I know posts like this probably come up kind of often, so I appologize. I'm looking for my first float tube, something up to $200 or so. I want something that will sit me as high up as possible, while still being stable and comfortable. I'll probably mostly be bass fishing in lakes, maybe some trout on the fly too. From your experiences, can you guys help me narrow the field? I've been looking at the Fish Cats and the TU Kennebec and Togiak. I'm open to other suggestions. Thanks!

- BG

Hi, I have a water skeeter float tube. I have used it several times this year and I wouldn't trade it for nothing. I set above the water and can really get a round my local lake (the d-dam). I also have an old caddis simi-round float tube that I got last year. I used it alot. It did ok.
If you go on ebay, search: float tubes. there is a really nice water skeeter. It's brand new... they go for around $300.+ this one on ebay is going for $150. buy it now... I was thinking about buying it, just to have an extra float tube. I ended up buying something else...

Good luck, bassnskeeter :-)

If you want a float tube that sits high, the Water Skeeter Day Tripper :-)

But, for $200 you could also get an ODC Sport. It's a pretty good little kickboat. Especially for the price!

I was seriously considering the water skeeter also. I heard from one person that it was a little easy to tip forward of back in it, but it sounds like that might not be true? One thing I would like to do is to strap the tube to my back and carry it down to the water, it doesn't look as possible with this one, or is it? It seems a little big in general, do you guys have any difficulty manuevering in tight places?

Thanks! :-)

Also, has anyone seen or used the new Creek Company ODC 420 yet? (That new one similar in design to the outcast/fishcat)

Hi, I have had no problems getting around with my skeeter. I have also never had a problem with tipping back or forward in it.
It is a big float tube, I think its about five feet long and about four or five feet wide. It's got lots of room for storage. I also have a rod holder on the side of it and I pull around a homemade livewell with no problems.
If your going to be at coyote lake this saturday, I will let you take it out. See if you like it, before you buy one. My skeeter is blue/olivish green sort'a. I should of been a float tube dealer, just kidding...

See ya there, bassnskeeter :-)

I have only heard good things about the kennebec - from what i hear it's a really stable tube that keeps you mostly out of the water. I was having trouble deciding between a Caddis Nav2 and the Kennebec and only went with the Caddis because i saw it at the store (would've had to wait for the Kennebec only a few days but i was pretty anxious to hit the lake immediately for the first time with a tube)

I sold my Kennebec and my Togiak the 1st chance I got. They have some of the worst valves on the market x( The outer housing and zippers are cheap as well. I've had my Day Tripper for about 3 years with no problems.

ODC Sport on sale at Cabela's for $175. Water Skeeter Day Tripper sells for $199 at Cabela's.

Question about the ODC sport pontoon (basically all pontoons)- how easy to disassemble are they for transport? I'd need to fit it in my truck, with some other stuff too. Can the pontoons be deflated while still attached to the frame? Can the whole thing be folded up somehow? I want to still be able to get set up in 10 min or less. Thanks!:)

10 minutes or less is hard. Even with a tube :o But most guys can be set up and on the water in less than 30 minutes. And that's for the guys that have to completely break down their boats each time. Most of the boats all rely on some type of detent pin to assemble the frame. You simply line up the holes and push the pins in. No tools required :-)

I kept my ODC 816 in the trunk of my car with the pontoons attached to the frame. I could get it put together and pumpped up in abount 10 to 15 minutes. In my opinion they are not that much harder to store and transport then a float tube.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have-yous