was looking at either getting a tube or something like THIS since it may be me and a buddy going out. anybody use a raft life this for fishing?

With a raft like that you'll be fighting the wind much of the time. Not so with a tube.

+1

I have a raft that I use for some of my local ponds and creeks. The wind is the biggest factor. Even a slight breeze will move you around pretty easily. I'm working out an anchoring system so I can't pretty much stop any where that I want, but until then my arms get a good work out. One thing you should take into consideration is the max weight the raft can hold too. Mine is rated up to 400lbs which is way more than enough for me but if 2 people were in it, it would be stressed a little.
Here's a pic of the one that I have, but you should consider the wind as a major factor in your purchase.

The stress factor on your lower lumbar area with rafts and kayaks over long fishing days is also a major consideration, because of sitting/leg postion compared to a tube. Unless you can lie down flat inside. But then, you would lie in muddy water that you track in when you launch... And you probably have to load/unload everything and rinse down the inside bottom each time you go. A float tube has little or no loading/cleaning since everything is stored in zip pockets, even the rods can be rigged to lay flat with velcro staps.

Porta

I saw a guy try to fish out of a raft before. He looked so miserable. I let him use my tube while i took a lunch break. Tube all the way

with raft, maybe you'll be fighting the wind all the time.

Dude no on the raft trust me! I learned the hard way. Seems cheap and easy but it sucks all around. Do a tube or yak or buster boat. Thank me later

alright tube it is. anyone got a recommendation for an affordable, 100 bucks-ish, tube for a big guy, 265 lbs

While I was researching the tube I got, I noticed the pricing for tubes for big guys like you. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you wont find one like you want for a c-note new.

maybe find a used one, or look at ebay

boat

cool

This would work for you !!!

Probably would work, especially if you add an extra foam block in the seat bottom compartment. I float almost 3" above the water with 3 blocks and a total load of about 190# including equipment.

Porta