Fishing Forum

i want somthing to get me out on the water, that will still fit in my cartrunk hatch back....maybe with a small motor
[signature]

Toon, toon, and toon. Don't get a tube.

There are a lot that will disagree, but once I got into a toon I wondered how I wasted so many years in a tube.

Mine is a monster and I can get it in my Prius with ease. I can actually get mine and my brother's in comfortably.
[signature]

My progression was simple - and predictable. I had several tubes, then a personal 'toon - and now a high-end kayak. Each has advantages and divantages, but I wouldn't go back to either a tube or 'toon now except to fish lakes where I couldn't launch the kayak.

If the choice is a tube or a 'toon I'd definitely say get a pontoon.
[signature]

Pontoon. For ease of transport, a frameless one would be even better. Lakes. Rivers. Can add motor.
[signature]

If you hike to a lot of lakes, get a lightweight float tube.

If not, the only thing that really matters is that you're floating, somehow.

Tubes can be pretty dangerous in the wind/choppy waters.
[signature]

I love my toon but need to invest in some good waders so I can hit the lakes as the ice comes off. I love my toon but don't think you can go wrong with a tube or Yak either. All three offer a serene personal experience with the lake you are fishing and all can take a small electric motor.

Here is mine.
[signature]

I have both tube and toon. i put a motor on my pontoon just in case the wind picks up. in a tube, you dont stand much chance at getting off the water quickly. but the tube is great for small lakes without a lot of pressure or wind. i wouldn't get rid of either and use both several times a year. if you can find a good deal, i would invest in both.
[signature]

I have both and I love the toons where I can get them, but the tube has its place as well for long hikes when weight is a factor. I actually have two toons both are small light weight models and if I can possibly carry them they go with me back packing they open a whole new world. You will love it. Have fun. Later J
[signature]

I have a toon for sale in great shape and coastguard rating for class 3 rapids..
[signature]

thanks for the reply and how long is your set up and take down and is a 40 lb motor plenty of thrust and how much trolling can you get from your battery.
[signature]

Www.northforkoutdoors.com

We have a few and will not even consider anything else ever again.
[signature]

40lb thrust is more than enough, that's what I have. I can go back and forth across any lake for up to 12 hours. It's only less than that if i am trolling into the wind a lot. Even on a windy day I get 8 hours at a pretty good clip.
[signature]

First I've been fishing in this guy. It's amazing for a 2 person and to move around with a electric engine. As well caught some nice 18" bass out of Echo lake with this boat a few years ago when the water level was high and it was bass heaven in the weeds and tree area. As well if your just looking for trolling this is a great small boat caught a few perch, bass, and pike while trolling in it.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/C...t104581980

I got my self a Tube last year and it's been amazing especially in the harsh winds that the Berry will give you after 3-4 pm when I went in the late summer as well float tubing in some harsh 20 mpg wind and still slaying the fish but it takes tons of flipper flipping skills too not be dead by the end of the day.

This is the float tube I've been use lately. If you buy this float tube just tell the cashier that online it says its on say and they will give you the price for it. Had this deal up since the summer time.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Creek-Com...l+Products
[signature]

here is one of ours, class III rated, life time warranty, very stable, weighs 25 lbs iirc, very stable



and here is another. class V rated, gas motor ready (as seen below) or flip the frame around to float rivers, can mount electric on the front like I have, life time warranty, only weighs 70 lbs. can add a second deck like I have to stand. worth every penny


[signature]

Let me just give another 2 cents. I would freaking love to have one of those North Fork Outlaw X5 boats, but $1,800.00 is a teensy bit out of my price range. If you're buying your first pontoon boat, there are good ones to be had for under $300.00. Use it, figure out what you like and don't like, and when you love it, upgrade a year or two later. I have a 9 footer. It's older and heavy as crap, but I love it. I use a 35lb motor and it does everything I need and more. I did have a whole lot of trouble getting the right battery though; went through two straight that had to be taken back to O'Reilley's because they'd die after an hour on the water. I finally bit the bullet and spent over a $100.00 on a good one and it was worth every penny. Hauls my fat ass around all day with no problems. Get a cheap recharger and you're set. (20 bucks or so, I think) (or take it to auto zone or any part store and they'll charge it for free)

Last thing I would suggest looking for when you are buying: Make sure that when it is set up, there is enough room for your rods and gear. I like to take 5 to 8 rods with me, along with enough gear that no matter what, I'll have what I need. (I don't have rod holders, but because I have a lot of pockets, etc. for storage, I can just lay them on both sides of me. They rest easily between my seat and the tubes with zero chance of falling in unless I really bump them hard) I used my brother's boat the other day and it was horrible because there was no where to even set extra rods. (they'd slide off the sides, fall in, etc.) May not matter to you, but it would be a major deal breaker for me. His also only had two bags that strapped on the tubes. They were big, but having to put all of my stuff into two bags made trying to find what I wanted hard. Had to keep pulling crap out to find stuff on bottom, etc. I'd look for a toon that has a lot of storage pockets of every size.

Oh, one more thing, seriously, I prefer to have the "straps" (that hold the tubes to the frame) actually attached to the tubes themselves, and not loose. I have an older Scadden that has the loose straps and it's a pain in the butt to figure out where they go, etc. (at least, it was for me -- some of you probably love them) My main boat has the straps attached to the tube, so it's easy to line up the frame, and I feel comfortable while floating knowing that I got them in the right spot and/or that they're tight enough.

And I'm not done, actually. Something else I would suggest, and again, a lot of people will disagree with me: Don't buy oars. Don't use them. They suck and will just get in the way. Use an electric motor and get some fins. You'll thank me.

There, phew. I'm done.

*and a quick edit*

It takes me approx 30 to 40 minutes to get set up. I have to take it down 100% in order to fit it in the Chick-Slaying Prius, unless I'm going alone with little to no gear, then I can at least leave the frame set up and cram it in the back seat. Get yourself a good 2-way hand pump (one that pumps air when pushing down and pulling up). I'd suggest avoiding one of those pumps that you can plug into your car. I'm sure there are some awesome ones out there, but the two that I've used work great to get the tubes to 80% full, but then puss out and you have to hand pump them the last little bit.
[signature]

It is a LIFE decision when you REALLY think about it, so spend the extra.....you are worth it. The one Bri is on sales for $999. but can find them for $600 or $700.
Plus weighs 28 lbs and fits in a rolling duffle
Again, choose wisely


[signature]

When you put it like that, ya, you have a point.

Doesn't change the fact that I can't drop even 5 or 600 on a nicer one. Thank goodness I'm an Eagle Scout! [:/]
[signature]

You can use one of mine anytime[] I just need to get the new motor mount for my Assault.
[signature]

See, that's a bad idea. Once I borrow something, it usually and mysteriously ends up being mine from that point on. *shrug*. [#000080]Deleted[/#000080]
However, if you ever decide to sell one... Give me a holler.
[signature]

Do you fly fish? Since you sit higher on a toon you will have a better back cast than with the tube. The tube is so close to the water that I (and my buddies) tend to hit the water behind them on the back cast.

I would go for a toon. My twin and I have a Creek Company Pontoon and I have to say it sucks pretty bad but that is what you get with a $200 toon. I have replaced the oar locks, the air bladders, the seats, and an oar in the few seasons I have used mine.

The tube has its advantages with hiking and in the wind you are more in the water and therefore you will not get pushed around as easily. But using fins to flip around is more work.

Oars on a toon is a good way to get around but I invested in a motor this year and I won't go back to oars anytime soon, well they save me when the battery dies though. I have a 30lb thrust motor and do just fine. In fact I have a 20lb thrust motor and can get around easily at Yuba too.

To inflate a toon I have a 12 volt battery operated pump and a dual action hand pump. I like to fill it as much as the 12 volt will go and then hand pump the rest.

When you take yours (tube or toon) on the 1st voyage go to the bountiful ponds. Pretty easy place to learn with no consequnces.

My 1st time was at Willard Bay in 30mph winds! I stuck to the North Marina and would sky rocket to the other side of the marina, then walk back to where I started, and start all over again. I got my butt kicked pretty bad! I took my twin to Bountiful Pond and it was a way better place to learn.

If I can think of more I will create another post to this thread.
[signature]