Float Tube Opinions

Wetswinger

Wetswinger

Beneath the surface of the mud, there’s more mud.
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Looking to buy a float tube in the next week or so, but never being near one I have some newbee questions. It seems most people on this site are fans of Outcast boats so I've researched them mainly. This would be my 1st tube. I'm 6'2", 225#. I've zeroed in on three models and would like some opinions if possible. Starting from least to more expensive

Fish Cat 5 Max. : Vinyl bladder (2) , boston valves, 12.5 in. tubes, Foam seats. Larger version of Fish Cat 4. 300# rating. $350 ($300 on sale)

Fat Cat LCS : Urethane bladder (1), Summit valves, 13 in. tubes, foam seat. 300# rating. $480

Cruzer Max : Oars, Urethane bladder (1), Summit valve, 13in. tubes, foam seat, 300# rating. $580

About the ores on the Cruzer, yes a good thing to have or not really needed? It would be a stretch financially but I really could if I was convinced it was the best way to go.

Also, please talk about any other boats that would be a good choice. Thanks in advance for your efforts....
 
I have two fish cat 4 tubes and I think they’re great, well made.

I wouldn’t want oars on a float tube, it’s why I never could get used to fishing lakes in my pontoon. I didn’t have enough hands to fish and row at the same time. I lost a lot of fish trolling by dropping the oars to grab my rod when it went down.. And I couldn’t propel my toon with flippers well enough so I went back to float tubing. Having hands free for fishing all the time is invaluable in my experience.

But I see guys killing it in lakes with toons so I know it’s probably just me.

Andy
 
After watching my buddy in the Cruiser, I'd agree that the oars are not much of a gain when your legs are dragging in the water. I, as a few others here, jumped on the Lost Creek X-Streamer / AKA Outcast Scout deal a couple of months ago.That's worth a look if you have the space to haul it.
 
mickey rat said:
After watching my buddy in the Cruiser, I'd agree that the oars are not much of a gain when your legs are dragging in the water. I, as a few others here, jumped on the Lost Creek X-Streamer / AKA Outcast Scout deal a couple of months ago.That's worth a look if you have the space to haul it.
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Can't find one. Do you have any advise on finding one?
 
If you are not in a big hurry, check Facebook Marketplac and Craigslist for tubes. I had a very unfortunate accident involving barbed wire and my Super Fat Cat, and was able to replace it with the same tube that was used just twice for $150. Had to drive for it, but made a day trip of it, lunch and beer with my wife. I love my Super Fat Cats.
 
IMHO oars are just another place for the line to get tangled around.
 
I got lucky to get the Sportsman deal on the Lost Creek Streamer X. I put probably 10 hours a week on it, sometimes before work an hour or after for one/two until traffic dies. Weekends on sound and lakes, and next weekend going to try it on local river for its maneuverability. Couldn’t be happier with the purchase.

I’d say I’m a tuber. I own a Fishcat 4 and the Cumberland also. The oars are a MUST for someone in the sound or larger lakes. Going against others here but wind can be unexpected along with leg or foot cramps. Leaving you diddled. I’m 6’3 220, athletic and in good shape but a cramp is inevitable in a long session. Wind is not fun on feet, and with the oars I troll the goto leech between spots rewarding at least 25% of my fish.

But I cannot pack the Lost Creek so I like having the others for hike ins. Also the oars don’t stick out excessively on the lost creek, and can be folded back if wanted for no stick out. Not an issue at all. Btw it’s the same as an Outcast Scout/Stealth.

Edit: fits in a truck bed semi-inflated
 
By the way my first tube was a hand built one from another local forum. Super light, but it was skinless and the hike to Mildred Lakes wrecked it. I now only hike skinned/bladdered tubes.
 
This is my 5th year using a Fish Cat Scout for stillwater fishing and my experience is 100% in line with Divad's. I just got back from a very windy 3 day fishing trip in Manitoba and I definitely would have been off the water earlier 2 of the 3 days if I hadn't had the oars. As others have pointed out though, you do have to have a boat with a foot bar for the oars to be effective. I love the pinned oars - very quick to stow the oars flat against the boat to fight fish. Although I'm not a big troller, I've had similar success to Divad trolling while rowing from one spot to another. The slowing on the return stroke seems to provide a great up and down action to leeches and woolly buggers in particular.

The Scout is also suitable for a trolling motor if you desire. I made a simple "L" shaped mount out of 3/4" PVC fittings and use 35 Ah wheelchair size battery for changing locations on larger lakes. I wisely(?) decided to save some weight on my recent Manitoba trip and left the motor at home - I received a lot of ribbing from the guys who did have motors!

Up until this year, I transported my Scout on the roll top cover on the box of my Honda Ridgeline (5 ft box). I downsized to a Honda CR-V this Spring and was concerned about the awkwardness of getting the boat onto roof racks. To my surprise it is relatively straight forward, even for a 65 yr old arthritic back. The 35 lb weight has a lot to do with that. I walked the boat to the side of the CR-V bow first, then put one hand on the foot bar behind me to lift the boat up.

The Sportsman's Warehouse deal is fantastic if you can locate a boat at one of their stores. Otherwise now's a good time to look at Facebook Marketplace or Craig's List as Wayne suggested. There are at least 4 Scout's for sale in the Calgary area right now as well as a decent selection of Fat Cats and Super Fat Cats, all at 50 to 60% of retail prices.

Good luck in your search,
Ken

5c 20220524.jpg
 
Lets get some clarification from OP. @Wetswinger what type of water do you plan on tubing? 5 acre alpine lake? 100 acre bay in Puget sound? 5000 acre reservoir?
 
Lowland freshwater lake and bays. Local Thurston and Mason County..
 
You can always add oars to another tube.

Seen it done with iffy success but as mention by @Haggis57 the foot bar really aids in removing drag. Admit I usually end up just sticking my feet up so the large part of my flippers are out of the water for smaller lakes. That way the stripping basket doesn’t come out.

I think these models are 400lb or 450lb weight rating which is a big plus.

@Wetswinger when you get one there are some nice lakes in Mason county with unstocked reproducing [big] cutties. Happy to show ya one or two if you want sometime
 
Great advice so far.

To your original question and options, if you can pick up the 5 new for $300 that's your tube. I have the 4 and it's perfect/well built, big enough for me yet compact enough to fit anywhere - back of an Xterra fully inflated no prob. I'm 6-2 and generally 210-215. Skip the oars in a tube, that's a different/larger boat. Plus the Boston/dual bladders on the 5 are ideal. Couple more hints, new is simply better for these, especially your first. Also not worth overthinking/overcomplicating it.

Before you pull the trigger, also recommend knowing the PFD and fin setup you'll have. Both matter a ton and can be equal to or more than the tube in $. NRS Chinook/Force Fin are generally popular for good reasons. I use both myself, the fins for 15+ yrs. Other good choices too. Smart to find fins used, I paid $60 and $80 for my last 2 FF's, both near new. Simply waited and watched.

Have fun and take your time when you first get in. Will feel awkward but you'll adjust in minutes.
 
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Divad said:
By the way my first tube was a hand built one from another local forum. Super light, but it was skinless and the hike to Mildred Lakes wrecked it. I now only hike skinned/bladdered tubes.
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Curious, was that a SHig tube? How was it "wrecked"? Carried while inflated? *Also curious how a thin nylon or polyester cover over a bladder would have helped?
 
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I have around 30 outings the last 40 days in my fishcat 4. Still looks great and is working flawlessly. Great design and products from them. I've been impressed so far.
 
Brian Miller said:
Curious, was that a SHig tube? How was it "wrecked"? Carried while inflated? *Also curious how a thin nylon or polyester cover over a bladder would have helped?
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I got into tubing in high lakes of MT, mine was not one of Steve’s but utilized a foam stacked seat, with similar single chamber exterior. For me abrasion strength is worth it, or else why even use chambered designs at all? I’ll try a chamberless again if the material of the exterior is both stronger and patch faster.

Starting to fall outside the realm of OP but to quickly answer...

Tubes were deflated since start. Pack off through brush, continuous placement on rocks climbing wore one hole and a couple close ones (“the wall” was impassable still). Then on the way to the 3rd lake I left it inflated and added another (my fault). But the material made patching a multiple hour wait leaving me boat-less for 3 after already waiting a half day the day prior to wait for that patch.
 
Just bought the FishCat 5 max. Should work for a first boat. On sale $300. Have everything else from my canoe/kayaking stable. Just need fins. Too many options with those! Thank you all for your help, Dan..

www.outcastboats.com

Fish Cat 5 Max - Outcast Boats

A float tube designed for big and tall anglers. It’s 20% larger than our best-selling Fish Cat 4 and has 2" more interior seat space for a more comfortable ride. *Out of stock - Contact your local dealer for availability
www.outcastboats.com www.outcastboats.com
 
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