Float tube or Pontoon?

[Raw_Instinct]

If you are going to fish hike-in lakes, which I highly recommend in the Sierras, get the float tube esp. since you can hump it in.

If you're going to be fishing on a lake which can be accessed by a vehicle, get a canoe-plus there's no need to inflate anything.

A pontoon boat is nice, but with a canoe, I get more space for a cooler, nice big rubber net, camping gear (if needed), you WILL sit up higher, it's faster (esp. with a motor) and has more control.

There's a reason why pontoon boats haven't caught on. It's because you still have to wear waders. When drinking beer/booze, you can just pee in a Gatorade bottle.

But, if you are heavyset, as you say, and don't want to pull a canoe off of your vehicle, then the pontoon is a good choice. Just try to gauge how you will be using it.

But, since you aren't a proficient flyfisher yet or don't have a friend who is, I'd suggest waiting on the float tube. you're gonna need to learn to cast on dry land before you can try to do it from a float tube/pontoon/canoe/kayak/before anything, really!

It's like getting your DMV permit and then trying to enter a drag race with a manual trannied car. You're asking for all kinds of flies to be embedded in the back of your head.

This all doesn't mean a thing if you're gonna be a poser-flyfisherman. These are people who buy all the things that make you look like a flyfisherman, but just troll flies on a "flyrod" kicking around the lake until something pulls back. This is trolling with flies on a tube/pontoon. If that's the case, get the pontoon boat, get a gold reel, and get a sinking line...forget the floating stuff. And stock up on the streamers, buggers, and nymphs. Fish the area near the dam, right in front of the dam, and in shallow areas near deep water since you can't cast anyways.

[flygoddess]

Originally Posted by Raw_Instinct

If you are going to fish hike-in lakes, which I highly recommend in the Sierras, get the float tube esp. since you can hump it in.

If you're going to be fishing on a lake which can be accessed by a vehicle, get a canoe-plus there's no need to inflate anything.

A pontoon boat is nice, but with a canoe, I get more space for a cooler, nice big rubber net, camping gear (if needed), you WILL sit up higher, it's faster (esp. with a motor) and has more control.

There's a reason why pontoon boats haven't caught on. It's because you still have to wear waders. When drinking beer/booze, you can just pee in a Gatorade bottle.

But, if you are heavyset, as you say, and don't want to pull a canoe off of your vehicle, then the pontoon is a good choice. Just try to gauge how you will be using it.

But, since you aren't a proficient flyfisher yet or don't have a friend who is, I'd suggest waiting on the float tube. you're gonna need to learn to cast on dry land before you can try to do it from a float tube/pontoon/canoe/kayak/before anything, really!

It's like getting your DMV permit and then trying to enter a drag race with a manual trannied car. You're asking for all kinds of flies to be embedded in the back of your head.

This all doesn't mean a thing if you're gonna be a poser-flyfisherman. These are people who buy all the things that make you look like a flyfisherman, but just troll flies on a "flyrod" kicking around the lake until something pulls back. This is trolling with flies on a tube/pontoon. If that's the case, get the pontoon boat, get a gold reel, and get a sinking line...forget the floating stuff. And stock up on the streamers, buggers, and nymphs. Fish the area near the dam, right in front of the dam, and in shallow areas near deep water since you can't cast anyways.

Okay, a kayak or a Canoe. Seeings how we are all voicing OUR experience.
Right oars on a pontoon and you CAN be as quick. More control? User function.
You can deflate a Pontoon so can be transported easier.
Waders...Your calf is getting wet. You could use regular cloths and shoes, you will just be wet from knee down. I know a guy that uses those rubber farm boots. I use breathable hippers, but I also fish rivers.
Float tube however, you would need at least WAIST HIGHS.

Pontoon over a Canoe or Kayak......HANDS FREE FISHING, specially in the wind. Or you could just anchor down.

Learn to cast first....sure good move, but out on a lake, I haven't found presentation that bug of a deal.
In fact, try slapping down a big old dry and watch a bass or a brown snarf it up.

OH, and some pontoons even have STANDING platforms. Plus HUGE rear decks to haul all you could want.

[terryb]

check out fishmaster from oklahoma...and use what they call paddle pushers to swim. pushers are slower than fins of course..but you move forward instead of backwards. and i dont think anyones gonna race ya. been usin em since 81. always replaced with same items... tubes are light, and can rip a 360 in a heartbeat,good when yer landin a sweathog. just sayin... i just tried to lookup fmaster...after i posted this and got what i was not lookin for. we bought one last christmas for my 17 yearold son .outta business is bs .theyve begun again as a ma an pa setup.im gonna try an find em with the paperwork from the new one...be back asap. tb found the number,waitn for a call back,1800 788 4524 got the call back,they are in ,new num. 405 816 4948. someone said they sit low to the water,an thats right. im a short lil fer,had the seat an strap modified [sewed up],an it works nice. all tubes are good,cuz yer gonna be fishin!

[flygoddess]

Isn't the Fishmaster a canvas covered car tire tube? If so, I thought they were discontinued because they were life threatening. People rolling upside down and not able to get out.

As far as the Paddle Pushers...also discontinued but more because of lack of interest. Why would you want to go forward...specially Fly Fishing?

[trapperben]

Besides economic differences (good tubes usually are cheaperhen pontoons) both have their purpose. Tubes are more portable and easier stored or transported. It is a very private and enjoyable way of fishing provided you stick to the trout lakes etc where you don't have lake lice and ski boats using you as a vector point. Pontoons are similar. Tubes limit what you can carry with you fishing as do pontoons but to a lesser extent. For some reason based on your self description I don't see you hiking five miles back in to the Sierras to that undiscovered lake so I agree with miss Joni a pontoon would be a better choice for you. Either will work for that type of fishing though.

I travel all over Texas to job sites with my office and personal stuff in my truck sometimes for weeks at a time so for me a float tube is better. Not my first choice, I would prefer a pontoon.

Don't scrimp on whatever you buy. Lots of websites for looking at stuff but basspro and cabelas in their fly fishing section show some models with reviews. Like most outlets they feature a lot of classic accessory stuff, never had any but their tubes get poor reviews, some of their pontoons seem to be accepted better.

As for paddle pushers my experience with them is they work well if you have a strong wind at your back and want to go forward. Flippers are better to me.

If you get a tube get a Uboat. Can be very enertaining and might even make Utube to watch a big fellow try to get into a round boat the first time.

[ironman]

Wow alot of great opinions here... I did extensive research on this and took delivery of a Super Fat Cat but also with the foam seat. I here the inflatable seat cant get hard enough and the pontoons want to creap in on you.

Chose the tube as there are a couple places I will go that are a bit of a hike in. The first being the local lagoon has about a 300 yard walk in. If Im alone I cant carry the kind of pontoon I would want.

Purchased a Redington Rise 5/6 159.00 and a TFO 9 ft 4pc 5 weight the Lefty kreh pro model... about 160.00

Rio Gold trout fly line WF 5 kinda cool as its two tone between the head and the rest of the line.

Thanks for all the input!!! Watch for a thread with photos of some Sierra Beauties in the future.

[flygoddess]

Iron Man...you got it down. Just a heads up, over time you MAY want to put Plexi-glass or something in the back rest of that foam seat as it will begin to collapse or bend not giving very good back support.
An easy fix, but I am betting you will need to do it.
Who told you, you can't fill an inflatable seat enough?

Not me, but my Hubby is at 225 and he prefers the inflatable for the reason I mention above. Plus it packs up much smaller.

[ironman]

Had the maiden voyage yesterday on the Fat Cat. Love it Seat inflates really hard. " Launced in my buddys pool wearing a tee shirt and trunks...never got the shirt wet! Pontoons never crept in on me.

[flygoddess]

Originally Posted by ironman

Had the maiden voyage yesterday on the Fat Cat. Love it Seat inflates really hard. " Launced in my buddys pool wearing a tee shirt and trunks...never got the shirt wet! Pontoons never crept in on me.

Nice, and the toons shouldn't creep in. I thought you got the foam seat?

[ironman]

Got em both. Would I see much difference using the foam seat?

[flygoddess]

I think it depends on your size. Didn't bother me, but my Hubby and other guys say the back doesn't support well. So, I would say probably, not at first.

[Raw_Instinct]

Ironman,

Now you're screwed! Enjoy this sport and art. When you're on some of those lakes, you WILL find that you need to throw down a size 16-18 dry on a 13ft. leader just to get a peak at a trout's nose. I know a lot of people who cast sloppy and catch lots of fish but there's definitely something to be said about the guy who can stealthily put even a #10 crystal bugger down quietly in front of a cruising trout (which you will see from your fat cat) and strip in 4 times and see that thing rushing in.

Learn to cast. You'll thank me when you're up on Crowley/any Sierra lake when thos mid-afternoon downpours come down because you are at 8000ft plus. I know a lot of people downplay the double-haul these days, but man is it nice to put out that much line and cover more water in a 5-10 mph wind. You'll see the other guys out there kickin and trolling/dragging their flies against the wind. Just drift with the wind and strip that thing behind you. It's the most natural presentation you can get. Just like casting upstream.

Anyways, enjoy your setup(s)! You'll have plenty of learning curve to climb up on and you'll have fun doing it. Go lighter on your tippets than what most people say. You can catch an 8 lb brown on 5-7x on a bellyboat on our lakes. There's hardly any weedbeds, etc... Use 4x for streamers/buggers though. And don't let anyone tell you fluoro isn't worth it. It's worth it...esp. the Gamma Fro Hair stuff. But, all in all, the gear are like shoes. Jordan's shoes don't make anyone jump higher. It's all on you. Get your skills up and it doesn't matter what you buy or have. When you get real good, you'll own all of the things everyone here has discussed or, at least, tried it once. You can scare fish with a bad pickup, a line slap from a hard cast, heavy tippet which kills action. The fly should barely flip over, unless it's a hopper/chernobyl ant-type big bug (no less than 4x for these-maybe 5). Like a 40.00 steak, presentation is everything, Go to a single's bar...presentation is everything.