Hey Float tubers

[DeltaBound]

Who makes a good quality Float Tube? What Float Tube gear do I need?

[rexford]

Caddis and The Creek Company are the ones I have experience
with. Both are great boats. The Creek Company treats you like
a family member. Get yourself some waders, fins and a PFD and
you should be ready to go.

There are lots of other boats out there and I know there are guys
here that can give you much more info and direction then I.

GL
Mike

[MikeD]

http://calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az ... cs&forum=6

[RipnRog]

I just purchased mine and I have to tell that I really like the Creek Company as they have a lifetime warrenty. I bought mine from fishermans warehouse as they have the ODC 816 for 90 bucks less then you can get direct from tha manufacturer.

I was at sportsmans warehouse and they had some good ones there the one I really like was about 399.00. Do your reasearch and figure out what you want and check out the bassntubes gallery before you make a purchase.

[RipnRog]

Go here and see what you can do with these things

http://www.bass-n-tubes.com/gallery/rigging

[thejerbs]

get a pontoon/kickboat.

[g-man]

Creek company kick boat!!

[CATCHEMCARO]

Bucksbag Hi & Dry float tube or Bucksbag Southfork kickboat.
WWW.BUCKSBAGS.COM

[DeltaBound]

Are the kickboats easy to transport?

[MikeD]

"easy"=relative

I transport my fishcat9 in my 90 acura integra hatchback. its a pita frankly and takes about 30 minute or so to setup once its all out of the car - assemble frame, use pump to blow pontoons up, lash together, add tackle bags, throw on back deck, add livewell and pump setup, grab rods. then at the end of the day reverse all that to pack it back up. by the time I get it in the water I'm half worn out.

a lot of the guys transport them assembled and mostly blown up in the back of a pickup, then its a simple matter of pulling them out and splashing them. thats the best way

[CZ]

yeah they are fairly easy to carry especially if you can make another trip for gear. This when the advantage of an aluminum frame like an outdoor engineering versa vessel excels they are one of the lightest frames that I know of, very easy to pick up and rest on your shoulders as you walk down the ramp.

[RipnRog]

They are if you have a truck or dont mind the assembly. I talked to a guy that bought a trailer at harbor frieght for 179.00 and he just towes his like a boat. Plus he has a trailer to light duty stuff that is a win win situation. If you are in the sacramento area I would go take a look at the 399.99 kickboat they have at sportsmans warehouse. That thing is set up very well. The brand says sportsmans warehouse but there manager said they are made for them by bucks bags which is a very high quality brand. This boat has a motor mount that is real sick and it has a diamond plate deck. If I had seen this one before I bought mine I would have bought it.

Rodger

[Sacto John]

Are the kickboats easy to transport?

Trucks are the easiest because you can throw them in the back. A car with roof rack is the next easies because you can strap it to the roof fairly easily. Personally, I have transported my Creek Company ODC816 in the back of my old VW Hatchback, in the trunk of a Toyota Camry and strapped to the roof of my Subaru Wagon. One of the reasons I like my ODC is that it breaks down very easily and I do not have to unleash the pontoons form the frame to transport the boat. I can have my boat reassembled and inflated in under 10 minutes.

[thejerbs]

yup, they are easier to transport if you don't mind setting up your toon at 5am. I've had mine in the back seat of a camry and now the back of a Cherokee. I leave mine in the car, cause I don't have space in my house, which I don't recommend. Just keep your toon bladders attached to the frame and fold up your bladders into the frame after you have deflated them and taken the seat and back pieaces apart. Makes about 4 big pieces you need to carry, along with the oars, footpegs, fins, tackle, and rods. Not to much stuff It's worth it though!

[707 basser]

I have owned quite a few float tubes over the years. The Stearns is a comfy tube but accidently knick a berry bush or something like that and it pops,definetly if a lure knicks it. The Creek company ones are complete garbage poor storage, poor bladder etc. buddy of mine gots a bucks bag and those dont look too comfy. By far out of all float tubes(not talking pontoons) the most comfort, backrest, thick bladders etc. Is the Fish Cat4 and the Fish Cat4 deluxe. these tubes are awesome. they are fairly cheap, dual bladders, thick like a truck tube thickness, backpack straps, and pontoon styling. it cuts through the water, and when i tube with my buddy who has a bucks bag I smoke him and we have the same fins. its the tubes hull design that makes it jam through the water. And if your already spending at least 125 for a tube you get at sportmart just spend the extra hundred and get a fish cat. Also the area behind the backrest is great for a cooler, more tackle, shoes and stuff. I made a rod holder for it also with bungees and it works well. I have never looked back at any other tubes, those out there who has them will attest. chek at basspro they have em. my .02

[dog]

I went through several float tubes when I fount the Creek Company ODC 420, and the Trout Unlimited Tojiak. I really love both tubes and use the ODC 420 in the winter, you sit up really high and that will keep you warmer in the winter. The Tojiak I really like in the summer, you have more storage and I use it for night fishing as well. Both tubes are great but what ever you do make sure you get one with the storage area in the front. On both boats I have taken a bread knife and made the foam seat contoured more like a custom seat and now I can fish in it for hours. If you want pics just give me a pm and I can send them to you. Good luck with your choice.