Float tube / pontoon advice

[RipnRog]

I have been fishing some private ponds and even a private lake recently and I am thinking of buying a personal pontoon floating device. I have looked at a few and found on that you can stand up in but was wondering what kinds you have and what I should look for when purchasing one of these.

Rodger

[g-man]

The stand up pontoon floats look to heavy to hall around, and in small waters it might be a hassel to use, you can get those wheels for them to roll them to your favorite honey hole, but i prefer the standard sit down ones! Your plenty high in there air ta do what ya need with the standard ones!

[RipnRog]

What brand / model do you use?

[g-man]

This one!! Creek company LTD

[RipnRog]

Where did you get it and what brand name is it?

[Joe W.]

I had a trout unlimited Colorado pontoon that I liked. Only thing is you sit fully out of the water so you get blown around pretty good. Worse than a float tube. The one I had was heavy. I think 75lbs alone. Add your gear and it's over 100lbs in no time. Just some things to think about.

[madddogg]

I recently purchased a Outfitter 300 from Costco $299. I am having a great time with it. Took a couple trips to get it dialed in just right. It has a platform in back for your gear and a motor mount. It comes with a wheel for transporting it to and from the water. I agree with Joe W. you do get blown a bit but there is an anchor system built in as well.

Let me know when you get setup and we'll do a trip together.

Mike

[L Dub]

If you get a tube instead of a pontoon, get one with straps so you can put it on your back. It's a lot easier to carry and frees your hands to carry your poles and any other gear you can't fit in.

[FIT]

The Creek company makes great boat i would recommend checking them out. As for more comparisons info check out this link it was put together by a member of Bass-n-Tubes and lists a bunch of different boats.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files ... risons.htm


FIT

[g-man]

Where did you get it and what brand name is it?

Got it from fishermans warehouse, the brand name is creek company! You can google search them.

[BassManDan]

As g-man said, Fishermans Warehouse in Rocklin would probably be the closest place to get a nice Float or Pontoon.

I fished a float tube, (now I have a bass boat) but that damn tube was always fun and easy.

As for what to get, You can get a Caddis Nevada "U" tube for $70, then you need waders and fins, ~ another $100.

With a pontoon, you don't "need" waders of fins, but I think they would prove very functional, (you cant padle and fish at the same time, I think the fins offer you more control.)

You have a clear advantage of speed with a pontoon, but it is a fair sized package to haul around.

Personally, I like float tubes, you have all the maneuverability with fins (buy diving fins and stocking foot waders, that is best of comfort and less fatigue with good diving fins.)

I've fished small ponds to small lakes (~30 surface acres) and the only complaint is that on the bigger waters, your legs get tired after a 7 hour day covering 4 miles of water, but it is a small price to pay for doing what you love.

All the best,

[g-man]

Yes, you should wear fins when using a pontoon float. Use the oars to get you where you need to go, then use the fins to keep you in place when fishing!

[RipnRog]

Ok guys this is the one I am going with and I am going run a 32 poound thrust hand held trolling motor on it.


Water Skeeterâ„¢ Bass Guide Pontoon Boat





Pontoons are 109'' x 58'' and made of 1200 denier PVC double-coated nylon fabric. Folded molded padded seat. 2-piece 7' aluminum floating oars with oar locks. Maximum weight capacity: 450 lbs. Color: Green/Gold. Imported.

[g-man]

That will do the job! Congrats, have fun!

[Phil]

CREEK COMPANY ODC 8 FTR' HERE AT JIGS $ 300.00

[thejerbs]

pontoons are tight!!! You won't be disappointed. I got a used waterskeeter and I love it.

fyi...adding modifications is almost as fun as fishing in a toon. you can get as creative as you want. 10 rod holder, full livewell, fish finders, gps, beer holder(VERY important), big *** speakers that can blow away wakeboard boat systems, well not really but you get the point

[Jerry]

Ok guys this is the one I am going with and I am going run a 32 poound thrust hand held trolling motor on it.


Water Skeeterâ„¢ Bass Guide Pontoon Boat





Pontoons are 109'' x 58'' and made of 1200 denier PVC double-coated nylon fabric. Folded molded padded seat. 2-piece 7' aluminum floating oars with oar locks. Maximum weight capacity: 450 lbs. Color: Green/Gold. Imported.

Be careful, even a pontoon such as you're talking about would have to have a CF # because of the trolling motor, hence the craft would have to be registered like a regular boat. Just my .02.

Jerry

[uglystyx]

Be careful, even a pontoon such as you're talking about would have to have a CF # because of the trolling motor, hence the craft would have to be registered like a regular boat. Just my .02.

Jerry

i thought that if it is an electrical motor it doesn't need a CF number, only if it is a combustion engine. i guess i was wrong

[thejerbs]

gotta register any kind of motor. Its something like $26, but you have to deal with the DMV, and we all know how crappy that is

I like the oars way better then a motor, cause I don't mind workin on the ol beer gut.

I don't know anything about that boat your looking at roger, it looks cool though. But for around that same price you can get a versa vessel, which all the pontoon dudes swear by. I have a crappy used $85 water skeeter that gets me on the water, so anything will work. But, if your spending that kind of money on toon you should find someone that has used the bass guide and see if they like it, especially transporting that 100lb beast.

[optichamp]

www.northforkoutdoors.com also makes some nice, high end pontoons and floats. I like the Skykomish Sunrise Model, and am thinking of getting one myself. You can find a number of less expensive brands for sale on Ebay - run a search for "pontoon boat" and you'll see a few dozen available.

I have heard stories of guys getting stuck upside down in float tubes and drowning. I can't imagine how one does such a thing, but whatever you get take care that you can exit it easily in an emergency.

Lots of guys are also getting interested in Kayak fishing, with the idea that they can get closer to the fish without motor noise spooking them. Hobie makes its Mirage series, which is powered by your legs, so your hands are free. They aren't cheap, but can sometimes be found for sale used.

The traditional 10-12 foot aluminum boat isn't a bad option as they can fit in a pickup bed. I am probably going to haul mine to the foothills this weekend, and leave the Champion at home.

These all seem to be good options for the mountains, for small lakes that might not have boat ramps, or are too small for a big bass boat.

[CATCHEMCARO]

Do yourself a favor and check out Bucksbag tubes.
www.bucksbag.com
Their round tubes, Mustang U-boat or Southfork Pontoon boat are top quality. Just check them out before you purchase a boat. Keep in mind, you only buy one as it will last a long time. All the brands are good, so no matter which one you chose, your girlfriend will hate it, unless she fish's too. You will be hooked on float tubing or you'll hate it. If you get hooked you won't be able to shake the monkey. Iv'e been trying for a long time.

Rich

[RipnRog]

I have not heard of the versa vessal. I figured I wanted one that would allow me to stand up so I an looking for all of the pontoons that will let me stand up? Does versa have a stand up model and do they have a website?

[mteman]

Versa Vessel is the Cadillac of pontoon boats. They do have a stand up 2 person model that is huge. Their website is http://www.mertechengineering.com/

The Water Skeeter boat you have choosen is a nice boat but is very heavy. I helped a guy launch one at the BnT Delta Open in July because he couldn't carry it alone. It also was on a trailer which is something I would rather do without. IMO for fishing small ponds and lakes a smaller and lighter boat would probably be better.
8 footers are what just about all of the BnT and SCBBBC guys are using. You can carry plenty of gear on them and more importantly you can launch solo without breaking your back.

Stand up models are neat and awesome for sight fishing but you'll find you probably won't use that feature as often you thought unless you're anchored.

The beauty of a pontoon/kickboat is you have oars to cover distance (big motor) and can use your fins while fishing (trolling motor) to move around hands free and maintain position even in the wind just like you do in a float tube. Can't do that with the stand up models (or kayaks) if you can't wear fins!

Here is a tuber and kickboater forum that you could search to find answers to any question you have regarding kickboats in general.
http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.ph ... cs&forum=6

MT

[RipnRog]

Ok let me ask you a question. I plan to use this thing for some small ponds but I also plan to use this at lake natoma this lake is very big and does not allow any gas motors and has some good current at times. For this reason I want to use a trolling motor to get to areas and to gat back the launch area. I have given up on wanting to have a stand up unit. I amd 235 pounds and I want to bring gear and be able to mount a trolling motor. What weight capacity do I need. Most of them say 300 pounds weight capacity should I get one that has more? Is the weight capacity thing I should really worry about? or should I just lose some weight?

[mteman]

I'm 245 on a good day. I would guess that I carry about 25 to 30 more pounds of gear, rods/reels tackle lunch and drinks, I also have a 12 gallon Livewell that when full adds another 85 pounds or so. I can kick around the delta all day without any problems at all.
I do believe most manufacturers under rate the capacity of their boats, probably for liability reasons.

Trolling motors will work on an 8 foot boat without a problem.

MT

[RipnRog]

What float tube do you use? model and make. and what is the rating?

[MikeD]

Mitch/MTM uses a 8' Versa and has it rigged up very nicely

have you checked out the photos over at bass-n-tubes.com? I did a post over there about trolling motors, size/speed/battery life

and there are some videos that I found awhile back on one of the manufacturers websites of someone shooting around on the lake with the trolling motor

the little 30lb minnkota on a 12v should do you fine for a day on the water

http://calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az ... &mode=full

[RipnRog]

I was going to try to get one from Bass pro shops because I can do the six play plan. I have not heard to many of you guys comment on the water skeeter, outcast or the fish cat. out of these who makes the better product. I am really thinking of going with the Creek company because they have a lifetime warranty. What one would you go with if you were buying a new one?

[MikeD]

here's the link to the post I did re: trolling motor issues

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.ph ... ll&page=10

I fish out of a fishcat9, it's ok. I upgraded to oar locks (but the stems are too short to pin the locks in place so they can flap around) and extended the back deck with PVC

I'd prob like the whole pontoon/kickboat thing better if I could leave it setup and then just top the bladders off and chuck it in the water and fish vs all the setup that I have to go thru since I transport mine in my little acura integra. the setup and take down to transport makes it a royal PITA.

creek company has a basic 9' for $199 that includes free shipping

http://creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.ph ... ID=6&Cat=3

you can upgrade the seat and buy the pump at wally world

[RipnRog]

I have a truck to transport mine so I will not have as much set up and tear down as you. I saw that little 199 model but I am one of those people that go all out when i do something and I n=know from my past experiences that it is a whole lot easier and usually in the long run less expensive to just buy the good model right from the beginning. I know I will use a trolling motor and I know I will want to longer better oars. So I figured I should get a good model from the beginning.

You ever have any problems with the fisch cat? It looks like a pretty nice rig.

Sorry I have so many darn questions but I dont want to go in the wrong direction with this.

Rodger

[Andy Giannini]

I would check out the Hobiecat pontoon. You sit up higher, have a rowing option, AND NO PUNCTURES!

You don't really have to get your butt wet like tube, and if you transport it in a truck you aren't worried about a puncture during transit.

I want one of those things, I need to get one before they get discontinued, or they quit making them.

A.G.

[thejerbs]

My friend has a 9' fishcat and loves it. Good toon for the money. If you want the best of the best get a versa vessel.

You can rock a pontoon in some pretty gnarly water without a TM. I've been in 4' rollers at Clear lake and crazy afternoon winds on the delta without any problems, except some sore legs.

I would also invest in a suspender PFD. I have only a manual one, not the automatic, cause I don't want my PDF to blow up when a I get a little wet. Wearing a PFD eases my mind while tooning by myself.

goodluck!

[Sacto John]

If you with the Creek Company, you will not be disappointed. I have an ODC 816 and love it. The customer service is great, I have had them replace pontoon bladders, and parts of the frame for free or a small cost. Be sure you consider the weight of the boat you are going to get as it can be a pain to unload a heavy boat. The ODC 816 has an aluminum frame and I can easily carry the boat by myself. I do not have a t-motor on my boat and I still manage to fish all over the place with out much hassle.

If you want the very best pontoon on the market then go with the Versa Vessel. If i had the money I would.