Crank-Crawler rigs on Willard 6-11-24 (With Video)

[TubeDude]

Pat,
Nice video and good to see you get some fish action. The last outing I had on Willard was horrible. That new pontoon got me into trouble. I got out and it was nice and calm, until a storm rolled up. I threw in the anchor only for it to come undone at the connection on the D ring on the pontoon. Wind was gusting and getting back to the anchor was near impossible as I was being pushed out a ways from my original launch. So I had to row almost constantly just to stay in place. Somehow, I managed to get back to my anchor and I proceeded to attach it to the pontoon with an overhand knot. It is only a 5 pound mushroom anchor, but it did help me fight the wind a bit better. I literally had to row for 3 plus hours to make it back to shore. I only saw two boats pass me. I yelled for assistance with no luck from the two boats nearby. Im guessing they couldn't hear me or chose to ignore me. Boy my arms were on fire for a few days, so were my legs and thighs. I had no trouble on Deer creek outing this past Saturday. Much more pleasant experience with my oldest. 
Gabe

Thanks, Gabe.  Glad to hear you got some tugs at Deer Creek.

I have had a couple of pontoons and vowed never again.  Just having to constantly mess with the oars...instead of hands-free fishing...was enough to put me off toons.  My current ride...the Escape...comes with oars.  But I ditched them and installed my electric motor.  It is small enough that fin power alone will help me maintain position for casting...or slow bottom bouncing.  But if I wanna boogie back through a zephyr...or do some light trolling...the motor keeps my old body in better shape.

One of the big problems with pontoons is that they usually have a high profile and really catch any wind that comes up.  I had a Fish Cat Cougar for a while...with twin low profile pontoons on each side.  It was not as bad but still not a "hands free" fishing platform.