| After 7 years of fishing from my float tube and | | | | fishermen, this type of pontoon boat can be a real |
| having suffered a serious back injury, I had to look | | | | chore to assemble, also due to the size and weight |
| at other options, as fishing from my tube was an | | | | you don't want to haul this boat very far from your |
| impossible task. A friend of mine suggested I come | | | | vehicle in order to set it on the water. The options |
| out and try his pontoon boat, after 20 minutes I | | | | on a 2-man boat are numerous dual casting |
| realized this was something I had to have. After 2 | | | | platforms, aluminum frame, motor mount (front and |
| months of looking around at all types and styles of | | | | back), and the different array of storage |
| pontoon boats I finally bought one. There are | | | | compartments is almost unbelievable. The biggest |
| generally four different types of pontoon boats | | | | disadvantage to this style of boat is the size, weight |
| available and each pontoon boat has its advantages | | | | and amount of space required to haul it. |
| and disadvantages, before running out to your | | | | The Packable Pontoon Boat - This style of pontoon |
| favorite fishing store and getting the first pontoon | | | | boat is an excellent choice if you like to get away |
| boat you see you will need to give some thought to | | | | from the crowds and walk into a more secluded lake, |
| exactly what type of fly fishing you will be doing and | | | | setting one of these boats up is about as easy as it |
| what type of water you will be using it on. Another | | | | can get. This style of boat because of its lightweight |
| good thing to consider is how far from your vehicle | | | | feature is not available with as many options as the |
| you have to haul your pontoon boat before you can | | | | standard single person boat. The single biggest |
| set it into the water, as some of them can be quite | | | | advantage to this boat is its weight and the ability to |
| heavy. Most pontoon boats today are available in a | | | | pack it into your favorite spot. The biggest |
| powder coated steel or aluminum frame, with the | | | | disadvantage is the lack of available options. |
| aluminum frame being the most popular due to its | | | | Kick Boat - A kick boat although not much of an |
| weight. | | | | upgrade from a float tube, will keep you warmer as |
| One Person Pontoon Boat - The options that are | | | | only your legs are in the water, making it more |
| available on this style of boat are almost endless and | | | | pleasant to fish late into the fall season. The |
| they have a weight capacity of between 250 and | | | | advantages of a kick boat are that they are |
| 400 pounds (including your body weight and all your | | | | lightweight, packable and will fit into the trunk of |
| gear), I would tend to stay away from the lower | | | | smaller vehicles. The disadvantage is that they can be |
| weight capacity boats as you become limited to the | | | | extremely physically tiring to fin around the lake for a |
| amount you can carry. The optional motor mount is a | | | | full day of fishing. |
| must have and I would also recommend the | | | | I have recently upgraded from my float tube into a |
| aluminum frame (6 to 10 pounds lighter than the steel | | | | Trout Unlimited pontoon boat, and after fishing from |
| frame models), if the lakes and rivers you fish require | | | | a pontoon boat I am sure I will never go back to a |
| you to carry the boat over a long distance. The | | | | float tube again. As you sit above the water, fishing |
| higher end boats also have an option for a standing | | | | late into the season is not a problem due to cold |
| platform for easier casting and are available in steel | | | | water, casting is also much easier and moving around |
| or aluminum frames. Setting up this style of boat is a | | | | the lake is less tiring. My boat also has the optional |
| simple task and can be done in less than 15 minutes. | | | | motor mount and battery tray (picked up an electric |
| The biggest advantage is this boats ability to float in | | | | motor for it on Saturday). I am looking forward to |
| less than 5 inches of water. | | | | trying this out as soon as the ice is off the water. |
| 2 Person Pontoon Boat - Designed to carry 2 | | | | Good luck and tight lines. |