Long story short, live next to a large resevoir in Northern California. Have a 70 foot houseboat and a small runabout and started bass fishing last summer. With daughter and her family there are seven of us, four that love to fish. We are now in the market for a 20 foot pontoon boat so we have room to go out together and my wife said set it up for fishing. So far we have been using neds, darter heads, and light spinners and have been very successful. 

 

We are looking at new boats because I'm not mechanically inclined and I'm old and may be going out alone. Looking at Sun Tracker, Lowe,  and Crest because there are dealers in Sacramento area. We can "build one" and I know we want a trolling motor, fishfinder, rod holders, livewell, and fishing chairs. These seem to come with the fishing boat package. What else do I need and what should I be looking at when shopping? Thanks in advance. 

Tackle storage and have the dealer upgrade to a good set of batteries and on board charger. For batteries I would go with agm’s or Lithium depending on your budget. Good luck on your build.

Bass fishing out of a pontoon?  That's a new one.  Unless you intend to bobber fish of course.  Pontoons are very popular here but rarely do I see them being used for fishing.  They're called "party barges" up here.

Potion boats like SunTrackers are common with our local guides. When I see them they are anchored when fishing and using live Threadfin shad, not a lot casting. The canopy top is up about 1/2 the time. 

You are familiar with wind with your house boat that is a good experience.

Options for ice chest, livewell, rod holders and anchor power boxes fore and aft.

If you plan on a lot of trolling consider a 5 hp auxiliary outboard engine and bracket. 

Enjoy your family fishing fun.

Tom

They don’t move easily so you will need a strong trolling motor.

Cup holders! We used to fish out of a pontoon when I was little, it worked great when the motor started haha. Seriously though, they are are great platforms 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Cup holders! We used to fish out of a pontoon when I was little, it worked great when the motor started haha. Seriously though, they are are great platforms 

A boat can never have too many cupholders.

There is an adjustment period and learning phase, but you will love the comfort and mobility inside the boat.  I too know of a number of guides that use pontoons, so don't think for a minute they are only good for anchored and fishing with a bobber.  I've had nothing but bass boats as my primary boat since 1973.  I could water ski behind them and other than bass fishing, that was my water activity.  I've had a canoe since 1962 and a number of jon boats that took care of small water and any other fishing needs.  Last year, I finally sold my last bass boat, a 20ft Javelin 20DC with a 225 on it and bought a 24ft Bently pontoon.  The wife and family love it.  Before my wife would never want to go out in the boat, now she wants to go all time.  Mine is the fishing model with 2 pedestal seats on the front in a small area outside the enclosed area.  

Some short falls I've found with mine:

That fishing area on the front is way too short and makes it very difficult to operate the TM sitting down.  I have a bad back, so I have to sit most of the time.   I'm actually going to build and extension for the foot pedal so it can extend out over the edge.

Contrary to what's said about needed a big TM, mine weighs about 4,500 pounds and a 60lb TM moves it just fine.  I'm actually considering going to a 55lb so I can go to a one 12V battery because of the weight in the ass-end. 

With the stereo, lighting and other stuff, you end up having in one, I run a massive dual purpose AGM cranking battery.  Then there are two more group 27 AGM trolling motor batteries, and a 10amp per bank, three bank onboard charger.  That all adds up to almost 300 pounds sitting back there.  Add a small inverter generator I will put back there if we are going night fishing, that's a lot of weight.

If anchor fishing, my granddaughter's husband likes to go catfishing at night and that back anchor is a pain.  Power anchors, at least on the rear would be nice.  I've added them but have not used them to give an evaluation on how well that idea works out.

If you don't live on the water and have to tow it, it's like driving a semi.  Takes a full-size pickup and with that long trailer, that's almost 50ft, 8ft wide you have to deal with on the road and through town.