Are you considering a personal boat for fishing? There are two main varieties of personal fishing boats, the pontoon and the float tube. In this article I’m going to list some of the pros and cons of each variety so that you can make a more informed decision. Which personal boat is best for fishing? The answer really comes down to personal preference and they type of fishing and water that you enjoy fishing.
Do you like fishing in lakes or rivers and streams? Which type of water do you enjoy fishing the most? Do you like spin fishing or fly fishing? Are you planning on having to carry your personal boat into remote areas? These are all questions that you need to ask yourself to determine which type of personal boat is best for you. Below are the high and low points for each variety of personal boat, the float tube and the pontoon.
Float Tubes – Float tubes are great for fishing because they are small, compact, lightweight, and can be quite comfortable. Any quality float tube comes with an easy front entry design and a backrest for comfort. There are various designs for improved tracking and steering. Float tubes are steered with your legs, on which you wear special float tube flippers. When using a float tube for the first couple of times you feel much like what I imagine a drunken duck would feel like. This feeling passes with practice however, and before long you’ll be right at home in your float tube. Float tubes are good for fly fishing, but can be a bit difficult to fish from for spin fishermen. Being so close to the water makes casting challenging for the spin fisherman. Float tubes are great for small lakes, and can be easily carried into remote fishing locations.
Pontoon Boats – Personal pontoon boats are more expensive than float tubes, but are much more comfortable to fish from. They consist of two inflatable pontoons with a seat (or seats) in between the pontoons. In some models your feet hand in the water, and in others you sit on a platform above the water. These personal boats are steered with oars and are extremely maneuverable. There are many varieties of these personal pontoon boats available. If you like to fish in rivers, a pontoon boat is the way to go. They are more stable and maneuverable than float tubes in flowing current. The one downside of pontoon boats is the fact that they can be a challenge to carry, if you like to fish remote areas. No matter what type of fishing you engage in (fly fishing or spin fishing) a personal pontoon is a wonderful fishing tool. These boats work well for either type of fishing.
Armed with this information, you should be able to make a much more informed decision about which type of personal boat suits you best. Both the float tube and the pontoon have their place, and at the end of the day you may want one of each so you can pick and choose depending on the fishing situation.
