phat tube vs. float tube

[newfly]

Has anyone used one of these. http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=44941&hvarDept=175&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=5&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse
Whats the difference in this and a float tube. I dont have the money for a pontoon.

[Bob M]

JD uses one and likes it. ...for large water. We refer to it as the Titanic. It will serve somewhere between a tube and a 'toon. You don't have the mobility for crawling around a shoal that you would in a tube with suspenders. You sit up higher like you do in a toon. It might be a little safer than a tube, (if you are wearing your PFD, and wear your PFD) You don't have the oars like you do with a 'toon. You can get it into access points that are a pain in the patoot with a 'toon.

[merganser]

I think that would be great on ponds or real slow moving water. The long tubes underneath are going to raise you up and help you see more water. They are also going to raise you center of gravity and add weight and make you more unstable.

I would not want to wade a lot of shoals with that rig. I also would not want to climb a tough riverbank with it if you had to get out in a spot you did not plan on ( don't ask me how I know ) but I think it would be good for flat water.

I think Cabella's sells some models like that too.

[deltaflyer]

The Phat Tube is a rebranded Waterskeeter Day Tripper. It's also sold by Orvis rebranded as well. I have a Waterskeeter. It's a great pontube, very stable and easy to fish from and it's fairly easy to walk/wade in. It does get blown around in the wind beacuse it sits high in the water. It also seats you out of the water so you'll stay warmer in cold water during a long float. I have used mine in the Hooch at all the typical spots and never had any trouble at all. If you did flip it, it's easier to escape from than a round sit in tube. I love mine and would recommend it to anyone. Here's a link to Waterskeeters online dealer:

http://www.oregonfishing.com/detail.aspx?ID=109

Go to Waterskeeters site and scan thru the gallery and you'll see a picture of someone in the tube... that way you can see how big it is and see why it's so stable.

www.waterskeeter.com