Personal Pontoon Fishing Report

[Fishnngolfn]

So let me start out by saying, SORRY. I do not have any pictures. It is also a long report. I was and am excited about the boat.

The pontoon came in on Friday at 12 noon when I was at lunch. Needless to say, lunch with my coworker was cut short when our secretary called me and told me it was in. I cut out work early and loaded up the box. I arrived at Yellow Leaf Creek (feeder creek to Lay Lake) at 1:30 pm. I set up my tent, got my rods in order, and then threw a catfish line in the water while I began to unbox the boat.

I made sure all the parts were there and began putting the boat together. A friend was with me and assisted only when he was able to. He was busy getting the camp site ready for others. Twice, we were interrupted by my pole almost being dragged into the water. I caught a small 1.5 lb soft shelled turtle and the second was a 7 lb soft shelled turtle. The 7 lb turtle was kept for eating later. Note that channel catfish do not like Berkley Gulp catfish bait, but soft shelled turtles love it.

The boat took about 1 1/2 to put together because we were distracted by the turtles biting at the bait. Also I had put the pontoons on backward the first time. There must be a special pump to work the valves because it was difficult to inflate to capacity without losing quite a bit of the air when trying to lock down the valves. I will check with the manufacturer this week.

Anyway, I finally got the proper inflation and it adjusted to my height and it is WONDERFUL. It took me about 20 minutes on the water to get used to the oars. I definitely will have my flippers stored in one of the big pockets so I can hold a spot in the wind or light current. I will definitely but a trolling motor but only to get me to spots further away. Rowing is not that tiring and is probably better for me anyway.

The current of the creek (hardly a creek, it is about 75 to 100 feet wide) changed back and forth depending on what they were doing at the dam. But it was slow enough to just let the current pull me up and down the river. The sides of the creek where bank fishing is practically impossible was perfect for boats and ME. I could get a lot closer too than the bigger boats without spooking the fish in shallower waters. Every boat that passed me asked me about the boat and thought it was great that I could get into spots that they could not.

That evening I didn't take the boat out to fish. I caught 1 catfish (2 lbs) and 3 turtles from the bank. We all called it a night around midnight.

The next day I was out on the water at 5:30 am. I rowed up river around a bend just past our camp site and let the current take me up and down the banks until about 9:30 am. The boat seat is extremely comfortable and I only stood up once (being very careful) to stretch out. Other than that I was fine. My back tends to hurt after about 1 hour of bank fishing so this was a much welcomed way to fish. We were interrupted around 10am to 11 am with nasty rainstorm with lightening that was too close for my comfort. We then all continued to bank fish until around noon. During that time, no one caught any more fish so we called it a day. My wife was glad to see me home about 3 hours early.

Over the whole day (Saturday), I caught 3 largemouth and 1 hybrid stripe. The largest was the hybrid stripe at 1 lb 14 oz. Even the small fish had my boat turning and moving to make it much more fun than bank fishing. I did hook into a very large fish ( I think) that pulled me about 15 feet towards the bank in about 5 second. I lost him when he got into some very thick branch cover and submerged stumps. My heart was racing every time I hooked into a fish. It took half the time to reel in the fish once I got them out of the cover. It definitely is more fun reeling in a fish while it is pulling you around than it is fighting it to the bank.

Well, because of my ability to fish a lot more areas than the bank fishermen, I had the largest stringer at 4 bass. The other 6 guys combined only caught 3 bass total. Overall it was a great first outing for the boat. The reason I don't have any pictures is because I got so excited by being pulled around when I caught a fish that I just flat out forgot before I released them. The fish (the one that got away) that pulled me to the bank let me know that I was thoroughly going to enjoy this boat.

I promise next time to have pictures when I go back out.

[carolina-rig-01]

congratulations, i am glad you like your new boat. have fun with her and be careful.

[brushhog]

Great to hear you are enjoying it, having a way to get on the water changes everything. Imagine, things are only going to get better as you get used to it!

[Jim80]

that sounds great f&g glad you enjoyed the first time out in it .

[BigBassin144]

That's pretty awesome man! Glad to see someone's catching fish...

BB

[Buzz Wing]

Sweet, man!

When you're fishing, can you kick and adjust your speed with the current, or does the current just take you along?

Anyhow, good fishin' and be careful out there!

[bamabassman]

congrats man, very glad you are enjoying it so far.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by Buzz Wing

Sweet, man!

When you're fishing, can you kick and adjust your speed with the current, or does the current just take you along?

Anyhow, good fishin' and be careful out there!

It depends on how fast the current is moving. I didn't have my flippers this past weekend. If I did, I would have used them only to hold me on a good spot. I didn't mind being pulled by the river. It was very relaxing.

I now have the flippers strapped onto the boat in case I want to use them. I can just lower my feet into the water and slowly kick. The only part of my legs that get wet are about 4 inches below my knee and down. I now have a 7 inch seat riser with swivel so only my ankles and feet are in the water. This way all I have to do "flick" my feet at the ankles. I got my flippers many years ago for scuba diving and they use less effort with max. propulsion. They were very expensive and now are being put to good use since I no longer scuba dive.

[Lancer6]

Golfie,

Speaking as a veteran bellyboater...
Be VERY observant as you poke along and cast, especially near overhanging cover. Being in the South, you run the risk of disturbing a nest of wasps, africanized bees, or a cottonmouth...and you can't outrun them! In very shallow water, beware of Snapping Turtles.
ALL water snakes are attracted to fish on stringers so try to admire, thank, and release all fish immediately. If you "boat" a picture-worthy bass, beach the rig, take the pic, release the fish, and resume fishing.
Always carry a cell phone in a water-proof bag, perhaps a freezer-grade double strip Zip-Loc, and leave air in the bag for flotation. I'd even add a few little chunks of styrofoam to the bag. Check the bag for tiny leaks before each trip and replace as needed. If in doubt, talk with your MD or even a phamacist.
Unless you are known to be allergic to it, carry some over-the-counter Benedryl...it might save your life if stung. If in doubt, talk with your MD or even a pharmacist.
Remember, you can't get to help so rapidly as the guy in the 250HP rig.
And, it's essential to have a buddy nearby in a similar rig, similarly equipped. Better yet, if a boater is in the area, ask him to check on you now and then. Index HIS cell number into your phone and give him yours.
Lastly; If a big fish is towing you into brush turn away from him and paddle like a deranged duck!

Enjoy and be safe!

L6

[Fishnngolfn]

Great advice Lancer. Thanks. Fortunately, I am not allergic to any wasps or bees, however, I know that if you get stung by enough of them, it doesn't matter if you are allergic or not. You will die. I think with all the pocket room, I will carry some bee and wasp fogger/spray. As far as cottonmouths, a friend of mine recommended a small caliber gun with snake shot. I am not sure I will do that but who knows. I try to stay away from areas that look suspect regardless of how tempting a big bass might be.