pontoon rafts

[husker]

anybody own 1? my friend is trying to talk me into buying 1 of the single person types. good and bad points would be appricated.

can u anchor with them?

[ 12-13-2002, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: husker ]

[Otolith]

Husker --

I have an 8 foot pontoon and enjoy fishing from it. Its great for fishing those trout lakes that are a little too big to kick all the way across in a float tube. I'll wear my float tube fins while on my pontoon - so I use the oars to row over to where I want to fish, then use my feet to keep moving slowly while I fish. I've seen people drift rivers on them and it looks pretty fun. I plan on using mine a bunch next summer to drift high up on some of the local rivers during low flows.

And they do make a little pulley anchor system that you snap right onto the back of the frame. The whole boat comes apart into 3 pieces and can fit in the trunk of a car. With a dual action pump, it takes me less than 10 minutes to assemble the frame and blow up the pontoons.

You are welcome to borrow mine and try it out sometime if you like.

[NEUTRON]

Cuban, is that the same boat you used to migrate with :tongue: . trout lakes? :tongue: . How is your pager workin', I think we should test out it's coverage area like the verizon commercial.

[Otolith]

ROTFLMAO :grin: :grin: :grin:

Yeah Newt. In fact, Elian Gonzalez rode on the back of it with me across the Florida Straits.

Are you are trying to get me to ditch work for fishing and get fired like you? Call me ********.

******** is censored?

[ 12-13-2002, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: Otolith ]

[Big Smizz]

Husker:

I have the Bucks Bags Alpine pontoon boat and I LOVE IT! It has 6 foot pontoons. There are so many gadgets and attachments that you can get for it. I ordered a trolling motor plate that I attached to the back and I have a 36-lb. thrust Minn Kota that is perfect for trolling and scooting around the lakes. I, too, would like to try it in whitewater. Mine is rated for up to class IV rapids, although I am not sure that would be too interested in that. You can also purchase an anchor mount and pully system, but it would have to be a pretty heavy anchor to hold in moving water. Basically, it is a perfect still or slow-moving water fishing vessel. One thing to consider would be this is probably not a winter vessel. The user only sits a matter of a few inches off the surface of the water, wo you should probably plan on getting a little wet from time to time. Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mike

[husker]

i wouldnt mind getting a little wet i could wear neoprenes.....and a rain coat......i probably would avoid most rapids if i could

my main interest would be for steelhead in the winter.....anchoring would be somewhat important.......

[Whopper Stopper]

I'm hoping Santa will heed my pleas for the same thing. I have been pretty good this year :grin: I stopped by kaufman's this week and they gave me some good info. The Water Skeeter boats and the ones we see for sale all the time at GI Joes and Fishemans Marine. They are made by the same company as the Fish Cat boats which run a couple of hundred more. the difference between the two is mainly two things:

1. The higher cost one has fabric in the pontoons to make them tougher.

2. The higher end ones have frames made out of aluminum. The Water Skeeter frames are made of steel which will eventually rust. The aluminum won't.

If it was up to me I'd rather pick up a "previously owned" better model for the same money as the low end model new.

Just my two cents worth

Jay

[Corkie Monster]

Husker
Check out boats and tackle. I'm selling mine. Have a drift boat now.

[husker]

ok i sent u a pm

[alwayslookin]

I spent some time researching Pontoons. One consistent tip that I heard from all shops was that if you plan on getting into any big water, (Class IV), you want a boat that is 9 or 10 feet long. A smaller experienced person might be able to get buy with an 8 footer, but that can be risky. I got an 8 foot bucks bags boat with anchor and rod holder and it is okay on the Deschutes from Warm Springs to Trout Creek, but I would never go into the class IV"s with it below Trout Creek or in the Maupin area.

John

[Mad Mikey]

Oooh, John you are missing out. I've got an 8 footer also(Southfork). It has taken me safely through Whitehorse and all the other rapids on the river excluding Sherar's of course and Oak Springs I take the far left channel. I wouldn't recommend it for overnighters or cold weather but they are a hoot during the mid-day heat when fishing is slow and getting wet sounds fun.
I've found my craft to be amazingly stable. I've got a photo of me sitting in the hole at Boxcar, all you can see is my head. The boat bobbled a little then popped me right out.
On the other hand I do have a lot of whitewater experience and wouldn't want a newbie to try any of this stuff without learning the ropes. I also never wear waders/boots or carry any fishing gear if I'm running serious water, just a good PFD and a water bottle in the side pocket.
yYou ought to give it a try sometime.

[alwayslookin]

double post

[ 12-13-2002, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[alwayslookin]

MM, I'd have a hard time being near the Deschutes without a rod in my hand. That's my macho excuse. The real excuse is nothing smaller than an 8-10 person paddle raft can get me near Boxcar or Oak Springs.

I guess I'm getting old and slow.

al

[MJ]

I would take a look at the Guide Model from Skookum Products. 10'x19" pontoons. You can anchor, shoot rapids, and stand to fish. It will hold about 1000 pounds. That is what I will be getting as soon as the market picks up www.steelheader.com Also you can take a look at teh editorial in this months STS. From my research this seems to be the best single man pontoon on the market. THis model runs $15-1800.

MJ

[husker]

for $1500 i bet i could find a DB

[MJ]

Husker, for 1500 I bet you could. I also have a DB. The reason that I want a Pontoon is because I tend to fish alone, can't find anyone to fish during the week. A db has become a pain. A pontoon is light and I can launch just about anywhere and I can pack it up and put it in my house. I agree 1500 is steep, you can find lesser craft for less or look used. In anycase, good luck, I think you will like it.

MJ

[fishin'O.C.and beyond]

Where will you be using it? I have had one for about 14 yrs. and used it on the Clack for silvers but finally got a drift boat for this instead. More room, stay drier, and so on. The thing I loved about the pontoon was the ability to carry it and launch in-between ramps, shortstopping the drift boats! Also used it on the Sandy @ Revenue bridge to Dodge park, and know people who use them on smaller coastal rivers, so they do have their advantages. Like I say I think the most important factor is where. If the water you are on can be fished with a drift (or other) boat as well, I would save my money and go with a real boat. If money is the issue pontoons are the way to go.

[Fish'nDude]

husker,

I have the Bucks Bag Alpine also with anchor system, rod holder etc. and love it for still water fishing. I have used it rivers with some interesting experiences.

I always wear breathable chest waders, inflatable vest, and fins. I’ve tried without the fins and it seems you miss the maneuverability they give you while fishing. A 10 to 12 lb. anchor should be used in rivers with any current if you want it to hold but have a very sharp knife on hand to cut the rope if you anchor gets stuck in faster water. You CAN get sucked under.
I’m not the most coordinated guy to begin with; pretty new at Salmon/Steelhead fishing, never used a drift boat of my own. If someone has figured out a successful system for fishing from a pontoon boat in rivers/tidewater I would love to learn from them.
The pontoon boat is great at getting you access to the fish in rivers but things can get real interesting if you actually get a large one on. You can’t standup in most pontoon boats so if you have any hopes of landing the fish you have to get on land. That requires kicking ashore. Of course you have to be able to out kick the fish. Try that with a 30 lb. nook, you will go for quite a ride. After the fish hopefully tires of pulling you around and you get to make your way to shore you then have to undo the apron with one hand that fits around you in the boat and climb ashore with fins on. Just hope it’s not muddy so your feet and fins don’t get sucked into the mud leaving you immobile and unable to stop your pontoon boat from leaving you on some hostile farmers land. You get some very strange looks from the cows too.

Don’t go solo; a video camera could capture some priceless footage.

[fishnxtc]

Husker,
I just picked one this week at fishermans. So soon as you get yours let me know and will go. If you want you can come by and check mine out....Chris

[Red Green]

My buddy and I got some 8 foot pontoon boats a few weeks ago and have drifted from carver to Riverside twice now and we love them. They seem very stable, easy to manuever, and we can carry a lot of stuff on them. On our first trip I used an 8lb mushroom anchor and it sucked. Then I got a 15lb mushroom anchor that has large spikes welded on it for grabbing things, and it does better, but I drag it a lot in the shallows. When we drifted the water was only at 1000 cfs, I am waiting to see what it is like when its at 2000 or so.

Good luck~

Chris

[SnoSldr]

I had the same anchor dragging problems. Here is what I did. Went to andy n bax and bought a whole bunch of 2" webbing whatever color you want. Then just wrap/weave it around the frame in back of the seat creating a floor. I did the same thing in the front. I can stand on it its so strong. O ya the anchor, just flip it up on da floor next to the cooler of ____, and your drybag.

[smilesforu]

I have a used floatntote for sale has a small cat frame that sits on top if you want a more stable rowing station. I just upgraded for the newer models. 300+shipping for the boat and oars. 350 with the frame, but I won't ship that.
Located up in port angeles, WA

This is a sweet little setup for the med/small rivers. Packs into a backpack and can launch anywhere. Under 30 lbs without the frame.

Shoot me a email if your interested. could ups to your house.

[GL2]

I have 2 water skeeters. They are the cheapest modle on the market. They do the trick for now. I'd like to get a DB later, when I got the cash to get something nice.
The 2 problems i have are anchoring & landing a springer from anchor. I use a 20# anchor on the tucca, and still play games hanging up. I've been able to anchor up on the second try allways. But I hate having to row upriver in slack water or drag up to try to get another grab. You lose fishing time doing this. But at least your not on the bank.
It can be a bear to pull up a 20# anchor with one arm while you got a 25 pound spriner on.
I've had to have my buddy drift down on me and pull up 4 me.
The upside is you get to plug or diver & bait, & have a beer. You can't do that from the bank!

[Slough Rat4]

I've been very interested for a while and I found one for $200 at Bobs. Anyone know how much the little anchor pully system is? Im also not a good swimmer nor do I want to try become one so how stable are they? Could I go from Siskyville or the Guide Shop down to Sollie Smith?
A little help would be really appreciated.

Si

[garyk]

I was intrigued by a magazine ad of a new model pontoon, (glanced at it in a checkout line and I forget the maker).

I think it had 7' or 8' tubes, but the REALLY COOL part was you can pair them up (the tubes zip together end-to-end) and you then have a 2 person raft. The ad claimed that it was designed to eliminate hinging where the tubes joined.

Anyone seen or tried this rig yet?

[Steelheader69]

Mad Mikey said it all, you can take the lesser models in whitewater, but you BETTER have the experience under your belt. I'm in same boat as him, I have tons of whitewater experience under my belt.

There is one big difference which brings money factor in. You can't truly "fish" from the bucks, skeeters, and such. You can sit and cast, but can't stand up and fish. I had a 9' steelheader, and am buying 12' tubes from Skookum to build my own boat next year. They are extremely stable and you can stand up and fish from. Makes it easier to land a fish to net if you can move around boat freely. But if you mostly want a vessel to float with, go cheap. But want a decent boat, you will have to spend the $$$ to get one.

Yeah, you can almost find a DB for $1500. But can run alot more (and alot LESS) water with a pontoon boat then a DB. :grin: