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