Fishing from a pontoon

[SCtrouter]

I've just started using a pontoon to float tailwaters, and wondered how you experts use your pontoon. I normally just float from point to point and wade fish only. I've been told several times that it is dangerous to drop anchor in a current and fish from the 'toon as the current can pull the pontoons down, and if the tips go under, it can flip the thing. What is your experience? Do you fish from your pontoon in a river and under what conditions?

[orange_spokes]

ive only fished from a pontoon once and i used a drag chain and never had any problems fishing while anchored....now granted it was on the hooch during some slow spots...but it was fine when i did it...just make sure you have knife on you just incase you have to cut the anchor line in an emergency

[Gatorbyte]

I don't recommend anchoring and fishing from the toon as your anchor can get hung up and then it can get pretty scary. :yikes: It's amazing the power and force of moving water, even if it's slow. Have a knife readily available. I am working weekly with my therapist to overcome this trauma.

BTW, if any of you are floating past the Hatchery on the Hooch and you bring up my anchor (orange chain), can I get it back? :hammers:

[teacher]

I have fished from my pontoon with two generation on the Hiwassee and one on the Caney Fork and have never had a problem with my chain anchor. (I have a system using the foot release system that drift boats use.) I am able to anchor and fish and retreive the anchor and have never been hung up. I make sure that I do not have a knot on the end of the rope just in case I do need to release it all, but I have never needed to. :)

[SlowStreamer]

I've fished from toon free floating in slow waters and have done it with chain down when water is swifter and have not had issues with the toons wanting to dive under the water.

I have had chain get hung up , but was able to paddle upstream and the pull rope and chain came loose. GB would not have been traumatized if he could have paddled fast enough to get up river of his hang up and pulled his anchor up. But I guess he did not want be to capture his efforts on video.

Something else I will also suggest is make sure your oars are pulled up and tucked up behind you when you are drifting and fishing. If they are in the water even a bit (like when using oar holders), the current hitting them will have you drifting out of control.

[SCtrouter]

Thanks for your thoughts. I believe I will stick to using the pontoon to move point to point and wade fishing unless I am in a pond or real slow water.

[Arborfly]

How long of a chain and what size? I am not to worried about getting it hung up because I will mosy likely have the trolling motor to motor up stream and faster down through the slow stuff I don't want to fish.

Eddy Y