Who Fishes From A Pontoon Boat?

[Stinkfinger]

And what are your experiences using a pontoon boat compared to a regular boat?

[Electriccrappie]

I sometimes go with one of my fishing partners that has a 24' tracker pontoon boat. It has the fishing deck on the front. Sometimes there will be 6 people on the boatl,sometimes we all are fishing. Our wifes sometimes cooks hamburgers or steaks while we fish, which makes it great no matter how hard the wind blows the pontoon boat does good. We tie the fishing deck up to brush and fish around with jigs. once we chased hybirds that where hitting the top had a blast.

[gotcrappie?]

This will be my first year. i always had bass boats but had a wild hair this year and well lol now i have a 20'er sittin in the backyard. we went out on it last week and thats when we caught 23 crappie. had a blast and the wind was no factor. i am going toput a better locater on it but other than that its great!

Anyone want to go fishin i got plenty of room just let me know..

[Stinkfinger]

Might just take you up on your offer someday if I don't get a pontoon of my own this summer. I've got to get something different. My old V-bottom just wears me out when I use it all day.

Its so unstable that with each movement you feel on guard to keep from falling out. Even when you're not rocking around, your muscle system is tense due to your autonomic system keeping you balanced.

I get in and I'm pooped, don't enjoy it, even with a nice catch. Too old to be fighting with rocking boats, lol.

[Scott S]

My wife and I use one. Due to the size it's not quite as maneuverable but the comfort more than makes up for it. Since buying the pontoon about six years ago our other boat (a 20' ProCraft) gets used only about twice a year.

[OlJim]

I bought one of these last fall but have not had a chance to try it out. I bought it to take in the RV or to use on small lakes or in coves. Can't wait till the weather gets nice enough to try it out.

Inflatable Boats for Less

[rocket rich]

I have a old one 16 foot that's really nice for the grandkids to fish no problem with them moving around , don't catch as many as with my Jon boat but it's safer.

[The Lip RIPPERS]

We fish off a 24' most of the time, in spring it just gets us around to new bank spots, then after Memorial day we start fishing bridges. It's also great for driftfishing for blues.
Very stable even in big waves, and can hold alot of gear.

[IkenI]

I had one a few years ago when I had a cabin at Cookson. Also had a 16' Crestliner V-hull then. The pontoon was extremely comfortable and fun with a group of people. The grandkids were small then and it was a safe ride. However, when I got serious about catching fish I was always in the Crestliner. Now, the grandkids are all teenagers and they love to fish. I prefer the 17' Lund I now have to any boat that I've had or fished in over the years (and that includes Rangers, Champions, etc.) The family really likes fishing out of the Lund also, but I rarely have more than a couple along with me at a time. More than that and I would chose a pontoon always. Actually, the grandkids probably prefer fishing out of my kayak, which is also lots of fun on streams, ponds or small lakes. They call it my CrappieYak.
Floyd

[Stinkfinger]

Thanks everyone for sharing their stories and information. Anyone else have anything, please add.

I fished from a pontoon around 20 years ago with 4 other people and we were not crowded and could relax and enjoy the fishing without having that feeling the boat would tip over at any moment. I hate that feeling.

In case anyone wonders about my fear of tipping over, it's because it has happened and I sure don't like it. Pretty sad sight when you see all your fishing gear floating around, most of it has sank to the bottom and you struggle to keep the boat afloat while not going under yourself.

Now at my age, my main concern would be me not surviving, especially if the water temp is hovering around in the 40's or even 50's. I always wear my life jacket, but the danger we sometimes forget is the exposure we have in cold water.

You won't drown, but you'll die of hypothermia if you're unable to get out of the cold water. You just lay over and go to sleep, unconscious.

So yea, I want a dang pontoon boat......... hahahaha.