Since I figured the experts were in here...was wondering what would be your recommendations on Pontoon Boats. After seeing all your diverse craft at the Invitational I've decided it would be a good upgrade from my tube. I'm looking to spend under a $1000 and want something I could take everywhere (lake, delta, bay, river) but would focus on lake (bass) fishing. I need comfort, stability, and speed!

ANY advice would be appreciated and suggestions on where to pick one up would be helpful also.

Thanks in advance!

Samurai TI

Outdoor engineering is by far the most used in BNT.It is very durable,the fastest most comfortable on the market.check out there web site at:
www.outdoorengineering.com
John

Todd --

I have an 8-ft Outcast PAC-800, with an eye on their 9-footer possibly sometime in the future -- a really cool setup, which you can check out on their website:

http://www.outcastboats.com/

Of course, any of the other BnT'ers will probably point out that I've had, not one, but TWO blowouts on my pontoons, but those were the result of a bit of negligence on my part (i.e., leaving them fully inflated in the warming sun). The company repaired and returned them to me quickly, though, at no charge (other than shipping them back to Idaho), and with no questions asked. Great customer service!

I would recommend no less than an 8-footer. You can carry just about as much as you'll ever need, and will always be comfortable. The six-footers just seem to me to be too much of a compromise, & you'd probably be wishing you had gone to the larger model after a short time. A 10-footer gets to be pretty cumbersome to cart around (that 9-footer I've been considering might be a bit much in that regard, as well).

Anyways, you've got quite a few options. I would suggest maybe holding off until the San Mateo Sportsmen's Expo in January/February. They always have the widest variety of mfr's on display, in one place. That'd be your best bet to be able to compare features, prices, and maybe even a special 'show price' that'd save you some additional cash!

Y'gotta make the move, though! You'll be able **fish better** than you can in that tube, too, trust me! (Rich Caro's big wins this year notwithstanding!!!) ;-)

Go for it, bud!

Thanks John and Jeff for the advice. I think I will try to hold out till the expo - forgot about that! I'm not sure I'll be able to though. The urge is getting stronger...

Oh, as for fishing better...my tube has done quite well for its first tourny season! I don't think you'll want to fish with me if I get any better! ;-)

Tight lines!

Samurai TI

Maybe they'd let you compete from your kickboat, once you step up to the new rig!!! :-)

Beleive it or not I asked a few years back.I was thinking boy what a way to jump in the public eye to get a check with B.A.S.S in a kickboat

...

If you are interested, I won the raffle at the clear lake tournament and got the Bucks Bags discount. They have extremely good prices with the discount form....I just bought my boat so I don't think I will be using it...let me know if you are interested. You can get the top of the line bucks bags boat for a reasonable price.
Josh

Josh,

That would be very cool! I was thinking of the bucks bag and if I could get it at a discount - even better! Let me know how we should arrange it - thanks! BTW - how much is the discount?

Samurai TI
Todd