Top Tips for Fishing from a Pontoon

There’s no better way to spend a day than fishing from your boat with family and friends, and pontoons are particularly good for the task when half the crew wants to fish and the other half wants to simply kick back and relax. Of course, fishing is always more fun when it includes plenty of catching — so use these tips to get a bend in the rods and everyone aboard is bound to have a good time.

Pack Up Your Boat Appropriately

Plan for the type of fishing you're going to do. On a sport fishing pontoon boat, for example, you can get a livewell, which will work a whole lot better than a bucket when you go live bait fishing. You can add a bow-mounted electric trolling motor, which makes it easy to creep along a shoreline or drop-off in total stealth. And you can opt for a fishfinder, which will allow you to spot fish down deep where you might want to jig for them. Consider which item(s) will be most important for your style of fishing, and make sure you equip the boat appropriately.

Careful Casting

When you plan to cast to shorelines on breezy days, fish along leeward shores. Pontoon boats have high sides above the deck, plus they don’t have keels or deep hulls below the waterline. As a result, a strong breeze can knock you out of position more rapidly than it might in some other types of fishing boats. By working along leeward shores and staying out of the stronger gusts as much as possible, you can minimize this factor.

Mind the Sides

As you reel rigs back to the boat be careful to never allow a lead fishing weight to hit the sides of the pontoons. The resulting “gong” of a lead hitting the aluminum log can spook fish within casting distance.

Double Up Your Anchors

When anchoring over a hotspot, consider setting a second anchor from the stern. Because of their windage, pontoons tend to swing quite a bit on a single anchor line in some conditions. By setting a second anchor from the stern (assuming it’s safe considering conditions) you can eliminate much of this motion and keep the boat parked right over those fish.

Fold Down the Bimini Top

The shade may be nice, but it increases windage and makes it difficult to cast, especially for beginners.

Fishing Techniques for Pontoon Boats

Explore various fishing techniques tailored to pontoon boat angling:

• Drifting: Drift along currents while presenting bait to actively feeding fish.

• Still Fishing: Anchor in a strategic spot and fish vertically or horizontally using bait or lures.

• Trolling: Employ trolling techniques to cover a larger area and entice predatory fish.

Other important factors to consider when fishing from a pontoon boat are:

• Weather and Water Conditions: Stay informed about weather and water conditions to optimize your fishing success.

• Wind: Monitor wind direction and strength, adjusting your fishing approach accordingly.

• Water Temperature and Clarity: Pay attention to water temperature and clarity, as they influence fish behavior and feeding patterns.

Get started on your adventure today! Browse Lowe's incredible line-up of fishing and family-friendly pontoons or contact a local Lowe dealer to see your dream boat model in person.