Using Pontoon boat to chase shad

It seems from reading this board and my own ff experiences on the AR, using a boat gives you a real advantage over bank fishermen. I saw a few fishermen using pontoon boats on the AR on my last outing so I was thinking of using my 9' pontoon boat on the AR. It would be a first time on that river (I did a trip on the Yuba).

That raises a few questions
1) How dangerous is it? I have seen three areas that I need to be careful of..... Arden Rapids, San Juan Rapids and the Upper Sunrise Island. Are there any others?

2) How far should I plan to float? The segments seem to be about 45-60 minutes just floating:
Sailors Bar to Sunrise
Sunrise to Rossmoor
Rossmoor to Riverbend
Riverbend to Gristmil
Gristmil to Watt
Watt to Howe

3) I am hesitant on doing this solo. Is there anyone who would be interested in meeting up?

Somebody here might answer you but you could go to Kiene's and talk with Andy.

Thanks Bill. Capt Andy is my guru. I have fished with him three times now. I'm trying to learn to strip like him. I want to steal his jet boat!!! :)

Yes John.........

About 30 years ago we hired Andy to work at Kiene's.

Back then our crew and the Geezer Patrol helped him get started into fly fishing.

Now all these years later Andy is one of my mentors, who I learn from every time I go out with him.

Andy has mentored many people and turned them into top fly fishers over the years.



He is supposed to come to Florida and fish Tarpon with me, someday.

I'll put a bug in his ear every time I see him!