Northwest Fishing Reports

I know, I know...by now you've all seen me go from canoe to pontoon boat (borrowed) now I'm looking at float tubing. As with most major decisions in my fishing life, I need to consult with my "fishing family" prior to getting a float tube.

Here's the situation:
Can't afford a bass boat right now AND no place to store even a small aluminum boat...can't justify the $300 bucks for a decent pontoon boat + all the "other" gear that goes with a pontoon...I just need a way to get out on the lake.

If you would, give me your "2 cents" on float tubes, pros vs. cons. I'm looking at the Fish Cat 4 pretty seriously, seeing how it sits out of the water a little higher than others. I'm thinking that's a good thing moving into winter.

Thanks in advance.

Bassackwards

No personal experience with them, but it does limit you on number of rods and gear you can take with you. Your looking at a small assortment of tackle and a rod...

Yup what sam said. And you still need fins, waders and a pump. Get an inflatable raft like a sevylor or something

Bassackwards,

I also have a "FatCat" tube, the maker escapes me at the moment. You can just google it. This tube is very nice that it sits mostly out of the water. You sit on a foam sort of cushion. You are in the water from the just below your knees. I wouldn't wear waders with this setup unless it was pretty darn cold, like winter time. The Fatcat will def. hold you. Don't buy one of those little Fred Meyer $50.00 tubes, will have the water line at around your chest. Also see if the one your looking at has a good air stem. Something besides just a little piece of plastic that can strip. You can do just fine in a tube on most of the urban lakes, and if you go to say Coulon or Samm. just tell yourself that you are only going to cover a certain area.......so as you aren't dissapointed to not be able to cover a real large area.

Check out this similar one on CL. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/spo/432089037.html
I think it retails for $300.00 probably without fins, pump etc. (he is asking $175.00)

The manafacuteres website is http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdispla ... loat+Tubes

Good luck,

Chris ( guy who carried the bbq into Coulon)

fishing season pretty much done for tubes. im almost ready to call it quits for the season as well.

:king:

so you have a long time to think this out. dont jump the gun on this one as you might have other options. wait until the club starts up

LINK:
- http://www.washingtonlakes.com/Forum/vi ... php?t=1465

find a suitable fishing partner, and you may able to split a purchase of a boat. with a suitable fishing partner, you can also store the boat at their house.

from january to march you can find a ton of deals on

LINK:
- http://seattle.craigslist.org/

ive sold a bunch of boats for less than $300 there. that included a motor and battery as well. from there all you need is a set of quality oars [trust me you need them], pfds and to register it if you want to fish the bigger lakes.

you can probably get by with spending less than $200 / person for a used boat purchase. once finished with the boat, you will always recoup the amount of money spent.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Like I said, I'm not trying to decide what type of water craft to buy, I'm trying to decide what type of FLOAT TUBE to buy.

I looked at all the inflatables and pontoons on Craigslist and just about every retailer in Western Washington, I was looking for your personal experience with a perticular float tube, "pros vs. cons"

I've got my "compact" gear already put together, including my two rods. I'm not too worried about the lack of tackle. After all, I pretty much go out with a specific species in mind (BASS).

Chris: Thanks for the PM. I think Fish Cat makes the Fat Cat. I'm probably gonna go down this week and pick up a Fat Cat 4. They run about $149 + fins + waders. I look forward to fishing with you.

T-Dot: YOU'RE DONE FISHING FOR THE WINTER???? Come on man, get your jacket on and get out there. The fish are still there, just a little deeper. LOL By the way, I was the one in the blue pontoon that you were talking to on Lake Wash. the day of the BBQ. You should've joined us for a burger, Quadradomus was slingin patties and brauts when we got done fishing.

Thanks again everyone.

Jon

bassackwards wrote:T-Dot: YOU'RE DONE FISHING FOR THE WINTER???? Come on man, get your jacket on and get out there. The fish are still there, just a little deeper. LOL By the way, I was the one in the blue pontoon that you were talking to on Lake Wash. the day of the BBQ. You should've joined us for a burger, Quadradomus was slingin patties and brauts when we got done fishing.

Thanks again everyone.

Jon

so you were the ones with the guns for the motors

:king:

i was looking for the tables before i found you guys, but i couldnt locate them. i just came by as we were in the area. so i stopped to say hi and all. i couldnt stay as i had prior fishing arragements, and let me tell you it was one trip of a lifetime.

maybe we should do an indoor thing before the year it out.

i know i know, there is still fishing time left, but im the one usually compaining how cold it is, and how much rain we are getting. im still looking to pickup waterproof socks and getting a heater.

T Dot wrote:

bassackwards wrote:T-Dot: YOU'RE DONE FISHING FOR THE WINTER???? Come on man, get your jacket on and get out there. The fish are still there, just a little deeper. LOL By the way, I was the one in the blue pontoon that you were talking to on Lake Wash. the day of the BBQ. You should've joined us for a burger, Quadradomus was slingin patties and brauts when we got done fishing.

Thanks again everyone.

Jon

so you were the ones with the guns for the motors

:king:

i was looking for the tables before i found you guys, but i couldnt locate them. i just came by as we were in the area. so i stopped to say hi and all. i couldnt stay as i had prior fishing arragements, and let me tell you it was one trip of a lifetime.

maybe we should do an indoor thing before the year it out.

i know i know, there is still fishing time left, but im the one usually compaining how cold it is, and how much rain we are getting. im still looking to pickup waterproof socks and getting a heater.

That was us!!! BigBassDez, EdmondsBassMan (w/ the trolling motor) and myself. The whole picnic area got all screwed up by the "National Carpenters Union" picnic. I had it all taped off and Quadra had his BBQ chained up in the same area. The Carpenter dudes showed up and took it all down, kicked us out basically. Sorry about the confusion. Maybe next time.

A HEATER??? Just pee in your neoprene waders, best heater around, AND environmentally friendly LMAO

T Dot wrote: im still looking to pickup waterproof socks and getting a heater.

Coleman makes a heater that has a base designed to fit in a cup holder. It would probably work really good in a boat.

Heater Link

Hey Jon
You should keep your eye out on Craigslist for a pontoon. I know that is where Dez got his for $150 and now that the season is winding down there most likely will be guys who are getting rid of there pontoon for the next best thing. I will keep an eye out too for a good deal and will contact you if I find something.

You're a good man Jason...I'm gonna let you buy it for me for Christmas (I know we said we weren't exchanging gifts this year)...but you insisted LOL

I appreciate the "eye"...

bassakwards,

Don't know if you got a float tube yet. I have a Caddis that I've been using for about three years now. Don't remember the model, but it's a U-Boat type with the bar across. Joe's usually has them on sale every spring for about $79. I like it quite a bit. Really roomy, couple big pockets on the sides that hold a lot of gear, backrest, apron, etc. Doesn't sit super high in the water, but much higher than the older round-model tube I had for a long time. Anyway, maybe just another option for you.

Suzanne

I was down at the Outdoor Emporium this afternoon and saw they had a pretty decent selection of float tubes, including one on sale for $250. I've noticed most of their prices are much lower than Joes, not to mention a large selection.

Outdoor Emporium is on 4th Ave S just South of SafeCo Field next to Filson.

EastsideRedneck wrote:I was down at the Outdoor Emporium this afternoon and saw they had a pretty decent selection of float tubes, including one on sale for $250. I've noticed most of their prices are much lower than Joes, not to mention a large selection.

Outdoor Emporium is on 4th Ave S just South of SafeCo Field next to Filson.

I'm down there at least once a week, love that place. I'm not too kean on the employees though. For that kind of money, I'd get a Fish Cat 4 at Creekside Angling (Issaquah), sit's high in the water, employees are REALLY good guys and it's a Fish Cat for $149

I'm still gonna check out O.E. again.

Thanks for the tip.

Hey Jon
There is this one for $100 on craigslist right now.There are several other ones but this was the least exspensive. Search pontoon in Boats and sporting sections. here is the link for the $100 one. http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/spo/441197253.html

Careful about that $100 dollar one, I've seen those new for $100 and they are pretty bare looking pontoon boats. Step up in quality a bit if the budget allows and you will find a better pontoon boat.

I agree Sam but I wasn't sure how much he is willing to spend. I think in the 200 to 400 range offers a good pontoon.

Thanks Jason, I agree with Sam, if I'm gonna spend $100 I might as well put a few more into it and get one that's gonna last a while.

Plus, I have to LOOK COOL....especially around you high dollar folks with TROLLING MOTORS...LOL

I apprciate the heads up.

Very funny Jon! how about this you can just ride b*#!h on the back of mine! I'll get you a pontoon for x-mas if you buy me a fish finder for my cadillac pontoon! LOL oh and some bacon!

EdmondsBassMan wrote:Very funny Jon! how about this you can just ride b*#!h on the back of mine! I'll get you a pontoon for x-mas if you buy me a fish finder for my cadillac pontoon! LOL oh and some bacon!

DEAL!!! I'd like the Fish Cat Cougar ($699) and I'll get you the Fishin Buddy ($99) fish finder...you're a good friend Jason!!! LOL

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