A First-Timer’s Guide to Fishing from a Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats are a great option for anybody looking to get out on the water to catch some fish. They are spacious vessels with simple maneuverability that gracefully glide on top of calm waters, providing a tranquil setting for family and friends.

However, many pontoons are not built for fishing, so you may need to customize one, but the ones that are equipped for the angler in mind have everything you would need for pontoon fishing.

If you’re looking to purchase and/or fish from a pontoon boat for the first time, read on for some helpful answers to commonly asked questions about pontoon boat fishing.

Also, read Ten Beautiful Lakes in the U.S. with Pontoon Boat Rentals.

Can I Use a Pontoon Boat for Fishing?

Yes, you can definitely use a pontoon boat for fishing, and you should! Fishing pontoons are a great option for several reasons.

Space

One reason many boat owners prefer pontoon boats for fishing would be for the amount of space they provide. The deck holds a tremendous amount of room, allowing you and your friends an ample amount of elbow room when on your pontoon fishing trips. 

Storage

There are also plenty of storage compartments within the boat for all of your fishing gear. 

Stability

The deck not only gives you space for all of your accessories but also provides stability. The size of the deck helps balance the boat, which allows you to walk around with very little bouncing so you don’t scare the fish away.

Smooth Ride

A pontoon boat is best for calm waters on a clear day, but they will still assist you with a smooth ride in choppy waters. It’s not recommended to take a pontoon out to big seas as the waves will usually wash over the deck and produce a lot of sprays. Pontoons work well in lakes, rivers, and back bays. 

What are the Best Pontoon Boats for Fishing?

The selection for fishing pontoon boats is plentiful. From looking at the recommended boats below, you’ll be able to get a good idea of what you want to find in a great fishing pontoon boat for yourself.

Barletta C22CC 

The Barletta C22CC is a pontoon that was designed for fishing. It comes with a fully-equipped stern fishing station, a pair of swivel fishing seats at the rear, plenty of rod holders, a compartment for lure trays, an aerated live well, and plenty of more space for your personal items. There is also a retractable sunroof, an extended deck, and a brilliant stereo system for a good time.

Ranger Reata 223F

This pontoon is a great option for any fishing enthusiast. There are bow and stern fishing stations both equipped with rod holders, drink holders, and integrated tool caddies. The Ranger Reata is fitted out with a rod locker that can hold rods up to seven feet in length and 15-gallon live wells to keep your catches fresh. There’s also a bow half-gate that makes it easy to install an electric trolling motor.

Sun Tracker Fishin’ Barge 20 DLX

The Fishin’ Barge 20 DLX provides anglers with three comfortable swiveling chairs - two fishing chairs up front and one in the stern. There are also two aerated live wells, rod storage, and much more room for other fishing gear.

Tritoons

If for some reason, you are looking for a pontoon with more power to handle rough waters then you may be interested in a tritoon boat. Tritoons are designed just like pontoons with one key difference - there are three tubes of air instead of two that keep you afloat. This means that they are slightly larger than your average pontoon, so you’ll be able to carry more people. The tritoon also handles rough waters more smoothly with its faster engine and three tubes for support. These are great options for ocean cruising and fishing. 

Also, check out quad fish boats with four fishing chairs on four fishing stations and a bunch of other features for a successful fishing trip.

How Do You Set up a Pontoon Boat for Fishing?

If you are thinking about purchasing a pontoon boat, or you already own one and wish to customize it to be more fishing-friendly, then these items are a must-have for your boat.

Freshwater Pump and Aerator

Having a live well with a freshwater pump and aerator will positively add to your fishing experience. This will keep your bait fresh while also keeping your catch alive so you can spend the whole day on the water without having to worry about a mess. 

Fish Finder

A fish finder is a specialized sonar device that will assist you in your fishing experience tenfold. This item will help you by determining fish size, location, water temperature, wave speeds, and bait depth.

Rod Holders   

Rod holders are a key feature of any fishing boat. These come in many different options from being able to mount them onto your rails or deck. 

Fishing Chairs

Many modern pontoon boats that were specifically designed for fishing will have swivel chairs built-in. If you are purchasing a boat that wasn’t made for fishing, you can still install these fishing chairs yourself. They will make your day much more comfortable and give you your own space.

Trolling Motor

 A trolling motor is composed of an electric motor, propeller, and controls. Having one on a bracket at the bow will give you the kind of control you’d want to easily flow in the water.

Anchors  

Having more than one anchor can be incredibly useful. One at the front of the boat and one at the back will keep your pontoon stationary, even on windy days.

Is it OK to Beach a Pontoon Boat?

The great thing about pontoon boats is that the bottom tubes are made from aluminum, opposed to other powerboats that are made with fiberglass or gel coats. So this makes beaching your pontoon easy and painless. The metal will handle sand and small rocks with no issue or worry of damage. 

The benefits of beaching your boat are endless. You’ll be able to take a break from the water, bring your grill out onto the beach, and maybe even camp there for the night. To safely beach your pontoon, you’ll want to approach the bank slowly and with caution. Make sure there’s a clear path, that there's no one swimming nearby, and that there are no large rocks hiding from you. Remember to prop up your motor, pull in your boat manually, and set an anchor.

Not only do pontoons beach easily, the launch and dock easily as well. Since most pontoon boats are able to maneuver smoothly and slowly, they are also great for trolling and drift fishing.

Are Pontoon Boats High Maintenance?

Pontoon boats can be surprisingly easy to maintain compared to other fishing boats. Since they are made with aluminum you’ll usually find some dents rather than tears. If there ever is a tear on a pontoon, it will be in the hull and this fix will be much more cost-friendly rather than having to fix a gel coat. Pontoons sit high in the water and on your trailer so there’s little worry of damage there, just make sure to trim up the engine when trailering.

Cleaning And Using Cover

The interior boat upholstery is easy to clean and after many years it’s even easy to replace as well. An important item to have that will have your pontoon looking brand new is a cover. Whenever you’re not using the boat it’s crucial to put a cover on it, as this will protect the pontoon from constant sun exposure, debris, and even rodents. At the end of the day, as long as you know how to take care of your boat and clean it on a regular basis, you won’t have any issues with your fishing pontoon and it should last you a good 10 to 20 years. 

Taking care of your pontoon boat also means knowing how many people you can safely take out on a fishing trip, as well as where you should safely fish from.

Nosediving

It is important to note that, just as with many other fishing vessels, a pontoon boat can capsize or nosedive if handled improperly. The most common reasons for this are:

• Too much weight at the front of the boat. It should be lighter at the front and heavier at the back so the bow can lift out of the water during acceleration.

• Bad overall weight distribution. Too many people overall can cause the pontoon to capsize.

• Rough waters. Pontoon boats are essentially big rafts that aren’t designed to handle rough, choppy waves. They’re designed to provide a smooth ride on calm waters.

Gear Up for Pontoon Fishing 

A pontoon boat is an all-around great option for anybody looking for a fishing boat. The space it holds is perfect for family outings or for bringing all your friends along for an amazing fishing trip.

Most pontoons are extremely stable and will provide strength and versatility that many other boats cannot offer. A pontoon is also rather easy to take care of and maintain. And it's customizable, so you can mount the equipment you want (or have a company build a custom pontoon based on your exact needs) and enjoy fishing without limits.

All in all, if you’ve been debating on what type of fishing vessel you should invest in, these are the main reasons why a mighty pontoon boat could be a very good idea. With the fishing pontoon, the right gear, and top-notch fishing pants, there's nothing standing between you and catching fresh fish. Just don't forget to obtain the fishing license!

Feature Image - Pontoon Boat, Lake Havasu. Photo by Greg Woods.