Belly boats, pontoon boats, etc.

During my recent trip to Cabela's I took a look at some of the inflatables that they had. Looking to broaden my fishing opportunities on some of the small ponds and lakes in my area, White Pond, Fahnstock & Taghkanic State Parks, Slyvan Lake, etc. To those who have experience, What's good?, Not so good? How durable are these things? Has anyone had experience with the two/three man crafts used on bigger rivers?

Thanks,

Gerry

Gerry, I've floated trout and smallie rivers many times  in friend's Star rafts. They are comftorable, stable platforms. Less roomy than a driftboat, but less money, lighter, easier to get on a trailer solo, less draft. Surprisingly ,  they are pretty responsive to the oars. I managed to get back upstream on some riffle water. I'd also look at a tandem platform Outcast 'toon. Well made products, and a little more portable, as they can be broken down. I rowed a friend's a month ago on San Diego Bay and it was excellent. Star for durability, Outcast for portability , in my opinion. My favorite to fish out of on stillwater is by far my kickboat. Bellyboat is a misnomer- those step-through nightmares are a thing of the past. U-boats are the way to go. I have a Fishcat LCS-4 deluxe that has 300-400 hrs. on it. It's what appears in my recent  trout post. I spent 7 days catching a couple hundred fish of 10 species (including  small shark and bonefish in San Diego Bay last month. It handled the wakes of Ocean Liners and U.S. Navy Destroyers. Last trip I saw the USS Enterprise come into port. With the use of Force Fins (developed for the Navy Seals) you can cover ground. Having hands free is a HUGE plus for flyfishing. They respond instantaneously to the least movement of your fins, making them very fishing friendly. I only have experience with higher end float tubes, but I've never had problems. I have many tips that i can offer for their use, but you're still shopping, so I'll quit running my mouth.
 
Charlie

TB, i have a 2 man pontoon with a back platform for motor/anchor/storage, and a front standing platform for casting. It is pretty nice. Great for delaware, lakes, salmon river, etc...
. its a little heavy and cumbersome but with 2 people it is no problem. It is definitely not made for backpacking if thats your intention. It rides really high in the water and steers very accurately. It can also be converted in to a one man pontoon very easily. I usually take it down the salmon river during dam releases and sometimes for late spring steelhead. This year i hope to get it out for small mouths on the SR and possibly a few other spots in pond/lagoon areas near river mouths in oswego/jefferson counties... good luck with your purchase and tight lines

P.S. Charlie when you packed up Sleeping Beauty did you carry your inflatable with you?




Gerry, I didn't know what the trail was like, so I brought my ultra-light pack raft. Had I known in advance that the trail wasn't difficult I would have brought  the float tube. My fish count would have gone up considerably if I had. If I return there , I certainly will. Fishcat makes a model called the Trinity which a friend of mine has. It's endured alot of use in the salt and high mountain lakes. Pricey, but very good at a packable 7 lbs.  My LCS is 14. I've taken it in to remote  lakes in Ca. and Vt. , but it doesn't pack down real well and the bulk can be annoying. If you are doing a day trip-it's fine.
The DEC officer that regularly patrols Fishbrook pond told me guys with float tubes clean up! Several people had carried canoes in and one fellow a kayak. Until I hit 45 I could haul a pack and a canoe at the same time, it would be a chore, now. 
 
Dime, does your 'toon handle low water on the SR well?  I may bring my yak up, just to go down the river and see places I haven't got to. Of course, stopping often for smallie breaks.
 
Charlie

Charlie- The Creek Company ODC 420 Ultra Light is 8 lbs. Certainly light enough for us oldtimers to pack in. The Outcast Super Fat Cat is 16 lbs. Basically the same set up but the Outcast has a heavy denier material.

As with anything there are the accoutrements that have to be added into the equation. You know the saying, "He who dies with the most toys wins." I never liked coming in second.

The ODC 420 Lightweight has a foam seat, the ODC 420 Ultralight has an Air seat and back.

Thanks for the offer, very kind of you. I have looked at yaks and canoes and I agree that they are the best bargain provided you have easy access to the waters you plan to fish. Some on the NYC reservoirs are implementing pilot programs to use kayaks/canoes. I have looked at the Hobie Pro Angler, The Native Craft Propel Angler and the latest edition of the Nu Canoe called the Frontier. While the Native Craft and the Hobie are set up for one person and are pedal driven the Frontier can be rigged for two or solo but you have to paddle. It all comes down to your intended purpose and will it meet or exceed your needs.

Side note: Electric Hot Tuna and special guest Steve Kimock are playing in Westbury, LI in June.

I'll be up at some point.
 
Charlie

Charlie- No doubt that each mode has its salient points. I like the ease and portabilty of some of the newer float tubes given that they range from 7-16 pounds depending on the make and model you choose. I also like what I consider to be the Cadillac of fishing kayaks in the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler. The only draw back is fully rigged it weights in at 138 lbs. The Hobie is more suited to a drive right to the waterside proposition unless you have a dolly and are willing to cart it to your fishing destination. Doesn't make much sense to do that when you can achieve your goals with an inflatable sans the heart attack getting there. For now the inflatable will suit my needs, just have to choose which one.

Gerry