HI-New To The Board & Have Questions

[Ghostrider]

Hey there all, found this site while perusing google for float tube info.

I first bought a Trout Unlimited Togiak, but after reading reviews on Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's sites, even here, I changed my mind & returned it. I then bought the Outcast Fish Cat 4. I would have wanted a Fat Cat, but Bass Pro Shops does not sell that model.

After reading reviews mostly about the Fat Cat series, I really want one, but my money is spent at BPS. I brought home the FC4 & inflated the bladders, I needed to see how easy it was to install the foam & inflate it. Very simple, I don't think I'll have a problem when I make my maiden voyage in June, when the water warms up.

I'll be mostly be bass, bluegill fishing w/ the FC4, using baitcasters & spinning reels. I'll in times use my flyrod too, but I mostly want to use for bass fishing.

I like how the FC4 looks, it's smaller than I would have liked. I am 200 lbs, I think it should hold my weight & keep me higher up than the Togiak, but it does look "cramped". The side pockets aren't all that wide to even put a medium sized tackle storage box in. I think I will need to buy a couple water proof storage boxes & put those in the bow of the FC4. I'll probably keep my wallet, cell phone & keys in one of the side pockets inside a waterproof bag. I think in the other side pocket I can keep bags of plastic worms & other accessories in. The pockets on the Togiak looks bigger & wider than the FC4. Anyone confirm this for me?

I've not float tube fish before, so I am excited to try it out & be able to reach areas that I couldn't while fishing from shore. I know that living in So Calif, the float tube would have been a blast, but it wasn't my thing then. We moved to Indiana about a year & a half ago. It's cheaper for me to go to school full time & pay a mortgage here in Indiana. Mid-life crises, I'm going to school for radiology.

I do have certain things for float tube fishing that I bought. I bought breathable waders, fins, flats neoprene booties, 1 rod holder, & an inflatable PFD. I think those are the neccessaties, right? I do want to add an anchor, but I'm not finding one that I think would hold if the wind kicks up. I see on BPS that they sell a 1 lb anchor, but I don't think that is adequate. I am looking for one that is about 5 lbs, so I think a cannonball for trolling may fit my needs, since they sell 5 lb cannonballs. What do you guys think of this idea?

Since I will not be able to use the FC4 for a couple more months, I can just admire it on top of the ping-pong table, please tell me more about this float tube. Will I be sitting high at being 200 lbs? Will it be stable enough? What problems may I encounter using the FC4?

It seems that the FC4 is quite popular because of the price, but it just looks small to me.

Thanks for reading my first post, I do look forward on chiming in from time to time. I hope to post pics of fish caught & released & some scenery of where I fish.
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[tubeN2]

Wecome aboard Ghostrider and welcome to the world of float tubing. I'm sure you will like your ride. I also own the FC4. It is quite comfortable.

You are right about the pockets though. The Fat Cat and the Super Fat Cat have alot more pocket space. For the price and for a starter tube, you made a pretty good choice.

As far as the anchor system goes, you could use the 5lb ball as you described or you can make one out of a 2liter bottle and fill it with sand.

We do look forward to your reports and pics. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.[cool]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. Love your handle and avatar pic. I guess you are wacko enough to become a tuber.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You did well to choose the FC4 over the Togiak...especially if you want larger pockets. The Trout Unlimited craft all have wimpy pockets designed for lint flingers (fly fishing). No room for a respectable tackle box unless you take a blade and cut out the partitions between the pocket. shouldn't have to start cutting on a new tube just to make it work.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The pockets on the FCR ARE a bit smaller then the Fat Cats. But, they are large enough to hold some decent sized compartmented boxes. Forget the big tackle box for tubing. Much better to arrange just a few of what you think you will need in smaller boxes and then arrange them in the side pockets. We all take way more than we need anyway, and tubing forces us to think it over better.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You also have the compartment behind the seat. You can store some extra stuff in there...but use a dry bag or a plastic storage bin. it is not waterproof.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]FC4s are being used by lots of guys over 200 pounds. You will float high enough, but you would enjoy the extra space and floatation of a Fat Cat. I am WELL over 200 pounds and have used the Super Fat Cat for about 4 years. That is 3 years longer than I have ever fished from any other tube in 50 years of tubing...which I started as a kid in Southern California.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't worry about the anchor. If the wind gets too strong to fish without one, get off the water. You can't fish well in the wind anyway. I have tried a lot of anchors, including a simple mesh bag with shoreline rocks. They work to hold you steady but they also get your legs (and fish) wrapped in the cord. Better to watch the weather and find somewhere else to be when the wind gets too strong.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Be patient and continue to do your homework. It won't be long until you can get out and become better acquainted with your new fishing buddy. As we usually advise, it is better to make your first splashdown without tackle, so you can get used to using the fins and maneuvering your tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know when you "take the plunge". I think you will be pleased with how well your FC4 floats and handles. It really is a good tube...not just a price thing.[/#0000ff]
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[Fishheiser]

Welcome Ghostrider. I am new to tubing also but I can chime in on a couple questions. I have a FC4 also and I weigh 200 lbs and I feel that I sit high in my tube with the water only barely going above the top of the seat. Tubedude is right about the tackle box. I also do alot of bass fishing and I bought 1 hard plastic case that holds like 12 hard baits and a couple of the BPS soft cases for my plastics,jigs,spinners,buzzbaits and they fit nicely in my tube pockets. Like I said before I'm very new to tubing but I know that I'm happy with my FC4 and really can't wait for the topwater bite to start with the bass.
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[Majja]

Welcome Ghostrider, I just want to ask did you do any skateboarding in the 80's as I love the graphics form P&P boards. As others have said you have a good tube there. As far as tackle goes liek the others have said just use a couple of small boxes and pick and choose a few of this and a few of that. Or you can always do like TubeN2 does and drag around a 14' aluminim boat with tackle, bigscreen and freezer. hehe []. If you want to get out earlier to just take her for the shake down cruise drop some one of those little chem hand warmers in each foot between the layers of socks and it will keep your feet nice and toasty. This seams to work well as I have been in water temps as low as 38-40 degrees in breathables and have been good to go.

Majja
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[flygoddess]

[size 1]If you want to get out earlier to just take her for the shake down cruise drop some one of those little chem hand warmers in each foot between the layers of socks and it will keep your feet nice and toasty. This seams to work well as I have been in water temps as low as 38-40 degrees in breathables and have been good to go.

Majja [/size]


[#0080ff][size 3]Come on Majja, we don't need no stinkin foot warmers. If we use them, then you will never get us off the water![laugh][/size][/#0080ff]
[#0080ff][size 3]I even like the idea of a bunch of littler boxes. Makes life so much easier, specially with a nice big label on the outside stating what is in the box.[/size][/#0080ff]
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[Majja]

Oops i guess ohh I mean yea just good socks. But like Fg said there are all kinds of different options. Smaller bigger ect.
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[Ghostrider]

The Powell-Peralta Bones is my favorite & yes I did skateboard in the 70-80's....when I was "young". Glad that you noticed what it was. That bones skull going to be a tattoo on on my right shoulder blade one of these days, I hope I'm not too old to enjoy it!

Flygoddess, your avatar intrigues me. Is that of you or just a pic form somewhere? I would like to get a better pic of that, please.
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[Majja]

That will be some good ink, and as far as I go you are never to old to enjoy good ink. Well as you can tell I am also a former "skater" hehe form the 80's and early 90's . My first deck had that logo on it and was hot pink. Man I miss those days some times.
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