01-01-2003, 05:18 PM
[cool] Hey J.R., I kick around in a Kennebec. I've field tested just about everything that has come on the market over the last few years for my upcoming book. I like the floatation on the Kennbec, and the higher seating. I'm 6'3" and over 250#, so I DO need flotation.
The two major negatives I have encountered in the Kennebec is the lousy valves on the air bladders and having too many small pockets rather than one big pocket on each side. Those valves get worn after a few uses and tend to leak or pop loose. I've had to carry a piece of half inch plastic tube with me to air up when I'm a ways offshore. Danged inconvenient, but better than having to walk back to shore if it goes flat all together.
The other gripe is that I like to take a few large lure boxes out with me, and the Kennebec has about 4 dinky pockets on each side, rather than one big one. I think that because it was made by Trout Unlimited it is probably designed more for folks that wave a "fairy wand" than those who fish warm water or salt water.
My next acquisition is going to be an Outcast Super Fat Cat. Have looked them over pretty close and they look like a good bet. Plenty of flotation, PVC coating on the bottom of the air chambers, high seating, sturdy 1" air valves, dry storage behind the seat, pointed "bow" for moving through chop, etc. Oh yeah, that's another thing about the Kennebec I have some issues with. It's a bear to maintein position with in a stiff breeze. At least in a round tube you can hold position in the wind and cast downwind.
Anybody out there got any input of the Outcast craft? I've already decided to get one, but would like any support...or otherwise...that anyone can offer.
And, Eric my lad, if you really want to get silly, put your tube in one of the back bays and fish for sharks and rays. Can also do some damage on spotfin and yellowfin croaker in the bays, with an occasional big corvina. Ghost shrimp works best when you can get em.
And, I don't know what the access is these days, but I used to put my tube in at the end of the Breakwater, at Carrillo Beach, and kick out along the rocks. got some great calicos and had a ball with opaleye and perch there on occasion. In season, there are some good halibut laying just off the rocks too.
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The two major negatives I have encountered in the Kennebec is the lousy valves on the air bladders and having too many small pockets rather than one big pocket on each side. Those valves get worn after a few uses and tend to leak or pop loose. I've had to carry a piece of half inch plastic tube with me to air up when I'm a ways offshore. Danged inconvenient, but better than having to walk back to shore if it goes flat all together.
The other gripe is that I like to take a few large lure boxes out with me, and the Kennebec has about 4 dinky pockets on each side, rather than one big one. I think that because it was made by Trout Unlimited it is probably designed more for folks that wave a "fairy wand" than those who fish warm water or salt water.
My next acquisition is going to be an Outcast Super Fat Cat. Have looked them over pretty close and they look like a good bet. Plenty of flotation, PVC coating on the bottom of the air chambers, high seating, sturdy 1" air valves, dry storage behind the seat, pointed "bow" for moving through chop, etc. Oh yeah, that's another thing about the Kennebec I have some issues with. It's a bear to maintein position with in a stiff breeze. At least in a round tube you can hold position in the wind and cast downwind.
Anybody out there got any input of the Outcast craft? I've already decided to get one, but would like any support...or otherwise...that anyone can offer.
And, Eric my lad, if you really want to get silly, put your tube in one of the back bays and fish for sharks and rays. Can also do some damage on spotfin and yellowfin croaker in the bays, with an occasional big corvina. Ghost shrimp works best when you can get em.
And, I don't know what the access is these days, but I used to put my tube in at the end of the Breakwater, at Carrillo Beach, and kick out along the rocks. got some great calicos and had a ball with opaleye and perch there on occasion. In season, there are some good halibut laying just off the rocks too.
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