[wiskered-one]

I've seen pontoon's all over the river but have never personally fished from one. I was wondering how they handle strong current, wind, etc.

I presently own a 16' C-dory cruiser. There just isn't room for more than two people and gear, and the gear better be minimal.

I've seen the fishing set-up of various pontoon companies and have read the hype of the manufactures but what's the real story? They sure look comfortable but how about trailering, launch and recovery?

Thanks, don

 

[cattoon]

I previously owned a 24 ft Crest pontoon. It was lovingly referred to as the cat toon. It was wonderful for the room and comfort, it had a 10-12 ft hardtop that provided plenty of shade and made most summer days bearable. Plenty of room to fish 4-5 people off the front without being in each others way. The downside was towing was a hard pull and it took probably 20-30 min to get the top situated and ready to launch and it was even worse after fishing all night then packing everything for the ride home. It was not convenient to hook up and run to the lake to fish for 3-4 hrs. If I decide in the future to get another one it will probably be an 18 ft with a bimini type top. As far as handling it was not too bad, it was just big and sometimes the wind would be a little tough to deal with. It handled current pretty well and was rock stable to fish from. I decided to get rid of it after buying my center console. We spent many a night camping on it and fishing with friends and kids. There was enough room that when the kids got tired, they could be put to bed and get some rest

 

[ramon06]

I have an older model deck boat. The top is the same as the pontoon but It has a semi V-bottom instead of the toons. Very comfortable and stable boat. as the man above said plenty of room and u can customize it as you want. I have a bimini top and sometimes I wish I had that long top just for more shade for my passengers. But I understand that it would be a headache for transport. I launch and trailer my boat alone alot of times. Its a little easier than the pontoon boat and doesnt take much time at all

 

[TOPS]

I love to fish from my toon very comfortable, draw back is slow takes for ever to get to some of my fishing holes,the top keeps you fairly cool out of the sun dry in a light rain, can be a booger to load in a swift current or in a cross wind. low bridges can be a problem, with that said I still rather fish from it.

 

[Dirtdobber]

I have a 20' pontoon that I fish from all the time. I keep changing up every thing on it. Still haven't got it like I want it. The only 2 things I don't like is loading in a strong cross wind ( I'm going to put side guides on it and that will take care of that problem) and there are a few places I can't launch it because of the way the ramps are. When I get another boat it will be a pontoon, but I will order it from the factory the way I want it.

 

[Bubbakat]

I have a 24 footer. Love it. I can load in heavy current or cross winds because I have inner and outer guides. The bimi lets right down quick to help in control. I back the trailer in just deep enough to float the rear and I power up to the stop. I line her up on the inner and outer guides and go straight into it. If you alter your power it will take you out of line so don't be afraid to drive it into the guides. I have a SS grill for cooking and have been know to tow a tube also.

 

[ramon06]

I have a 24 footer. Love it. I can load in heavy current or cross winds because I have inner and outer guides. The bimi lets right down quick to help in control. I back the trailer in just deep enough to float the rear and I power up to the stop. I line her up on the inner and outer guides and go straight into it. If you alter your power it will take you out of line so don't be afraid to drive it into the guides. I have a SS grill for cooking and have been know to tow a tube also.

Yeah I have outer guides, inner guides and a center guide for the Bow also and oh man do they help. If I just float over them they guide you right up on the trailer, its so simple buy yourself especially with me having a 175 motor. I watch people at the dock with 2 and 3 people and I beat them by myself. I always have guys see me launching and run to help me lol I accept their help but I dont really need it. Yep I second the grill, mine is alot smaller than most people but I can get 6 burgers and 2 dogs on at a time. I just wish my boat was 2' longer and 2' wider and I would be totally happy.

 

[wiskered-one]

Appreciate the input, keep it coming. Ramon, dosen't everyone have "Bigger Boat Itis", what ya got ain't ever big enough...LOL.

 

[keepitsimple]

There isn't nothin more comfortable than fishing out of a toon. Walk around to stretch your legs, plenty of nappin area. Put a dish and tv on it I'd never go home. Tough drifting with if any wind comes up. Couple guys here with more money than brains are in a competition for the fastest toon. So far the 1 hits 72mph on a gps, HUGE crate motor in it. The other 68mph. both look like sleepers being all decked out, NOT a rod holder on them and sound like Garlitts comin up on the line. They both do water wheelys out of the hole lol

 

[m slayton]

i ah ve been looking for just the toon - the pon LOL i love to build a lil boat house on the toon platform but i don't wanna tear appart a good one . if you have a lil framing or dry wall epx the you can build what you want on that toon frame.

for instance find a cheap ragady pontoon or even just the runners and maybe a bare deck then build a lil shack over the steering wheel area and build it say 4-6 foot less then the total lenght of the boat and you got a lot of fishing room out the back of the boat. build about say 6foot hi or you tall fellers maybee 7 foot tall and insalate the shack and put a roof on it tar paper n shingles any one ? or even a tin roof and mount a few long bench seats in side to store rods n gear in and if long enough seats you can sleep on em . also if you make the shack small enough say leave a 2 foot walk way all the way around it and you can fish all around it or atlease walk around the boat.

with a window ac unit and a genaratior per haps a mini fridge and a air mattress you got it made use your thinker and you can build what ever ya want that is y pontoons rule !!! gl guyss

 

[kitsinni]

i ah ve been looking for just the toon - the pon LOL i love to build a lil boat house on the toon platform but i don't wanna tear appart a good one . if you have a lil framing or dry wall epx the you can build what you want on that toon frame.

for instance find a cheap ragady pontoon or even just the runners and maybe a bare deck then build a lil shack over the steering wheel area and build it say 4-6 foot less then the total lenght of the boat and you got a lot of fishing room out the back of the boat. build about say 6foot hi or you tall fellers maybee 7 foot tall and insalate the shack and put a roof on it tar paper n shingles any one ? or even a tin roof and mount a few long bench seats in side to store rods n gear in and if long enough seats you can sleep on em . also if you make the shack small enough say leave a 2 foot walk way all the way around it and you can fish all around it or atlease walk around the boat.

with a window ac unit and a genaratior per haps a mini fridge and a air mattress you got it made use your thinker and you can build what ever ya want that is y pontoons rule !!! gl guyss

LOL you aint messin around

 

[Triple-L]

I've seen pontoon's all over the river but have never personally fished from one. I was wondering how they handle strong current, wind, etc.

I presently own a 16' C-dory cruiser. There just isn't room for more than two people and gear, and the gear better be minimal.

I've seen the fishing set-up of various pontoon companies and have read the hype of the manufactures but what's the real story? They sure look comfortable but how about trailering, launch and recovery?

Thanks, don

PROS:
-very roomy
-very stable
-very comfortable (for long overnight trips)

CON:
-usually slow
-due to the size usually harder to tow and load/unload by yourself
-harder to store and/or cover

 

[papabear108]

I use my father's pontoon (too poor to own my own boat). I love it. Dad gave me one rule, no permanent mods. So, I have to build all of my fishing mods to be removable with no holes in the boat. By using the rails and the seating and a warped imagination you can create any setup you want on a pontoon. And if you go the temporary route, you can take the fishing mods off and have the family and friends out on the water and PARTAY!!! I agree with the other guys, awesome for fishing but a pain to load unload solo. If you have a dedicated fishing partner, a pontoon boat is the only way to travel. Pontoons are the Cadillac's of the water IMHO!

Bear