Fishing Forum

Ok...

So I am deciding to get back into Float Tubing after a 12 year hiatus. I still have my old Caddis High Sierra...


But my time away has thinned my hair and widen my girth. So I'm fairly sure that my old tube will not tolerate me well any more (I'm 5'10" and 235lbs).

So been looking around and reading reviews. I see lots of people saying great things about the ODC 420...



as well as both good and bad reviews for the DAY TRIPPER...


The one thing that concerns me is the fact that the reviews I am finding are 1 year old, or older.

Cost is a factor (when is it not).

I have found the ODC 420 for 197.00 (shipped) and the DAY TRIPPER for 129.00 (shipped).

I will be fishing primarily SoCal lakes and maybe some of the Bays (I have never even thought of float tubing salt water). Most of my trips will be to Perris, Silverwood, Castaic and Pryamid lakes.

Any and all input is welcome.

Also... does anyone know of any After Thanksgiving Sales for either of these 2 Float Tubes?

Thanks in advanced...
[signature]

You won't be disappointed with the ODC. The main things about the Skeeter are quality and the fact that you sit SO high out of the water that any breeze will have you blowing all over.

I don't have any personal experience with either, but I have a Fish Cat which is similar to the ODC and it's a dream. The ODC is actually somewhere in size and performance north of my tube and south of the Fat Cat series so I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Both tubes have been out and pretty much unchanged for a while, so the old reviews should be current (if that makes sense...).

_SHig
[signature]

Have never fished from the daytripper or been with someone who has one. That said I really like my 420. I weigh around 200 and it floats me fine.
[signature]

I am the opposite. I have had a Day Tripper. Thought it was neat as heck when it came out.
The idea of being farther out of the water was appealing. But, I am barely over 100 lbs and I sat toooooo high. As Shig stated, you get blown all over the place and there really isn't enough leg in the water to kick hard.
BUT! I do have a friend that is around 250. The boat works for him. It is a BIG BOY TUBE. I am not saying 235 is BIG, my hubby is 225.
Now the other part...it is basically a three part tube. You have to inflate BOTH pontoons, then the "U" shape top and TRY to line them up. You NEED that cross bar to keep them from curling in. And there is one more chamber on the upper back.
They are time consuming and hard to set up straight...true story.
Cool idea they come with a little back pack, but try to get it in there....takes time also, time that can be spent catching fish.

The ODC, I don't have experience with, but I have had the OLD and the NEWER SFC and they just don't get no better than that.
I know have the H3 and appreciate the SIZE of this tube, but for function, the ODC will do the same.

There are just soooooo many out there now and allot of the BFTers own them so there has got to be something there.
Along with your weight, you will want to add poundage for your gear, but I think you will still be fine.

PONTOONS are kewl in keeping you out of water, but you need OARS with them. Specially on BAD WATER.

Just my opinion.
[signature]

[quote SHigSpeed]You won't be disappointed with the ODC. The main things about the Skeeter are quality and the fact that you sit SO high out of the water that any breeze will have you blowing all over.

I don't have any personal experience with either, but I have a Fish Cat which is similar to the ODC and it's a dream. The ODC is actually somewhere in size and performance north of my tube and south of the Fat Cat series so I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Both tubes have been out and pretty much unchanged for a while, so the old reviews should be current (if that makes sense...).

_SHig[/quote]

I re-read my first paragraph: HORRENDOUSLY unclear. I meant to say sketchy quality, and absolutely - TOO high out of the water...

my bad...

_SHig
[signature]

Ok...

Thanks for all of the input. The Day Tripper is out! But now I have another question...

I am sold on the ODC 420 but I now found the ODC 920 on sale for 219.00 (shipped)!

Incase you don't know what the 920 is, here is a pic...



for only 20.00 more...

What do all of you think?
[signature]

I LOVE my ODC816 (8 foot, 16" diameter). That pic is of an ODC Sport I believe. No such thing AFAIK as a 920.

My 816 is an aluminum frame with a molded seat and slightly better pockets version of that one. Also, with the steel frame, that one is a few pounds heavier.

I'd say if you're strict on the budget, that's not too shabby of a starter 'toon, but I've heard that sometimes the frame fit isn't ideal on the cheaper Creek Co. 'toons.

Also, at 50 lbs, you won't be packing that into any high mountain lakes, though you can carry quite a bit more on that vs. the tube.

If you're okay with a pontoon, perhaps keep your eyes on Craigslist for a used one. Bucks Bags, Outcast, and the higher end Creek Comanys are all nice. Careful with the Trout Unlimited/Costco/WalMart ones. I've heard poor reviews on those...

Good luck!

_SHig
[signature]

I have no idea on these boats but according to this there is a 920

http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay...ID=6&Cat=3

Personally, I have never really worried about the weight of my Pontoon.
The lakes I go to I can get fairly close...even the mountain lakes.
You can always add a wheel to it also.
[signature]

Yep...

The link you provided is to the deal I came across..

No Tax (CA) and Free Shipping (no extra 20.00 fee).

The only thing is I have a 10' Mercury inflatable (Zodiac type). That weighs just a little bit more. The reason I'm looking for a tube is so I can have something that is easier to put together and get on the water, by myself.

Does anyone know of any other deals going on or happening anytime soon, that are just too good to pass up?
[signature]

Ah, the #920 is the "chassis code" whereas "ODC Classic" is the model name (like to car geeks an AE86 is the chassis code for the classic drifter car the Toyota Trueno/Corolla).

Thanks for clarifying...

_SHig
[signature]

[quote Kokak]Yep...

The link you provided is to the deal I came across..

No Tax (CA) and Free Shipping (no extra 20.00 fee).

The only thing is I have a 10' Mercury inflatable (Zodiac type). That weighs just a little bit more. The reason I'm looking for a tube is so I can have something that is easier to put together and get on the water, by myself.

Does anyone know of any other deals going on or happening anytime soon, that are just too good to pass up?[/quote]

Best thing about a pontoon/tube is the ability to move and position hands free. Even in your raft you need to have hands on oars or on a trolling motor (unless you have a foot control).

Sounds like you need a tube plus you need to cut a section of floor out of your raft so you can dangle your feet under with some fins on!

_SHig
[signature]

Funny you mention a Zodiac. My favorite boat manufacturer is making their Pontoons in the Zodiac style. North Fork Outdoors. I realize the price is way out of range, but you get the idea.

Here is one model:

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2008web...08pg3.html

And in the center picture, you can see how he turned the X5 frame around to make it a Zodiac.

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/homepagedirectory.html
[signature]

That is AWESOME!

Much more than what I want to pay... but AWESOME none the less.

Well I have made up my mind and will be buying the ODC 420.

The best deal I seem to be able to find is the one at Cabela's

[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0057620320640a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCHFEAT_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=420&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1"]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0057620320640a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCHFEAT_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=420&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1[/url]

ODC 420, Pump and Fins. With shipping being free, so...

229.00 Delivered to my front door. Anyone know of any other deals out there that are better than this one?
[signature]

There might be, but Cabela's warranty is worth a little more to me.
[signature]

I have never found what the difference between the light and regular ODC 420. The one you found at Cabelas is the light though not the regular.

That said you will be hard pressed to find anyone who honors their warrenty and take care of you like Cabelas does.
[signature]

That is good to know Tlspyder. Thanks
[signature]

I have to say...

I am truly impressed with how friendly everyone is here and am very happy I found this great group of people.

Thank you everyone and have a great Holiday.
[signature]

Kokak, that is great to hear you say. We definitely welcome you with open arms.
Best of the Holidays to you.
[signature]

Researching the Light and regular 420...

The Lightweight 420 weighs a total of 8 lbs....
The Regular 420 weighs 16 lbs... Hmmm...

I do not see a mention of the bottom cover in the description of the Lightweight model.

Also the packed dimensions are diferrent...

Looks like I will get the Regular 420 for 195.00

Thanks again for all your help. I will post some pictures as soon as I get it and am out on the water with it.
[signature]

I have a Daytripper. I love it especially on the non windy days. I use mine more in the saltwater but find it to be very good on the lakes that you mentioned. I am also in SoCal.

If you ever decide to take it in the Salt, it is a good summer time tube. You can go out and count on the offshore breeze to take you back in comfortably with the tide.

The ODC is still a better all around tube since it is a little lower to the water. I have friends with the ODC. I have a fishcat4 for my lower stealthy applications and can still use it comfortable with light winds.

Castaic is my home base when I am not traveling all over. Let me know if you want to meet over there some time. I should be back in town next weekend.[cool]
[signature]