So… I bought a pontoon boat. Anyone reading this blog knows that I’m a die hard creek guy, but at the end of the day, there is a ton of great stillwater in this state. To be honest, I don’t know a whole bunch about stillwater trout fishing and figured it was high time to learn. So I found a screaming deal on Dave Scadden Madison River pontoon boat and took it on its maiden voyage to Canyon Lake with my friends Jason and Kristen, in order get my bearings.
The bluegills were out and hungry, and we caught a bunch in the couple hours I was on the lake. I learned a whole bunch about my pontoon and some of the things that I need to tweak and straighten out before I head out on the water next time. Bottom line, the pontoon was a blast, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. It was super stable and tracked really nicely, once I figured out what I was doing.
Rest assured, there will be plenty of creek fishing in the future, but I’m hoping to spread the love to some of the Arizona lakes in the future.
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Ben, you are wearing a sleeveless shirt! It snowed over here yesterday. I am envious. Also looking forward to seeing some posts on AZ stillwater!
Thanks David. In truth, these photos are from Easter weekend. This past weekend, 6 inches of snow fell on us while hunting turkey in northern AZ. That wasn’t that much fun.
Ben
I was expecting pictures of a fishing trip, not a gun show.
What can I say? Sometimes you get more than you bargained for here on AZW.
I’m so glad you liked it. I know when I got mine it opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Hopefully we can get out on the water again with it in the Whites!
Kristen,I’m very excited to get back out and let me know when we’re headed to the whites. Thanks for the help out there and the awesome photos.
Ben
Hey, enjoyed your first attempts with a pontoon. You’ll be glad to have it a few years down the road. Have tried several brands but have found Outcast products by Aire to be the best for me. Have used these 8 footers on all the major rivers in the SW and many of the lakes. My PAC 800 is 12 years old, gets at least 90 days of fishing a year and is still going strong. I like the fact that they are made in the USA. Am currently trying to figure out how to use it at the Ferry with an electric.
Good info Flyguide. Took a look at the Outcasts, but got a great deal on the Scadden. Sounds like that Outcast holds up pretty well. Take care.
Ben
FERRY!
Also, where is your rear gear plate?
Right on. First trip out, I kept it as simple as possible. Next trip I’ll take the gear plate.
Ben
Maybe we can get you your first 36in+ pike to tow you around the lake…
That was a bad ass boat!
That sounds like fun. Thanks for the help and for pointing me in the right direction.
Ben
You don’t know how much fun this looks to me. Maybe it’s time to let the legs rest and get a kayak.
It opens up a whole new dynamic of fishing and is highly addicting. You definitely should Howard.
Ben
Those little boats come in handy on creeks too. I looked at pontoons, but ended up with kayaks. I’m sure the casting is easier in a pontoon. We use our kayaks almost as much on creeks as we do on lakes. You’ll definitely enjoy the new opportunities it opens up. Have fun out there.
After having been using a pontoon boat since they first hit the market, I and nearly all of our club members have been amazed at their ease of operation. You don’t at this point have knee problems (I hope) but they require only 5 or 6 inches of water to handle any stream so accessing some waters with spooky access issues is a snap. Also many are rated for waters where usually you only see white water rafters and they are very difficult to overturn when balanced properly. A couple of things many folks overlook about them that we stress in our safety program is to carry your double action pump in one of the pockets on the boat at all times because when weather is hot you may have to reduce air preasure in the heat or after it sits in the sun for a period off the water without any option for shade.I know some pretty windy guys and even they can’t re inflate a kick boat my mouth enough to do it right. A small patch kit takes up little space as well and river or shallow lake obstructions can puncture a bladder even though they are in a case. You’ll love the versatility the craft gives you for your trips!