Will be fishing a sheltered small lake so wind will be no problem with these high riding tubes.

Which is the best tube? ( build quality, no. of bladders, etc)

Also is the Snowbee identical to the Fishcat tubes?

Thanks

Mark

I think you might look at the Creek Co ODC420 to compare it for similarities, rather than the Outcast Fishcat series.

The ODC420 is in-between the Fish Cat 4 and Fat Cat in dimensions.

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

For me a shakespeare expedition, the only tube I've used but the second I've owned. For me I think you MUST put safety first and you are right to ask the questions you have. I've used my shakey about 20 times now and its pretty much for me sound as when it arrived, so build quality seems fine. The 5 bladders are all lifejacket quality and the tube for me is ace, the only addition for me is the sparton seat cushion which for me sorts out the only issue the shakey has, though I've not used mine in high winds so can't comment on its performance in those conditions.

The other tube I owned was a cheapo off ebay that had a single lower bladder of really cr@p quality like a kids lilo... Go out in 50 foot of 10degs water for a few hours? It doesnt really take much thought.

Then again, whatever floats your boat!

Had my first outting on the new Snowbee tube yesterday. Went for it over the drifter after speaking to one of the guys from Sportfish. I found very few reviews on the web about the snowbee, except from snowbee themselves which is a bit pointless (needless to say they recommended it!).
But having used it yesterday for about 5 hours, it is a cracking tube. Very comfy, you are seated above the water so casting and visibility was good. Plenty of storage and very easy to manoeuvre. I like the extra safety of the foam blocks for the seat and backrest, but this is not great for storage afterwards. All in all a great tube.

Guideline Drifter for me, been using mine now for a few years and on some big, wind-swept Lochs - never had so much as a sniff of an issue, love it.




Dougie

I use the snowbee, absolutely no complaints. Very stable tube even in big wave/strong wind.

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23rd March 2010 Ross County 2 Hibernian 1

The shakespeare expedition tube has 5 bladders. I've got a Sparton Cruiser - same number of tubes...you couldn't sink either of those even with a shotgun !

Nigel

I fish from an Outcast Fat Cat and I wouldn't swap it for anything else.
I have fished from the Sparton / Shakespeare tubes and the Fat Cat is more comfortable, drier, more maneuverable and warmer.

How would you compare the Fat Cat (which has a higher seat) compared to the Sparton/Shakey as regards handling in a cross wind?

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

I haven't experienced any problems with wind, but I tend not to fish on wild windswept lochs.
The advantage of fishing higher up in the tube means that my arms and shoulders are freer to move and this aids casting and retrieving.
The large flat seat is much more comfortable that the "sling: type seats in other tubes. my previous tube was a caddis, and the seat cut into the back of the thighs.
Because of the higher seating position much less of me is in the water, making it much warmer. Having said that, for the same reason I find it works much better with a decent set of fins.
All in all, for me, the advantages greatly outweigh any disadvantages and I am very happy with my choice.