Inflatable pontoon boats

[oldfox]

Hi all,

I'm new here, and wondered if anyone uses the one man inflatable pontoon boats for crappie fishing? They would appear to me to be ideal for this type of fishing.

If so, anyone want to recommend a brand and pro's and con's?

[surfcaster69]

The small catarafts (inflatable pontoon boats) you see at Cabella's and Bass Pro work well. Remember though that you will need to oar your way around with no motor. Great for pond jumping or river use. One big problem is that many lakes do not allow inflatables. Check the local rules on using inflatables where you want to fish before you buy one. Then do not buy a cheap one. $500 or more will get you started. Nice thing is you can put it in the trunk when finished and don't need a truck or trailer. You have no problems with air leaks with the good ones. Be sure to buy one with bladders in the tubes and a good 12 volt air blower to inflate and a hand/foot pump to top off the tubes. A fast dry bladder patch kit is also required just in case. There are zippers on the outer skin to access the bladders. I have used inflatables for 20+ years on rivers. Inflatable canoes work also well. NOT the $150 vinyl cheapies. A good boat will cost you $800 or more and will last many years.

[oldfox]

The small catarafts (inflatable pontoon boats) you see at Cabella's and Bass Pro work well. Remember though that you will need to oar your way around with no motor. Great for pond jumping or river use. One big problem is that many lakes do not allow inflatables. Check the local rules on using inflatables where you want to fish before you buy one. Then do not buy a cheap one. $500 or more will get you started. Nice thing is you can put it in the trunk when finished and don't need a truck or trailer. You have no problems with air leaks with the good ones. Be sure to buy one with bladders in the tubes and a good 12 volt air blower to inflate and a hand/foot pump to top off the tubes. A fast dry bladder patch kit is also required just in case. There are zippers on the outer skin to access the bladders. I have used inflatables for 20+ years on rivers. Inflatable canoes work also well. NOT the $150 vinyl cheapies. A good boat will cost you $800 or more and will last many years.

Thanks for the info. I am looking at the Outcast Cougar, and adding a 30# thrust electric to it. I fish many small ponds less than 100 acres, with limited access to them. How long does it take to inflate one with a double action hand pump?

[surfcaster69]

Thanks for the info. I am looking at the Outcast Cougar, and adding a 30# thrust electric to it. I fish many small ponds less than 100 acres, with limited access to them. How long does it take to inflate one with a double action hand pump?

Use the hand pump to top off the tubes. I used to use a foot pump but even the expensive ones break and are heavy. The double action pumps like the wonder pump work but they work you hard by making you pull and push with your upper body. Foot pumps are better if that is your only air source. Never use compressed air unless it is from an oil free compressor. The oil in compressors like the ones at garages will ruin the fabric. Buy a 12 volt blower that clips on your battery terminals. They sell from $30 to $130. The cheaper ones work well but don't last as long. Cat tubes blow up fast in any case. About 10 minutes with a pump like the wonder pump.

[smoothlures]

The small catarafts (inflatable pontoon boats) you see at Cabella's and Bass Pro work well. Remember though that you will need to oar your way around with no motor. Great for pond jumping or river use. One big problem is that many lakes do not allow inflatables. Check the local rules on using inflatables where you want to fish before you buy one. Then do not buy a cheap one. $500 or more will get you started. Nice thing is you can put it in the trunk when finished and don't need a truck or trailer. You have no problems with air leaks with the good ones. Be sure to buy one with bladders in the tubes and a good 12 volt air blower to inflate and a hand/foot pump to top off the tubes. A fast dry bladder patch kit is also required just in case. There are zippers on the outer skin to access the bladders. I have used inflatables for 20+ years on rivers. Inflatable canoes work also well. NOT the $150 vinyl cheapies. A good boat will cost you $800 or more and will last many years.

Could you recommend some specific brands and models? I'm very interested in getting one. I'd just want to be able to add a trolling motor and carry 2-3 rods and a few small tackle boxes, and have somewhere to tie a floating fish keeper basket or a minnow bucket that goes in the water.
Thanks.

[oldfox]

Could you recommend some specific brands and models? I'm very interested in getting one. I'd just want to be able to add a trolling motor and carry 2-3 rods and a few small tackle boxes, and have somewhere to tie a floating fish keeper basket or a minnow bucket that goes in the water.
Thanks.

This is the brand I have been looking at..

http://www.flyfishusa.com/outcast/index.htm

Check it out..

[surfcaster69]

This is the brand I have been looking at..

http://www.flyfishusa.com/outcast/index.htm

Check it out..

Interesting, I left smoothlures a reply to his question about recommending a boat and the a link to Cabellas page. The boat I saw appears to be the same boat as the one you are looking at. Small world? Check out the link in my post. Yep, same boat.

[oldfox]

Interesting, I left smoothlures a reply to his question about recommending a boat and the a link to Cabellas page. The boat I saw appears to be the same boat as the one you are looking at. Small world? Check out the link in my post. Yep, same boat.

Yes surfcaster I noticed that. Different color, but the same boat. Probably made by Outcast for Cabelas..

[EZrider]

One boat you might want to look into is a Porta boat. They are easy to store and car top just fine. One thing i didnt like about the fly fishing pontoons is the setup time. Make sure you see one in person that is broke down so you get an idea.

[surfcaster69]

One boat you might want to look into is a Porta boat. They are easy to store and car top just fine. One thing i didnt like about the fly fishing pontoons is the setup time. Make sure you see one in person that is broke down so you get an idea.

HI EZ, these boats are not made only for fly fishing. These little boats will allow any SOLO fisherman to catch fish from many sources using their prefered rods and reels and in fresh or salt water. Spinning reels and bait casters work great depending on the river/lake/ocean. These catarafts excel at river fishing over shallow fast moving current and sharp rocks. The real problem is that you have to get used to rowing and fishing at the same time. Sometimes that is a problem unless you use tricks to slow the boat in moving currents. Tie a heavy duck taped peice of chain from the back. It works to slow your pace and slips through the rocks.

Catarafts really reduce the chance of a problem from a pin or broach on fast rivers. The Porta can not handle rocks or fast current. If you want to fish rocky rivers, the Porta is out. The cats are much safer. If you want to fish only lakes, a pontoon is slower than a jon boat. Putting all aside, jon boats are best for lakes. Pontoon (catarafts) are an alternative and work in places a jon can not go so decide where you are going to fish and buy accordingly.

Set up time is important but remember that most of the time you don't need to disasemble the whole frame on a cataraft. Most catarafts are small enough to deflate the tubes and stuff it all in the car or truck bed. A Porta or canoe will need roof racks. These cats also will check on airline luggage to take on vacation. The Porta Boat is still a great suggestion for a certain use.