Pontoons & Trout

[TyeeMatt]

A buddy and I are heading out Saturday with pontoons and our trout gear and I'm wondering where our best bet would be. We're both in Seattle so within an hour's drive is ideal. I was thinking Beaver Lake in hopes of catching some brood stock hold over from November's big stocking...think there's any left in there and that it would be worth it?? Any other smaller lakes nearby with big trout in them this time of year??? Thanks for your time ya'll

[Gringo Pescador]

If it were me I would probably hit Greenlake. Ballinger is just a little north of you as well.

[The Quadfather]

Since you are in Seattle, I'd concur with Gringo.... Greenlake. Most of the year round lakes are not suitable for tubing, i.e. Lake WA. etc. Greenlake has great fish.

Edit: I almost forgot.... Don't know what your style of fishing is, but if I was putting a float tube in right now, I'd be going into Rattlesnake up near N. Bend. Remember though that it is catch and release, and "Selective gear rules" No bait, no bars, but big fun. the lake has had a few nice reports lately, and it is a much better peaceful experience than Greenlake. But no knocks against Greenlake. That lake is awesome.

[TyeeMatt]

When its windy Green Lake can be brutal on the water...although I caught a nice bow there from shore last week. And with its size it's a bit tough to find the fish at Green Lake in pontoon. Ballinger looks to be about half the size and didn't even cross my mind. Thanks for the tips guys.

[TyeeMatt]

Rattlesnake's a great idea too and just the solitude we're seeking...this is why I ask these questions. Thanks again

[Bodofish]

For Green Lake look in the lake section at the map. There are some 25' deep spots, you want to be on the edges of those and the other spot is along the shores of the island. Good luck, you can't hit those from shore.

[tjpratt]

Off topic a little. Can anyone recommend a rod holder(spinning) for float tubes or pontoon boats??

Thank You

[The Quadfather]

Off topic a little. Can anyone recommend a rod holder(spinning) for float tubes or pontoon boats??

Thank You

I have a rod holder for my Outcast Super Fat Cat float tube, which I think is an awesome tool. I will attemp to link a pic. here in just a moment. This rod holder straps to the side of either a smaller pontoon boat, or my float tube. The Supa Fat Cat is a larger float tube than your typical belly boat. The holder will allow for you to go out with 4 seperate rods, all loaded for different types of fishing. If you bass fish,you could be all geared up for different presentations. It will accomodate spinnng reel, baitcaster, fly rod, etc.

Rod holder.jpg (95.02 KiB) Viewed 5583 times

[Mike Carey]

that's a nice rod holder system. I bet a guy could make one using that idea out of plywood.

[fear_no_fish]

Off topic a little. Can anyone recommend a rod holder(spinning) for float tubes or pontoon boats??

Thank You

I think he means a rod holder for trolling, at least thats what im looking for. I would like a holder i can troll with rods other then fly poles but i cant find any.

[tjpratt]

check this out from Cabela, thanks for the replies, i ordered this one. not many out there.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Scotty-S ... l+Products" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TyeeMatt]

That looks nice, but I wonder how quickly you could get a rod out of that holder with those two clips. It's a fine line with rod holders on pontoons between the ability to quickly get your rod out and dropping your gear into a lake, never to be seen again.

[tjpratt]

I agree, but I will probably just use this rig tying gear, unhooking the hundreds of fish I will catch:) getting in and out ect?
I also don't see a reason to have that strap locked in. Havent tried it yet, will see.

[mallard83]

I made the "redneck" setup you see here (rod holder only) on the edge of the Cle Elum River a couple years ago. Had my drill and some leftover lumber and bolts in the bed of my truck and didn't want to float the river without a secure holder. Ashamed to say it's still on there like that because of laziness. I say make your own holder, it's not that hard. What you see in the picture is my Skookum Steelheader. I had a WaterSkeeter River Tamer before that I just got a small cheapo rod holder and ran a couple U bolts of the proper size around the tube by the foot brace and it worked great.

Get creative, you will be surprised what you can come up with. In the picture you can see my last minute setup on my Steelheader on a family trip with my inlaws to chelan this past summer. Downrigger and depthfinder worked good for being a pontoon setup. We were up in the narrows by the yaught club this year (pics). The year before we were down across lake from Wapato Point. The looks I got trolling/rowing mack bar in the middle of the lake out of 10' cat was priceless.