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Hello fans of fishing, wildlife photography, or those wanting to take up rafting for great sport.
This is a small picture of a limit of big fish.
Some of you may have seen my fish photos recently. I experienced great success trout fishing this past fall. Part of my success was due to my newly aquired pontoon raft. I thought I would share that with you. Always wanted to be an outdoor writer so lets go.
My first raft is a Southfork model by Bucks Bags but I will consider this guide as general information and food for thought on purchasing any one of the smaller rafts, mine being an 8 foot model. New price around $750. There are many to choose from and all quite affordable.
The 7, 8, and 9 foot models all are amazingly well adapted for one person. Although I haven't tested a 9 foot, most of my associates prefer the extra foot. The rafts will deflate and depending on your trunk size and raft frame size break down to a much smaller area. They will stack inflated in the bed of a pickup truck quite easily.
I also bought a new condition Water Skeeter- never been in the water for $225! New cost is around $650. Used is good sometimes!
The small one person raft is a deluxe ultra light fishing platform to match light tackle. The raft helped me get on consistantly nice sized 2-3 pound trout
This raft is a very stable for one person. Yes, it is a bit small for big water but for ponds, small lakes, and medium to small rivers, especially slow movers it is excellent. It does offer plenty of room for a real thrill with a good fish on the line. A landing net I classify as mandatory gear as the thrashing 2-3 pounders are a bit too much excitement since the raft does not come with a seat belt. Two fish on at once is a scary situation!
Most of the rafts in the 8 foot range are around 50-70 pounds in weight and are very easily carried on one's shoulder for a short distance, and thus making them ideal for beaver ponds. A raft throws easily into the back of a pick up truck and two will stack and tie down easily with a rope. Hauling and launching is a dream compared to a trailer and bass boat. Rowing is pretty easy although I have heard from others to throw away the oars and use flippers to get around.
Life vest; I never leave shore without it. I have used a small fish finder with great success and that is an option to have more fun/be more productive.
Note green deck, white rod holders, and fish finder. Extra wt. added: about 10 LBS. and well worth the comfort.
I initally installed a 2' by 3' tupperware lid for a place to put my feet, to use as a landing area/catch all for fish and dropped tackle. Last week I upgraded both rafts with lids from our good friends at Waste Management. The salvage (cost 0) heavy duty plastic lids are strong, light and easy to custom fit with drill and skill saw. I spent too much time in a boat to go without a floor so I invented one. A lid will lace into the foot rest system and with a little work makes a dandy modification. Knee high rubber boots work well with this instead of hot chest waders. I installed two short pvc pipe rod holders- plastic ties worked very well in this installation project. Rowing slow with two rods in the holders worked well for trolling and catching fish. If you can't tell yet, a lot of fun can be had with a small raft. For you fans of the Red Green Show, I have not used any duct tape at all! Photographing waterfowl, or white water sports opportunities are really enhanced with the smaller floating platforms.
I have fished in winds of 20 plus miles per hour with this raft.
Rafts are light and the wind can be an issue. Not for stability but for how hard it is to make head way in something with little draft and a high wind profile to draft ratio. I carry a ten pound anchor and that helps for staying in one spot. I have not used an electric trolling motor...yet. Some rafts come with an optional transome plate, some come with optional anchor guides. With an inventive spirit, one can add this if that specific raft does not come with that option.
There is room on the back apron for a storage container, don't forget lunch, coffee thermos, and an extra coat. Each pontoon has a zipable storage bag. Most rafts I have seen come with a detachable line stripping apron to lay out line on, it was handy as a picnic table for lunch at sea. The other side storage bag holds the camera, fish finder and other extras. My over all rating is quite high for this raft but there is a down side to my experience.
I didn't receive an air pump with the raft and the "one size fits all" statement does not work with my peticular make of raft. Be sure of air valve fittings if you need to get a pump. One size fits all doesn't mean ALL air fittings. Ask the seller if there is any doubt. I have since put a regular tire pump valve on to the raft adaptor fitting so I can use a regular tire pump, or the filling station air pump for airing up. I now own two pumps and fittings.
Most rafts are very durable but they do come with repair kits, and raft options with divided air chambers are worth a second thought if you intend on rugged white water usage. The water conditions you intend on experiencing will also dictate what direction you may choose with raft selection. A 9 footer would be better for rougher or larger water usage.
My raft does have a very comfortable seat with nice back support. I have carried a carpet reminent for extra seating comfort. About two hours fishing and one is ready to go to shore and stretch some although I have spent as long as four hours rowing and fishing at one time. This is one fine and dandy ultralight way to get over the fish and off the bank.
And there you have it, the bare basics on an affordable new fishing machine! White water rafting is made fun and safer, and the photographer can get to places that normally do not see much human activity.
Prices go for $200 to $500 for the smaller sizes and the skies the limit from there. I bought my first model from a neighbor, in used but excellent condition for $150! Now for the trolling motor, looked at a good one today! Next stop: watersking:-)
Enjoying a stretch and a great shore lunch! Fishing is work! Well, only if you do it right.
Nearly a top 500 reviewer. Voting is free, and your vote is appreciated. One in 107 visitors take the time to vote.
This is a small picture of a limit of big fish.
Some of you may have seen my fish photos recently. I experienced great success trout fishing this past fall. Part of my success was due to my newly aquired pontoon raft. I thought I would share that with you. Always wanted to be an outdoor writer so lets go.
My first raft is a Southfork model by Bucks Bags but I will consider this guide as general information and food for thought on purchasing any one of the smaller rafts, mine being an 8 foot model. New price around $750. There are many to choose from and all quite affordable.
The 7, 8, and 9 foot models all are amazingly well adapted for one person. Although I haven't tested a 9 foot, most of my associates prefer the extra foot. The rafts will deflate and depending on your trunk size and raft frame size break down to a much smaller area. They will stack inflated in the bed of a pickup truck quite easily.
I also bought a new condition Water Skeeter- never been in the water for $225! New cost is around $650. Used is good sometimes!
The small one person raft is a deluxe ultra light fishing platform to match light tackle. The raft helped me get on consistantly nice sized 2-3 pound trout
This raft is a very stable for one person. Yes, it is a bit small for big water but for ponds, small lakes, and medium to small rivers, especially slow movers it is excellent. It does offer plenty of room for a real thrill with a good fish on the line. A landing net I classify as mandatory gear as the thrashing 2-3 pounders are a bit too much excitement since the raft does not come with a seat belt. Two fish on at once is a scary situation!
Most of the rafts in the 8 foot range are around 50-70 pounds in weight and are very easily carried on one's shoulder for a short distance, and thus making them ideal for beaver ponds. A raft throws easily into the back of a pick up truck and two will stack and tie down easily with a rope. Hauling and launching is a dream compared to a trailer and bass boat. Rowing is pretty easy although I have heard from others to throw away the oars and use flippers to get around.
Life vest; I never leave shore without it. I have used a small fish finder with great success and that is an option to have more fun/be more productive.
Note green deck, white rod holders, and fish finder. Extra wt. added: about 10 LBS. and well worth the comfort.
I initally installed a 2' by 3' tupperware lid for a place to put my feet, to use as a landing area/catch all for fish and dropped tackle. Last week I upgraded both rafts with lids from our good friends at Waste Management. The salvage (cost 0) heavy duty plastic lids are strong, light and easy to custom fit with drill and skill saw. I spent too much time in a boat to go without a floor so I invented one. A lid will lace into the foot rest system and with a little work makes a dandy modification. Knee high rubber boots work well with this instead of hot chest waders. I installed two short pvc pipe rod holders- plastic ties worked very well in this installation project. Rowing slow with two rods in the holders worked well for trolling and catching fish. If you can't tell yet, a lot of fun can be had with a small raft. For you fans of the Red Green Show, I have not used any duct tape at all! Photographing waterfowl, or white water sports opportunities are really enhanced with the smaller floating platforms.
I have fished in winds of 20 plus miles per hour with this raft.
Rafts are light and the wind can be an issue. Not for stability but for how hard it is to make head way in something with little draft and a high wind profile to draft ratio. I carry a ten pound anchor and that helps for staying in one spot. I have not used an electric trolling motor...yet. Some rafts come with an optional transome plate, some come with optional anchor guides. With an inventive spirit, one can add this if that specific raft does not come with that option.
There is room on the back apron for a storage container, don't forget lunch, coffee thermos, and an extra coat. Each pontoon has a zipable storage bag. Most rafts I have seen come with a detachable line stripping apron to lay out line on, it was handy as a picnic table for lunch at sea. The other side storage bag holds the camera, fish finder and other extras. My over all rating is quite high for this raft but there is a down side to my experience.
I didn't receive an air pump with the raft and the "one size fits all" statement does not work with my peticular make of raft. Be sure of air valve fittings if you need to get a pump. One size fits all doesn't mean ALL air fittings. Ask the seller if there is any doubt. I have since put a regular tire pump valve on to the raft adaptor fitting so I can use a regular tire pump, or the filling station air pump for airing up. I now own two pumps and fittings.
Most rafts are very durable but they do come with repair kits, and raft options with divided air chambers are worth a second thought if you intend on rugged white water usage. The water conditions you intend on experiencing will also dictate what direction you may choose with raft selection. A 9 footer would be better for rougher or larger water usage.
My raft does have a very comfortable seat with nice back support. I have carried a carpet reminent for extra seating comfort. About two hours fishing and one is ready to go to shore and stretch some although I have spent as long as four hours rowing and fishing at one time. This is one fine and dandy ultralight way to get over the fish and off the bank.
And there you have it, the bare basics on an affordable new fishing machine! White water rafting is made fun and safer, and the photographer can get to places that normally do not see much human activity.
Prices go for $200 to $500 for the smaller sizes and the skies the limit from there. I bought my first model from a neighbor, in used but excellent condition for $150! Now for the trolling motor, looked at a good one today! Next stop: watersking:-)
Enjoying a stretch and a great shore lunch! Fishing is work! Well, only if you do it right.
Nearly a top 500 reviewer. Voting is free, and your vote is appreciated. One in 107 visitors take the time to vote.
Guide created: 12/09/06 (updated 09/02/08)
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