Personal Pontoons for Trout / What to buy?

[DeepDiver75]

I am interested in purchasing a pontoon boat for floating streams like the NFOW or the Niangua. I have never tried one of these boats so I'm a beginner at rowing if that would influence what type of boat to purchase. There seems to be such price desparity between brands and models that I wondered what I should be looking for? Some of the Trout Unlimited models that I have seen are pretty affordable compared to other brands, does anyone know if they are a quality boat? I assume that I need to be looking at 8' pontoons or longer to handle the moving water? Any info from folks who own pontoon boats would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend an arm & a leg but I don't want a craft that's not safe for the waters I intend to fish. Thanks

[jdmidwest]

Pontoons are great fishing platforms for flowing waters. You have to remember that they are wider than a kayak or canoe in tight spots. Very stable, sit up higher for sight fishing, you can put your feet down in the shallows to stop and fish. I use an 8' by Creek Company, around $300. The pontoons do create alot of drag so they are hard to row in still water and back upstream. I use a kayak for the most part now.

[Gavin]

It depends on how much you have to spend, but you cant go wrong with the boats from Outcast (made by Aire, maker of serious WW Boats). A lot of my friends float Fish Cat 9's and they are very happy with them. The main cost in the boat is the pontoons. Better pontoons cost more as due things like aluminum frames, casting platforms, etc. North Fork Outfitters (Dan Scadden) makes some really nice pontoons as well.

Toons work great on the NFoW and 11pt, but they are little wide for snaking between the log jams on the upper Current (Montauk to Cedargrove), but they work really well in the Cedar Grove to Akers Stretch. As for the Niangua, theres not a lot of productive water, so I'd go with a canoe or yak on that river to get from place to place faster. Cheers.

[DeepDiver75]

Thanks for the info. JDMidwest you say you have a Creek Company boat? I was thinking about a TU boat but I have since read some bad reviews about faulty valves and leaks. I am now looking at a Creek Company with 9' pontoons for around $350. Have you had any issues with your boat?

[jdmidwest]

No problems at all. The only thing I would change would be go to solid PVC pontoons instead of the cordura covered ones. I think there would be less drag while rowing.

[KATroutman13]

I have the ODC Sport (an old model, not the one they have now). I had a problem with the Cordura covers tearing. But, Creek Company treated me really well and sent me completely new covers free of charge. I couldn't have been more happy with their service.

I would also suggest that you get the PVC toons without cordura covers. They seem to be lighter and dry faster and will not wear down.

Fishcats are great boats, but Creek Company seems to have a great product as well.

One thing to think about would be to look for aluminum frames as well. They are much lighter and easier to handle on the water.

Hope this helps,

Wes

[jdmidwest]

Thats interesting to know about the cordura covers, mine have been sliced up pretty good on the rocks of the Spring River. There are several ledge waterfalls to go over and cut them pretty good. I think I will contact Creek Company about it also. Thanks.