Hi everybody, been reading this forum for a little bit trying to get as much research done on tube fishing as possible. I'm getting tired of casting from the shore watching all the fish jump just out of range so I think I'm ready to wade out to bigger and better things. I've checked out info on some tube models and wanted to ask ya'lls opinions on a few that have caught my eye.
I'm looking at the Fish Cat 4, Caddis Pro 2000, and the Trout Unlimited Tobiak. Any info you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated (about tubing in general too!). Thanks!
Avoid the TU Togiak, a buddy had one & the seams started coming undone. Caddis is real popular in So Calif waters & has a good following. The FC4 is a great tube, but only has a 250 lb weight limit. I found the side pockets a bit small for bass fishing, but good for fly fishing. I tend to carry quite a few gear & the Outcast Fat Cat is the one I went with. Also the Creek Company ODC420 is real popular. It's size is in between the FC4 & the Fat Cat. The FC4 is affordable at $150 while the Fat Cat runs like $300-350 depending on the model of Fat Cat, it also has a 300 lb weight limit.
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I don't know how big you are, or what your budget is, but I am a big guy, and I LOVE my FC4. It holds me out of the water without a problem, and I really like the foam seat it comes with. Plus at $150, it's a great price for what you get.
I actually got mine on E-bay used a few times and I won with a bid of $75. [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. Hope we can help you make a good decision. You have already been given some good input. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The two current favorites, on this board, in the "under $200" category are probably the FC4 and the Creek Company ODC 420. The latter is slightly larger, if you weigh much over 200. Both are well made and will give you lots of good floating.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]For other info, keep reading the links to past posts, under the categories, in the two "Best of the Best" threads at the top of the board. Also you should visit the [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?forum=130;"]PICTURE BOARD[/url] (link) where we have pictorials on several tubing subjects. Included is a shopping guide for float tubes that includes most of the basic specs and links to suppliers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Feel free to hang out with us and to pop any specific questions that come up during your review process. We are friendly and speak fluent tubeology.[/#0000ff]
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I bought a FC4 this winter for my first tube and love it. I don't have anything to compare it to but I enjoy mine and would suggest it to anyone starting out. I also got mine off ebay for $70 brand new +shipping. The pockets on the FC4 are adequate for the bass fishing I usually do. Just go and buy some small hardcase tackle holders for lures and such and I bought a couple softsided holders for my plastics and I'm ready to go.
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Heck I'll even chime in here. Having owned tubes and toons maybe I can help shed some light.
I'm a big guy and I currently fish from an ODC 420. If I could have afforded it it would have been the H3. As has been mentioned here choice is dependent on style, waters, type of fishing, and what you can afford. For the money the FC4 or ODC 420 are good crafts.
My one complaint about the ODC is the seat. But after several trips I'm starting to get it zeroed in. I may end up fabbing something for more back support. The only craft I have been on that I didn't need more support in was an old donut tube. Now I aint going back to the bucks bag. I'll figure something out.
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Thanks for all the good input, I've been checking out the picture threads alot, they've really got me anticipating some good float trips. It sounds like the FC4 may be right up my alley, I'm plenty under 250# and fishing mostly small lakes/ponds here in central Missouri.
I was wondering as well what's the general "threat level" while tubing of running into some underwater critters you'd rather not such as snakes and turtles? What's a tuber's best defense?
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[#0000ff]There are always the "what if" questions for newbies. Dealing with potentially dangerous critters...farm animals, dogs, skunks, snakes, gators, turtles and such...is always a concern...or should be. The good news is that with proper planning and on the water awareness, you should never have to worry as much about dangerous wildlife as you do about getting home safely on the roads afterwards.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a copy and paste of some words from my book chapter on Comfort and Safety:[/#0000ff]
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[font "Times New Roman"]
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS: [/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Fishermen are not the only creatures that like to hang out around the water. Very few species of birds, mammals and/or reptiles turn down the opportunity to take up residence near a lake or stream. Many of these critters merely add to the pleasure of a day upon the water. Just seeing them enhances the enjoyment of the trip.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There are plenty of the other kind, though. We have nothing to fear from birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks. However, a few water birds, like gulls, grebes and cormorants, are potentially dangerous when accidentally hooked. They have sharp beaks and a nasty disposition. When attached to a line they can poke holes in both you and your craft. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There aren’t too many mammals you need to watch out for. Obviously we want to avoid skunks, which hunt along the edges of lakes and streams. You need to be especially watchful when hiking to and from the water, especially in the dark. Skunks are not timid. They are prone to stand their ground and they have a powerful defense.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The danger of bears, lions or other dangerous carnivores is not much of a factor, except perhaps in Glacier Park or some waters in British Columbia and Alaska. The greatest danger from animals comes from packing your tube across a field guarded by a farmer’s bull…or protective cows with calves. Nasty dogs can be hazardous too. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Reptiles are an important consideration. Snakes are at the top of the list. Nobody likes snakes. Lots of snakes like the water, and some of them are venomous. The worst customer, in many southern states, is the water moccasin. It is common in and on many waters and it can be aggressive. If you hike the banks, going to or from fishing, you can also encounter copperheads or rattlesnakes. It’s a good idea to watch carefully and to avoid any snake you see.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Although, neither copperheads or rattlers spend a lot of time in the water, they both swim well when they want to or need to. If you don’t stay in touch with what is going on around you at all times, you might belatedly discover one trying to climb up onto your craft with you. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Alligators are another type of potentially dangerous reptile. Big ones are to be avoided at any cost. Smaller ones are usually more timid, but can still inflict some damage. It’s never a good idea to launch in waters that are known alligator habitat, unless you have a big boat with high sides.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The final mention in the reptile department, as potential hazards for flotation fishermen, are turtles. The most dangerous is the alligator snapper. Although they get to be huge, large ones are seldom seen anymore, due to over fishing. These babies can take off a finger, quick as a 
. If you see them, avoid them. And, don’t attract them with stringers of fish hanging over the side.[/font][/size] [font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]PREVENTION & REMEDIES: [/font][/size] [ol] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Include a wading staff in your accessories. This can double as a “whacking stick”, to fend off or dispatch encroaching critters. Use it to first push intruders away. If that doesn’t discourage them, then use some “applied psychology”.[/font][/size][/li] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Poisonous snakes. Stay away from them. If your passion for fishing outweighs your common sense, then at least go prepared. In addition to a “whacking stick”, carry a small caliber pistol (where legal) loaded with shot shells…”snake loads”. Don’t shoot at every snake you see. Employ the gun only as a final measure to keep dangerous snakes from joining you in your craft, if they become insistent.[/font][/size][/li] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Snake bite. Get out of the water and seek immediate help. Don’t try cutting and sucking or any of the old mumbo jumbo. Leave your tackle and your craft if you need to, and get to a hospital for qualified medical attention. If you get there promptly, your chances for survival are usually good.[/font][/size][/li] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Hooked water birds. Cut your line if you can’t control the bird enough to extract the hook. Use your landing net to subdue the bird, but watch out for the sharp beak. They will go for your eyes if you bring them within reach. At the minimum, they can put a hole in your hand or your craft. [/font][/size][/li] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Turtles. If you hook one, be careful of their bite while you are extracting the hook.[/font][/size][/li] [li]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Bears and alligators. Don’t even think about tubing or tooning in any water where there is the likelihood of an encounter with either of these critters. Use a boat. A BIG boat.[/font][/size][/li][/ol]
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GET THE FC4 OR THE ODC. STAY AWAY FROM THE TU TOGIAK, VERY POOR QUALITY.
AT
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Not to sound like a broken record but I second the FC4 or the ODC for the under 200 crowd. If you know you are going to be doing it than i may suggest saving for a little while longer and going with an Freestle H3 or Superfatcat.
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I appreciate all the great info. I ordered the FC4 and a pair of fins so soon I'll have some pics and after action reports for ya'll. I'm not sure if I'm missing anything important, what do you guys consider "essential" gear for a good tubing trip?
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Well tou have the tube and the fins, so you have some of it. I would say a double action pump and pdf. And depending on what part of the country you are in I would recommend a good pair of breathable wadders, and if you go when it is cold some good fleece pants and good wool socks.
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I am one of the other FC4 owners on this site. I really enjoy mine for all the Bass Fishing that I do. I also use mine in the ocean without a problem.[cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Depending upon which tuber you ask, there are a lot of differences in what is "essential". On one hand, you don't need more than tube, waders, fins, lifevest and a single fishin' pole. But, some of us go forth with enough gear to make our tubes ride low in the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have several rods, you will soon want to be able to take more than one on each trip. that will require the addition of rod holders. If you want to see what is going on in the water below your tube, you will want sonar. If you actually plan to catch fish, you will want to carry a landing net and/or lip grippers. At least one pair of long nosed pliers is a must.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After that, it gets into the realm of personal preferences. That includes tackle boxes, sunscreen, insect repellent, lights, fish attractant, bait, refreshments, binoculars, walkie talkies, cell phone, camera, etc. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For the time being, I would hold off on the entertainment center and BBQ grill. Wait until you build your second deck on your tube before getting too carried away.[/#0000ff]
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