Inflatable Pontoon boats

[BrandonMH]

Been toying with the idea of buying an inflatable pontoon boat, singe person one.  Kinda like the Classic Accessories Colorado XT, Outcast Wave 9, and Outcast Fishcat Streamer.  I would love one with the casting deck, but don't feel like dropping that much cash right now.  I do want one with an anchor system, so I can setup on or above some fish.  Been doing some reasearch at Cabelas and wondering if anyone has any opinions on any, and which ones they might use.

[BentRodMedia]

I have a 2 man outcast....love it!!!!   THey are always going on sale.....go to the outcast website and sign up for their newsletter.  40% off was the last one I saw from them for fathers day special.   I would bet you can add a casting platform to any of the outcast single man rafts.

[BrandonMH]

Yea the Fish cat 9-IR or Fish cat 10-IR has the casting deck and lean bar.  I like that one but rather high up there, I will have to do that, still on the fence yet.  I almost went to get one today, but still stewing the idea.

[BentRodMedia]

Just don't let 2 or 300$ make you buy something you don't really want.

[BrandonMH]

Well I do like the features of the Colorado XT by Classic Accessories, and the Outcast Fishcat 10-IR, colorado is about $400 cheaper, but I think a bit heaver and doesn't have the AIREcells of Outcast boats.  BTW, where do I find their newsletter?  I was looking for it on their site and all I saw was the catalog.

[BentRodMedia]

They have changed their web site.....not sure now....you can't even buy direct from the site anymore......strange.

[BrandonMH]

I was actually leaning more towards a Skykomish sunrise.  I talked to some people on a fly fishing website for my state (paflyfish.com) and they recomended that.  Kinda pricy, but compared to others, lighter, better warranty, stronger bladders and covering, aluminum frame.  Altho now I am thinking I might not be able to use it much, so the waffling has started all over again.  Almost got one at Cabelas this weekend, but still unsure.

[BentRodMedia]

Best thing to do is go look at the waters you want to fish it with.....access is key.  I have a 2 man here in WV and access is very limited.  The best thing about my 2 man is it can easily be converted into a 1 man.  Nothing beats fishing a river or lake with a boat.....you will cover 10000% more water with it.  Once you get the hang of setup and breakdown it will be worth it.  Better to get a 2 man that way if you float a river you can take a buddy and you will have 2 cars to take in order to make porting the boat easier, if not it's impossible to float down a river without someone to port you back.....thats the biggest problem i run into...either i bring someone with me or search for someone reliable to port my truck for me or port me back to my truck with or without the boat which can be a little scary leaving a boat somewhere unattended.  Like I said look at your local waters and walk yourself through a trip......if you can do it then the boat will be worth it's weight in gold over time.  Plus they are easy to sell.   Love my creek company 2 man.......fished this weekend 1 day on the lake flats with the trolling motor for carp then the next day we drug it over the hill and through the woods below a dam....floated 8 miles then drug it back up the hill...broke it down and drove home.....2 vehicles are a must or 2 people and a take out where you can call a taxi

[BrandonMH]

The main reason I wanted to get one recently, is I did a scout trip to the Lehigh river here in Pa.  I went up to an area that is rather shallow, Trieklers Bridge, that I could carry it and set it out where it would be a bit deeper.  The access is the problem there, I walked a mile + to this old dam and saw some fish, too hard and far away to id (did get pics, but without a polarizing filter, was a bit too much glare and surface reflection).  To get to the river some points would take a 60ft decent at about 45 deg. with ivy plants 3 ft high.  Needless to say, I didn't go off the beaten track that day, was high 90's and humid, but I just needed to get out of the house and get away.  I do want to go back and hike the trail farther and find other potental spots, but I have heard that using a pontoon boat or drift boat, others can get to any bank at any point, anytime and fish where others can't.  That is what made me think about one.