How Popular Are Inflatables ? 2024

carlm01 reply :

Hello to all, I own a seaeagle 285 and live in MA Haven't talked with or met anyone who owns an inflatable other than the zodiacs , are they not percieved as a good little boat or do most just prefer kayaks ?

Scott F reply :

I have a personal pontoon and I love it. So much more stable than a kayak. Easier to transport, easier to get in and out of, and more maneuverable. The only drawback is they are slow. I use mine to float rivers and it is just not possible to row upstream. I think if more guys saw them or had the chance to fish from one, they'd be more popular.

carlm01 reply :

i was thinking the same thing Ron about the RV'ers, I think here in MA they should be more popular ,most of what we fish are large ponds/small lakes... If i had the cash I'd buy a few and deck them out in camo I'd bet they'd work well with some duck hunters and they'd just look cool.... LOL

TorqueConverter reply :

I've used both. To keep it simple. The better fishing platform is the inflatable pontoon. You're up higher on the water, the ores are locked and aren't going anywhere, you can push at the end of an ore with the palm of your hand to pivot, you can twist your torso and lean back for hooksets without disturbing the stability of the boat.

kayaks are much better at covering water and can deal with a bit of current. Rowing an inflatable pontoon is a chore. Many of them have no hull to speak of and do not track. The slightest current or breeze can have you going nowhere in an inflatable pontoon. If I want to put something into a stream, fish in a windy days, or just need to cover some distance to get to the fishing spots then I need the kayak.

carlm01 reply :

The seaeagle I use has a 40# MK on it so it's not really a problem

Grizzn N Bassin reply :

Kayacks are bigger here, mostly for rec purposes. I dont see to many ppl fishing out of them.

carlm01 reply :

Heres my SE ready for the water

ClackerBuzz reply :

they look very comfortable to fish out of.

the set up/break down time is huge compared to 60 seconds to strap a kayak on ur roof.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/132765-popularity-of-kayaks/

Scott F reply :

On 3/24/2014 at 12:05 AM, ClackerBuzz said:

they look very comfortable to fish out of.

the set up/break down time is huge compared to 60 seconds to strap a kayak on ur roof.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/132765-popularity-of-kayaks/

Can you post a video of getting a kayak on the roof and strapped down in 60 seconds? You must have some tricks I need to learn.

carlm01 reply :

It takes me about 10 mins tops , I do have a high speed air pump the inflates /deflates it .go to youtube and and type in seaeagle 285 fpb pro and you'll see the guy on there put one together in about 5 mins LOL

ClackerBuzz reply :

On 3/24/2014 at 12:16 AM, Scott F said:
Can you post a video of getting a kayak on the roof and strapped down in 60 seconds? You must have some tricks I need to learn.

ha this made me laugh out loud scott b/c i would have to make 2 videos.

one of me trying to be a cool guy nonchalantly getting it done in 60 sec.

and a second video of me like a crazy contestant on a game show trying to get it done in 42 sec to beat the reigning champ lol.

carlm, does the frame fit in a standard car truck or require a suv or truck bed?

carlm01 reply :

The seaeagle is a frameless pontoon boat (fpb) It folds up and can be carried in the trunk or back seat of a small car... That's the reason i bought it,, it takes up very little space ....

pitchin fool reply :

I love my sea eagle. I have the old version of your model that is gray and blue and came with the bench seat instead of the pedestal. I only use the bench and then I made a rod box that holds 5 rods with a solid top, so I can still sit down if I need to. I found that if I use the rod holders that come with ith, that the rods still get in the way. Nothing like casting and hitting your rods comin off the back...scary!! With my rod box, the tip of the rods are on the opposite side of the toon that I am fishing from. Just pick it up and reverse to fish out the other side. I don't use any of the bags for storage, I just slide everything under the bench. You will enjoy your toon. You will have a lot of people stopping to watch you fish and a lot of un-wanted conversation! They are also tough as nails. The only thing I broke was the oar locks. I made my own now by drilling out the ones on it and using galvanized tubing through the holes with 10inch bolts going thru that and another piece of tubing going around the bolt for extra toughness. Oar in the pads now with all the torque I can put out.

carlm01 reply :

Thanks pitchin fool , I'm pretty happy with my purchase. I do think the newer style rod holders will help out since they're adjustable ....Carl

pitchin fool reply :

Not so much for me, cause I am a major side arm caster. I throw baseballs kinda side arm so I think it stemed from that. I would lay a couple rods so they hang off the back and I clipped them also...yikes! Hopefully they did upgrade the oar locks cause that plastic was junk. Luckily it broke off at the end of my day or I woulda been ticked off even more! Looks like you still have plenty of room to use lure boxes instead of a tackle box. I put my boxes under my bench and then around my trolling motor battery box and my lunch and soft plastics go on top of the battery box. It weighs the back down, but I stand and fish and just stand towards the front to balance the weight. I even lean forward when going full speed across the lake to create less drag. Speaking of moving, if you are trolling and casting trying to find em, leave your oars in the water and let them help keep you straight. It does make a world of difference.

You will think of all kinds of things to fit your needs. When I first started with mine, I only had 2 rods with me, now I can bring 6, with a ton more gear, which equals more time on the water and more fish!!

carlm01 reply :

Thanks for the advice , much appreciated , Can't wait for the weather warm up a bit ...Has anyone bought one based on seeing yours ?

pitchin fool reply :

I haven't seen any others floating around here other than my buddy that influenced me into getting mine. He has a bass cat with the metal frame. I actually prefer his over the sea eagle, except you can't haul it in the trunk like we can! He also made huge modifications to his. He is on BR. Look up Frog Turds and his avatar shows his rig. He has some vids on youtube also if you put In "the froggy basser" his vids will pop up. I am in a few pre-set up toon. Toons are for a special breed of person. Most people look at it, and just don't get it. We are the few, and proud!!!

Not_Here reply :

customized Outcast Fishcat 10 but its not like it was off the shelf, I added & subtracted some parts lol...i'll post some pics when version 5.0 is complete...heres the skeleton after I had some metal fab done with deck supports...

carlm01 reply :

Just went on youtube the vids are great frog turds , Nice area .. What kind of net are you using , I need to get a decent one ... Carl

Not_Here reply :

appreciate it Carl, this is the rubber net i use from fleetfarm, its sturdy...it doesn't float though and you got about 10 seconds if it falls in before the tube fills with water & it sinks to the abyss

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/dotline-deluxe-lightweight-rubber-net/0000000005814

carlm01 reply :

Thanks . The lake you were on in the vids looks great. really nice mix of structure...

Not_Here reply :

there's a bunch of different lakes including the mississippi river backwaters within those vids, so its not just one lake per se...

carlm01 reply :

Well they all looked good to me

Not_Here reply :

heres my deck with the stake out mounts installed...i put one on either end due to the weathervane effect i call it...

carlm01 reply :

Looks great, Hopefully spring will be here soon, This winters been a killer ...

Not_Here reply :

i still got a bit before i can float...5/10 pike/eye opener and 5/24 for bass...unless the sippi backwaters open up before that since its year round...but as thick as the ice is and cooler temps impeding the melt, who the hell knows...brutal winter to put it mildly...

carlm01 reply :

Yup , i don't think we'll be out much earlier ...but it is suppose to start warming up this weekend ?

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