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Post by lurker1818 on Sept 29, 2011 6:26:28 GMT -6
After seeing them on the water this year, and now I am venturing out to the bigger waters like Patterson, I have talked myself into looking at a pontoon for next season. Pretty sure I am going to go with a ODC Sports XR 1, mainly for the cost, and it has everything I am looking for, and the ODC tube that I have is very well built and I have very little to complain about on it. I get out maybe 20 times per year, this year will be far less.
For those of you that have them, what do you use for moving around? I know they come with oars, but is that enough? I like the idea of the trolling motor, but is it worth the extra cost?
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Post by kkansas on Sept 30, 2011 4:45:44 GMT -6
i have an old Venture 6 footer, low profile...what that gives is the option to run soley with force fins (knockoffs from Northern Angler) i've never used my oars, just fins, they are awesome (but i also bike ~30 km a day too so that helps) the low profile keeps me out of the wind, those 7 foot Outcasts and other ride high and thw ind can push them around, thats why guys are usually running a 20+lb electric trlling motor, this also freses up your hands for the most part so you can fish...oaring in those things to me was a pain in the arse... thats my experaince anyways
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Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
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Post by Robert Burton on Sept 30, 2011 9:24:05 GMT -6
I kick my 8ft pontoon around with just fins can go all day but I am also not trying to break any records speed wise. I keep the oars on the toon but I have only used them to speed past unproductive water or to get off the lake fast (like when I see lightning). I would never get a trolling motor for so many reasons : - I need the exercise
- dragged flies tend to spin, twist lines and get dragged out of fish mouths
- it can prevent you from really working productive water
- one more damn thing to hook up before getting to fish
Your mileage may vary If you are big on trolling flies (which I am not) then an electric motor can be a quieter way of doing it over say chugging your force fins. Either way, keep your tube there are just too many awe some back country lakes you can't take a toon into and on vacations where space is limited they can't be beat.
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Post by kkansas on Sept 30, 2011 15:59:12 GMT -6
i agree robert i don't think i would pontoon if i had to use an electric, or even oar actually... i like to cover ground and hit alot of places for 10-15 minutes or so... when you kick, you can troll, pore a cup of coffee, make a ham sandwich, whatever...if you happen to hook up, you can do a throat pump and cast to that area for a while...the point is i gues, your hands are free, if your nor pouring a cup of coffee, making a ham sandwich or, picking some mandolin... thee are ways around spinning fllies, loop knots, type of leader tippett set up you have etc... and i love most of all, is the peace and quiet...self propelled shangra la...
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Post by lurker1818 on Oct 3, 2011 7:53:24 GMT -6
Thanks Ken and Robert. The regular tube is not going to be replaced, for the reasons mentioned, no way am I packing in an unassembled pontoon into a back country lake when I have an inflated tube sitting there.
And I am not a fly troller, never have tried it out. Usually I have a non stop slow kick going on and cast into the shore. The reason I was asking about the motor is for days on big lakes where you want to cover big distances in little time (Patterson for eg.). If the oars get you there just as fast as a motor would, I think I would go that way, if the oars are there just as extra weight and don't help all that much, I would look into getting a small electric to push me around.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2011 8:36:04 GMT -6
There's electrics that would be more than enough for a pontoon on the "Usedwinnipeg"/craigslist/kijiji sites out there going for dirt cheap these days. I'd personally go with an electric and a set of force fins. The electric to 'get you there' and the fins to keep you in the water you want to be in .
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Post by lockport1850 on Oct 3, 2011 22:12:24 GMT -6
There's electrics that would be more than enough for a pontoon on the "Usedwinnipeg"/craigslist/kijiji sites out there going for dirt cheap these days. I'd personally go with an electric and a set of force fins. The electric to 'get you there' and the fins to keep you in the water you want to be in . I would agree. I have the Fish Cat 9 pontoon system for the electric. On a windy day you might not get back to the dock or launch very readily without the motor as backup. I use the fins, take the oars (never used them...perhaps when motor eventually fails) and use the motor to cover distances. You can get a 30lb thrust MinnKota from Canadian tire for about $149. Battery can cost almost that much. On a day with the wind blowing the wrong day, you will be happy you have that stuff. You may wish to consider the Fish Eagle dinghy-type system, with my brother has (plus 30lb thrust electric).He is very happy with the rig. It sets up faster than my pontoon and takes down quicker also. I like that it actually has a floor. www.seaeagle.com/FramelessPontoonBoats.aspxWhen I upgrade, the FishCat pontoon is going, and the SeaEagle is going to be mine. The fins then will be for the Fish Cat float tube only.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2011 18:57:50 GMT -6
Man.. those sea eagles look like a great little boat!
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Post by dizzydoc on Oct 9, 2011 20:16:22 GMT -6
www.outcastboats.com/outcast/products/default.aspx?id=15Had a float tube - but I get lazy on the kicking and preferred to get from one part of the lake to another quicker. Loving this pontoon boat - from Northern Angler (Dauphin). Pop the trolling motor for the really windy days and have good control with the force fins - either with movement or keeping stationary. I like the multiple bladders on this one, lower profile, trolling motor attachment, and paddles (though I really rely on the motor or the fins). Glides nice in the water and is comfortable to be in all day. Only thing is - it's a bit heavy to haul around for the backcountry lakes, but for the most part I don't get a chance to anyway.
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