1st Float Tube Questions

I will be buying my first tube and don't know what to look for. I will be using it on a small, 25 acre lake that is close to my house. I will not have to walk far from my truck to launch. What are the pros and cons on different types? What accessories should I get or any?

Any help is appreciated

Greg

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ber#Post9721618

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ube#Post9723129

Duke, it's really hard to say what is going to be the correct one for you. There's many variables that come into play, but really what it boils down to is personal preference. The 2 links above will provide a great amount of information that you will find useful. The best thing I can suggest, is do your homework and make sure that you are going to get something that fits your needs.

Duke, As Fisherman1 said do your homework and get something fit your needs. I just recently purchased a Intex Mariner 3 inflatable boat. Its perfect for me because I can roll it up and store it almost anywhere as well fit it in my mustang. I use mine primarily for small ponds but then I have added a few things to make it comfortable on a lake for a few hours.

As for accessories, a lot of inflatables can just about have anything a kayak can. On my inflatable I have mounted a trolling motor, fish finder, wood floors. Of course the more you have with it the less mobile/convenient it becomes.

Here is a picture of mine below.



This picture was after we were done so its a mess. But between the seats I can put a full size cooler!

I agree with the above posters that it is personal preference, because everyone's needs and expectations are different. Some random questions off the top of my head anyone might ask and answer to themselves:
-Am I big guy as the limits are about 350# for a float tube, maybe go to a pontoon/raft beyond that?
-What kind of physical shape, to tell if you need motor power accessory with a toon/raft?
-How long will I be out, will it always be the same few places, how many times per year, and do if have the work schedule flexibility to select the weather when I go- tells comfort factors, quality/ruggedness needed?
-Do I have space to leave the tube set up and loaded or will I have to go thru inflation protocol and loading each time- tells amount on actual fishing time on the water?
-How will tube be transported and what is the most distance place I would go regularly- tells actual fishing time on the water?
-How much can I spend, how soon do I need it, and do I have a 100% satisfaction return policy where I buy?

If possible, go with someone that has experience and an extra tube to loan you to try out the concept. There are some details like adjusting pressure before/after in altitude or cold water, fin propulsion, traveling backwards, etc. which are best observed with someone experienced. If that is not possible, you can go alone and try a high rated tube shipped/returned from your nearby Wall Mart like: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Accessories-Cumberland-Float-Tube/16637566 Wear a separate life vest and don't go farther than you can swim from shore.

Hope this helps.

Porta

This info is helpful.

As I have been looking at different tubes and reading reviews I hear people talk about a tube riding high or low. What is preferred? I am a little over 6ft tall and would think it would be easier to cast and retrieve if sitting higher....but does that make the rig less stable?

Porta

Believe it or not, you can lean too far forward in the tube and have it overturn on you. I know because this happened to me in my Fish Cat 4 Deluxe tube a couple of months ago.

Wow Anthony, thanks for the heads up! My ODC has never overturned, no matter how far I lean in any direction. If I lean far forward, the ODC tilts down at the open end and slides/jumps out from under me, but I remain upright.

Did you mean to say the FC 4X slid out beneath you and landed overturned without you in it? Or did your head go under water while you were still in it, when it rolled over?

Porta

I was leaning far forward and a little to the right to pick up a golf ball in my net and the tube flipped completely over. I went under, fortunately in only 4' of water, but I went completely under. The water was cold but fortunately I was wearing neoprene waders and the outside temp was about 70. It surprised the heck out of me!!

The storage area behind the seat on my ODC partially floods with water and adds stability when leaning forward. I'm guessing that if someone remains leaning in the forward position for several minutes so this water drains out the stability could be lost and one could go over. Thinking of testing this theory when the water warms up enough for a swim suit.

Porta

Just make sure that you are in shallow water.

I've been fishing in tubes since the 80s. I started out with a big round tube with the Fish Master kickers that strap to your heel that you can paddle forward in. Then I progressed to the Caddis U tubes with the frog flippers and changed brands a few different times.

Now, almost 30 years later, I'm back to the big, round, canvas covered tube made by Tube Commander up in OKC. I'm a Fatboy now, and the round tubes hold more weight, they got more storage..ain't got that stupid net apron in front of you..but i usually always cut those out the day I bought the tube. The canvas and heavy rubber tube turns hooks and fish fins a lot better than my U tube too. I was having to patch after almost every trip.

Yeah its heavy, but I don't have to carry it far. I can lean back further in it if I wanna stretch, and the front of the tube kinda acts like a stripping basket or a little work bench if I need to mess with stuff. And its got a cupholder sewn into it that can hold the big Gatorade bottles!

I'm probably the only dude anymore who still uses a round tube but after trying out most the different brands and styles, I'm pleased with my choice.

The Fishcat 4 and the ODC420 are two popular float tube models. They ride high in the water so you and your gear stays nice and dry.

Here is a website that sells rod holders for float tubes: Float Tube Rod Holders

They're great if you like to carry a lot of rods on your float tube. I've been using these rod holders for a couple years now and they're great. This is what the rod holders look like:

For my first tube, I'd get a plain-Jane, round model like Possum talked about.Some guys just don't take to being out in the water in a float tube. I'd make sure I wasn't in that category before investing a lot of money. It can get pretty spooky when the snakes start swimming my and the snapping turtles start poking their heads up.

do you think that you hold up in the Guadalupe? or Comal/San Marcos river?
If so that could be golden come summer.

I use a canvas tube made out of Codoura. Never have had any problems around stumps or briars causing it to deflate and I have never worn one out in 40 years, canvass that is, the tire tube needs to be replaced from time to time. The other tubes that I have seen are made of a thinner material and will wear out and have a tendency to allow punctures. THe tube I use is a knock off off the old FishMaster made by Bob Brown, which I still have one of his. His seamstress is still making his tube and is now called Oklahoma Pride Float Tubes.

How heavy is the pride tube you have? Does it have a regular tube valve on it? I had one round tube and swore I would never get another but it looks big enough might be easier to get in and out of easier. Also wondering if their pushers work if you tried them. Thanks.

I build my own kickers out of 3ply belting. The weight of the rig, depends on the model. I'm 41 yrs old and I tote one around all day and I am disabled.

the tube is an 820 tractor tire tube