Looking to get onto a float tube

Hey guys, float tube virgin here
Been looking around at this forum and it looks pretty cool and friendly.

Been a boat owner since 1983
Current boat is 22' which is fine for FW trolling and anchoring in deeper water but not too good for fishing "in tight"
Thought about getting a kayak but it seems like more of a hassle that I want to do at this time.
Eyeballing a Fishcat 4 for my first float tube. Mainly for lakes and some harbor/bay fishing
I love to modify/build things and from what I've been seeing, I'm going to have fun with it.

If I can't find the answer to my questions, I'll be asking for your opinions.
Scott

Welcome to the forum in2deep! Great Name!! Lol

Fishcat 4 is an awesome choice and like you said...you can definitely get in tight with it....and youll save a ton on gas.

Welcome.

welcome to the forum.
you cant go wrong with a fish cat even though i dont have one. you can modify just about any tube out there. its just a matter how much money you want to spend for your first tube

Good point miller...it depends on how much you wanna spend on your first tube....

Ive been tubing for like 4 months now and have already had 3 tubes. Fortunately each time i upgraded one of my buddies bought the older one off me.....even tho i got some money for them i obviously lost money in the end. My advice.....buy a good tube the first time and youll be set! The fishcat has a 5 year warranty (i belive) and at $200 its seriously not that much more than some of the less worthy tubes.

Outcast, the makers of fish cat are a great company. They have great customer service and stands behind there products 100%, you can't go wrong. Also check out bucks bag "roughneck" bladder less tube looks super sweet!

welcome to the site!!! what fresh water lakes do you fish? i know we have a pretty big lake perris crew here any time you go just hit the site up someone will bite.

Fish Cat, Fish Cat, Fish Cat...I own a ODC 420. But I use Fish Cat Bladders. Fish Cat Fish Cat Fish Cat!! No really...Fish Cat. Oh and welcome aboard!!

Fish Cat all the way!!! Welcome aboard!

I too would like to own a fishcat. But,,for my first tube I couldn't afford it. Only reason being is that I needed everything else. Waders, fins, small tackle boxes to fit in the pockets of the tube, booty's to go over the socks on the waders, etc. Now that I have the other stuff, I'll probably upgrade to the Fishcat when the one I own now dies..

You can sometimes find someone who is selling their whole set-up pretty cheap..good hunting, er.. fishing..

Welcome to this great site!

welcome a float

Buy it used,Most people do not use their tubes very much or the waders and related items. You can usually find a really nice setup if you look constantly and are ready to jump on it as soon as it posts. If you are interested, I will help you find something. I bet Ed5000X would lend a hand as well

Intodeepfsw you a Used cat sales man now or what?!

Its because they are the BEST IN THE WORLD!!!

welcome you cannot go wrong with a fish cat 4 good luck

Thank you for the warm welcome
Fishcat, Fishcat, Fishcat... Yep. Haven't noticed any reviews saying not to get one.
Seems that many with the fishcat 4 want to upgrade to the deluxe model with the inflatable seat?
I want to get the deluxe so I won't want to upgrade later but unsure which color. Leaning towards the green one(hides the dirt better).
I've read that the red one is more visible to the boaters. Is visibility to others much of a concern to you guys?

HEADCASE881 wrote:welcome to the site!!! what fresh water lakes do you fish? i know we have a pretty big lake perris crew here any time you go just hit the site up someone will bite.

Thanks for the heads up on Perris! Once I get into this I'll hit it up
My fishing/hunting club (Southwest Anglers) has an anual weekend trip up to Lake Isabella. I swore that I wasn't going to pay for a rental boat next year($$$)
I'm either going to tow the boat there or avoid that hassle and fish the tube there. Hopefully the wind doesn't come up early.
Went camping and fishing at Lake Lopez last summer. Looks like a fun lake to tube at. Lopez has some quality bass and panfish there!

I'm close to the coast, so I'll be hitting the ocean areas that I can't get to with the boat or don't want to hassle with it.

Thanks

IN2DEEP wrote:Thank you for the warm welcome
Fishcat, Fishcat, Fishcat... Yep. Haven't noticed any reviews saying not to get one.
Seems that many with the fishcat 4 want to upgrade to the deluxe model with the inflatable seat?
I want to get the deluxe so I won't want to upgrade later but unsure which color. Leaning towards the green one(hides the dirt better).
I've read that the red one is more visible to the boaters. Is visibility to others much of a concern to you guys?

HEADCASE881 wrote:welcome to the site!!! what fresh water lakes do you fish? i know we have a pretty big lake perris crew here any time you go just hit the site up someone will bite.

Thanks for the heads up on Perris! Once I get into this I'll hit it up
My fishing/hunting club (Southwest Anglers) has an anual weekend trip up to Lake Isabella. I swore that I wasn't going to pay for a rental boat next year($$$)
I'm either going to tow the boat there or avoid that hassle and fish the tube there. Hopefully the wind doesn't come up early.
Went camping and fishing at Lake Lopez last summer. Looks like a fun lake to tube at. Lopez has some quality bass and panfish there!

I'm close to the coast, so I'll be hitting the ocean areas that I can't get to with the boat or don't want to hassle with it.

Thanks

Green lends itself to ninja night fishing in the harbors. If your into that sort of thing...

Welcome to the site brotha!
Oh yea, fish cat! Delux! No that I own one but I want to!

welcome to the forums everyone here has good info u will find useful

welcome bradda hope to tube wit ya we all get together often a hanapa'a da kind. Your choice of tube is my choice for my next float tube I'm happy with the one I have now but its getting beat up and its time for a new da kind

I would say Red because of the visability to other boaters, No it is not a big problem, but why chance it right.

Welcome brother,
Have you ever considered a toon?

bodfish

jeffcpr wrote:I would say Red because of the visability to other boaters, No it is not a big problem, but why chance it right.

Do the red ones stain easily and show dirt?

bodfish wrote:
Welcome brother,
Have you ever considered a toon?
bodfish

Haven't really looked into a toon
They seem on the large side to me. Do you paddle all of them or can you kick with fins on some of them? I would like to keep my hands free for fishing
I'm still wanting a kayak to be able to travel longer distances. Either a Hobie Outback or Revolution with the pedel drive
Are toons good for covering a lot of water?

The red does not stain