119 oops old Fred just died...118! Update on old Fred
" Fred P. Smith of Clammouth Falls, Died this weekend in a freak fishing accident. According to authorities, Smith 65, drowned while fishing in his inflatable boat Saturday afternoon. A local fisherman said that he has heard of inflatable boats rapidly deflating after contact with hooks, fishing knives, or even fish spines" Services will be held at the First Second Church of Rafts.

if you get one dont forget a life jacket! You might as well get a small aluminum boat with a trolling motor. my dad let me take out his inflatable boat on the lake. I decided to paddle to a area with some brush. I went to retreive my lure when a patch he put from a previous accident was torn open from a stick sticking up from the water. So there is no inflatable boat in our boat house. yes but my reel was safe! FREAKIN AWESOME!

This is a very safe alternative!
http://youtube.…

I used to use an inflatable all the time when I first started wade fishing here in Florida. I bought a $30 Wal-Mart dinghy just to carry the cooler, the poles, the tackle box, and whatever else I may need. I waded the dingy to a nearby island and fished from there. It's a great alternative if you're low on cash. I wouldn't suggest doing that anywhere you dont know the terrain so you dont drown, or especially not at night because of the sharks.

First off it's goin' to depend on what type of waters you'd be fishin' and how much fishin' you'd be doin'. We have an 11 1/2' inflatable that we utilize when fishin' certain areas ie., ponds, small bodies of water, etc., basically where our 14' Jon boat won't go. Have a 30lb thrust, electric trollin' motor on her and have no complaints or problems ;). Now when it comes to open water like lakes, reservoirs, etc., then that's the Jon's territory. Just more comfortable and feel safer.
Your inflatables have their pros and cons, the pros I've stated earlier as for the cons ie., not bein' able to stand up, careful attention must be paid when castin', that along with other things that could cause deflation. Inflatables have their advantages for the right uses and conditions. I don't want to discourage ya', however an alternative for fishin' (dependin' on how much ya' do) I would say no. I'd go with an 11' Aluminum boat. If ya' compare an 11 1/2' inflatable to an 11' boat, which one is goin' to have the most room ~ simple that latter. Two things I want when fishin' is, ample room and comfort.
This is only my personal opinion so best ta' be patient and wait on some more input from others, before makin' the investment ~ if that be at all, what your thinkin'? As for how many ppl use inflatables in the U.S., sorry but can't help ya' with that one ;(. Good luck and whatever ya' decide ~ "Fish On" ;)...

I regularly use what is called a float tube, it is made by a company called outcast. Its a really fancy u shaped inner tube, with a seat in it, its very well made and very durable. The best thing is if this was to deflate the seat is made of enough foam to keep you afloat. You propell yourself with fins that go on your feet, id highly recomend one for lakes and ponds and would not recomend it for water with current.