The Outcast Fish Cat Streamer XL

Is this the start of a new love?

When I first thought about a pontoon boat it was the time I was upset with my big polyester boat with an electric outboard engine. Yes it was comfortable and I reached each location with ease but it had more drawbacks than benefits. Latest when I increased the number of fishing waters I reached the limit with such a hard shell boats. Carrying by trailer was never up for a discussion and buying one for every water would have blown my wallet. So I was looking for an alternative and I found it with the belly boat “Outcast Super Fat Cat”. I really love that piece of plastic and fabric so much that I’ll never give it away. It’s easy to handle, perfect for fishing and small enough to carry it from water to water. In less than 5 minutes it is ready to go fishing.

The Outcast Fish Cat Streamer XL-IR. First I was curious to try it, second it offers more possibilities to mount things on it, such as a DSLR and third which is my major reason I own now one because it is faster on the water. The biggest drawback of a belly boat is that it is slow. Moving between spots is really a hard fun. When do so you get thick thighs. The pontoon boat now closes the gap because it offers the possibility to row, which is it’s biggest feature. And it is fast. At least three times as fast as a normal belly boat. And I’m using already very good diving fins used for dry suit diving. No comparison to the fins you can buy as accessories to bellys. So I see the pontoon boat as a range extender for all belly boat floaters who need to change spots frequently or where the distance between spots is big.

My first impression! When I first saw the package that came by the courier I was shocked because I expected something a little bit smaller. It must have been mental confusion. The boat is 8 feet long and has a metal frame. I don’t know why I thought it would be small. I drove it to the water and start unpacking it. The next thing I expected to be different was the manual. It’s more explained in words than by pictures. But that’s just a minor obstacle on the way to the water. Once assembled first you know how it works and in the ideal case you don’t need to dismantle it anymore. At least not entirely.

On the way to the water you have to show some muscles because it is not as lightweight as a belly boat, yes because it is bigger and more stable with the metal frame. But once in the water it is unbeatable. All the worries and minor troubles on the way up to the water are gone. It’s, as I said, really fast. Not only rowed but also powered by the fins. Changing direction is as easy as with the belly and because of the higher seating position its also more comfortable. Yes even standing up is of course possible. Needless to say that it is stable like a hard shell boat. It has two big compartments each side and on the back a big storage space for everything else you want to take along. Bags, cooler, even the a battery for an optionally mounted electric engine fits there.

Changing spots makes now much more fun and is easy and will let me more time for fishing. I was really impressed on my first attempts. This is the start of a long term review. I will now try the boat extensively this season and will let you know how I will think about it in a few months when the season is on his peak. Will I like it or will i not? The answer you will find here.

Facts & Specs

Recommendation: The optional available Outcast Wheel System looks to me as it will solve the weight issue. With it, bigger distances to the water will be no issue anymore. In addition I recommend a bigger pump or even an electric one. The air chambers are much bigger and need therefore more air. Unless you want to be K.O. even before you are on the water.

And if you are already now convinced and want to buy the Outcast Pontoon Boat, here is a recommendation from me where you can buy your pontoon. I got mine from Rudi Heger Fly Fishing. It is available at the web shop together with many many more other cool gear. A very good stocked shop and fully competent in all matters of fly fishing. Also known to offer his customers each possible service they need.

For more infos stay tuned. I will let you know about my experiences with my Streamer XL

Details

greets
Philipp