Fishing Pontoons: What Nobody Tells You

Fishing pontoons have gotten complicated with all the options flying around. As someone who’s owned three different pontoons over fifteen years and fished from dozens more, I learned everything there is to know about what makes these boats worth buying—or avoiding. Today, I will share it all with you.

That’s what makes pontoons endearing to us fishing enthusiasts—they’re the minivans of the boating world. Not flashy, not fast, but incredibly practical once you stop caring what other people think.

Specifications and Features

My first pontoon was a bare-bones 18-footer with exactly two features: floating and not sinking. Modern fishing pontoons come loaded with stuff I didn’t know I needed until I had it.

Length ranges from about 16 to 28 feet depending on how many people you want aboard and how big your tow vehicle is. I’m apparently someone who always buys slightly larger than necessary—my current 22-footer works for me while smaller boats never have. The extra deck space matters when three buddies show up expecting to fish.

• Live Wells: Essential if you keep fish or use live bait. The aeration system matters more than size—a well-oxygenated 20-gallon well beats a stagnant 40-gallon one.
• Rod Holders: I counted twelve on my boat and still wish I had more. Multiple rods set up means more chances at different depths and presentations.
• Trolling Motor: A quiet approach into a fishing spot is worth its weight in gold. Electric trolling motors let you sneak up on fish that would spook from an outboard.
• Canopy or Bimini Top: Shade matters more than I appreciated in my twenties. Now I won’t fish without overhead cover during summer months.

Construction Material

The tubes—toons, logs, whatever you call them—are aluminum on anything worth buying. Frustrated by early pontoon designs that corroded quickly, manufacturers started using marine-grade aluminum that handles both fresh and saltwater. This approach took off in the 1990s and eventually evolved into the durable construction enthusiasts know and trust today.

Decking has more variation. Marine plywood covered in carpet is traditional but requires maintenance. Composite decking and aluminum floors have gotten popular because they don’t rot and clean easier. I switched to vinyl flooring after my third attempt at keeping carpet presentable—fish blood and carpet do not mix.

Propulsion

Outboard motors run the show on pontoons. My first boat had a 40-horse Mercury that struggled to plane with four adults aboard. Probably should have led with this section, honestly—underpowering a pontoon is the most common mistake new buyers make.

For a 20-foot fishing pontoon with typical use, 90 to 115 horsepower keeps things comfortable. Larger boats or anyone wanting to actually tube or ski needs more. The trolling motor isn’t optional for serious fishing—it’s what lets you work a spot quietly without drifting off or anchoring constantly.

Safety Considerations

I watched a guy sink his pontoon at the ramp last summer because he forgot to put in the drain plug. Learn from his expensive mistake: go through a checklist before every launch.

Life jackets for everyone, even if nobody plans to wear them while fishing. Navigation lights for any chance of being out after dark. Fire extinguisher that actually works—check the gauge yearly. First aid kit that includes something for hooks embedded in fingers, because that happens more than anyone admits. Flares and a whistle in case you break down somewhere cell phones don’t work.

Benefits of Fishing Pontoons

The stability sells itself the first time you stand up to cast and the boat doesn’t rock. Traditional fishing boats feel tippy by comparison once you’re used to a pontoon’s platform.

Space is the other major advantage. I can have four people casting simultaneously without tangling lines or bumping elbows. Try that on a bass boat. The flat deck also makes coolers, tackle boxes, and gear accessible instead of piled in the way.

Family-friendly matters if you’re not exclusively a solo angler. My wife hates fishing but loves floating on the pontoon with a book while I work the shoreline. The kids can swim off the back while I cast. Multi-purpose use justifies the cost better than a dedicated fishing rig.

Fishing Pontoon vs. Fishing Boat

Traditional bass boats and walleye boats exist for good reasons. They’re faster, handle rough water better, and reach spots a pontoon can’t. If you’re running twenty miles across open water to fish structure, a pontoon is the wrong tool.

Pontoons excel on lakes and calm rivers where stability and space matter more than speed. Launch and load easier since you don’t need a fancy trailer with guides. Cost less for comparable space. Store more gear.

I own both now—the pontoon for lazy weekend fishing with family, a smaller aluminum boat for solo trips when I want to cover water fast. If I could only keep one, the pontoon stays.

Maintenance and Care

Aluminum doesn’t rot or absorb water, which makes pontoons lower maintenance than fiberglass boats in some ways. But neglect still catches up with you.

The tubes need inspection for dents and corrosion, especially around welds. Flush the motor after every saltwater use—and after brackish water, which sneaks up on people. Check upholstery for UV damage; sun destroys vinyl faster than anything else. I vinyl-protect my seats twice a season and they’ve lasted six years looking decent.

Winter storage matters in cold climates. Water left in tubes can freeze and warp them. Drain everything, shrink-wrap or cover tightly, and store out of the elements if possible.

Customization Options

Fish finders and GPS chart plotters are nearly standard now—the transducer mounts easily to pontoon tubes. Power Pole shallow-water anchors work great for holding position without dropping a traditional anchor.

Custom seating configurations let you optimize for fishing versus entertaining. I removed two rear loungers and added casting decks with storage underneath. The boat works better for how I actually use it now instead of how the factory imagined I might.

Enclosures extend the season into cold weather. Not cheap, but fishing in October without freezing changes everything for northern anglers.

Cost and Affordability

Entry-level fishing pontoons start around $15,000 to $20,000 for something usable. Mid-range boats with decent motors and electronics run $30,000 to $50,000. High-end models with big motors, tritoon configurations, and luxury features approach $100,000.

Used boats offer better value—my current pontoon was three years old when I bought it at nearly half the original price. Depreciation hits hardest in the first two years, then levels off.

Popular Brands

• Sun Tracker: Solid entry-level to mid-range options. My first pontoon was a Sun Tracker that lasted eight years with regular maintenance.
• Bennington: Premium build quality and innovative features. Expensive but holds value well.
• Lowe: Fishing-focused designs with practical layouts. Good balance of price and functionality.
• Harris: Performance-oriented for people who want both fishing capability and speed. The tritoon models handle rough water surprisingly well.

Conclusion

Pontoons won’t outrun anything or impress anyone at the marina. But for actual fishing, especially with family or friends along, they’re hard to beat. The stability, space, and versatility justify the platform for most recreational anglers.

Spend time on different boats before buying if you can. What works for me might not match your situation—water conditions, passenger counts, and fishing style all factor in. But if you’ve been dismissing pontoons as party barges, consider giving one a serious look.