Pontoon for Western Basin

[episnoza]

My buddy has a 24' pontoon he would like to take perchin in the Western basin. I think it has a 48hp outboard. How safe is it to use? I would think that if waves were under 2ft it would be fine. Any thoughts?

[gregnwtf]

Dont even try it. I have only ever seen one pontoon on Erie and could believe it. I have fished Erie for over 35 yr and under no circumstances would I ever try to go out to try for perch on a pontoon boat. Erie can and will go from 2 ft to 5 ft in a matter of 20-30 minutes. Its not safe and you would still probably get wet and have a good chance of tipping over. One pontoon went down and crashed on the rocks in Wild Wings last spring. Cold water and several guys had to go rescue the guys that went in the water. Happened right at the entrance of the cut. If you want to go that bad, run downtown to Fishermans Wharf on the head boats or just book a charter with a regular charter service. Its the safest way.

[boatlimit]

I fished next to one near the E buoy ... if you use common sense I wouldn't hesitate to fish off of one ... Babe Winkleman did a show about using a pontoon on lake of the woods ... just be smart, watch the for cast and have a marine radio on board and a cell phone

[wakina]

I have seen the lake go from less than 1 ft to 4+ft in less time than it takes to pull the anchor with 100 foot of line out on clear days, no storms nearby. Just a wind switch from a front moving in or out. If it was my decision I wouild not chance it, at least not very far out. So with that being said you must use your own judgement in this matter.