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Looking into getting a new toy and I've been tossing around the idea of either a pontoon or a tube. Used to think I wanted a fishing kayak, but recently have been leaning more towards these options. Been looking at the Colorado toon at Costco or Sams and the Fishcat tube from Cabelas.
I don't fish rivers much so this will be mostly for flat water. Most likely to be used at Jordanelle, Rockport, Grantsville and Scoffield and maybe a few other waters close to home. I use spinning rods for all my fishing, but in the future wouldn't mind learning to use a flyrod. I'm average sized - about 190lbs and 5'11" (hope to get down to about 180).
Any suggestions between the two for someone like me?
Thanks!
Tyler
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I have had a pontoon kick boat from Angler's Inn for 10 years and absolutely love it. They glide so effortlessly on the water and you feel so close to the fish. It is my favorite of all fishing when I am on my pontoon kick boat.
I just bought a new fish finder that I want to mount on my pontoon frame. I know tubedude has done this and I need to find out what is the best way. I also use an electric motor on my pontoon kick boat and love that.
Good luck. Many of the kick boats are good. Dave Scadden makes several varieties or types of pontoon boats for fly fishing. Check them out as well. I recommend talking to Byron at FishTech. He is very helpful.
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Personnel choice
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[cool][#0000ff]I sent over [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=400401;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]THIS LINK[/url] in my PM response, but maybe others might like a look too. I posted the "how to" on the tubing board originally.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know if you need assistance.[/#0000ff]
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Well I had the chance to try both and I went with the tube. But with some of the new offerings form a few mfg there are some real sweet hybrids if you can swing the money. Here is a link to the Float tube forum. It has a lot of reviews and good info. Stop by the water is warm and fish always bite.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float_Tube_Fishing_C66/Float_Tubing_General_F81/"]BFT float tube forum[/url]
Majja
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[cool][#0000ff]As others have suggested, it will be your choice to make...but based on a lot of factors. At this point, you may not even know what those factors are, or what your options are.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am attaching a PDF file of a writeup I put together to help at least know the questions...if not the answers.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the help. You have given me some ideas.
My kick boat does not have a bag that I can put my fish finder in like yours that would be in a good spot. I need to figure out how to mount my box to the pontoon frame so I can see it. The tricky part is how to make it easy on and off the frame.
How did you secure the transducer mount to the tube?
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[cool][#0000ff]Here are a couple of pics of the way one of our BFTers rigged the sonar box on their toon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I put a piece of 2" X 2" wood inside a pocket, screwed it into place and then attached the PVC to that.[/#0000ff]
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TD -
Might I ask why you, THE Tube Dude, opted for tube over toon?
I'm betting (much) easier to lug around?
If this is some family secret or sumtin, I'll understand if the secret goes with you to your grave...
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[cool] [#0000ff]I have tried 'em all, and have pretty much decided I am more of a tubin' kinda guy. Obviously there are advantages and di vantages of opting for one system over another. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I guess my single greatest appreciation of tubes vs toons is the smaller craft...lighter weight, less wind profile, easier to reach everything you need, etc. It is not just a matter of getting into smaller fishing spots. I fish mostly open water away from the shore anyway. But, with the tubes, we deflate them partially, stuff two of them inside our Jimmy and head down the road. Each tube is light enough for one person to trudge a short distance to the water without assistance and there is no clunky frame to assemble or take down.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Can't go as far or as fast, without oars or motor, but most of the spots I fish are within reasonable kicking distance of my drive up launch sites. And, by being in a tube, I am forced to fish each spot more thoroughly and effectively. That often equals better fishing for the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Above all, I like the "hands free" aspect of tubing vs toonin'. No oars, no motor, no "down time" while fighting to maintain position in even a mild breeze. I operate my fins almost instinctively to keep myself properly positioned and fishing instead of fussing.[/#0000ff]
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Ahhh, the ole "less is more"....
Heartily agree.
Quote: [#0000ff]And, by being in a tube, I am forced to fish each spot more thoroughly and effectively. That often equals better fishing for the day.[/#0000ff]
Serendipity rearing it's splendid head...
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[cool][#0000ff]Sara who?[/#0000ff]
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There is a toon on KSL for $100. Good price. Give it a look see.
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Quote:[cool][#0000ff]Sara who?[/#0000ff]
I knew you were going to write something like that.
Lady D's ugly sister.
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My dad is selling his pontoon it is a Dave Scaddon only used 4 times. you can check it out on KSL.com it is in brand new condition he had it rigged with a small yamaha 4stroke. it worked great but he did put the motor on his new 17' boat. interested call John 801-518-9003.
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My take on it.
TUBES, got to be a "V". Size not a big deal other than load capacity but you sound light enough.
Advantage, they fold down small and easy to transport.
YOU have to wear full waders with them as even if you sit a few inches off the water, with waves and movement your rear will get wet.
Easy to pack into places if that is anything you want to do or might do.
PONTOON's you have the option of sitting higher and Hippers are plenty. Better for colder days. They have MUCH more storage area.
You have OARS if your legs get tired, and they do FLY on the water.
I am not going to bring up the Motor and Battery thing cause you CAN use it on both, you just need a Flote Power for a tube. I did that for many years.
A Pontoon is a little harder to transport because of the frame.
Steel frames and PVC bladders are going to weigh allot (around (80 lbs)
The Aluminum frames and Urethane bladders are allot lighter (around 50 lbs)
I hear all the time that wind is terrible on a pontoon, you do get hit a little harder, but you can get a hold on it much easier with Oars, Flipper.
I for one have never felt that as a Handy cap to a pontoon, in other words not a big enough deal.
NOW There is one more choice.....The North Fork Outdoors "NAVIGATOR II" (not the Caddis Navigator II).
It weighs around 40 lbs. Is 9' long, NO FRAME! completely deflateable right down to the seat. Comes with Oars, optional rear deck for DRY STORAGE plus a battery and motor.
The Back PACK bag that comes with it measures 25" long, 22" wide and 5" thick.
It is however the same as the H3 in that your rear will get wet. Plus it has a larger opening in the back with a zipper for the prop of a motor.
THIS IS the design of the future in that it is MUCH more stable than anything out there. ON WHITE WATER, you don't have two separate pontoons strapped to a frame, it is ONE PIECe, with two inflateable seat pads and and each side of the Pontube is inflateable.
There is now the OUTLAW 5X which uses the same "V" design but is wider and longer and DOES come with a metal standable frame that can be put on in either direction. So it can be a ZODIAC.
They cost much more but will last much, much longer...LIFE TIME warranty.
I have had my NFO pontoon now for close to 8 years and this is the second on the Navi.
In my opinion, they are all USA made by a FISHERMAN and they don't get any better.
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Thanks to all, I appreciate the information! Still haven't made up my mind, but I've got a lot more to base my decision on now.
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I really like pontoons because you sit much higher, wind be damned.
The Navigator looks awesome, but I like a hard seatback, in conjunction with sitting higher.
How's that inflatable seatback? Or is it a separate cushion. Can't tell from the pic at the website. Firm enough for my back?
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They are a great seat. The back of the seat and the seat part inflate separately. You can fill them quite solid. I have a bad back and these are not to bad, I can actually stay out several hours with no pain, but, I agree I like the molded padded plastic seats also. I have to do a little more experimenting with air pressure in the Navi seat. I get it great one day and the next day too hard or soft, I really need to pay more attention[crazy]
Another cool thing, We use patches of carpet to stand on and put or waders on. Well, the old man went and parked the truck and the patches were still sitting there, so, I put them on the seat and sat ON them. It was fantastic....I sat higher (could probably wear my hippers) and it was very comfortable. So, carpet patches[cool]
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