Fishing From a Pontoon Boat: The Bottom Line When you get right down to brass tacks, using a pontoon boat for a fishing boat makes plenty of sense for people who are fishing in relatively protected waters like lakes, coastal bays, and slow-moving rivers that are sheltered from the wind.
Are pontoon boats good for the bay?
Pontoons are great for the intercoastal, bays, rivers, and so on. They are not made to go 30-40 miles offshore. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can always see the shore and boat in waves no larger than 3-4′. Anything higher and you could run into issues.
Are pontoon boats good in rough water?
Rough Water. Pontoon boats offer an incredibly stable and wobble-free ride most of the time; however, in severe storms when there is heavy chop on the water, a pontoon boat is more dangerous than a traditional V-hull boat.
Are pontoon boats good for saltwater?
Bottom line: feel free to use your pontoon on salt water if conditions are good. A protected saltwater bay, inlet, or mangrove swamp is often a more suitable pontoon boating environment than the open ocean.
Can you go deep sea fishing in a pontoon boat?
While pontoon boats won’t get you into really skinny water like some flats boats and skiffs will, they will go pretty shallow, especially if you outfit them with a jack plate. In fact, depending on how many people and how much gear you have on board, you should be able to take it in water as shallow as 2 feet deep.
How shallow can a pontoon boat go?
You can go for a Pontoon Boat, which usually comes with downdrafts of 16′′ and 24′′ are available, but with the motor trimmed up, they can run as shallow as 10′′.
Can a pontoon boat flip over?
Due to the design of pontoon boats, it’s almost unheard of for them to tip over, and the chances are very, very slim. Pontoon boats very rarely tip over or flip over, with recorded cases being very uncommon.
Why does a pontoon nose dive?
Front heavy
The most common reason for a nose diving pontoon boat is too much weight at the front of the boat. A pontoon boat should be lighter at the front than the back so that the bow can lift out of the water slightly during acceleration.
Do pontoon boats sink easily?
They’re designed for certain capacities and regular maintenance is required in order to ensure it’s working smoothly. A pontoon boat rarely sinks because even if one single tube gets punctured or it’s filled with water, the other tube can keep the boat floating without sinking.
How deep does the water have to be for a pontoon boat?
It’s a good idea to give yourself some leeway and stick to water that is at least three feet deep. One thing to consider though is traffic on the river. If you need to give another boat a wide berth, be careful to avoid the very shallow water near the bank which might be at a tight incline.
How safe are pontoon boats?
The pontoon boat is very safe when the waves are small but when the waves get bigger, watch out. During the storm or heavy rain, pontoon boats are more dangerous than ordinary “V” boats. Large waves cause problems because pontoon boats are diving into the wave, and not go over them.
How long can pontoon boats stay in saltwater?
A boat can only safely stay in saltwater for about one week, but in most cases, three to four weeks in freshwater will not cause damage. When you leave a boat sitting in water, it never gets a chance for the construction materials to dry out.
Can you leave a boat in freshwater?
Storing your boat in freshwater is desirable for a few reasons. Freshwater has less minerals in it, meaning that it will not degrade the lower parts of the boat as quickly as saltwater would. Also, freshwater is usually cleaner than saltwater, meaning you won’t spend a ton of time cleaning your boat.
Do pontoon boats scare fish?
The large deck helps balance the boat, allowing you to walk around (with minimal bouncing) and not scare the fish. Most pontoons offer smooth rides in mildly choppy waters, which is a plus since you’re bound to encounter some choppy water (and wakes) at some point.
Are pontoon boats any good?
In addition, pontoon boats are quite stable and very unlikely to capsize. The boats are also good for a variety of different uses. While most people likely use their pontoon boat for cruising, they can use the boat for fishing or even water sports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing (with the right engine).
Can you take a pontoon boat to Horn Island?
Inland water boats such as bass boats or pontoon boats are not suitable for travel to the islands.There are no trash cans on the islands.
What’s better a deck boat or pontoon boat?
Generally speaking, because of the different types of hulls, deck boats are better for slicing through the water, but pontoon boats keep you steady, whether you’re in motion or not.
Do pontoon boats hold their value?
While pontoon boats do not hold their value, you will still get value from using them. Pontoon boats lose their value quite a bit in the first couple of years. After the first few years, the depreciation will slow down.
Can you beach a pontoon boat?
It is perfectly safe to beach a pontoon boat on most types of terrain as long as you fully trim the motor so the prop is out of the water. Mud, sand and flat stones offer great surfaces to beach a pontoon boat on. Gravel, or ground with sharp objects, should be avoided as the pontoons will likely get damaged.
What is the best month to buy a boat?
FALL. Many people will argue that the fall is the best time for buying a boat. This is because most of the manufacturers start offering discounts around September and October. When demand begins to decline, dealers often provide incentives for buyers in the form of discounts and deep cuts in pricing.
Why do pontoon boats sink?
Poor weight distribution, using the wrong motors, having water in the pontoons, inappropriate handling of the vessel especially in waves and chop, and using the boat in the type of very harsh conditions it was not designed to be used in, are all things that can cause a pontoon boat to sink.
Contents