Float Tube Questions

[Wind Knot]

I am starting to fish some still waters and will be buying a float tube. Does anyone have any advice? Also what about fins? What should I look for? I wear breathable waders with neoprene stocking feet. What are you wearing on your feet?

[Otolith]

Save up a little more money and get a cheap pontoon instead. My float tube is very comfortable to fish from, but I quickly realized what a pain in the butt it is to kick your way around a whole lake. The pontoon lets you cover much more water and is pretty similar as a fishing platform. And I wear my float tube fins when I'm in my pontoon, so I can use my feet to slow troll buggers and still have two hands on the rod.

[mandinga]

I love to tube, its great excersise!

If you buy a tube go for a u-boat...


The important thing is not in the design of the tube, it is in the kind of fins you buy. DO NOT BUY CHEAP FINS, you will regret it. Buy some force fins $110 or so...they are the best, and well worth the $$$.

[wade]

Tubes are a royal pain to get in and out of. I'm assuming a U-boat has an opening in front, not a tube? If that's the case then I second that. If you are set on getting a tube then get the cheapest one you can find which is probably $75 new, because they're all based on the same-sized tube and in that regard they're all the same, the little quirks like extra pockets aren't worth the extra money. Having said all that they're great for hike-in lakes, or for a first fishing platform. I think its just me but my fancy highly recommended $110 Force Fins are only marginnally better than my big stiff $80 scuba fins.

Kevin

[D$_KFalls]

It is definitely good exercise ...

If I was going to do it again, I'd definitely get a pontoon. It lets you sit a bit higher off the water, and would be less cumbersome to fish from, I would think.

[mandinga]

I think its just me but my fancy highly recommended $110 Force Fins are only marginnally better than my big stiff $80 scuba fins.

Kevin



I bought my force fins originally for diving, but they are so nice that I use them for tubing and diving...

My best friend owns a scuba shop and I have tried just about every fin on the market....for the price IMO force are the best, fastest and lightest. Big seems like it would be better, but bigger is such a hassle.

[mandinga]

Pontoons have many features that are better than float tubes...MANY. but tubes still have a great appeal, especially to trout fisherman.

Hiking in, less to carry, easier setup...less storage space...less $$$$...and there is just something appealing about sitting in a tube catching trout...

[Abalone]

The problem with using regular dive fins are compression leaks. Eventually (in less then one season ) you will wear a hole in your sox that will be very hard to repair. Then there is the issue of walking on hard ground without boots on. You could step on something sharp and punch a whole.

I have both. I use the float tube in smaller ponds but the pontoon boat on big water. I am trying to set my toon up with my electric motor. I like to work my way to one end of the lake and wind drift back. Rowing against the wind is great excercise but I would rather spend that time in the gym and spend my toon time catching fish..

Go to a river and there is a limited amount of bank. With a float tube you can always find a spot to fish........

Greatest thing since sliced bread.


I can see me now sitting on a lake, nice evening with my Headphones on, Fly rod in hand, Beer in the beer holder listening to some nice soft jazz, fish jumping all around.

Life is good............. :dance:

The first time I did this I was at Crane Prarie. I thought I had died and went to heaven....

[BuKuBass]

IMO the most comfortable and well-built tubes are by Outcast. (http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/tubesmain.shtml)
I have a float tube, a pontooon, and a canoe but the watercraft that I use the most is a Drifter. (http://www.second-wind.co.uk/images/ocean_kayak_drifter_3.jpg)
It isn't as readily portable as my Fat Cat tube, I don't sit as high as the WaterSkeeter, nor does it haul as much gear as the Gheenoe. But...it is faster, quieter and more outright fun than any of the others. Since the hull is "hollow" and has a capacity of 475 pounds, a week-long trip is feasible. It's stable enuf that I can stand on it altho I wouldn't want to attempt any "power" double-hauling. When wading, I clip the bow painter to my belt with a carabiner and it follows me like a puppy with less drag than a dead chihuahua.
I have rigged a TM on the yak and it flat-out gets across the water. But I usually just take my time and paddle.
You haven't lived until you've been towed by a big smallie or steelhead; what a rush!

[Mad Mikey]

To save some $$$ check out the local Goodwill and stores like that. I picked up a pair of killer diving fins for $5 and I can dang near put my tube on plane.
For small water I use the caddis brand that go over the boot. On stuff where I want to travel a bit more I use the diving fins but have to put them directly over my wader feet. A little clumsy getting going but when you are in and moving you'll dig it.
Another thing I've noticed is if it's your first time out this season and especially if the water is cold, don't get all macho and try to go too fast or hard. You'll soon discover muscles you never knew you had and quite possibly get a painful knot in the leg. No fun at all, be hydrated and pop down something with potassium in it before you go.

:cheers:

[Billy Tillamook]

Have had three float tubes, then stepped up to a 8' pontoon. Light enough to carry a little ways if you need to and very comfortable, warm and dry. Nothing worse than being at the wrong end of the lake,on the wrong side of the wind with no oars and only flipper power at the end of a day. :help: Get flippers with the elastic straps on the heel to easily pull on over your boots, easy on easy off. Stay away from laces. Just my 2-cents

[float2ber]

I should probably change my sign-on to "Pontooner" since I hardly use my float tube after getting the pontoon. An Outcast float tube will get you up out of the water, which is warmer and a little faster.