Ghost
09-20-2007, 09:08 PM
Fishingnetworks pics are down, so I added these links
http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=562/19591pontoon1-med.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=562/19591pontoon2-med.jpg
Nothing too fancy, did do up a 3 rod holder w/ PVC. I added a cheap plastic basket in back for gear & to strap on the rod holder. A 5 lb dumbell for an anchor. Also added side outcast blade oar rests, so I don't have to put the oar blades inside the back of the toon, it can rest on the sides so I have more room in back. Also added a padded seat(that was some work trying to drill in screws & all the other parts needed). Also got an Outcast seat bag, where I keep my 70 oz Camelbak bladder filled w/ ice water. I use a Humminbird RF30 wrist mount fish finder. It works good, gives me an idea of the structure on the bottom & how far down the bottom is. Also shows if there are fish in that area. The rear basket is large enough I can keep 4 or 5 large to medium tackle storage boxes.
I kept the Hotspot fins, love those things! And bought a pair of BPS neoprene booties that work great w/ the fins. I've not had the fins slip off using the BPS booties.
I did have a problem last week of the oarlocks squeaking like a stuck pig. I fixed that & used some bicycle chain wax to keep it lubed & quiet.
The 3 rods I have w/ me are:
2007 Shimano Citica 201 baitcast reel & Rogue Rods 7' MH rod
Shimano 1500 Symetre spinning reel & St Croix 7' Premier Med spinning rod
BPS Extreme 2000 wide spool spinning reel & 7' Extreme MH spinning rod
I've added velcro to front inside parts of the Streamer XL frame so I can keep my pliers sheath ready at hand, also BPS "Boga style" fish lipper.
With most of the gear off the pontoon boat, excluding the rear basket, I can manage by myself to load & unload the pontoon boat from the roof of my Jeep Grand Cheorkee. I do recommend that if you do get a pontoon boat & load it on top your Jeep or SUV, load it from the back end of the vehicle. Also lay down a big towel so the toon does not scratch the top of the vehicle. Found out the hard way before figuring out using a towel, I scratched the upper side on the driver side of my Jeep when I first was figuring out how to load my kayak on top. Some nasty scratches & my Jeep scarred...there goes some of the value of my Jeep!
Next year I am looking to getting a trolling motor. Now the Streamer XL has a mesh rear deck, so I'll have to figure out an aluminum platform for the battery. Actually a friend suggested to use one of those white cutting boards, a real long & wide one as a rear deck. It should hold up good w/ a 25 lb battery. I would need to modify the cutting board so I can zip tie it down to the frame.
What I don't like about the pontoon boat, maybe it's because of inexperience or the pontoon tubes are 8' long instead of 9 or 10' long. When I'm rowing, I can't keep a straight line rowing. I always have to adjust my direction, & the pontoon boat very easily turns on a dime. I may try & not put as much air in the tubes, see if I can get more of the bottom part in the water & if that will help any in keeping me straight while rowing.
Now if I get that trolling motor next year, I can cruise longer distances especially on the river.
Next month the salmon & steelhead trout will be migrating back to my area. I want to try & use the toon or my kayak & go for some of those fish. I can imagine the ride I would have if I hook into a 15 lb steelhead....Indiana sleigh ride!!! I already have BPS waders & long waders socks. I may need to throw on thermals & joggin pants.
Well, like I said my set up for the Streamer XL IR is simple. I didn't want to complicate & make the whole thing much heavier than the 55 lbs that it already is.
I've been having a blast bass fishing w/ the toon. Since I am higher up off the water than on a float tube, I can cast w/ more precision. I do recommend using 7' fishing rods. You can clear the front of the pontoon tubes w/ longer rods, you have less chance of hooking the tube. Shorter rods sometimes don't clear the front of the tubes & you can surely hook a tube.
Well, what ya think????
http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=562/19591pontoon1-med.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=562/19591pontoon2-med.jpg
Nothing too fancy, did do up a 3 rod holder w/ PVC. I added a cheap plastic basket in back for gear & to strap on the rod holder. A 5 lb dumbell for an anchor. Also added side outcast blade oar rests, so I don't have to put the oar blades inside the back of the toon, it can rest on the sides so I have more room in back. Also added a padded seat(that was some work trying to drill in screws & all the other parts needed). Also got an Outcast seat bag, where I keep my 70 oz Camelbak bladder filled w/ ice water. I use a Humminbird RF30 wrist mount fish finder. It works good, gives me an idea of the structure on the bottom & how far down the bottom is. Also shows if there are fish in that area. The rear basket is large enough I can keep 4 or 5 large to medium tackle storage boxes.
I kept the Hotspot fins, love those things! And bought a pair of BPS neoprene booties that work great w/ the fins. I've not had the fins slip off using the BPS booties.
I did have a problem last week of the oarlocks squeaking like a stuck pig. I fixed that & used some bicycle chain wax to keep it lubed & quiet.
The 3 rods I have w/ me are:
2007 Shimano Citica 201 baitcast reel & Rogue Rods 7' MH rod
Shimano 1500 Symetre spinning reel & St Croix 7' Premier Med spinning rod
BPS Extreme 2000 wide spool spinning reel & 7' Extreme MH spinning rod
I've added velcro to front inside parts of the Streamer XL frame so I can keep my pliers sheath ready at hand, also BPS "Boga style" fish lipper.
With most of the gear off the pontoon boat, excluding the rear basket, I can manage by myself to load & unload the pontoon boat from the roof of my Jeep Grand Cheorkee. I do recommend that if you do get a pontoon boat & load it on top your Jeep or SUV, load it from the back end of the vehicle. Also lay down a big towel so the toon does not scratch the top of the vehicle. Found out the hard way before figuring out using a towel, I scratched the upper side on the driver side of my Jeep when I first was figuring out how to load my kayak on top. Some nasty scratches & my Jeep scarred...there goes some of the value of my Jeep!
Next year I am looking to getting a trolling motor. Now the Streamer XL has a mesh rear deck, so I'll have to figure out an aluminum platform for the battery. Actually a friend suggested to use one of those white cutting boards, a real long & wide one as a rear deck. It should hold up good w/ a 25 lb battery. I would need to modify the cutting board so I can zip tie it down to the frame.
What I don't like about the pontoon boat, maybe it's because of inexperience or the pontoon tubes are 8' long instead of 9 or 10' long. When I'm rowing, I can't keep a straight line rowing. I always have to adjust my direction, & the pontoon boat very easily turns on a dime. I may try & not put as much air in the tubes, see if I can get more of the bottom part in the water & if that will help any in keeping me straight while rowing.
Now if I get that trolling motor next year, I can cruise longer distances especially on the river.
Next month the salmon & steelhead trout will be migrating back to my area. I want to try & use the toon or my kayak & go for some of those fish. I can imagine the ride I would have if I hook into a 15 lb steelhead....Indiana sleigh ride!!! I already have BPS waders & long waders socks. I may need to throw on thermals & joggin pants.
Well, like I said my set up for the Streamer XL IR is simple. I didn't want to complicate & make the whole thing much heavier than the 55 lbs that it already is.
I've been having a blast bass fishing w/ the toon. Since I am higher up off the water than on a float tube, I can cast w/ more precision. I do recommend using 7' fishing rods. You can clear the front of the pontoon tubes w/ longer rods, you have less chance of hooking the tube. Shorter rods sometimes don't clear the front of the tubes & you can surely hook a tube.
Well, what ya think????