Outcast Cougar

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Ted, ol' buddy, just got back in town. You posted as I was heading out. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I love the Cougar...but not as much as a good tube. I just made the conscious decision that for the type of fishing I do most, a tube works best. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My "style" is quiet "hands free" finesse fishing...with fly, spin or baitcasting tackle. I fish light lures on light gear and need to maintain perfect position and to be 100% aware of what is going on at the other end of the line at all times. A tube and some good fins let me do that efficiently, even in light breezes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The "checkout cruises" with the Cougar proved that I still have the ability to make a rowed vessel skim across the water, covering much more distance more quickly than I could with any tube on the market. And, I could also move around and maintain position fairly well with fin power alone...although it did require more energy than with a tube. BUT...as soon as the first zephyrs came whispering across the water, my fishing went south. I had to drop the rod and grab the oars just to stay in the general vacinity of any spot I wanted to fish. And as the breeze grew stronger, I was virtually out of business...fishingwise.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Part of my disenchantment with the toon, compared to a tube, was that everything was less handy to reach. Lots more bending over and reaching farther for rods, tackle, nets, etc. The offsetting advantage was that I sat up higher, for greater casting distance and line control.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If I liked to troll...or cover a lot more distance on my trips...then I would also have a pontoon...with an electric motor. But, for me and my preferred type of fishing the pontoon was a distant second to a tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We have several previous discussions on Cougars vs other toons on the Best of the Best collections. In a nutshell, they offer a lower profile and quad air chambers. If that is important to you from a safety standpoint, then factor it in. The downside of that is that there is more "footprint" in the water, with greater water resistance. The lower profile catches less wind, and the greater water resistance slows drift, but it also makes it more difficult to propel.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Cougars are only 8'. They should be at least a foot longer to qualify for taking them down moving water. Regulations vary by state and recommendations vary by waters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hope my answer was worth waiting for and that you were sufficiently entertained by the peanut gallery in my absence.[/#0000ff]
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[Dryrod]

[cool][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Thanks Pat for the feedback. Couldn't expect a better write up even if it was coming from Field & Stream or some other notable publication. Stay well.[][/size][/green][/font]
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[macfly55]

... I have said it before and I will say it again.. I truely enjoy reading your posts.. so informative without any flowering...

.. as a proud member of the peanut gallery I dont have a problem waiting for your reply..

... you said the cougar was only 8' long and should have another foot.. since I was curious as to what all the big words like quad toons and kickboats meant I did some looking on line and if I remember right from that searching outcast also makes a 9000 with quad toons that is 9' long... it may be a little pricier but it does give another option to look at..

..now to take it a bit further,, how would the cougar work in a stillwater environment where the angker tends to hug the shore more than being the open water?

MacFly [cool]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]There is a longer model called the Panther...9 feet long. I am not taking the time to check right now, but there may be a 9 foot model Cougar too. The Panther has the same "quad" air chambers...two on each side...for the additional safety and more stable ride. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]For anglers up to 300 pounds or more, with full gear and an electric motor, the standard 8 foot Cougar would be a fine ride for the average stillwater anglers. It would probably survive a rough ride down white water too, but some states have a minimum size restriction of 9 foot pontoons.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, like most Outcast products, the Cougar is well made, with a quality frame, urethane bladders, Halkey Roberts valves, a sturdy rear platform, etc. It is a good value.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Now pick up the peanut shells and go fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[macfly55]

... [sly] yes em boss.. I hope to go out fishing this weekend.. and if I lucky Ill be taking my grandson with me.. doesnt get any better than that..

MacFly [cool]
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