Northwest Fishing Reports

If I were given a choice of either/or, I would have to choose the pontoon. However, there are times I wish I had a float tube, too. There are a couple places especially those ponds, lakes and even sections of a river that are "out of the way" a tube would be nice to have. As I wander around different counties, I find more and more of those jewels. Having a float tube, I can stop, hop out, grab the tube, chest waders, a bit of gear and slip out into the water without much hassle.

Now...if I could wean myself off the depthfinder, I wouldn't have to pack along a battery or any extra stuff and lighten the load. My pontoon still weighs a healthy 98# empty...so dragging it down rocks and the like to get to those areas isn't going to happen. Once I get more comfortable, and maybe with another "experienced" 'tooner...I will likely float a section of river to access those spots.

No warranty expressed or implied, mileage may vary.


Chad

I had to go with the tube because of what leahcim dahc said you can pack it any where. Light weight for long hikes to the good spots. HAWG HUNTER!!

These are tough calls. I love my pontoons

There are pros and cons to each of the boats. Think through what you want to do most and buy the boat that best suits that. Both are good.

I'm in the same predicament. I'm just deciding between a pontoon, float tube, or a high end inflatable boat. $300 dollars or so is what it costs, plus a motor mount and what not...

Keep me updated on what you end up doing Kutthroatkilla. I've got all the pro's and cons of each, I just can't make up my mind....Might need someone else to pull the trigger to push me over one side of the fence...

fishnislife and others with tubes: My only concern is the safety of a float tube and the actual kicking that is required to push yourself. Is this an issue? I'd hate to have to fight wind if it was a pain in the rear....I'd also hate to slip outta a float tube and have my waders fill up..Kinda screwed in that position. But a Pontoon or inflatable boat is pretty pricey and I don't need them as I have a 12' aluminum as it is...Plus a float tube is darn quick to fill up with air and easy to slip on and take off to the fishing grounds....One of the BIG issues I'm faced with. Don't wanna spend 15-20 minutes during set-up and take down. Had to do it with an inflatable boat and it always tacked on an extra 45 minutes to the trip....

Like Marc has said, they both have their good points. The pontoon I chose is easier to move to the water because of the transport wheel. It has applications in both still water and moving water. It has two forms of propulsion (oars and fins). You can carry a lot more gear and lunch with you. The down sides are you can't transport it as easily with a vehicle and you can't hike in with it. Keep in mind that there is a school of thought that says float tubes are not very safe in moving water because your feet, fins and legs are underwater. It seems I hear every year that someone has died in a float tube on a river because they get their feet tangled up in the rocks or submerged undergrowth and went topsy turvy. The main thing here is to be safe, have fun and wear a PFD.

I've got a couple of each, but won't even consider the tubes until oh, about, right now! I absolutely hate being cold. In the past, I tried submerging myself from the little fella on down in COLD March and April water. We were not happy and did not last long, even in neoprene waders! So early on it's only a pontoon and I've gotten into the habit of keeping my feet completely out of the water when anchored and fishing chironomids. One of partners, a die-hard tuber, has used my extra pontoon on a couple of occasions this year. This enabled him to spend additional time on the water and leave those "squatter" fish alone at the Amber launch. My tubes will soon be used at places like Browns, Northrup and the north end of W. Medical.

I have both the tube and a toon and probably use the toon 90% of the time. If I have to walk a long way into the lake is about the only time the tube gets used anymore. Yeah its more of a hassle getting the toon set-up, but I keep mine partially inflated all the time. I halso have a Minn Kota electric for the toon which makes getting around the lakes a lot easier. Plus a toon really increases the range that you can effectively fish.

wolverine wrote: I have both the tube and a toon and probably use the toon 90% of the time. Plus a toon really increases the range that you can effectively fish.

Sounds like a toon is the way to go for me at least. I understand everyone has different needs in deciding whether to purchase a toon or tube, but the toon seems so much more practical. I also like the inflatible air chambers in the toons...they really fold up nice and can fit in the back of a Civic or Prius. Good. KTK

well I went and used my new toon today at Amber, and after some small adjustments, I was gliding through the water. I love it and would find it hard pressed to go back to a rowboat. I've never used a tube though.

Your post was missing something Craig, a picture. Here you go.:thumright Send me an e-mail and I will reply with the photo attached. Had fun today fishing with you. That is quite a boat!

I have, and use both.

My float-tube is more portable and I use it more often in higher temperatures. It allows me to stay cooler by being in the water. The other plus of the float-tube is that the wind has less affect as you sit much lower to the water. Transport, setup and load out is much faster with the float-tube.

My pontoon boat is relatively new (this year). I like it when the water/weather is colder. I have had some issues getting used to landing/netting fish as you have to bring them between the pontoons (at least until I buy a long handled net). I usually bring two rods with me, one with floating line and one with sink tip and the pontoon boat is a little easier to do that with than the float-tube. The pontoon boat has a lot more area for storage including a cooler! I have a set-up for depth/fish finders that attache easily to both

Some have mentioned river use for the pontoon boat as a big advantage. Since I don't river fish much anymore (too busy around here!) this wasn't a concern for me.

Going forward I will use both depending on which lake I am going to and the weather.

Tight Lines!!

Rooscooter wrote:I have, and use both.

My float-tube is more portable and I use it more often in higher temperatures. It allows me to stay cooler by being in the water. The other plus of the float-tube is that the wind has less affect as you sit much lower to the water. Transport, setup and load out is much faster with the float-tube.

Good comparison Rooscooter. The tube definately has some major advantages over the toon. Question: Do your fins fall off a lot when kick around a lot? I was thinking in those E. WA lakes they must get very cold and kicking could get hard and tiring. I've heard people have issues with their fins falling off and using duct tape to keep em on for good...any experience here? The Super Fat Cat 4 looks so nice! Up and out of the water for sure! -- KTK

If you can find Caddis Model FF fins you're one step ahead of the game. There is no need for a tether. They float.

I can't remember the last time I had a fin fall off. I use dive fins (see your post about fins) and I guess I have learned how to kick without losing fins. The quality dive fins I have don't get stiff in cold water, they tend to have the same flex regardless of the conditions.

Tight Lines!!

It really depends on what you want to use it for. If you fish shallow water, very cold water, moving water, or have bad knees (I do), than the toon is the way to go.

If you fish where wind is a problem, then a tube is superior. I have fished in wind so bad with my old tube that I used a rain jacket, pulled the hood over my head, and let the waves and spray break over as I padded into the into the wind. You can almost stay stationary in a wind with a tube, but you must anchor a toon.

Still, given a choice, I mean a choice other than one of each, I'd say go a toon.

Rooscooter wrote: I can't remember the last time I had a fin fall off. I use dive fins (see your post about fins) and I guess I have learned how to kick without losing fins. The quality dive fins I have don't get stiff in cold water, they tend to have the same flex regardless of the conditions.

Tight Lines!!

LOL - You clearly have never gone into the lake with a mud shoreline, soft sand, or debris like wood or weeds. Do so, and you will be wishing your dive fins had a tether on them.

The force fins I have give me more power than the dive fins, are of the same material, but may cost more. Mine do not fit over water shoes, so you must use stalking foot style waders. I use 3 to 5 mm Neoprene waders, with a sock over them, and my 20 year old force fins. I have tethers on the fins, which I seldom need, but have saved me money on more then one occasion.

LOL - You clearly have never gone into the lake with a mud shoreline, soft sand, or debris like wood or weeds. Do so, and you will be wishing your dive fins had a tether on them.

I have fished all types of lakes in all kinds of conditions. My fins fit well and I really can't remember the last time I lost one and I have been fishing from a tube or a toon for over 30 years. So clearly I have fished those types of waters many time, I just adjust to the conditions.

Your comment about having bad knees doesn't hold true for me. I am working on 5 surgeries on my knees and I don't see a difference between kicking in a float tube or a pontoon boat. Kicking is kicking. I guess it's a matter of opinion.

As for the type of fins to use; as with everything else in life, use what works best for you. The "Force Fins" didn't work any better for me when diving (which I have done for nearly 30 years as well) as other quality (and less expensive) dive fins. I use the save fins for diving as I do for fishing.


Tight Lines!