Pontoon float or just float tube?

[HandGunner]

Im considering for sureley getting either a pontoon float tube or a float tube. I really enjoy having the gf's company when i fish and she loves to come with we already have a boat avail. for use but i want a cheaper alternative. Either way i go it would be solo fishing but i thaught about if i got a pontoon style i would tow her around if i tied another small inflatable to the pontoon. Mainly i have a few lakes i bass fish my key spots are always by shore and most of the lakes are small but i do like to go far. What style float would best suite me? Or is the pontoon style always be more superior? I might like to try to fish in spring cooler water but also i like to stay as dry as possible or would i need to get a pair of waders either way? Spring time i chase crappies and summer bass plus summer i wont mind being wet

[ted4887]

Pontoons and cheap kayaks are almost the same price, especially right now with the off-season sales going on.

Personally, I'd just buy a kayak so that you don't have to worry about distances, staying dry, pulling the other boat, etc.

[HandGunner]

I would go kayak or canoe but problem is transportation... Which is why i chose inflatables

[Slabasaurus]

No personal experience with floats or toons. Though, sounds like with your style a pontoon would be the way to goo.

That said... I drive a v-dub... and use a kayak. I would highly recommend a 'yak or canoe.. or the best of both worlds with the native ultimate

[ted4887]

I would go kayak or canoe but problem is transportation... Which is why i chose inflatables

In that case, I would probably go with a pontoon. With a 'toon you will stay a little more dry than the float tube. Neither is ideal for traveling long distances though. Chances are, you'll just have to adjust the game plan a little bit when using both. Either way, this is a good time of year to be looking for new boats. All the prior years stuff is going on sale, along with all the Christmas bargains out there. You can probably score a pretty good deal if you're patient over the next couple of months.

[HandGunner]

How far can one travel in a pontoon and a regular float tube? could I make myway around like crooked lake in andover or ham lake in ham lake lakes those size in a pontoon?

[ted4887]

I'm not familiar with those lakes. But generally it will all just depend on your physical condition. Surely you could paddle the lakes. But expect to go about a 1/4 to 1/2 the speed of a kayak by a general rule of thumb.

[HandGunner]

lol hahaha turning me on to kayals now finding some for good deals I plan to get one and store it under the manufacture home for winter, unlrss that's a bad idea? I figure since I live in a trailer park and storage is limifed and I do not druve a truck a kayak has all the goods as I can roof rig it to my car and store itunder the house and I'm already finding used kayaks for the same price as new pontoons or float tubes. if so be a kayak guy what length shouls I go with? I'm thinking 8-10ft for compacter size and I mainly fish calmer days with little wind and I'm always hanging arouns shore what you guys think? best idea so far?

[ted4887]

That would be my recommendation if you're planning on fishing lakes and want to cover ground. As far as storage, yes, you won't have any problems with that. That's essentially no different than storing a kayak in an unheated garage.

As far as length, go with what you're gut feeling is. 8-10's will maneuver much better than the longer boats. However, the longer boats will have speed and stability(generally) over the smaller ones.

For fishing kayaks, I will generally recommend a sit on top, as opposed to a sit in. Take a look at both though, and go with what you're comfortable with. Sit on top offer much more space and are easier to get back on in the event you fall off. They also do not hold water, as the scuppers are self draining. While they might be a bit more wet than a sit in, they are generally the better option for a fishing kayak.

If you go the kayak route, you'll be amazed at the rigging possibilities you will have over the toons and tubes.

[itchmesir]

@Ted.. you should look at some of the Toons that are rigged up out there.. trolling motors.. standing decks.. rod holders.. depth finders.. everything you attach to a kayak.. you can figure out a way to attach to a toon...

That being said.. I would NOT buy a toon.. you get pushed all over the water from the slightest breeze and they are a PITA to maneuver imho.. owned one.. and sold it a couple months later..

[ted4887]

Yeah for sure Erik. Only problem with doing that is that once you put all the money into that stuff, you're into it deeper than you would be a nice kayak. Plus, since I'm about as handy as a clump of mud, that wouldn't pertain to me anyways

Good point about the wind factor though. That is something that I hadn't even taken into consideration. I'm actually surprised Ic3wind hasn't chimed in at all yet.

[HandGunner]

when I fish in the summer all I have are swim trunks on backpack with all I need spinning rod in hand with baitcaster tied onto backpack and off into the water I go, thinking of kayak so now I can fish from water twards shore and access more areas without being in the water behind ppls houses they always think Im crazy or trying to steal stuff!

[itchmesir]

Belly boats are pretty cheap.. you'll be in no more than $150 with a decent one.. it'll be good enough to tell you whether or not it's what you want.. i say purchase it in season.. that way you can test it out.. and if you don't like it.. return it

[HandGunner]

I'm looking at. cheap 8 foot yak the lifetime lotus kayak from sports authority retailing at about $200 the one I saw was damaged but they had it in a cardboard box covering half of the yak I can see broken pieces but if they had a better one in back I'm thinking of getting iton black Friday. reviews have said its slow but foe a beginner on a budget its great. I don't fish large lakes plus I think I have the strength and agility to make myway around lakes like crooked lakw in andover. is there any risk or problems ill be running into going this route on kayaks?

by the way do kayaks need tabs like boats?

[ted4887]

What kind of risks are you concerned about? My only pieces of advice are: If you've never paddled before, wait until it's a little warmer before you launch for the first time. Wear your life jacket. Another is to take it out into water where you can't touch the bottom and tip it. Try getting back into it to find out how easy or hard this will be. This will give you an idea of how far you can lean before you hit the tipping point, as well as helping you understand the situation if you do ever fall out. Pack light, and keep the important stuff on shore. Also would be wise to invest in a small dry bag for your keys or anything that you don't want getting wet.

On an 8' kayak, no, you do not need tags. 9' and longer or motorized is when you need tabs IIRC.

[HandGunner]

I pack light 2 rods and a backpack all the time. I always fish near shore I never fished for bass in deeper open water but maybe panfish ill go open water. yes I do plan to wear a lifejacket as for tipping I plan to tether rods to the yak and I hace seen vids on landing and launching plus tip situations. lastly I have paddled canoes and rowed a boat all over a lakw wen the motor was not on. as for yak paddlin I hink I can figure it out wen it comes to form and whatnot. I'm looking at 8 footers because it wont take up much space when in storage of traveling, I plan to roof tie it down on mt car without a rack

[ted4887]

Sounds like you've got the basics covered just fine. Good luck on the purchase.

[HandGunner]

if the damaged kayak on dispaly at sports authority is the only one they have I wonder if they would seel it for half price? if so Id maybe take it and fix it up since I do like to tinker around

black fridays a commin! its already on sale then maybe again on black friday plus half price again for the damaged one, that be one cheap yak

[ted4887]

What is damaged on the kayak?

[HandGunner]

the plastic loops to attatch the seat ia broken and I saw one decently deep scratch. you can tell it wasn't handled with care or customers came and messed with it. its the only yak on display on the floor all the rest are highup on the store shelves. either the yak was a return or abused when being handled by the store lets see what they tell me happened lol

[HandGunner]

got it! went with a 9'8" sit in Lifetime Payette kayak from sports authority. Nicer kayak for the same price as the cheapo I was planing to get, thank you black friday! sells for $300-$400 but picked it up for $200 and baught a roof strap carrying kit for transporting the yak for $50. in 4 months I get 5% off next purchase at sports authority and with that I will get the paddle and life jacket, satisfied cant wait for spring! Going to be planing some rigs for rod holders, camera mounts, and anchor trolleys now, Oh yea fits perferctly under the trailer home my last worry would to be for the trailer home to not fall into the ground LOL thanks for all the tips and help in picking out a small water craft that would work for me! Im now a yaker!