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The Independence #11015647 08/02/15 10:08 PM
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SlowDown Offline OP
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I have fished with the same person, a man fourteen years younger than me, since the early 1980s, at times in my boat and at times in his. After fishing in my boat for a stretch of about seven years, we have been fishing most of the time in his boat for the past three or four years. Last year, for a combination of reasons (not using my boat often, needing the garage space it was in, and declining strengths/energy due to age), I sold my boat. We continue to fish one day almost every week, but I have a lot of spare time and often want to fish more often. This is why, for at least the last six months I have gone back and forth in my mind thinking about buying either a kayak, a float tube, or a small plastic boat such as a Peligan 10e. I finally settled on a float tube for now, leaving open the possility of buying a Pelligan after it gets too cold to fish in the tube. My wife laughed at me yesterday and said I should name my tube The Independence, since that is what it represents to me. So, my tube now has a name. Let this be a warning about what happens to a fisherman when he gets old!

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11015870 08/03/15 12:14 AM
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Fish Chaser Offline
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With neoprene waders you can fish year round in a float tube, I do.

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11015948 08/03/15 01:02 AM
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Anthony I had no idea I could do that. Where do you fish in winter and how cold does the water get there?

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11015958 08/03/15 01:10 AM
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SpiderJig Offline
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I tend to stay close to home during the winter. I go to Southlake in Farmersville during the winter. It gets cold but with the right gear you'd never know it was cold


PB- 10lb 5oz Purtis Creek 7-25-15
Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11015997 08/03/15 01:32 AM
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I have float tubed in water below 40 degrees in N. texas. The items you will want to search for on Cabelas site (as examples) are:

1) 5mm neoprene waders

2) float tube pants (they have an elastic strap from ankle to ankle to keep the pants down)

3) a good pair of sweat pants or even jeans. I like fleece pants as they are very warm

4) wool expedition socks

You could also use the hand and feet pockets warmers in your socks or pants leg but I've never needed them

With these items you will stay warm and protect your core temperature while float tubing. Remember it's originally for fly fisherman and the water up north gets extremely cold.

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11016025 08/03/15 01:47 AM
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Noted spider jig. Thanks for the list KD. I made notes. So I would put on fleece pants or jeans. Put socks and pull over end of pants put feet in waders and pull up. What kind of coat do you wear?

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11016225 08/03/15 03:17 AM
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The waders are chest waders. Whatever type of jacket you choose will be under the chest part of the wader and dry. I use a 400 weight fleece jacket.

Be sure and buy the waders oversized enough to wear over a coat, or a layer of shirt, fleece jacket and outer wear jacket.

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11016275 08/03/15 05:16 AM
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porta Offline
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I am retired also, but am still so busy with everyday chores and life, that my tube is called "Escape".

So long as my legs are in cold water with waders it is fairly comfortable. But all other times with neoprene especially, it is uncomfortable and a hassle- due to overheating/sweating, restricted walking, put on and take off, etc. (Hint: Waders feet need to be considerably larger than my normal size.)
I go out on my tube or toon only during the considerable number of sunny and windless days in Winter and stay close to shorelines for safety. My hindquarters are above water and legs sit out of water on a crossbar and are warmed by the sun. A couple of layers of stretch polyester jogging suit pants/ heavy zip tops and water shoes are all that is needed to stay warm and comfortable. It doesn't get that cold in South Texas, and I am able to launch with waterproof knee socks or lightweight knee high boots without getting wet. I use oars or a motor for propulsion, don't care for the hassle of fins either.

Hope this helps.

PC

Last edited by porta; 08/03/15 05:24 AM.
Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11016324 08/03/15 10:34 AM
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You guys are teaching an old dog new tricks. I'm beginning to feel like I may be a threat to the poor little fish all year long! Independence may keep me afloat right through winter. As you said porta, i will be looking for windless, sunny days. I always stay within a casting distance of the shore and wear a life vest. Escape is another good tube name, like that.

Re: The Independence [Re: SlowDown] #11016538 08/03/15 02:02 PM
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trapperben Offline
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Porta; what kind of oars do you use? Would a kayak paddle be the best?

Re: The Independence [Re: trapperben] #11016671 08/03/15 03:19 PM
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porta Offline
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Usually the oars come with the boat or pontoon like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Cat-Scout-Frameless-Fishing/dp/B00J9M5DBQ

Scroll through "also viewed" to see other examples of various kinds.

Rowed pontoons are faster than fins; tubes not so much because the middle seat part drags.

Kayak paddles even with double blades are not that effective compared to fins due to tube spins with each stroke.

Ping pong paddles won the short distance tube races many years ago.

There was also an oar lock kit to convert float tube to rowing; a search may turn something up.

PC

Originally Posted By: trapperben
Porta; what kind of oars do you use? Would a kayak paddle be the best?

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