With my college graduation money I'm thinking of getting a float tube set up and was wondering what you guys thought of this...

Outcast Fish Cat 4 Deluxe Float Tube, color pumpkin $189.00
Simms Freestone Waders $149.95 Anyone have experience with these?
Force Fins $119.00 Heard good things about these otherwise I might just get some cheaper ones.
TOTAL= $457.95

I will be using it mainly at the lakes around the bay... ie. Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs etc...
And I'm not entirely sure but do I need wading shoes or will the neoprene feet be fine inside the fin, and just wear sandals until I get in the water?

Erik P.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/3825-outcast-fc4-pumpkin.jpg

Save yourself the trouble of a tube and get a kickboat I made the mistake of buying a tube and totally regret it what a waste of money now I have a kickbaot and I am happy.

Y not to buy a tube............
Wont be able to cover much water
You sit in the water
If you fishing a crankbait and the fish runs it into the tube it pops
You cant see into the water because of glare

The good about a tube.........
Very Light

Y to buy a kickboat..............
You can cover 10x as much water as a tube
You can bring as much gear as you will ever need
Only your feet and shins fit the water
You can see fish w/ out glare
Comfortable
Pontoons are very tough

The Bad about a Kickboat...........
Some are pretty heavy and hard to move around

If you do get a kickboat an aluminum frame is a must usally making the whole think weigh around 60lbs. What one to get is debatale but IMO the shitiest kickbaot is better than the best tube.

I have a Fishcat 4 in blue. It's been good to me. As far as waders are concerned I got a pair of 3mm neoprenes from Cabela's for around $40 and have been very comfortable in them. I also have the Forcefins which I haven't been able to compare to others as I have only used these. My fishcat is not the deluxe and it looks just like your pic except that it is blue- and only cost me $139. If I had it to do over I would get a cheaper Caddis tube as my wife has one and they both are good little boats. I am now shopping for a used aluminum boat. When I want to cover more water that will do the job much better than the tube or a pontoon boat. I think you can have a lot of fun with a tube but I don't think you need to spend so much money. My opinion is- save on the waders and the tube by buying a lesser model of tube and get the Cabela's waders, by a Caddis rod holder along with the tube as you will really want a rod holder eventually anyway(I think they should be standard equipment on all tubes), go with the Forcefins and use the money you save on the tube and waders to buy other gear and/or tackle like a good lifejacket. Then go fishing and have fun.

I moved from a U-Boat 2000 to a fishcat 4 (not deluxe) about two months ago and like it very much. It manuvers well and I can place a small cooler behind the seat. I think the difference between the delux and the regular model is the seat. My seat is made from hard styrophone and works very well, it's comfortable. You may save some money by going with the regular fishcat 4.

I'm more with Taylor as I don't use my floattubes much anymore. Also going to depend on if you have a good vehicle to transport the kickboat as they are bulky and I know I have mine ready to go at a moments notice. Otherwise you have to break it down and set it up every time.

You can get a kickboat for $200 now and they are very decent. Also, nice thing about a kickboat is if you ever want to go down a little river, most are capable.

I'm against the force fins. I sold mine three months after I bought it when my Dad went out with me and absolutely blew me away with a cheap pair of diving fins. I now have some nicer diving fins (about $90) and I think you would be hard pressed to ever beat me with just fins (let alone force fins).

Anyway, you'll have fun either way and hope to see you on the water soon!

Oh, one other good point, boats will be able to see you much better in a kickboat. I've had too many close calls on the big lakes when I was in my tube. Just hard to see a little object like a tube.

Todd
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/toddiwamoto.htm

Save yourself the trouble and buy a kickbaot! You will thank me later!