Kayak, Float Tube, Or Pontoon Boat

[Derrick-k]

I have been working hard all month and if nobody cancels my jobs on me I should have near $400 by the end of the month.

I have been looking for a way to get out on the water in smaller lakes and ponds and have figured 3 options, a float tube, a Kayak, or a Pontoon Boat.

I have no desire to put a motor on the pontoon.

What do you think I should invest in?

[fishingmachine]

whats the fourth option

[Derrick-k]

whoops I cant add#-o , three options.

[fishingmachine]

i would say a pontoon boat they are easier to fish out of then the other two

[A9]

I might get myself a nice Intex Mariner inflatable....Would be small enough to pack into the trunk of a car, but has room for 2 or 3, and could put a motor on it....
I thought for sure I was going to get a float tube, but figured a boat would be nicer on those days you just don't feel like kicking around the whole lake and almost sitting in the water....

[HillbillyGeek]

If you've got a truck, small jon boats are are great fishing platforms and are very portable. :thumright

[kevinb]

I have been working hard all month and if nobody cancels my jobs on me I should have near $400 by the end of the month.

I have been looking for a way to get out on the water in smaller lakes and ponds and have figured 3 options, a float tube, a Kayak, or a Pontoon Boat.

I have no desire to put a motor on the pontoon.

What do you think I should invest in?

Well I guess it really depends on the lakes you have in mind. Shallow?,rocky?,weeds?. Etc.
I own 2 pontoons and love them. Mostly for smaller lakes but even take them to Cushman:-" as long as weather is decent.

[fishing collector]

Check out the classified forum section..... 2 pontoon boats for $450 on Craigs list... the link is there..... they were just posted tonite at 9:48 the 7th...

[ruthven78]

costco has a pontoon for $299...i've been really trying to talk to wife into letting me get it

[A9]

Hey Derrick I thought you had that Walker Bay boat?

[Derrick-k]

Hey Derrick I thought you had that Walker Bay boat?

I do but some lakes are a bit smaller and its hard to transport the boat down some of the roads, up to a half mile.

I still will use the walker bay on the larger lakes for more serious fishing, but a smaller boat would allow me to fish beaver ponds and other small bodies of water that have no boat launch.

[A9]

I don't see a Kayak or a pontoon boat being any easier to bring along then a Walker Bay. Those things are LIGHT...
Float tubes= probably your best bet for the intended usage you are describing

[Derrick-k]

I don't see a Kayak or a pontoon boat being any easier to bring along then a Walker Bay. Those things are LIGHT...
Float tubes= probably your best bet for the intended usage you are describing

a walker bay is kinda hard for just one person to carry.

[big fish lite line]

I would get a kayak they are more comfortable to fish from

You could by a canoe carrier on cabalas and then you could bring a boat by yourself

[A9]

I don't see a Kayak or a pontoon boat being any easier to bring along then a Walker Bay. Those things are LIGHT...
Float tubes= probably your best bet for the intended usage you are describing

a walker bay is kinda hard for just one person to carry.

Drag it? Those things are durable and many of them have a small built in wheel to the bottom.

[ja_lange]

I would suggest a pontoon style float tube for what you described. They over the advantage of better manuverability than a traditional float tube but the portability that you will not get from a pontoon boat. Fishcats are pretty nice but I think Caddis makes one too that will not break the bank ($150), so you'll have money for more gear! Kayaks are nice, but they take some getting used too and are not quite as easy to pack in to smaller vehicles. If you hunt around a little, you could probably get a Kayak and a float tube for close to $400.

[Fisherman_max]

those walker bay dinghys are awsome! how much does one of those set ya back?

[ruthven78]

so what did you get?

[CraigVM62]

My vote would go towards the pontoon boat. I went with a 9' Outcast model as I wanted a weight rating to easily accommodate my 200 pounds plus gear. I like the fact that I can easily kick myself around at slower trolling speeds keeping my hands free "bought a pole holder" to do other things. I have no experience in a standard float tube, so not certain if they allow the trolling option. I also have the option of floating down a good number of rivers. The oars allow me to keep my feet out of the water for winter fishing.
I have seen some, though a bit higher than your budget, that easily break down to back pack size if a narrow trail is your only way into a lake.

[BassinBomber]

I'd go for the Pontoon @ Costco for 299.00 then you could also get a small electric troller,..the Pontoon @ Costco comes w/a troller mount,..battery mount,..alot of storage pockets,..2 oars and a foldable wheel for transport,..I'm also trying to get one soon,..I like to fish the smaller lakes sometimes and my trihull won't allow that,...good luck!