So I finally had the time to head to the lake to try my Fishcat and I had a blast!! It moves really easy and it is relatively fast. I did notice that the storage are gets flooded so my cooler got all wet along with my other stuff. I was wondering if there is a reason for the little holes there and if covering would affect the performance. I also thought it would seat on top of the water but when I kicked water got all over the seat and my shorts got all wet, it was nice thou since it was a hot day. I didn’t manage to catch anything but I will be tubing as often as I possibly can.
In answer to your question, tape of the holes does not keep the area behind the seat dry. Or at least it didn’t when I tried it. Looks like if should but… Since I typically pack mine about 3/4 miles before suiting up and floating back downstream I bought a dry bag to store my street shoes, rain jacket, etc in. I also pack a small hand pump in case of a leak and to adjust according to temperature changes from 90+ deg. GA sunshine to 50- deg. river water.
Hmm, then the only thing I can think of is maybe a basket that fits in the back to keep the stuff dry. I mean, why have a storage area if it’s going to get flooded?!?!?! It doesn’t make a lotta sense to me but it’s not a lot considering how cool the tube is. I’ll try to figure something out and I’ll share with you later on.
I am not sure why the area behind the seat get wet when I covered the holes unless the water came over the top of the seat. I am thinking a 175 lb. fisherman might keep there but dry and cover the holes to keep the area dry. I’m about 2 1/2 pans of biscuits over 200 and put a little more down force on the seat.
I called outcast and Mike explained it’s not the holes but the bottom material what allows water inside the bow area. The only solution is a dry bag or plastic basket. Right now I’m working on a better apron option.
Hey Martin,
I’m thinking of gettng one of those also. What brand/kind of fins did you get. One other dumb question - when you paddle with your feet, I assume you move forward, in the direction you’re facing. I’m one of those slower than old dirt peopel and need visuals!
Thanks,
Mike
The dry bag works well and that was my solution too. I have a Coleman cooler that just fits in the bow area. Its just the right size that it will not tip over as it rides up a bit on the water.
Hey Martin,
I’m considering a Fish Cat. Two questions. What type of flippers/fins do you use? And, this may seem REALLY dumb, the pointed end is what goes forward so you are traveling with your body facing backwards, similar to rowing a boat.
Thanks,
Mike
I wear an old pair of creek company fins and they work just fine. And yes, the pointed end is what goes forward when you kick and you turn around to cast.
Hope this helps.
If I may be allowed to inject my two cents, when floating on a moving body of water I typically keep the “bow” upstream and follow my nymph floating down stream. It is pretty easy to stop by grabbing a log with your feet or hand, when fishing a lake I typically am casting back to shore and like to work the perimeter in a counterclockwise direction casting behind me to the shoreline for bream, etc. I wear waders, which is not necessary if you don’t mind a wet bottom. The water in the Chattahoochee is so cold wader are a necessity there for me and wool socks year round.
It is a FLOAT TUBE. You better hope the holes are there. You are sitting ON the water…in other words, you are in contact with water all the time. Water will go up over the seat.
Can any of you float in a V tube without your rear getting wet? I know I couldn’t. I had to wear either full or waist high waders.
Not if you close off that back area, it is going to fill up with water from the seat area…and start getting very heavy.
Outcast makes a dry bag in the shape of the back for that reason.
Again, it is a tube, not a pontoon.
I bet even Duckster gets a wet rear once in awhile, but that Navigator was a cool boat. I have the new model (Renegade). My seat area and behind is inflated. That inflated area is 4" off the water. I can wear hip waders and stay totally dry along with everything behind me. It is a pontoon.
It’s Sumner here in SoCal so I don’t wear waders, just surf shorts and booties, by the time I’m back in my car they are dry so I don’t mind getting wet. If it gets cold I’ll just just my pontoon. One thing I can tell you for sure, it is a lotta fun!!!
I can’t speak for CA. but some waters here have parasites in the warmer months. Causes very itchy rashes, not to mention, other waters I have had to pull leeches off my waders…
Now I am part Italian and dark skinned, but sitting for a long period of time, in water with just shorts on…good luck.
I have wore wading pants that dry fast before, just something to cover the skin. Even hospital scrubs.
As far as flippers, they are your life line, remember that. The weather turns bad and you are out a ways, you need to get off quick. I say if you have a smaller foot size then Force Fins. If you have a larger foot, then I say scuba. I have both FF and Omega’s and I feel they are the ultimate. I rarely use a motor on my Renegade now since I got these.
I have fished from a Fishcat 4 for many years. If you need to keep things dry (like lunch), just get a Sealine or similar dry bag. I use basic Caddis fins and they propel me just fine. I should use a fin tether, but never have made or bought them. You don’t want to lose a fin. One time I arrived at pond without my fins. It is impossible to move the tube without fins.
