If you need to fish those mid-river runs or simply want a quality watercraft that can be disassembled into a size small enough to fit in your vehicle, you should know that pontoon boats have a lot to offer.
Choosing the best fly fishing pontoon boat can bring a heap of beneficial features to your fishing adventures.
That’s exactly why we provide you with this straightforward review of the best boats for fly fishing.
In A Hurry? Here’s The Best Fly Fishing Pontoon Boat
Classic Accessories Colorado XTS
- Assembled size: 108"L x 56"W x 28"H (to top of seat), weight, 80 lbs.,...
- Boat and oars disassemble into a compact size for convenient storage;...
- Heavy-duty fabric with abrasion resistant PVC bottom, tough nylon...
Why is it the best?
- It’s rowing-friendly and can be used with fins and a motor
- It features heavy-duty, non-corroding brass oar-locks
- It’s very maneuverable and capable
4 Best Fly Fishing Pontoon Boats
With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.
Let’s dive into the specifics and review each pontoon boat individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.
Best Overall: Classic Accessories Colorado XTS
- Assembled size: 108"L x 56"W x 28"H (to top of seat), weight, 80 lbs.,...
- Boat and oars disassemble into a compact size for convenient storage;...
- Heavy-duty fabric with abrasion resistant PVC bottom, tough nylon...
The Colorado from Classic Accessories has withstood the test of time like few others have. Now the latest Colorado model, the XTS, has set a new standard for cost-effective framed pontoon boats.
Striking a perfect balance between durability and capability, this boat is made to impress without breaking the bank.
This boat features rugged pontoons with abrasion-resistant polyvinyl chloride bottoms. They are 9 feet long.
PROS
- It’s rowing-friendly and can be used with fins and a motor
- It features strong, non-corroding brass oar-locks
- It’s very maneuverable and capable
- It’s waterproof without a case (to 10m); waders aren’t needed
- It features a transport-friendly steel tube frame
- It provides numerous storage options, including 2 insulated drink holders
CONS
- Not designed for standing
Overall, the boat is 56 inches wide and loaded with great features that can help you have a fantastic day on the water.
Framed pontoon boats can present quite a challenge when it comes to transporting them from one place to another if you don’t have a pickup truck.
Classic Accessories eliminated this issue by making the powder-coated steel frame in separate sections, which are held together by D-clips. So, when it’s time to travel, the frame breaks down and reassembles really fast.
The same D-clips that pin the frame together also provide a wide range of adjustment settings for anglers who might be taller or have longer legs. Comfortable seating is always important during long days on the water.
The padded swivel seat is supportive and allows for ample adjustment by sliding from front to back and locking in place whenever needed. To make the transport easier, the seat back also folds down.
There are plenty of choices on how you will be getting around in the Colorado XTS. You can wear fins and propel this boat like other kick boats.
You can also use the 7-foot aluminum oars that lock in 3 different positions to row when needed. And you can also attach a motor to the included two-position engine mount and cruise to your location.
If you opt for this boat, storage isn’t going to be an issue either. On each side of the seat, there are two areas for spacious gear bags that come with the boat.
They attach to the pontoon with hook and loop patches and can be pulled off and hooked together to form a gear duffel bag. Two additional fixed pockets are located toward the back of each pontoon.
To keep your fly line from drifting and possibly tangling with debris in the water, this unit comes with a great stripping basket as well as an under-seat apron.
You can hook the stripping basket on either side of the seat (replace it with one of the gear bags) or wear it across your lap.
As you’ve probably assumed, this manufacturer put a lot of thought into accessorizing the XTS model. This boat is quite decked out.
The standard version of the boat comes with a two-position anchor system, a cord, a pulley, and a fillable mesh bag for a simple and lightweight anchor. You’ll also receive a rod holder that can be mounted in six different positions.
We really like the stowable transport wheel designed to keep the boat up and away from sharp objects when moving between your vehicle and the water. Another great feature we like is the basket behind the seat and the purpose-made battery platform.
Buyers rave about the versatility of this pontoon boat. Reviewers frequently use it as a multi-purpose replacement for drift boats, river rafts, float tubes, and kick boats.
They also enjoy the huge storage space and high weight capacity. Even with a trolling motor and a battery in the rear basket, the boat can carry plenty of additional gear with room to spare.
Like most one-man pontoon boats, this boat isn’t designed for standing. If not being able to stand is a deal-breaker for you, then we suggest taking a look at the next product we’ve reviewed.
Our advice is to choose this product if you are in need of a capable and maneuverable pontoon boat.
You’re unlikely to find a similar unit at this price with this level of features. Plus, the good reputation of the Colorado line is a strong testimony to the longevity and popularity of this boat.
Product Information
- Weight: 80 lbs
- Material: Abrasion-resistant PVC bottoms and rugged nylon tops
- Seats: 1 padded swivel seat
- Load capacity: 400 lbs
Extra Features
- Three oar-lock positions
- 2-year warranty
- Easy disassembly
- Adjustable seat mount and foot rests
If you need an additional piece of information related to this product, please visit the respective Amazon link.
Outcast Fish Cat 13 Fishing Pontoon Boat
- This affordably-priced two-person fishing boat has an aluminum frame...
- Length x Width: 13' x 65"
- Its durable materials and design can withstand rugged river...
If you need a pontoon boat ready to rock in both moving and still water, then you’ll be glad to learn that the Fish Cat 13 from Outcast is up for the challenge. You can fish with confidence and comfort with the help of all the features and capability needed for serious river use.
With a 750-pound capacity and enough room to carry a pile of gear, this solid boat can host one or two anglers.
The Outcast Fish Cat 13 is named after its 13-foot length, which makes it an impressively versatile and capable boat.
PROS
- This boat has a rugged construction
- Available standing platform(s)
- It’s incredibly versatile and capable
- It’s whitewater-tested
- It’s an adaptable two-person boat
- It comes with a 5-year warranty
CONS
- It’s quite heavy when fully assembled
Being able to stand on your pontoon boat is a huge advantage. The lightweight aluminum frame includes a front-standing platform and an optional rowers platform. Plus, the removable front mod transforms the boat into a single-person expedition raft.
Every angler loves a comfortable seat and this boat delivers with good padding and great support for your back. Additionally, the swivel seat allows you to easily cast in any direction. But if you decide to stand, the front lean bar will be there to help keep your balance.
This unit features 20-inch pontoons that keep the boat very steady and balanced, but with its 65 inches of width, it’s also great for slipping through those tight passes and narrow trout-filled runs.
The width makes it suitable for quick paddling while offering great stability in rough conditions.
When it comes to equipment mounting options, the Fish Cat 13 comes with four gear bags that attach to the frame on both sides of the seats.
There is a large storage deck at the rear of the boat which can be used for larger bags and gear items. Overnight trips are easily accommodated with the help of this feature.
Durability is always a standard quality of Outcast’s products and the Fish Cat 13 is no exception.
The vinyl AireCells are covered with super-rugged 1000 denier PVC skins with stitched seams and zippered access. The 2-Summit valves allow for quick inflation and deflation.
The Fish Cat 13 boat purchase also includes an 11-piece aluminum frame, an anchor system, and 2 eight-foot two-piece oars. Seats, a lean bar, and gear bags are standard parts of the package as well.
A few optional items you might find necessary are an engine mount and a rowers casting platform. Buyers point to this boat as an effective and economic alternative to drift boats and river rafts.
Even though it’s quite heavy when assembled, reviewers say the boat assembles and disassembles quickly for easy transport and quick setup when you reach your destination.
If you need to make precise casts, then the ability to comfortably stand and cast is a game-changer.
This boat’s modular design and ability to adapt to one or two anglers is a huge plus.
There isn’t much about this unit that we can criticize. Whether you want to drift it, row it, or mount a motor on it, it will perform well in a variety of circumstances.
Product Information
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Material: An aluminum frame and PVC pontoons
- Seats: 2
- Load capacity: 750 lbs
Extra Features
- Summit II valves
- Good range of optional extras
- 1000 D PVC material with sewn seams
- 2 vinyl Aire chambers
Outcast Stealth Pro Fishing Pontoon Boat
- OUTCAST STEALTH PRO BOAT - The Stealth Pro is the lightweight boat for...
- INTEGRATED GEAR SYSTEM - This Stealth Pro boat from Outcast Sporting...
- ROCKERED ENDS - The Outcast Sporting Gear Stealth Pro boat, with its...
The Outcast Stealth Pro carries all the reputation and quality that have come to be synonymous with the Outcast line of watercraft.
This is a smaller pontoon-style boat, but don’t let that fool you. The Stealth Pro is an inflatable boat that can go where larger boats cannot.
This frameless pontoon boat is 8’ long and 57” wide.
PROS
- It has a rugged construction
- It’s very maneuverable and capable
- It’s super portable
- It allows for rowing and the use of fins
- No frame
- It features easy-access gear storage behind the seat
CONS
- It’s not designed for standing
The stable footprint teams up with the boat’s rockered ends to ready it to take on big water, whether moving or still.
With no frame to assemble, you just need to inflate the Stealth Pro and it will be good to go.
The mobile size makes this boat easier to transport to locations where other boats cannot go. And when you get there, the fast-filling recessed Summit II valve will make the Stealth Pro easy to inflate and deflate.
You can use fins to propel the boat like a float tube or you can put your feet on the foot bar and grab the oars to move through the water. The Stealth Pro gives a nice high ride, so if you use fins you’ll only have your lower leg in the water.
For all your gear-carrying needs, the Stealth Pro comes with an Integrated Gear System (IGS) designed around purpose-made sleeves that can hold Scotty mount bases.
The IGS attachments are perfect for mounting rod holders, fish finders, and anchor mounts.
Outcast strategically placed an IGS mount on the back of the boat which places an anchor mount for making stops in moving or still water.
This boat is designed for fishing while sitting, which is why this manufacturer designed the seat with comfort in mind. The seat back is supportive and adjustable so you can find the right position for your body.
For taller folks who might have long legs and need to stretch out, the seat can be positioned wherever you’d like with the help of pull straps that are easy to adjust.
With over 16 inches of tube diameter and rugged pontoons that hold high-quality Aire chambers, you can rest easy knowing your boat is dependable and covered with a 5-year warranty.
In the shipping package, you’ll find the Stealth Pro along with the world-renowned Outcast stripping apron.
The package also includes one foot bar, 2 oars, and one frameless gear pocket that attaches with an IGS mounting plate wherever you should choose. The manufacturer also includes a repair kit and an extra oar pin just in case you lose one.
Many buyers prefer the lightweight design of this boat to its framed counterparts. The quick setup and breakdown is a feature that gets mentioned often as well. Lastly, reviewers don’t fail to mention the high ride and small storage requirements of the Stealth Pro.
It’s important to keep in mind that you won’t be standing on this boat unless you have some ninja-like balance. So, if you want a boat designed for standing, then you should consider the second and fourth items on our list.
We want to clearly point out that this boat is probably not designed for whitewater. That said, reviewers report taking this boat through multiple class III rapids and even a class IV. Though we don’t recommend doing that, it does speak to the capability of the boat.
Product Information
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Material: 1000 PVC
- Seats: 1
- Load capacity: 450 lbs
Extra Features
- A kayak seat with an adjustable backrest
- Urethane air cells with Summit II valves
- A large adjustable stripping apron
- The OSG Integrated Gear System accepts rod holders, cargo pockets, anchors, etc
For more details and product images, please visit the respective Amazon link.
Sea Eagle 285 Pro Fishing Pontoon Boat
- Exterior: 9' x 4' / Interior: 6'2"x1'4" / Deflated: 24"x14"x12" / Tube...
- Weight: 30 lbs. (hull only) 42 lbs. (with floorboard and motormount) /...
- Engine Capacity: 3hp (45 lbs. max) or 55 lb. Thrust (min 30" shaft)
The Sea Eagle 285 Pro package wonderfully integrates portability and capability. This inflatable boat can be transported and stored in very small spaces because there is no frame to break down.
The boat has robust stability that provides comfortable and useful features you are unlikely to find in other boats in this price range. The ability to stand, the comfortable swivel seating, and the motor mount are just a few of the highlights.
PROS
- This boat provides fantastic features and versatility
- No frame for easy storage/transport
- One-person loading
- It has a rugged construction
- It comes with a floorboard for standing
- Short assembly time
CONS
- Windy conditions can affect tracking
This boat provides ample space for storing fishing gear and has a 450-pound weight capacity. It’s well suited for still water lakes and ponds, but it performs great on moving rivers, bays, and creeks as well.
Skinny water won’t be a problem either. With a 9’ x 4’ configuration and large 16-inch pontoons, this boat can carry a lot of weight while drafting only 4 inches of water.
Fully outfitted with a motor mount and a floorboard, the Sea Eagle 285 Pro weighs only 42 pounds. You can remove these features if you want a lightweight package for accessing remote areas, which reduces the weight to only 30 pounds.
But if you want to stand while fishing, then you’ll definitely want to have the floorboard installed to make fishing on your feet much more stable.
It goes without saying that a comfortable seat is crucial if you want to spend a full day on the water, and this boat delivers nicely in that regard. The seat swivel allows you to turn to comfortably run the motor or cast in any direction.
This is a truly versatile boat that can be rigged in numerous ways with numerous fishing accessories. The Sea Eagle 285 Pro comes with two universal Scotty mounts plus 2 rod holders.
Scotty mounts can hold accessories like fish finders and anchor mounts, but you can also attach these mounts to the floorboard to hold whatever additional accessories you need.
For tackle and other gear, the package includes a clip-on stow pouch and a side/stern bag.
Standard features and accessories included in the Sea Eagle 285 Pro package are a boat carry bag, an oar set, a foot pump, a floorboard, 2 stow bags, and an engine mount.
If you’re looking for the perfect motor for this boat, we have found the Honda Marine BF2.3 HP Engine and the Minn Kota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor to pair very nicely with it.
Buyers say the Sea Eagle 285 is a lot of fun on the water, stable, and easy to move around.
Reviews consistently mention that the boat’s setup is quick, functional, and easy. The quality and strength of the materials used in the construction are also frequently praised.
There just aren’t many inflatable boats in this price range with such features and capabilities.
The opportunity to stand comfortably while casting is always welcome, but the possibility to mount a motor or use oars is a truly unique combination. Add in the storage and stability aspects and you’ll be looking at one truly special boat.
Product Information
- Weight: 30 lbs (hull only); 42 lbs when assembled
- Material: 1000 Denier Reinforced
- Seats: 1
- Load capacity: 450 lbs
Extra Features
- NOMA certified
- Full fabric floor
- Raised oarlocks for better rowing
- Printed assembly instructions
Final Thoughts
To make a smart shopping decision, make sure to take into consideration your personal wants and needs.
Where do you fish the most? What kind of features are you looking for? What can you sacrifice and what is an absolute must? Base your choice on your answers to these questions.
Is there a popular pontoon-style boat we haven’t mentioned in this review? If yes, what’s so special about it? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below!
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