Float Tubes

[packer58]

Iv'e owned several of the round style float tubes over the years but looking at the U-Boat style here lately. For those that have owned the U-Boat style what are your likes and dislikes, let me know what brand and model your using.
One of the advantages other than comfort that I see is setting higher out of the water and staying warmer during winter / early spring fishing.

Thanks

 

[realunlucky]

Getting in and out is also easier. Sitting higher makes it faster to kick around. Both of mine are older so not going to recommend anything.

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[Ben Nicholson]

https://wildernesslitefloattubes.com/index.html

This is what I have. It’s great.

 

[rclouse79]

Sitting in the water with waders was never very comfortable.

 

[SteveCNJ]

Not the same animal but the Dave Scadden Skykomish Sunrise worked great for me. My experience with it has been on the West Branch of the Delaware and the Upper Delaware Rivers.

Dave Scadden's 2025 Skykomish Sunrise | davescaddensports

Dave Scadden literally invented the sport of pontoon craft fishing over 29 years ago. His innovative and functional designs have lead the industry ever since. The evolution of the double pontoon system boat has been defined by the Skykomish Sunrise. For over 8 years the Skykomish has been the #1...

www.davescaddenpaddlesports.com

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[packer58]

Those pontoon boats are nice for sure, but a to much for what I do......

 

[Frank Grimes]

From my experience, the best is the supercat. It’s like a small pontoon boat with out oars. It’s also easy to carry because it’s designed to be worn as a backpack when walking in to the lake. Perfect for day trips. You can adjust the seat height as well. Seems to be very durable. I bought mine used at a garage sale and it’s still going strong.
i still use a round boat if the hike in is longer or through slot of thick forest, because it fits inside my pack and I inflate it at the shore. But other then that I almost always fish from my supercat.

SuperCat | Lightweight Inflatable Kickboat for Anglers

SuperCat is the #1 packable fishing boat. Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry anywhere. Built for serious stillwater anglers.

www.supercat.us

 

[packer58]

Thanks Frank, I hadn't seen that model before. Very nice but too much for what I need.....

 

[Frank Grimes]

As far as just a uboat. The two brands I would look at are bucks bags or outcast. I’ve owned tubes from both and the quality is good. My round tube is a bugs bag, and I use a truck tire tube in it.

 

[JeffP_Or]

I use a Creek Company and have liked it; it was my first upgrade from a 'belly boat' innertube style [an old Browning model that lasted for decades before UV got the cover]. You are correct, you sit higher and see better; eae getting in and out is far superior as well. I have had mine for 5 or 6 years at least now and have had no issues with it. This one has the backpack strap options. Google up their website as they run annual sales on the two float tube options they still have [they also do the pontoon boat and rafts] - I bought the normal model for around $150. I even sewed a camo cover for mine and now use it for duck hunting [there is a small 'deck' behind where you sit for decoys; I made a tether for my shotgun using sling swivels and 1-inch webbing in case I drop the thing in the drink too.

Outcast has very good tubes as noted as well.

As for pontoon boats, they, like most things, have strengths and might open up opportunity. I don't like them because I like to fish - not row. They also have different laws [at least in Oregon - related to water safety.

Last bit of advice - get scuba fins from a scuba shop to kick your tube around with; float fins made by the float tube manufacturers are lame in comparison.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Good call in scuba fins.
i use force fins. It’s a total game changer

 

[Nickofthewoods]

https://wildernesslitefloattubes.com/index.html

This is what I have. It’s great.

I have one of these as well, purchased in 2015 and still going strong, they are great float tubes! Though if you aren't planning on backpacking with your float tube (not many people do) then I would pass on the Wilderness Lite Tubes. They are hands down the lightest and most packable tubes out there, but are sort of an expensive niche market specialty item.

My other Float Tube is a Caddis Nevada that I bought in 2013 for $65 on sale and has been bullet proof and I use it a lot. My advice is don't get a fancy high price model right out of the gate, they are fairly simple devices after all. Creek Company light weight Fins are my favorite Fins.

 

[Hondo]

I've owned a few u-tube and the one I liked fishing out of the most and lasted the longest was an Outcast. I ended up replacing it with an Outcast pontoon.

 

[packer58]

The OutCast looks pretty good but is back ordered everywhere iv'e looked, the Cumberland is also back ordered.

 

[Softtail103]

Not the same animal but the Dave Scadden Skykomish Sunrise worked great for me. My experience with it has been on the West Branch of the Delaware and the Upper Delaware Rivers.

Dave Scadden's 2025 Skykomish Sunrise | davescaddensports

Dave Scadden literally invented the sport of pontoon craft fishing over 29 years ago. His innovative and functional designs have lead the industry ever since. The evolution of the double pontoon system boat has been defined by the Skykomish Sunrise. For over 8 years the Skykomish has been the #1...

www.davescaddenpaddlesports.com

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I just ordered the new 2022 Skykomish Sunrise. Comes in grey now with the name removed from the center of the pontoons. Looking forward to fall fishing in eastern Washington.

 

[SteveCNJ]

I just ordered the new 2022 Skykomish Sunrise. Comes in grey now with the name removed from the center of the pontoons. Looking forward to fall fishing in eastern Washington.

Good luck you'll love it.

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[timmymac24]

I picked up an outcast fish cat in the bargain cave at cabelas several years ago had to buy a new foam piece for seat but otherwise perfect. They are solid tube and the post about buying the correct fins is spot on. Spend the cash on good waders and fins.