Outcast Fish Cat Streamer XL-IR Pontoon Float....
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By:
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admin
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Mood:
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- Boat, Float Tube & Kayak Reviews
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Date:
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Nov 21, 2009
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Music:
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None
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Get Away From the Crowds With Outcast Fish Cat Streamer XL-IR Pontoons
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like our trout streams and lakes are getting more and more crowded by the week. Of course, this can be a good thing considering that the trickle-down effect of new anglers will result in more money for conservation efforts and a prospering fishing industry, but that offers little in the way of solace for the fishermen who just want a small bit of solitude on their infrequent days off of work.
There is a solution: purchase a personal watercraft. Because I have had enough of combat-fishing and having to stake out my favorite runs long before the hatch comes off, I decided to get a hold of a small pontoon boat. The choices are diverse and every make and model of boat has it's pros and cons. After much deliberation, I went with the Fish Cat Streamer XL- IR Pontoon Boat by Outcast and am I glad I did.
The maiden voyage was last summer on the South Fork of the Boise River in Idaho. When considering specifications, what attracted me to the Fish Cat Streamer XL-IR was its short length and moderate price (under $650). Because I do not have a huge SUV, the fact that this boat is just 96-inches in length made it possible to load it - fully inflated - into my Subaru Outback wagon. Also, it was a breeze getting this vessel from the vehicle to the water. There are less expensive and pricier pontoons on the market, so I wanted to see if I really liked fishing from this type of boat before going with a fancier model.
Water conditions were typical for this first outing - 1100 cubic feet per second - perfect floating water. I thought I would beat the crowds by arriving late at around 10am, but the increasing popularity of this wonderful rainbow trout fishery proved me wrong as there were several groups of anglers still waiting at the launch. Much to my pleasure, the Outcast FishCat Streamer Float Tube handled very well with just the 6-foot oars, and the built-in anchor system worked as intended when I wanted to stop and work several pods of rising fish.
All in all, I must say that I am very happy with this investment as it served its purpose of getting me away from the crowds. Its maneuverability enabled me to keep my distance from the bigger rafts and drift boats with ease while allowing for a level of stealth that let me sneak up on active trout without being noticed. Although the included features (ergonomic seating, aluminum oars, mesh cargo deck and adjustable foot bars) are minimal at best, for someone new to the pontoon market, I have been more than satisfied with the Outcast Fish Cat Streamer XL-IR Boat. This is the perfect craft for those who want to beat the weekend crowds without breaking the bank.
The float tube is available online at www.BassPro.com.
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