I have a terrible time with this, when I'm sitting in my pontoon boat. I've got the mesh "table" in front of me, but the line seems to loop into itself a lot of times. Anyone have any strategies or suggestions?

I can sympathize, but I don't have a fool-proof solution, I'm sorry to say. One thing that helps A LITTLE is getting a line that is "slick" as opposed to supple. The downfalls quickly become apparent, however; the line slips prematurely through your hauling fingers much more frequently (which is just as annoying), and the damned thing eventually tangles anyway. I chalk such annoyances up to the foolish pursuit we call fly fishing, untangle the mess, and start over. Few hobbies test one's patience as frequently and in as many ways.

All this said, if anyone has even a marginal solution to this particular problem, I would also love to hear it.

I don't think there is a good solution - unless you can stand up to cast in your pontoon boat. Seems to me the problem is that the floor (the mesh apron) is too close to your hands while casting for the line to "untangle" as it is being shot on a cast. When I stand in my boat with the line piles on the floor, that 4 1/2' of vertical distance seems to make all the difference, and tangles are infrequent.

Sg

i have seen the small paint or epoxy mixing cups used in the bottom of tupperwear type basket...
I personally would go with a stiffer line.

Yup, when standing, no problems. It is just a minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless, especially when you suddenly see fish rising all around and you're sitting there untangling everything.

Thanks for all your help!

I only keep as much line on my apron as I will use. But, sometimes all of it is sitting on your apron. I've had my share of tangles to the point I just deal with it as a fact of fly fishing.

One thing I will do is stretch my line a little when I first start stripping out my line. Sometimes the memory in the line will encourage tangles. Even so, tangles happen. I just hope a big fish doesn't take my fly while I untangle my line.