Pontoon Fishing

[Nichor02]

Just about everybody on here talks about their bass rigs. Does anyone on here fish from a pontoon. I've seriously thought about getting one that has the fishing set up so the wife and grandkids would feel a little safer. Just can't make up my mind which to go with. Don't want to have both. Give me some info on this fellows. I like the speed and fishability of my Ranger, but it's not always me that I worry about.

[Eesctom]

I usually rent pontoon boats when we go to North Carolina in the summer. They are pretty nice pontoons that they rent and the kids have alot of fun tubing behind them and having lunch out on the lake. We occasionally fish from it as well after they are done tubing.

Its a great boat for family but it is tough to fish out of in my opinion because there is a lot or railing and roof/covers to snag and you have to anchor up pretty good to fish since the wind will push it around a bit. They may make other models that are more suited to fishing though. Its a trade off like anything else though and my kids were sure alot happier on the pontoon than they are with 4 of us on the bass boat. And you are definitly right about the safety factor. One person on my boat always has a stumble or two when fishing with all of us on the boat.

[Darth VMAX]

Go to my "Itch" thread......THAT my friend is THE Family fishin and fun boat!

[Nichor02]

Yeah, never thought about that Darth. You may be right. Probably be a lot easier to tow also. I may look into this. I knew I could get some input on this. Thanks

[Darth VMAX]

I am telling you. These are THE FINEST Ski-n-Fish boats ever designed. Stratos (Alan Stinsen) designed this boat around 2003 (Stratos 290SF) and its is the MAC DADDY. I would LOVE one with a 250HO ETEC or 250 SHO.

Big ROOMY boat. 21'4" 96" beam. TONS of room and storage, wave taming ride and a top speed that will hurt some feelings (close to 70 mph).http://images.boats.com/photos/hashed/0/6/0/8/8/8/3/10608883_102_030920092259_1.jpg

YOU BETTER ACT QUICK...THESE ARE PRETTY RARE

[Darth VMAX]

Another great family fisher (notice I said fisher, not basser) is the Nitro 290 Sport. Instead of a basser style its a Walleye style. I liken to a "Swiss Army Knife of Boats"

More versatile than the Champion...more "pontoonish"

http://media.tmgcreative.com/2011/Nitro_32011/Sport-Boats_682011/290-Sport_3297/Overhead_1327521/290-Sport_img7283_700.jpg

http://media.tmgcreative.com/2011/Nitro_32011/Sport-Boats_682011/290-Sport_3297/Product-Beauty_1326546/290-Sport_img6819_700.jpg

[Nichor02]

You boys are looking a little over ol Nic's payscale. hahahaha.. I'm looking at some now, but they ain't no 21 footers with 200's on em. Gimme a little time, I'll figure this little deal out. hahahaha

[Darth VMAX]

Well heck, what price range we lookin at???

One of my SSgt's just sold his 1994 Stratos 290SF for $5,600. It was a NICE boat and a great deal.

[aroney bassmaster]

I have fished out of them alot and they are great for bream. Even good for crappie and catfish but I don't like them for bass fishing. They are too big and bulky, and like said before, the hand rails are a pain. I would go with a fish and ski but thats just my opinion.

[kipp]

I like night fishing anchored on a Pontoon Boat....
Light the grill about 2 am with a big blaze shooting up into the sky...cool

[genxer36]

Fish & Ski for now. Look for one 4 or 5 years old. That should fit in your price range. Then later move to the pontoon when you are old and decrepit. Or are you already old & decrepit? :D