource on a matter such as this... and the kid can always ride if you get the 2-person-toon... I've got big dreams in this direction)

[clacksteel]

I love my 9' FishCat pontoon I got at Fisherman's. I got it on sale for like $200 or so. It have worked great on lakes and rivers (even the Deschutes). If you want to take a passenger go for a bigger boat. I really like Outcast boats...I think they are well made, but I'm sure the Water ready boats are great too.

[Patrick L]

Pontoons are better to fish from but Kayaks get you in to more secret spots.

Stay off my water, get the pontoon :grin:



Sounds like a vote for the kayak! I like the inflatable since it is much harder to flip than a hardshell, and this one only weighs 24 pounds. I keep going back and forth between more places to fish (even if I have to wade) from the kayak to easier and much more comfortable fishing in the pontoon.


I love my 9' FishCat pontoon I got at Fisherman's. I got it on sale for like $200 or so.



Of coarse if I can get one for that price that will work on rivers I'll get the pontoon for myself and convince the wife later to get the kayak so I can take the kids. :flowered:

That's what started this disscussion. I saw the cheap one at G.I. Joes for $169, but I'm guessing it wouldn't work on rivers too well. I will drive by Fisherman's and take a look.

Thanks for all of the input.
Patrick

[nookslayer]

Go Pontoon, nothing worse then flipping on a trip. By the way, where in Lake Oswego are you. I'm here as well.

[clacksteel]

I wouldn't count of Fisherman's I got it a while back and I think they stopped making that kind...I haven't seen one since.

[lilnorthfork]

Patrick... pm'd you back. Don't do anything rash 'til you check out the 2-person toon (also works for one person). lnf

[Patrick L]

Go Pontoon, nothing worse then flipping on a trip. By the way, where in Lake Oswego are you. I'm here as well.



North of the Albertsons on Boons Ferry.

An inflatable shouldn't flip. One of my kids tried to flip the inflatable canoe we have and couldn't do it.