Anyone have experience with personal pontoons for river fishing.  They have everything from 50#backpack models to two man rigs with a motor mount.  Right now I'm feeling pretty safe with my welded jon boat but there are areas that a jon can't make.  Finding the ideal craft for the water is a challenge.  I'm wondering how much of a lick that a small pontoon will take and how well it will go over shoals, and rough water.  My canoe does very well but it isn't very stable as a fishing platform.  So anyone outthere nearly kill themselves with a pontoon?

For rivers and small lakes, a canoe does just fine. I use a 14ft and it is plenty stable. Never come close to tipping.

I would like one of those pontoon boats, though. They seem like a east to use portable craft.

Also, you might want to check into kyacks. They have some nice fishing ones.

I have thought about one of the stable kyack, some of them are pricey, but would go between the rocks like the canoe. I like the idea of sitting upright in that comfortable chair on the toon but I am wondering if it would go into a death spin on some minor rapid. ;D Things like that happen to me.... There are a lot of choices and a lot of prices with both the toons and the kyacks. I'm wondering if a $300 toon is safe enough on a river or $1000 one for that matter. I know that kyack is safe, stable, but your sitting flat on your backside with not much visibility. I recon the Eskimos think a lot of them. I guess, that I need to find a kyack that I can borrow. One other question how do you work out the shuttle with a canoe after a float trip?  That's always a problem, it basically takes two vehicles to make it work for me, have I missed a better method?

If i where you i would never go close to rapids with a pontoon. That is just baddness waiting to happen.

Matt

That's about what I figured.  4 or 5' wide pontoons ain't going to make it between some of the rocks I have gone through with the canoe and jon for that matter.  

OK, that kind of limits me to small lakes and the $200 backpacker from Cabela's ought to work fine for a few years.

I was just wondering if somebody had been taking his toon down the Colorado; for example, snagging the fish nobody else can get to.  I guess not.

I have one of the Cabela's backpacker models, and I love it.  I don't use it on moving water though, I only use it on small lakes and ponds but for those places it is perfect.  I have a depth finder mounted to it and will probably put a small trolling motor on next spring.  It is very stable and light enough to haul it very easily.

Thanks for the info! It's good to know that the BP model will handle a trolling motor, I didn't know that it had a mount or do you have to jury rig a mount? I need a trolling motor for my jon and was considering one of the more expensive pontoons because of the mount and the ability to use the motor on two boats. The downside of the more expensive model besides the cost, is the weight and I am pleased to hear that the backpacker model is good enough quality to do the job. Being able to use a motor would be another big plus.

Mine doesn't have a mount built on to it but they are not hard to rig one up, there is a club in California, Senoma County Belly boat club, they have a website that you can see how they have rigged motors, depth finders, live wells, and rod holders.

Now that is interesting!  A club devoted to bass fisherman who take pride in being poor. ;D I went to the site and what it amounts to is that you design your own rig and add all of the creature comforts that you want.  I like that.  Another link or two that they list

<http://www.ibbf-team.it/main.htm> , <http://www.calfishing.com/>

Again thanks for the info.

I was looking at the pontoon boats but decided against them since I don't like the idea of my legs being in the water with all the water snakes in my area.  I decided on a Sea Eagle SE-9 and it has a wooden floor so I can stand to cast, a trolling motor (that I added), a depth finder (that I added), easily seats two and a dog, has two wooden seats, and a fishing rod holder.  It also easily fits in my BMW 3 series and sets up in way less time then a pontoon (15 minutes with the electric pump).  I find that it easily gets into places thata pontoon can get to and it has way more room for food and tackle.  You should check them out at www.seaeagle.com

I have also been considering a small inflatable pontoon boat, but am leaning more to a kayak.  The big advantage of the pontoon is that it seems to be easier to mount a trolling motor on it, and it seems more stable.  It also seems slower, and more prone to being blown around by the wind.  The legs in the water also drew me back, because I want to be in a boat to be out of the water.  

Has anyone fished in one of these and also in a kayak, I would love to hear some comparison of the two from people who have actually spent some time in each.

Rocght now I am leaning more toward a kayak because it seems quicker to get into the water, more durable, more manuverable, faster, less hassle and more customizable.  

Thank you Rockville MD Angler!

The Back Packer Pontoon looks like a smaller version of the Fold Cat on the Sea Eagle site and you set there basically in your lawn chair sipping a cool drink while you catch more than willing fish.  An idealic setting, blue skies and all.  Now the BP is a one man thing, but you can carry it and it is cheap enough. Your feet are up out of the water.  This thing is about like one of those scooters I see folks riding around Wal-Mart except it's on the water.

Then I look up the Sea Eagle 9, It's a little more expensive but it folds up to 24"x23"x10", weighs 38#, a little more with the floor boards 36#, will take a 4HP motor (another trip to the car) and will carry 5 adults or 1200#'s.  1200#'S.  THAT'S WAY MORE THAN MY JON BOAT!

They are running a special including an electric motor for $648.  The thing will haul my grandchildren or a moose, how can I pass that up.   I use the Jon in the snaggy river and the Sea Eagle 9 in the lakes, big or small.

Granted the Sit on Top Kayaks look good too on my rocky streams.  There is a real good link in the kayak discussions going now with model comparisons by price, etc.  all that you need to know.

My problem is that I can't carry a Yak on the main vehicle that I will be using and need the convenience of being able to throw my ride in the trunk.  So there you go....

I'm just thankful that we have so many choices these days and can really customize a rig to our own needs.  All the way from 21 ft bass boats to little kayaks.

I have been reading some more on the pontoons, and I believe the better ones can handle the rocks and rapids pretty well.  they were designed out west for floating the whitewater and being able to catch some fish.

Thank you Rockville MD Angler!

The Back Packer Pontoon looks like a smaller version of the Fold Cat on the Sea Eagle site and you set there basically in your lawn chair sipping a cool drink while you catch more than willing fish. An idealic setting, blue skies and all. Now the BP is a one man thing, but you can carry it and it is cheap enough. Your feet are up out of the water. This thing is about like one of those scooters I see folks riding around Wal-Mart except it's on the water.

Then I look up the Sea Eagle 9, It's a little more expensive but it folds up to 24"x23"x10", weighs 38#, a little more with the floor boards 36#, will take a 4HP motor (another trip to the car) and will carry 5 adults or 1200#'s. 1200#'S. THAT'S WAY MORE THAN MY JON BOAT!

They are running a special including an electric motor for $648. The thing will haul my grandchildren or a moose, how can I pass that up. I use the Jon in the snaggy river and the Sea Eagle 9 in the lakes, big or small.

Granted the Sit on Top Kayaks look good too on my rocky streams. There is a real good link in the kayak discussions going now with model comparisons by price, etc. all that you need to know.

My problem is that I can't carry a Yak on the main vehicle that I will be using and need the convenience of being able to throw my ride in the trunk. So there you go....

I'm glad to help :-)

I fish almost exclusively out of a pontoon and so does my son. We never have our feet in the water. We just keep them on the footpegs.

Bought mine for $200, got a free 25lb thrust from my brother and man can I fly and get around now. If its windy use a small anchor and work the area over thoroughly and then move on. Its not that big of a deal. I keep mine about 3/4 inflated and it takes about 2 minutes on each side to fully inflate, 2 mins more to load tackle and put oars and motor on and be in the water...weighs about 50lbs w/o motor...I even built a "toon wheel" from the front tire of a bicycle so I just pick up the back end and wheel to the water....

here are some pics of both of ours...I have not taken any pics since I got the motor and built my own mount for it...have forgot everytime we have been out...

My Toon...do I look comfy enuff?

Feet out of water with fish on

Homemade rodholders...I carry 3 rods, net, pliers, line cutters, tackle bag on back...also use the side holders for cases from tackle bag that I use the most for easy access

My Boy in his 2nd time on the water

I have been fishing on the water near the highway and people stop and ask where I got it, how neat my setup is and how I look so comfy...

Here is a site with more info than you can shake a stick at

http://tinyurl.com/y5wox2

Now those are some nice shots there Unabasser! ;D  I'm sure that those shots will be real helpful for those of us who are trying to make a decision. If it was just me that is what I would go with. After the Rockville MD angler's post I decided to go with the the 'big float', the 9' Sea Eagle, I need to get those grandchildren started fishing like my family got me started fishing and hunting at an early age. I can remember sitting on the river bank way back when with my grandmother with her straw hat and long cane fishing pole and helping her take fish off the hook. My people were hard working and self sufficient. I want to give those boys a memory like that. May GOD Bless those who have gone on, they were a Blessing to me. Not many kids get to grow up like that, times are different.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Hey Unabasser,  If you ever get some pics of how you built your motor mount and the "toon wheel" I would love to see them.  I am going to build a motor mount this winter and was going to spend $40 on a wheel, but if i can build it cheaper, I will definitely go that route.

huskertko, more than happy to...set it up and took some shots for you...let me tell you its not fancy but it works like a charm...I think just by looking at the pics its pretty self explanatory...

now having said that you may want your motor on the back but I don't know what type of setup you have so I'm just showin ya what I have...I have my mount to the front side because I like to bring the fish right in between my legs...I just put my foot up on top of the motor mount...also I do take the "toon wheel" off at the launch, never tried to leave it on...lol...I always have my leatherman so a cpl turns on the hose clamp on the left side and slide the pvc off the wheel shaft and off it comes...

when the motor is down and in the water the throttle control is right about chest level...looks a little wierd cause of the floor being underneath

I also recommend instead of a big heavy battery to use a rechargeable battery booster unit (for boosting car etc) that you can get for about 50 bucks, they weigh a whole lot less than a conventional battery and when you get home just plug it in to the wall outlet and recharge...I have been out for 7 hrs at a time however thats not full time use and still had 3/4 charge left...I just motor where I want to fish and turn motor off

also be advised that once you add any type motor you must register your craft in most every state...you also must carry a whistle or a horn and a pdf of course

any questions feel free to ask...its nice to see a few people interested in pontoon boats...all I ever hear is the wind this and the wind that and the hooks will be putting holes in it and sinking...they are all made with at least 2 bladders and some with even 4...of course common sense goes a long way

on to the pics

Those pics are perfect, exactly what i was looking for.  I am trying to decide on a front mount or rear mount for the motor.  I guess my concerns it the rear mount is out of the way, but more difficult to steer with, and the front mount is easier to steer, but i am concerned with it being in the way if I am pitching or flipping.  

I did know about the registration, which is a reason that I haven't done it yet.

I have a small battery that I run my D/F off of so I guess I would have to get another battery.

I Love this boat, I don't have a truck or SUV but I can easily transport it on top of my Mitz Galant with no problems.  

How much weight is added with the motor and battery?

Ya I hear ya on the rear mount but I don't have a swivel seat so I went with this for now...I think a rear mount could be done and make steering control using pvc pipe that would run up along the inside of the toon and steer with your foot...I have also heard of people rewiring and using some type of dial which can be acessed easily by hand to control the speed...there is all sorts of ideas out there  

pitchin and flippin isn't so easy in the toon anyways but I find when you have to pitch or flip ya gotta get the toon in the right position...I use a side casting motion to get in under docks, trees etc...

It appears you will need to register

http://www.dmv.org/ks-kansas/boat-registration.php

My toon fits right in the back of my jeep and we put my boys on the roof. We could prob put both inside but they would have to fully deflated.

I estimate about 30 to 35 lbs more with the motor and batt...My toon is rated for 350 lbs and I am only 160 so I have room for more toys yet  

Put up a pic if you can...I would like to see you ride...

Here is my boat although mine is yellow.

I am thinking about putting a piece of wood where the seat is now and mounting a swivel seat on a 10-12" pedistal, as well as the motor.

I am not as small as you, I am about 250 so I am a little more concened with the additional weight.

same boat as mine except with the soft backed seat  

I have thought about the swivel seat thing as welland extending it a bit higher as well...as you/me proceed to make any improvements its nice to know we have the same type craft to share ideas...always room for improvements or should I say enhancements  

I thinks as long as you inflate well the extra few pounds would be just fine...

one of the main reasons I want to raise the seat is for spring fishing, sitting a little higher on the water will allow me to see bedding fish eaiser. The other reason is that I can keep my feet out of the water eaiser in the spring, fall and winter when the water is not quite as comfortable.