Float tubes vs. Pontoon boats

Hey, I just moved to Spokane for college and I would really like to do some fishing around here but from what I have been told there is a lot of lake fishing and most of it requires a boat of some sort. I have never fished from a boat so I don't know much about them but I would like to get one so that it would open up some more options for me as far as places I can fish. I am a college student so I don't have a house or a lot of room to keep anything. I would imagine that a pontoon boat is easier to cast from and less work to move but I'm not sure if I have the room to store a pontoon boat or the money to buy one. Can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks,
Matt

you might start with a float tube, waders, fins and life jacket. you'll need all that anyway when you eventually move up to a pontoon. you'll fall back to that float tube when you want to fish lakes that are hike in. A tube is much easier to break down and set up and stores easily. the cheapest way to go too.

Tony's right - get a float tube first and it will open up a lot of options for you in terms of being able to fish stillwaters effectively. While the price of pontoons has dropped dramatically lately, they have several pros and cons compared with float tubes.

On the con side: pontoons are still more expensive (usually); they sit up higher out of the water, so less resistence under the waterline turns your body into a sail in windy conditions, making it more difficult to maintain position; and, they're bulkier and heavier, thus more difficult to transport and store.

On the pro side: a pontoon sits higher out of the water, making for less resistance and easier distance casting; they (usually) offer the option of using both fins and oars, which can make covering distances easier than in a float tube; and, they usually have a higher weight capacity so you can carry more gear, or carry the same amount of gear more safely.

K

Well its really sounding like a float tube would be the better option for me. If I decide to go that route, are there any float tubes in particular that you guys would recommend? And any accessories in particular that you would recommend?

do you have waders already? How much is your budget? For fins you can go with Force Fins which you will have trouble finding for less than $100, or you can go with $20-30 caddis fins or something similar that will be perfectly functional. The only accessory I use is a piece of the mesh you put under rugs to keep them from sliding on hardwood floors. It keeps my butt from sliding around on the float tube seat.

I agree. Floats tubes are great, easy storage, and pretty easy to move around in.

Im sure Ill get a toon sometime, but right now the tube is doing just fine haha

While I agree with the float tube as being the sensible best option, the devil's advocate in me says Pbbbbbbbbbbbbbb! That is, if moving water is what floats your boat, a float tube is not the best option. To complicate the choices a bit, look into what your school has for rental gear. You can rent a sit-on-top kayak at EWU for $15 for a weekend. Which of course supports your NEED to take a kayak class. :ray1: Then you could forget the pontoon til later.

If you buy a float tube, DO NOT USE IN MOVING WATER!!! There is atleast one person every year that dies in a float tube in moving water.

he said he was lake fishing

I'd still go with an inexpensive pontoon boat. People make them sound as if you are trying to kick around a sail boat but I've found they are quite easy to handle.

If you get blown down the lake and need to get back to the ramp which would you rather be in? Float tube or pontoon? I'd rather have the option of rowing upwind as opposed to legging it out.


.02

I kick a 10' Osprey around the lakes that I fish, with my lab on the back.....:thumb:

Hell of a deal... no knowledge of the seller...

http://spokane.craigslist.org/boa/1382850541.html

That is one hell of a deal on that toon. But,,,sitting up that high, you will definitely get blown around by the wind. And fins will be useless from that high seat position. I hate having to deal with all the things on a toon that can tangle a fly line.

Personally, I prefer a float tube for lake fishing. Easier setup, better manueverability, & less wind resistance. Long distance casting is usually not a requirement on small lakes. Nor is traversing great distances. I prefer scuba fins, or better yet snorkel fins. Much more effecient than Force Fins. Look around at Goodwill stores for used "swim fins"

Heck of a deal for a early series southfork

The best part of a pontoon is they'll carry a lot more beer and if you get a standing platform, it's really easy to get rid of that beer.

no question, go with the pontoon. The only reason to have a float tube is pack trips into alpine wilderness. Every previous post had exellent points but the most important fact was just mentioned, ICE COLD beer can easily be stored on a pontoon boat, Ive got a soft cooler from outcast and works great

I have a tube, and had a toon. Sold the toon because I wasn't doing any moving water anyway, and the tube is so much easier to store/set up/transport than the toon.

if you do get a float tube, a V-boat, Fat Cat, or ODC420 (like I have) offers a huge increase in comfort and ease of finning. I've had a Uboat for years, can't bring myself to sit in the water up to my waist when I have the ODC handy...mid calf immersion, high/dry/warm.

not to mention having to pee after 20 minutes in that 50 degree water up to your waist!