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