Pontoon Boats.

[stevecastle]

  I am looking at getting off the bank this next season with my son. I was originally looking at a pair of belly boats, but have decided i would rather look at either kayaks or a pair of pontoon boats. I've read quite a lot about  kayaks, but have heard very few people post regarding pontoon boats. i'm looking for opinions on pontoon boats, especially from those with first hand experience.

  Steve.

[Under the Radar]

Steve, I've got a Sea Eagle 375 foldcat. It's a two man Pontoon. It's a great boat.

I also have a Sea Eagle 285fpb Frameless Pontoon boat. It's a one man.

And a 176 Stratos XT.

The only disadvantage to "any" pontoon boat is wind resistance. I wouldn't trade mine for anything, but I would probably recommend Kayaks for you and your son.

There are several factors that may influence your decision.

Storage.

Hauling vehicle.

Waters to be fished.

Good luck in your quest.

Nick O

[MrWrinkle]

Steve,

I have a FishCat 9 pontoon and absolutely love it! There are pros and cons but for me the overwhelming advantage is the ability to move silently along (via paddling with fins) while fishing. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it means I can cover water at whatever pace I want, and stop and turn the boat on a dime if I need/want to and re-fish an area. You just don't have that flexibility in a Kayak (unless you get one of the mirage paddle systems, but even then it still does not offer the maneuverability of pontoon+fins). Admittedly, the pontoon is susceptible to wind, but you just turn your back to it and kick against it. I can comfortably hold position in a sustained 10-15mph. More than that needs an anchor. (They are also incredibly stable in side-on choppy water -- it's actually kinda fun!) But you can also use the wind to your advantage, allowing it to drift you while you make minor adjustments with the fins to maintain distance from the shore, etc -- all while still fishing. Again, you just don't have that flexibility with a kayak where you have to put the rod down and pick up the paddle to make adjustments.

When it comes to rowing long distances, the pontoon moves fast. For me, a mile-or-so is not a big deal, and I can comfortably do a lot more. (I don't know how the two-man pontoons handle, so I can't comment on those.)

Mine has lots of storage, and I can easily carry several bait containers, a big bag of supplies, life jacket, net, electronics and four rods (though I could probably make that 5 or 6 if I wanted).

There are certainly cons though. The setup time is about 20-mins for me, as opposed to just dropping a kayak in the water and heading out. So obviously you'd double that if you had two. Also, you can't really carry them once they're assembled. If the ground is soft (i.e. grass) you can drag them quite easily, but otherwise you need to carry the individual components to the water and then assemble.

So despite those last two shortcomings, I'd certainly take one over a kayak for many applications. I'm sure there are some waters where a kayak is better, but for where I go, the pontoon is the best choice by far. But for two people -- I'm not sure. A pair of kayaks (or a two-man kayak) might actually be your best bet.

You're fairly local to me, so I can show you my setup and let you test drive some time early next year if you want. Just drop me a PM.

[Grey Wolf]

Get the kayaks. JMHO

[Fishing Rhino]

I cannot comment on a kayak.  Never fished from one.

I have a bass boat, two canoes (one paddling the other with a trolling motor) and have used our daughters eight foot bass hunter pontoon boat.  I like them all.  They are all different, and each has its strong points and is the best under different conditions and types of fishing.

I like our daughters pontoon boat so much that I may get a larger one to use on some of the ponds where I now use a canoe.

The big plusses are, for its size it's incredibly stable.  The seat(s) can be placed anywhere along its length and are very comfortable, plus they swivel.  Trolling motor can be mounted at either end.

I don't know about rowing, but they paddle like a barge.  That's fine on the small pond behind our daughter's, but I wouldn't want to go more than a few hundred yards paddling.

The other thing I don't like about the pontoon boat is that while rods can be stored on the tops of the pontoons, they can easily be knocked over the side.

Her version has no bungees or tie downs to secure them in place.  But, that's no big deal.  Easy enough to pick up the hardware and install them.

You can put them beneath the seats, but a clumsy oaf like me would likely step on them.

You can put a huge tackle box beneath the seat, and have everything readily available.

Which is best for you depends on where you fish, and the type of fishing you do.  Regardless, any of them will greatly broaden your fishing horizons.

[northern basser]

There is a person on this site (frogginstein) that I fish w/ a lot that owns a one person pontoon.  Maybe shoot him a pm to get his opinion. 

They are sturdier than a yak and sit up higher,  which I would like better for bass fishing.  He said his 50# TM pushes him around quit well.

[Goose52]

I considered pontoon boats. Stability and a higher seating position were positives. Negatives included, as Rhino said, the possibility of dropping stuff overboard (which for me was also a negative for kayaks), and that they're probably more wind sensitive than even a canoe. After considering the pontoons, kayaks, and canoes (and anything else that I could think of that didn't require a trailer) I ended up with a canoe (with outriggers for stability) - works for me... :

[backseatk]

go with the kat (pontoon)style and use swim fins

[stevecastle]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning towards the pontoons as my son is 15 now and should be able to assemble his own waterside. I really like the idea of extra height and stealth. I have been looking at the Creek Co pontoons as i have to buy 2 as these seem reasonably well made.   Steve.

[Red]

Here is a thread that has some pretty good info, including mods and dollys for them.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276898284

[DJinNC]

I have a kayak rigged to fish and an ODC (creek company) sport.  The entry level model you can often find for under 200.00.  Had the toon since 2005 or 2006.  I can't beleive it has been that long....... anyways.  All things being being equal, I like the toon better for flat water becuase it allows me to sit high and hold a position via anchor or fins.  It is far superior to a yak if you are going to fly fish, work some jerk baits, worms or jigs.  It is also perfect for long (all day) outings and carrying lots of gear or a nice cooler.  You can mount a TM to it.  Now, I must admit, if I have a short time, say 2 hours out or in water that has some current to it........ even though the ODC is  okay for moving water.... I go to the yak..  The yak is more portable as you can carry a 8-10 foot yak like a back pack with shoulder straps.  In the yak, you sit low, so sight fishing is tough and (IMHO) I don;t do well with jigs or finess bits from the yak.  More like, crank baits, spinners and swim baits....... run and gun stuff.  Which is why I use the yak a little more often. time.  It only takes me about 10 minutes to set up the toon (5$ rechargable air bed pumps from walmat!!), but it is very slow. If you want to cover alot of distance in a short time...... yak it.  If you want to really work and area in the comfort of a Lazy-Boy, fly fish......... toon.  So if I have an all day outing on flat water (big or small) it's the toon I take first.