Looking to get a pontoon fishing craft around 10 ft long for the local rivers. I have not fished these before and would love to hear some input along with some makes and models that you could recommend.

mikvin,

I personally don't have a pontoon drift boat but I have been thinking about gettting one someday. I have an uncle that has one and he really enjoys it. the thing I want one for is fishing these low rivers in the summer time when it's to low to get my drift boat down but they will slide right down in just a few inches of water. I don't know what brand he has but it's a 10' and it cost him about$1500.00 I have seen a few on the rivers and don't think I would go much smaller than 10' he uses his in Montanna for fly fishing trout and says he don't know what he would do without it. I will try and find out the brand and get back to you.

There is an Outcast Pac 800 listed for $770.00 OBO in www.classifieds2000.com. Go to that site then sporting goods and then to fishing.

Ya guys might wanna check out my response to Buzz under the forum title "East Fork Lewis". I have a 8ft pontoon boat that works out great for up to class 3 water.
Extreme.

I have a Steelheader by Skookum. It has 9' pontoons and takes me anywhere. I weigh about 265 lbs. and it keeps me out of the water. The only thing I regret is that I sold my river boat when I bought my steelheader. Although you can handle any water on peninsula in it, there is no place for a heater. I could go on forever about my pontoon boat but the most important thing to me is the ability to stand up and fish, and its ability to handle steep and rocky rapids and still remain upright. The only drawback is not having your feet in the water when you get out in deeper water.(I just slide down to the deck on my butt, this makes waders nessasary but I always wear them anyway.) If you have any questions you can e-mail me or check out skookums web site @ http://www.steelheader.com/ Good luck finding a pontoon boat, they get you where the fish are.

I've been fishing from a cataraft for 3 years now and love it I've researched all the makes and models basicly if you have a 5 dollar head wear a 5 dollar helmet. Cost is the issue the better the tube material the price goes up. I bought my tubes then designed and built my frames 1man and 2man frames, I use 12 foot tubes and just love them the boat will do class 5 water but I wont , well not this time of year.But I,ve gone to spots the drift boaters wont....tight lines good luck

I have been using catarafts for about 7+ years now and I'll have a hard time ever going back to a driftboat. I've owned and tried alot of different type of cats and can give you rundown on alot. But, as one of the earlier replies had said, you get what you pay for. Buy as expensive of cat as you can afford. The outcast's are nice, but I'd suggest going a little bit higher in quality. You can get 9/10 foot cats from Aire directly or go to www.NSR.com and check them out. They're a whitewater outfitter that can supply about all that you can want or need. To give you a bit more detailed rundown, I've owned outcasts and have tried leighs, buck's bags, and some misc. I sold off my outcasts (they're ok, but most won't track well and aren't very steady in harder whitewater do to the rockerhull but they're very maneuverable). I have two cats now, I have a Steelheader like one of the guys listed. I love the boat, and it's a miniature of my big cat. They are a bit pricier then an outcast, leigh, or bucks, but a much better boat, though a bit heavier. But, in terms of the type of cat it is, it's a very good price. I have a 16 ft Aire cat that's my "driftboat". I can put handle three people easily on it and take on class 4/5 rivers with them on board. I could buy a nice driftboat for it's cost, but I can do alot more with it then a driftboat. You can add heaters, anchor systems, and rod holders, just have to know the tricks. I can help anyone with all of these if needed. I love my cats and nice thing is I can retrofit them to run for plain old whitewater running. You can't do that with driftboats and you ride ALOT higher in the water too. I've run my big cat in near drought conditions without ever having to walk the boat through (most driftboats couldn't make the drift period). I hope this helps and feel free to email me.

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When you check Catarafts be sure to seriously look at the urethane tubes, that and glide like no other boats. They are by far the most durable too.Look at different frame designs I bought a mig welder to do my own frames , the skys the limit, anchor systems, heaters , I even mounted a fishing buddie II fish finder it works awsome. If you need any info on tubes or frame design e- mail me glad to help.. Tight Lines...

Thanks for all the great input. I was able to locate a used 12 foot custom cataraft. I spent a lot more then I wanted but listened to the advise regarding safety. See you on the river