pontoon boat accessories?

[ruthven78]

Ok so I got the boat monday, its still sitting in the box in my garage as I havent had time to put it together yet...but I was wondering what other stuff I need to buy for it? Im on a tight budget too.

Here is my list so far:
wading shoes
waders (hip, waist, or chest?)
kick fins
fishin buddy fish finder (maybe)
anchor
life vest

would wading shoes be better than waders with built in boots?

I dont plan on doing any deep wading so I doubt I would need chest waders, just mostly want to keep as dry as possible and avoid any underwater critters like leeches hehe. Would I save money by getting waders with built in boots?

[A9]

Yes, buy wading shoes SEPARATE from the waders. Everyone I've talked to who has purchased the waders with built in boots say they just don't hold up on the seams well under the stress and leak. Waders are supposed to keep you dry, so I'd suggest doing everything you can to minimize the stress and potential for leaks...As for saving money? Maybe, but you can often find cheap $30 wading boots and cheap quality waders as well....

[ruthven78]

Is Stearns a good brand? I found some cheap chest waders for $14.97 on Amazon

Stearns Waders

I also thought about getting the Hodgman Neoprene Wading Shoe because I dont plan on using them for anything else other than with the pontoon.

[Bigbass Dez]

Rutven , if you get those waders trust me they will bake you this summer (too hot) .. this my second year with my pontoon so this is what you need .. hip waders $25.00 sportco / fins $25.00 joes / mines dont leak and they are holding up good 2nd year so far ..I do suggest keeping your foot pump on board @ all times .. also i dont suggest taking more than 4 poles @ a time .. and remember everything is in reverse out there on the water and stay aware of things behind you too avoid running into something , this can easily happen .. last thing , when your "fining" move your your feet just like your backpaddling on a bike , if you kick with you legs straight it will were you out fast .. keep you fins out the water will rowing .. and stay safe and have fun .. BBD

[leahcim_dahc]

Only thing I can add is check out wading boots with a felt bottom. If you get into some mucky launches...the rubber bottomed boots might be a little slick. I picked up a pair of hodgeman boots at Joe's that have a rubber heel and toe, and felt bottom. They were right around $40 or $50...just depends on your budget.

Just be careful and be prepared to laugh at yourself...if your uncoordinated like me. I was going to land the pontoon one afternoon. The launch had a couple of fancy bass boats, one leaving and one launching. I pulled up the depth finder tranducer, the motor and decided to hop off and walk it in. My depth finder showed the water was three feet which was shallow enough, only I forgot to add another foot because I raised the transducer. I stepped off up to my waist in water, and one leg hung up over a pontoon and oar. I managed to kick myself loose, only to lose my footing and fall up to my chest in the water. It was rather comical...the others at the launch tried to hold their composure...but once I started laughing, it was over.

It's hard to look cool when you do stupid stuff like that!


Chad

[Marc Martyn]

Craig,

I would suggest foregoing the fish finder this year and investing in some better shoes and waders. Buying cheap waders is asking for trouble. Been there, done that:-"

The Sportsman's Warehouse has Caddis fins in stock. I like the ones with the laces. Here is a link to the forum discussion on kick fins:

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... -Help.aspx

There are a couple of links for shoes and waders.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... &noImage=0

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... 607830109a

Chest waders are not needed in a pontoon boat. Breathable stocking foot hip waders are coming down in price and are well worth having. The shoes mentioned above are excellent. I have had mine for about 10 years now and they are holding up fine.

One thing to always remember. Do Not go out in the boat and hang your bare feet and legs in the water all day long. Always wear waders. A friend of mine got swimmer's itch which he said was ungodly horrible to go through. That is why I suggest the breathable waders. They are much cooler than neoprene.

[ruthven78]

thanks. I had already ordered the waders and shoes I linked above. I believe the waders are made out of the same material our isolation gowns are made out of at the hospital (Im a respiratory therapist), probably a little thicker though. If I dont like them or they are too hot then I'll look into breathable waders. LL Bean had a breathable chest wader for $59. Im on a pretty shoestring budget as it was hard enough to get the pontoon past the banker (the wife). I'll more than likely have to forgo the fish finder just on that principle......maybe santa will get it for me.

Should I wait to buy the flippers until after I have the wading shoes to make sure there is a good fit?

[kutthroatkilla]

Should I wait to buy the flippers until after I have the wading shoes to make sure there is a good fit?

Marc had a good link for flippers. They are adjustable and cost less than $29 I believe. Very cheap. Quality too. Mileage does vary, however. Marc is great for info.

KTK

[ruthven78]

Well going to try to cancel the stearn waders. I believe they are just like polyester or nylon with a PVC coating which is what our isolation gowns are made out of...and I sweat in the pretty bad in just indoors at room temp lol....couldnt imagine 80-90 degree sunshine.....will look more into the breathable hip waders. Gonna try out the hodgman wading shoes though.

I ordered both through the sportsman's guide which states on the site to have a good return policy.

is there any place locally to get those caddis fins?

[Lotech Joe]

Well going to try to cancel the stearn waders. I believe they are just like polyester or nylon with a PVC coating which is what our isolation gowns are made out of...and I sweat in the pretty bad in just indoors at room temp lol....couldnt imagine 80-90 degree sunshine.....will look more into the breathable hip waders. Gonna try out the hodgman wading shoes though.

I ordered both through the sportsman's guide which states on the site to have a good return policy.

is there any place locally to get those caddis fins?

I bought my fins at Sportsman's Warehouse in Spokane. But, they told me they were the last pair they had. I don't know if they reordered or not. I believe I paid around $36 for mine.
You might want to call Sportsman's Warehouse and ask them if they have any more. If they don't, maybe Caddis Sports can help. The fins I got are the FF model. Here's a link to their website;
http://www.caddissports.com/

[Marc Martyn]

is there any place locally to get those caddis fins?

I have a call into Caddis to find out who stocks that model of fins. When I hear back from them I will let you know.

[ruthven78]

well I have to take the day off to go get a cortisone shot in my foot for some bad plantar fasciitis today....so in light of that I am going to drive around to see if I can find the caddis fins locally....like white elephant, general store, Joe's, Sportsman's Warehouse, and Cabela's....unless i hear from Marc first. Will probably get my waders locally today too