From yak to pontoon
Jun 15, 2021 23:04:12 #
I gave up on fishing from kayak! I'm to stiff anymore for that. I'd have to roll out of the yak and crawl up the bank and my girlfriend didn't think much of it either. So to solve that problem I sold both my yaks and bought a 9' Colorado XT pontoon, made some mods. The first mod was a disaster. I changed the 1 wheel into a 2 wheel made a hitch so I could use my electric bike to tow the XT to my little lagoon to launch. Here's where the first problem comes up. The XT is 5' wide and I'm on a bike. Well I snagged one of my neighborhoods mailbox with an oar which stuck out another foot. Oh well fix it later! I get to the lagoon unhitch from the bike and walk the XT down to the water. Decided to launch bow first. So the front of the pontoons are floating I couldn't lift the rear of the XT to pull the wheels off. So after fighting I towed it home, went back fixed the mail box. I bought a trailer kit from Northern Tool. I knew how heavy the XT was so decided to use PVC tubing to help. I backed the trailer up to the lagoon with the car. Surprise I unhitched the trailer lifted the tounge and the XT got in the water by itself. Was glad the trolling motor wasn't clear up. It dug in the mud or the XT would have done it's maiden voyage with out me. So now it's got 30' of 3/8 rope attached to the front frame. I even caught 2 nice hardhead 🐱 🐟. The 1st was strong enough that it even pulled the bow around. Don't know what I'll do when I hook a 4' shark. I do have an 8lb mushroom anchor.
Jun 16, 2021 00:30:18 #
Jun 16, 2021 00:48:17 #
Dakoda wrote:
Looks like fun😁
My little 4 legged girlfriend should like it a whole lot more than the yak. I sure enjoy it more anyway.
Jun 16, 2021 06:00:27 #
Jun 16, 2021 06:13:59 #
FinFisherman wrote:
I gave up on fishing from kayak! I'm to stiff anym... (show quote)
Looks good Fin, much roomier and more stable. There's a learning curve with everything you'll get used to it. Good luck and Tight Lines buddy.
Jun 16, 2021 07:25:20 #
FinFisherman wrote:
I gave up on fishing from kayak! I'm to stiff anym... (show quote)
Definitely sitting higher now Fin, how is the catch using a net and the release of the fish work out sitting that high
up? Are the inflatables puncture proof?
Jun 16, 2021 10:26:06 #
Fredfish wrote:
Looks good Fin, much roomier and more stable. There's a learning curve with everything you'll get used to it. Good luck and Tight Lines buddy.
The learning curve isn't bad. More mods needed tho. Adjust the seat down so I can row (if needed) and install a second rod holder. The factory installed rod holder is worthless and installation of the motor speed / forward - reverse controller.
Jun 16, 2021 10:54:46 #
plumbob wrote:
Definitely sitting higher now Fin, how is the catch using a net and the release of the fish work out sitting that high
up? Are the inflatables puncture proof?
up? Are the inflatables puncture proof?
Plum I can get up and I use a landing net between the front of the pontoons. Most fish I eat so there's little release. The pontoons have some kind of of coated canvas material with heavier material on the bottom with a air bag inside. There's a patch kit furnished. I am differently lowering the seat height to just clear the battery.
Jun 16, 2021 11:03:20 #
OJdidit wrote:
Looks like small water fun! Good luck!
Differently not open water but it'll do the flats in Tampa Bay and my creek which goes into the bay where I do most of my fishing.
Jun 16, 2021 11:17:34 #
Jun 16, 2021 11:38:38 #
Lynnz wrote:
Wow, impressive! Looks like some seriously fun fishing ahead!
Since I've lost my favorite fishing spot due to NO TRESPASSING signs this is my legal way around it. Navigable water so I can fish there. Even better I don't have to side cast under that big old Oak tree with all those lures and hooks it's grabbed. Not all mine anyway!
Jun 16, 2021 12:38:52 #
FinFisherman wrote:
Plum I can get up and I use a landing net between the front of the pontoons. Most fish I eat so there's little release. The pontoons have some kind of of coated canvas material with heavier material on the bottom with a air bag inside. There's a patch kit furnished. I am differently lowering the seat height to just clear the battery.
Thanks Fin i was just curious. May you have Tight lines in that new ride.
Jun 16, 2021 14:30:06 #
Keep after it, but remember it's never totally done. Glad ya found a way to continue angling. Visited Clearwater area in the late 70s and really liked it. Had a great job in Connecticut or I would have moved there. Kept job until 2017. Camped at Fort DeSoto Park while there. Liked Tarpon Springs too. Southeast is much nicer than home, for me at least, in February. Good luck with your new vessel.
Jun 16, 2021 14:48:35 #
Jun 16, 2021 15:50:24 #
bottomcoon
Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma
FinFisherman wrote:
I gave up on fishing from kayak! I'm to stiff anym... (show quote)
Glad I'm not the only member with an inflatable pontoon. I have a 10 ft model & have used it several years. I have it trailer mounted % have no problems launching or loading. I have a front winch & pull the pontoon up like any boat. I modified the frame & was able to mount the trolling motor on the front of the boat. It has been extremely difficult even with a swivel seat for me to reach behind & operate the trolling motor. I haven't had the boat in the water to test the new mount, I sure hope it works ok. The Inflatable has been fun for me & i've caught a lot of fish from it. Hope you learn to enjoy your pontoon & it gives you hours of good memories. Tight lines.
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