Fish Cat Streamer Pontoon

[rkfiske]

Anyone have any experience with one of these? I was looking into getting a float tube (probably a fish cat 4 deluxe), but the idea of a small pontoon boat tempts me greatly. I like the advantage of being able to sit up and dry if I want and the use of oars is quite nice. I think deflated it'd still fit in my car as well. I was hoping someone had some input about it or maybe small pontoons in general.

[gabe]

I had the classic arrow backpacker pontoon. It was nice to have, but I'd go with a float tube next. Problem I had was that I had to fight the wind a lot more being higher on the water, compared to friends that were in tubes. Also took a bit longer to setup. Friends sure don't appreciate waiting around for yea. hehe... Anyhow the one I had was actually easy to setup, was nice to be out of the water and be able to have a cooler with a 12 pack in it. ha! and it wasn't too bad paddling back to shore for a quick * and then right back out again. You do still get wet once in a while but hardly. Mostly if you kick water up with you fins. I mostly paddle around to get to spots quick then just kick to troll around. I kind of wish I still had it now to float the O. No biggie.
so...
PROS: can carry beer, get around faster, and stay dry
CONS: get blown around, setup time, heavier (if wanting to hike to a lake)

[rkfiske]

Good to know! I will probably still end up with a float tube due to cost and the ability to go more places, but the idea of the streamer really intrigues me. It's kind of like a bridged gap between a real full on pontoon and a float tube. If I had my drothers, I'd probably rock a float tube and a kayak so I could cover a variety of situations but alas, I am not made of money

[NorcalBob]

Gabe's got it right!!!!
PROS: can carry beer, get around faster, and stay dry
CONS: get blown around, setup time, heavier (if wanting to hike to a lake)
Another one to add to the "pro's" list: can take a pee out of a pontoon without going back to shore!

[briansII]

The pee benefit should not be taken lightly!! Coffee, cold water and a float tube is a dangerous mix.

But, I think a float tube is more versatile. Especially if it's your first watercraft. A toon or kayak is the next logical step, but you can get by with a tube for a long time.

briansII

[Jim T]

Ryan,

I went thru that exact same decision process last year. Having never floated, I didnt' really know what I needed, especially since I wanted to float small ponds/lakes, big lakes, back county lakes, rivers, and bays. Plus I hardly knew anyone that had either.

The Streamer was a boat I gave serious consideration to, especially after I was up north on vacation and saw a guy with one out on a small lake (White Pines). It's one of the smaller pontoon boats I've seen so I thought transportation and storage would be easier. It looked more rugged than many of the inexpensive ones out there. Probably too big though to carry very far (55lbs). The final thing that kept me away from it at that time was that it had no rocker. Now it looks like there are either 2 versions (classic and IR (improved rocker) or Cabella's has all of the original models (Outcast's site is down today for some reason). The classic appears to really be meant for still water. I had in my mind at the time that I would want to float some rivers. It looks like Outcast has been slowly replacing all of their boats with the IR series (improved rocker) to handle a little rougher water.

I ended up getting a float tube that I could add a rowing frame to later (SuperCat) but have not done so yet. I love using it but not in the big lakes. It is a much more "intimate" experience compared to a toon as you are that much closer to the water. I also have been surprized by how often the wind comes up on lakes which is almost every afternoon you go out (never paid much attention before). It holds it's position well in the wind but it can be a tough kick back home. It does allow me to go almost anywhere except for places like upper Castaic and I don't feel comfortable using it in saltwater (done it once but couldn't get that darn tune out of my head ). There are also some places, like Pleasant Valley Reservoir, where you can tube but not toon. Then there are places you can't do either like Diamond Valley and Skinner.

For the big lakes, windy days, and moving water, I just got a pontoon boat 2 weeks ago. I've only had it out once so far. It was more work to set up (15 minutes) and I did feel more susceptible to the wind but once the wind really came up I was able to row back without too much effort (much less than kicking my tube). I'll be adding a trolling motor soon for just such occassions. I spent 3 days at Kelsey Ranch Bass Lake earlier this year and after fishing from 5am to 10pm each day my legs were shot. The guy with the motor was fresh as a daisy. The main reason I wanted the pontoon was for the standing platform (along with the motor). Not only can I can sight fish (I'm sure hoping we have some surface fish down here) but I can also stretch my back and pee easier (Brian forgot to mention age along with coffee & cold water ) I'm also looking into floating several rivers (just finished watching a video of the Green River and boy does that look nice).

Give me a call and I can get you out on both to compare the experiences.

Jim

[fly addict]

I think if I was to buy a pontoon boat. It would have to have the ability to stand up and cast, and float rivers. I was thinking of buying Dave Scaddens boat. But right know I don't fish lakes enough to cough up the cash for one.
If I get a place in Montana someday I think that I would get one!
Mark

[briansII]

Jim makes a good point about a float tube being more "intimate". A big part of why I would chose my tube over my toon, is being closer to the fish in smaller settings. Float tubing can be a very relaxing, serene way to fish.....it just sucks if you're in the middle of the lake with dimished bladder capacity.

Just a FYI. I have a Scadden with the standing platform option. Never used it. It's a good option if you know you'll use it, but I never felt like I had a big advantage by standing up. I'm sure if you were fishing for cruising trout, it could make spotting then easier......line control is an issue when you're standing. Downside is the boat is a lot heavier with the platform, and busier with the lean bar attachment. My boat is busy enough, without all that other stuff. No room for oars!



briansII

[Rollincast]

Never used a tube, but I am on my second toon. I have a little Outcast Discovery 8, this is perfect toon for me. Slides in the back of the truck with no problem. I never take mine down, it's always ready to fish. The only downside to the 8 footer is the weight capacity, I may have to sell it after the Holidays and get something bigger. It's very easy to row and great for using fins, I love the fact that I'm out of the water. Even though I'm alot younger than BriansII, I do like the fact that I don't have to hit the shore to empty the tank ( I wear waste high waders, very easy) every hour. It handles a little trolling motor just great, very easy to steer. No better way to get off the Forebay when the wind picks up, reach back and flip the switch.

I enjoy floating the Kern from the park to the lake......


BriansII helped me get it set up with all the latest electronics, battery, motor and fish finder....


A trip to the East side this year, finning and using the oars.........


I'm sure I'll get a float tube sooner or later, for now I'm pretty content with the little toon.

Randy

[Jim T]

Randy,

Didn't know you were a tooner. Looks like a nice setup. Do the carp actually pull you around in that thing or do you engage the trolling motor in full reverse?

Let's get together and hit some water (Kern or Kings).
Jim

[rkfiske]

Nice pontoons guys! Standing up was something I seriously thought about alot. I guess since I don't have any experience casting sitting down, it worries me in a float tube. I feel like I'd feel more comfortable from a standing position. Guess I'll have to learn how to do it. Out of curiosity, how long does it take to pump the pontoons up from being fully deflated? Is that a pain?

[meb]

I have a Outcast Streamer IR that I recently bought and an Outcast Fatcat. I bought one of the very first Fatcats (I've replaced the hard foam seat that they came with with an inflatable one that is much more comfortable) and I have had great service out it for a long time. However, I've wanted to get a pontoon boat for a number of years because of repeatedly long kicks into the wind on Crowley Lake that I really don't want to do anymore.

I like fishing out of the Fatcat more because you're closer to the water and it's more comfortable than the Streamer ( I'm going to buy a padded seat at some point). Also, more of your legs are in the water and there is less strain on your back when kicking. Plus, there's less junk to get hung up on.

The Streamer is difficult to carry for one person, not because it's really heavy at 55lbs, but because it's awkward. I bought a wheel system that works pretty well, but it cost a little over a hundred bucks. It fills up the back of my Tahoe leaving very little room.

The oars are great when you want to cover some water or go against the wind. You can also carry a lot more gear on a pontoon boat. The high platform and seat helps in casting.

If I was going to fish a small lake I would take my Outcast Fatcat, but I like the Streamer for Crowley or lakes where you want to cover long distances. I keep my Streamer assembled and hang it from the garage roof with pulleys, but it's kind of a pain in the rear end. It looks huge in the garage. I don't really plan on using the Streamer in rivers, but it's certainly capable. Maybe the Owens?

I guess it depends on what you plan to use if for. I like both of them. My buddy has one of those pontoons that Trout Unlimited authorized that is a little smaller, a lot cheaper, and a little easier to handle, and he seems happy with it.

Mark

[Ryan Sager]

I have a outcast float tube for the ponds and an outcast IR 9 for the lake. I haven't gone down the river yet. I plan to do the lower Kings soon. I would also like to float from Kernville park to the lake some time.

I leave my pontoon assembled in the garage because is takes a long time to setup if it is taken all apart. It is big enough so my son can it on the back.

Got blown right off the lake in Wofford Hts.

[rayfound]

Ryan, I think just for the flexibility of throwing it in the trunk of your car ( a small car at that), a tube is a better option for you. Way cheaper too.

The pontoons look awesome and I think would be a very deep rabbit hole, so to speak... I mean you have the ability to have a multi-rod holder, trolling motor, stand up platform, oars, fins, fish finder... and knowing you - you will end up getting all those things.

With a tube, you just jump in and go... and its awesome for small ponds here and there. (though you can't really float the owens in one safely)

[Jim T]

Ray,

Per your comment:The pontoons look awesome and I think would be a very deep rabbit hole, so to speak... I mean you have the ability to have a multi-rod holder, trolling motor, stand up platform, oars, fins, fish finder... and knowing you - you will end up getting all those things.

The float tube is also a deep hole : I have a multi-rod holder set-up, fins, & fish finder on my tube. I can also add a rowing frame for oars
http://www.supercat.us/site/412251/page/118491

There is even a trolling motor add-on option
http://www.bwsports.com/FloatPower.htm

The only option I can't add is the standing platform.

Ryan, as you can see, they're both risky.

Jim