Fishing from a pontoon boat can be great fun if you make the necessary arrangements to face the water. With the addition of proper accessories, you can turn your recreational watercraft into the most efficient fishing pontoon boat. There are a lot of accessories available in the market to serve the purpose. Many of them possess easy DIY installation and hence there are no heavy tasks involved in getting your pontoon upgraded. In this article, we will see recommendations for some of the popular DIY fishing boat accessories. So get set and go fishing!
Fishing Rod Holders
Casting a line and catching a fish from a pontoon boat is extremely satisfying. With the wide deck, you get great space for positioning. But lacking decent pontoon boat rod holders can be the end game. There can be the situation like the pre-installed pontoon boat rod holders are cheap and turn out to break easily or else if the pontoon boat is not actually meant for fishing and you and your friends are into occasional fishing. In both these cases, you are lacking quality rod holders and the market has some good recommendations for fishing rod holders, that too which can have a quick and simple DIY installation. They can easily fit into your pontoon boat rails and half your work is done.
The Eagle Claw Clamp on Aluminum Boat Rod Holder is a popular option you can have and Amazon reviews rave about their durability, ability to clamp on with ease and also maneuverability. With no special tools needed, they are well suited for easy DIY installation. They can fit most square railings. You need to fit them on the square railing and tighten them by turning the knob and the installation is done. At the end of the day when you are done with your fishing adventure, it can also be taken off with ease. Crafted out of high impact plastic, it is corrosion resistant and will last longer. Compatible with rods up to 1.375 inches, it allows easy 360 degree adjustments. The rod holder can be adjusted easily when you are in sudden need of changing the rod angle. They are well suited for the toughest fishing conditions.
If you are looking for options for round rails, then the Brocraft Clamp on Fishing Rod Holder is a perfect choice. They can fit to 7/8″ to1-1/4″ round rails. They offer a fiber glass injected nylon construction, which can handle the toughest fishing situations. It is easy to clamp on the round rails for a quick DIY installation. It is also adjustable to multiple vertical or horizontal positions and offers 360 degree adjustable rotation.
Livewell
Sometimes your pontoon boat may have a livewell already installed. But if your pontoon boat is lacking this, then it is best to have them installed. Livewell has compartments to hold water from the lake or river. A pump provides the necessary oxygen so as to keep the catches or bait live. The amount of fish that you can catch legally varies from state to state and having such a set up lets you keep your catches alive and release the fishes you don’t want at the end of the day. You can also keep your catches fresh for the dinner table. Also, keeping the bait alive can be quite favorable for you in your fishing adventure.
If you want to have a fully DIY method, livewell kits are available from tackle shops or marina. If you own a large cooler, it can be made into a livewell by adding the right aerator and connecting it to the battery of sufficient power. Or else you can also make use of a large container having a snug lid with enough room for fishes and add an aerator. You need to fix the system inside your pontoon boat so that it will not move as the boat moves.
Engel Coolers Live Bait Cooler with Net & Four Rod Holders serves the purpose of a lightweight, portable bait box as a livewell with an aerator pump. With a quality injection molded construction, it is insulated with high grade molded polystyrene foam. The live bait cooler is easy to assemble. The net can be easily pulled up so that you can have easy access to your shrimp, minnows or other live bait. The 2 speed 2×2 air pump keeps the water fully aerated. It can run on 2 D Cell batteries or 110 volt. The EVA gasket and the watertight marine grade stainless steel latches ensure that there is no spillage. With the four included rod holders, you get a place to keep the rods. They also feature carry handles and integrated shoulder straps, so that it is easy to carry.
Trolling Motor
Pontoon trolling motors are great means for enhancing your fishing experience. It is a small motor you have in addition to your pontoon’s main engine which will let you cruise slowly and you can go hands free to fish as they can be controlled by a remote control or foot pedal. Creating the illusion of natural swimming bait, it is great to catch the attention of fishes. They are also easy to be mounted on the tail of your pontoon boat. When not in use, they can be removed with ease. In most cases, for a pontoon boat a trolling motor with around 60 lbs. thrust is sufficient to have the work done.
Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor is just easy to install and operate. It offers a top speed of 4 mph. Being quiet as well as cool, you can have long hours of fishing without spooking the fishes or overheating issues. The saltwater compatible hardware lets them to be used in both freshwater and saltwater medium. The 30-inch fully adjustable shaft is made from high strength composite fiberglass shaft. It will allow proper depth placement in all water conditions. The 6-inch telescoping extendable tiller handle is ergonomic. When needed, you can adjust and lock the mounting angle, height and direction. The trolling motor offers 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds so that you are in command for a controlled and smooth ride. The 5-point LED battery meter is super bright delivering the immediate charge level. With the 3 Blade Propeller, you get the low end torque needed to keep the boat moving. A separate 12V lead-acid deep cycle or marine battery is needed. They come at an affordable price range with a two year warranty.
AQUOS White Haswing Electric Bow Mount Trolling Motor comes with a remote control and foot pedal. The Bow Mount Trolling Motor is designed to run quietly in both freshwater and saltwater medium. With 48 inch shaft the trolling motor can provide 55 lbs. thrust. The trolling motor comes with quick release bracket so that the installation or removal of the trolling motor becomes easy. The remote control fits easily into the palm or can be attached around your neck with the help of a lanyard. It can be used at about 164 feet distance and can be recharged with a USB cable on power bank. The 14.7 feet cable wired foot control lets you have precise and easy hands free operation when fishing. With the variable speed you can achieve desired speed with more precise, smoother adjustments and improved control. The variable speed also lowers the power consumption of the motor, so that battery life is increased. They feature an ergonomic handle so that you can carry the motor with ease. A depth collar allows you quick, simple depth adjustments.
Fish Finder or Depth Finder
Electronic gadgets like fish finder can be a great addition to your pontoon boat. By providing a digital image of the underwater conditions, you can also get an idea of the area where fishes are concentrated, thereby making it easy to catch them. Installing this gadget is no big task. They have the transducer using sonar technology, which sends and receives echo data which then appears on the screen of the fish finder. The transducer is commonly installed on the bottom bracket of one of the rear pontoon tubes. You can attach the fish finder to the battery for power and then mount them on the console and they are good to go.
Garmin Striker Fish Finder is a popular, affordable choice of fish finder which is easy to install and use. They are available in 3.5, 5 and 7 inches screen sizes. They use the ClearVu technology. Featuring the Chirp Sonar Transducer, you get a good view of the underwater conditions digitally. It is easy to spot the fishes under and around your pontoon boat.
Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 with a 7 inch screen offers a much wider view. You can also get it installed with a few easy DIY steps. They use the Splitshot transducer, providing detailed view of what is under the sea. With the autotuning Sonar you need not have to spend much time making adjustments. Rather you can have more time for fishing. Though expensive, they are worth the investment.
Bite Alarms
With multiple fishing rods attached along your pontoon rails, you can work more at once. But this makes it tough to keep track of each of the rods. Bite alarms can help you in such situations. They are designed in such a way that they can alert you at the instant a fish takes a bite of any bait, notifying the rod which needs attention. They have easy clip on installation on the fishing rod.
Wingsflying offers a pack of 4 fishing bite alarms. When a fish bites a bait, an alarm will sound. The all-weather bite alarm is sensitive to fish that swallows the bait. Suitable for different kinds of rods, it is also portable and easy to install. When fishing at night, you can also set to LED mode so that you can have a quieter environment.
Modified Grill for Pontoon Boat
If hunger strikes, you can grill your catches and for this you may need grill. These can be attached to your pontoon boat rails with mounting hardware in easy steps.
Cuisinart Grill, a modified grill for pontoon boat features 145 square inches of grilling surface for grilling delicious food. Stainless steel burner and drip tray is included. The open fencing design is ideal for use with the standard 1.25 inch square boat railings. The grill legs are strengthened with the self-tapping screws for extra stability. The grill feet are retrofitted for Arnall’s Grill Bracket Set which will be perfect for your pontoon railing. The grill is lightweight, weighing only 18 lbs. and features carry handle and locking lid, making it easy to transport and store. There is a solid mount for propane tank. Available in three color options, it will cost you around $250.
Cup Holders
Cup Holders are great accessories for fishing pontoon boats. They will hold your drinks when you are busy casting the reel and you can have easy reach. The clamp on type cup holders have easy DIY installation and can be attached to seat, rails, etc.
The RoboCup is a versatile accessory which can be used for holding drinks, cups, two fishing poles, bottles, tools, etc. The clamp on holder clamps instantly and does not require any tools for installation. It can be clamped to both round and flat vertical surfaces with up to 2” maximum. The rubberized clamps offer great grip. The stainless steel hardware offers rust prevention. The UV inhibitors provide longevity. The updated version also includes rib reinforcements for added durability. Improved threading makes the bottom end caps to stay shut. The bottom caps can be removed for using two fishing rods. They are available in about 12 color options.
Wise Pontoon Double Drink Holder is another great option. There are two stainless steel cups in a marine grade plastic frame with vinyl and foam padding. It is easy to install as you just need to tuck the flap in between the seat and back cushions. The weighted vinyl flap secures the drink holder to Pontoon seat. It can hold your drinks even during the roughest of the waves.
Boat Utility Table
The Boat Utility Table can be used to place drinks and snacks. It can also be a place to prepare fishes for grilling; you can have lunch or dinner.
Docktail Bar Utility Table is made from King Starboard. It is UV stabilized and fastened with stainless steel hardware. So it can withstand harsh marine conditions. The utility table is multifunctional. There are 2 slots for holding cups, cans or bottles, a serving/ cutting board area, and a compartment to hold sunscreen, phones and more. There are also accessory holes so as to hang bottle openers, trash bags and hand towels. It can be easily mounted in rod holders of standard size and level flat at most any angle. The table top comes fully assembled. You just have to attach the mount and in a few minutes, the table is ready for use. The utility table is also portable and easy to store.
Night Fishing Lights
Night Fishing Lights can enhance your fishing experience even at night. They provide the necessary light so that you have good vision while fishing and you can also attract the fishes. They also add safety while fishing. With quick installation feature, they can be a great accessory to add on.
Boaton Marine Boat Navigation Lights is made of high quality ABS material and is nicely sealed in silicone. They can provide visible light for about 5 miles. They are about 4 times brighter than other navigation lights and this makes boating more safe. They let you meet the legal requirements. The lights are also great for night fishing as they are bright enough to light up the water thereby bringing in good vision and also attracting the fishes. The navigation lights can also make docking easier. These marine grade strip lights are also waterproof. Easy to install, no drilling is required. You can install them on rub rail, below or above the rail. They have a flexible body design and feature double sided adhesives on the back of the strip so that it is easy to mount.
The underwater night fishing light from Amarine can be used both in freshwater and saltwater. When dropped down, the deep drop waterproof underwater led lamp with 1000 lumens brightness will let you see about 30 plus feet under the water. It can be plugged into a 12-24V DC power outlet. Battery clips are included. They will consume less battery power and can be used for about 50,000 hours in continuous mode. This underwater light is very bright shade of green which can attract a lot of very large number of fishes to the boat. The fishes will zip through the illuminated area. They will provide a 360 degree view. It is easy to store. They can be installed in a suitable place under the waterline. Most manufacturers offer clear instructions regarding the installation and the can be installed in DIY.
