Just wondering as I think I prefer a Float Tube.
I live in an apartment and I don't have much money. So I don't have a garage, can't afford storage, decent kayak racks seem exspensive and I don't want to carry a kayak into my upstair apartment every time I use it. I was recently in a kayak for 5+ hours and was uncomfortable the entire time, sometimes in pain.

I can inflate and deflate the float tube. Access most of the areas I want to fish without having to move 1/2 mile in the water.

Just thinking outloud without a whole lot of thought.

What might be some of your reasons?

I'm a tuber. for some of the same reason you just mentioned. But, I am somewhat extreme in that I put mine on a cart and pull it 1/2 mile before I even get in the water. But, in the water I am comfortable and can stay in it all day. For 200.00 a good tube from OUTCAST is worth the $$. I use a fishcat 4.

I had a tube but now where I fish there are alligators so I decided I would get a kayak. If you get to a place where you have that issue, you might want a kayak. For what you're describing, a tube sounds perfect for you.

Wylie,

Did you make your cart? I'm wanting one to pull my tube on land.

My pontoons are faster and have greater range, but I moved down to a 7# ODC 420L with back straps because it is much lighter and can be packed further/in/out/over/around/through without wheels- even compared to kayaks. The ODC can be stored in small spaces inflated and is transported in my Prius with all chambers inflated except the seat bottom. There is only one small bottom seat chamber to inflate on launch location, when done this way. I have modified my ODC to keep my body dry without waders and my feet only get wet on launching, then dry quickly when using my footbar. As to the advantages over a kayak, it can be summarized that both pontoons and float tubes are designed specifically for fishing on the water, whereas in a kayak, fishing is an afterthought. Besides transport/storage tubes are better for comfort, stand up start/stop/launch/retrieve, 2 hands free hovering/supreme turning/fighting fish, no marinating feet in muddy water for hours, etc.

Hope this helps.

Porta

Man....where are you fishing where there are alligators?

kayaks get to the spot and back from the spot MUCH faster. and i dont have to get wet except when I 1st get in a foot of water to launch. get a 12 foot perception pescador from academy for 500. used go for 400 or so. it really moves fast. had em all and will stick with a yak til i get a motor boat but not in a hurry to get one. i never tried a float tube in winter and wouldnt want to try. i fish my kayak in winter with no problems. for storage problems get an advanced elements kayak. use it on vacation. folds up in a 3 ft package . bought mine used for $175. fished at lake palestine and in arkansas no problems

http://www.airkayaks.com/products/Advanced-Elements-AdvancedFrame-Kayak-%252d-AE1012.html http://www.airkayaks.com/products/Advanced-Elements-AdvancedFrame-Kayak-%252d-AE1012.html

Yes I did. I'll post some pics of it at some point. I loaded 2 fishcat 4's on it yesterday, a cooler, minnows, 2 sets of waders, and the rest of my gear and pulled at least 1/2 mile yesterday across tall grass, thru some mud and over some rocks. It's work, but it sure beats making 2 trips.

Thanks for the links on the advanced elements, BFC.

I love kayaks when they are faster- when used in drop in/out close in, and in open water, no portaging. But 35# minimum is just too heavy to carry beyond 1000 yards in one trip, when you add in the weight of fishing gear, beer and snacks, etc., plus more for overnight. Cold water is no problem with toons or larger tubes where you are over 4" ABOVE water and dry- no waders. Longer learning curve on kayaks to deal with rollover, and skilled one hand paddling for hovering or to keep turned to a running fish. They wouldn't work in the type of fishing I like to do, but I can see where they would be better in some situations.

Here's a kayak type I considered years ago, but never pulled the trigger. http://www.pokeboat.com/index.html

Would be faster than my "V" tube and light- only 2x as heavy, but no easy chair comfort, high cost and less manuverability...

P.

There is just no way I could fish some of the places I fish, and have to paddle at the same time. In my tube, I can face a 20mph wind and stay on a marker that I've dropped and fish all day, hands free, without tieing up or dropping an anchor. That's about all I need to know. I'd sure get there faster, but staying there would be a pita for me.

you couldnt roll over that advanced elements inflatable if you tried. also a malibu mini x is really stable. i have never come close to flipping. also a kayak cart is what i use if i have to go a long distance which is hardly ever. i fish lakes and creeks so i just pull up and launch. i like a tube in summer when i dont have to flip fins too far. use a brush clip or anchor works great if you want to stay in one place in a yak. i know im in the tube forum but it wouldnt hurt to have a float tube and a kayak both of which i have.

This is the biggest advantage of a tube. I'd add stability. You'd have a hard time every rolling over a tube. Still, I'd love to have a 'yak, just for fishing some bigger waters.

I like my tube, but am looking at getting a kayak for the lake house .

now i'm confused.

For me, kayak all the way. Tried pontoons and float tubes. I can get anywhere with a homemade kayak dolly so transport is a breeze from truck to the water with a distance in between.

I am comfortable all day, paddle good distances and can go light or with a lot of equipment. Fish deep or shallow.

Learning curve is not hard like some may say.

It all depends what are you looking for and what works for you. YMMV. As for the storage issue, a rigid kayak has a small footprint when hanged in a wall. Still, it may be a concern for you.

Hi, Pappy:

Call around to fly shops and see if you can rent a tube, then the same for a kayak or, see if someone will let you borrow.
Then judge for yourself on the various points considered above. How many times will you get in/out instead of just standing up, lumbar support sitting flat vs. a recliner, how long it takes to learn to hover or hold position in the deep and how much trouble is it, how steady/stable is the platform, how fast do you need to go, how easy to transport/store for your personal situation, etc.

P.

Don, if you are wanting to save some money i have a classic arrow backpacker inflatable pontoon with fish finder i'll trade you for some of your baitrunner reels. I am asking $100 cash for it but will trade for some things

Reading the posts, I think there are advantages and disadvantages to having both. Renting a kayak when you're fishing say the saltwater lakes on the coast, an East Texas park, Caddo Lake, e.g., floating a river makes perfect sense, too, and that way you don't have to worry about where or how to store it in your situation. Living near many Central Texas rivers, I am sure there are plenty of places that would rent you one.

Now, if you talk with Kevin Hutchison, he's going to tell you kayaks are a waste of time and one of the biggest myths forced on to fishermen of all time. For Kevin, pontoon boats are the only way to go. I have a tendency to agree with him, because I think the pontoon boats marry the best of float tubes and kayaks in one inflatable, easily storable piece.

This from the owner of a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, float tube, and pontoon boat, so take it as just my 2 cents worth.

I am under the same criteria as you. BUT, I decided that a kayak would work best for me. I don't dare take a tube out in saltwater.

I live in an apartment and decided to upgrade to a apartment with a 2 car garage to have room. I know have 3- 12 foot kayaks and still fit my car in there. I decided kayak so I can move miles about the water.

I also own a float tube AND I have a inflatable kayak called the Sevylor Colorado I bought for $500.

i float down rivers. a kayak is best. dont have to worry about punctures. get home throw yak in backyard and its ready for next trip. throw it in back of suv and off i go in minutes.

Enjoyed reading this trail. I have owned and/or fished in everything mentioned thus far. I then found the boats I currently own in Canada. Storage/Stability/Ease of transport/Fishability/etc./etc. in my view these are hands down the over all best choice. Check them out and feel free to contact me for more information and you can take one for FREE any time to test. Merry Christmas!

I would be willing to take you up on your offer. I have never seen a Frog Boat before in my life. I really like the pictures with anglers standing to fish/boating, and I like the way they store in your garage. Very interesting boat.

85# is too heavy for the remote areas or packing/crossing narrow hiking paths between streams. But this one can go where no other boat can: https://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=53&ProductID=66
Too pricy for me, but the ODC 420 L at 7# is a lot more comfortable and can be found for under $100 during special sales.
Not even inflatable kayaks can go miles in remote riding in comfort, and without repeated inflation/deflation cycles because of their length.... Not for everyone, just the type of areas I enjoy. Lightweights also work in regular places, but they are SLOW to row/paddle....

Porta

Porta

I live in Granbury and can be reached via email and/or mobile 574-536-6617. Touch base to set up a time/location and I will bring you a boat to test. Just an FYI the hull wieghs 53lbs. Pontoons are 8lbs each. I am 52 yrs old and have no problem loading/unloading by myself. You can see more photo's and video's on our Facebook site. Simply type Go Froggin' in the search box to find the page.

I have 5 float tubes, i love them, but most of my buddies have moved on to kayaks, so im looking at the native ultimate kayak. I will let you know which i prefer.

Great, except where is the motor mount?

Reliving an old post.
Saw one of these in the wild of tawakoni
At first I was thinking that must be homemade but it wasn't
It was awesome. The guy took to very small kids with him did a couple donuts.

Curious do you still sell these and what is the weight limit for an adukt.

really enjoyed reading this for the first time.. I fished for many years as a kid out of a float tube, canoe, inflatable raft, and now only kayaks.. transport, storage, weather conditions, all come in to play when choosing what is best for each of us and the waters we normally fish ..moved to south florida and only had my float tube at that time. Fished the everglades for bass until I finally heard what sounded like bullfrogs were actually alligators late one evening.. no more tubing in those waters..

Fished my tube in the salt water after that for maybe a month before Ft Lauderdale, Broward County Sheriff Dept helicopter sighted me coming back in from about a mile out and had Drug Enforcement Agency Boat stopped me ... they thought I was floating in from Cuba... told me I was too near the shipping lanes and to go back in closer to shore.

It was my first summer in south florida and the ocean was as flat as a pancake.. later on I was out just past the surf and nearly couldnt make it back in when a strong west wind from the beach along with a little rip tide kept me from reaching shore... I had those flipper flappers that fit on the heel of your shoe and along with using both hands to help with propulsion, I was about to be swept out to sea.. ending up having to release my seat strap, exiting out the bottom of tube in water shallow enough to walk out.. didnt take long for metal clasp to rust out and that was the end to tube fishing.. downside of tubes was turtles eating fish off your stringer, exposing your skin to bad stuff in the summer when waters became more toxic, and being wet for hours at a time.. especially in the salt water.

Canoes were out of the question in salt water down there, they caught too much wind, hard to load and unload in the wind, and the aluminum ones made a lot of noise.. I went back to fishing from only the bank, jetties, and piers..

It was on a trip from fishing one of the bridges down in the Keys that I had a car beside me in a big traffic jam that I got to see a Cobra Fish and Dive (no longer made) kayak strapped to the roof of the car... an hour later as I passed through Key Largo, I stopped at one of the largest specialty kayak outfitters in all of Florida, at the time.. Every kind of kayak you can imagine.. long, short, sit on top, sit inside, hobie peddal kayaks... bought a book.. Kayak Fishing, the Revolution.. read the whole damn book that night... went looking for a fishing kayak to rent the next day.. lots of choices.

To me the most important thing in a kayak, is getting one that you can load by yourself, that you have a place you can easily store it, that works well in all types of water, big and small... and is comfortable (you can usually upgrade the seats) Hard to find ones like I have now.. but if you look, they are out there, and cheap! The new kayaks are to0 big, too, heavy, and most are hard to paddle..

I will be 70 this year and can still load mine on top of my car, can fish small ponds to miles out into the Atlantic without fear for my life. Lots of places to check them out in Dallas and along the Texas gulf coast.. craigslist also in the bigger cities will have plenty of older model kayaks.. the main thing is to get one that will carry your weight and gear. For around $500 bucks there are plenty of 10 years old plastic kayaks that will work great.

If you are still favoring a tube.. carry it with you on kayak to the other side of the lake and park your kayak and fish out of your tube..
Whatever gets you on the water..

I'm 77, and I use my own customized version of this motor gadget for float tube propulsion instead of fins, paddles, or oars,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h0hGetgPR0Q


A YouTube search shows you how to make your own, if you don't want to buy a ready-made "drill paddle" unit from amazon. There are also versions have that have been used to power kayaks.

I only do sheltered big water and rivers up to class 3, in my float tube. My personal preference is not to go offshore in anything under 20-30 ft or so, with enough horsepower to get up on plane, so I can have some comfort from the wind and blazing sun, Plus it gives an option to get back quickly if a storm or other emergency creeps up. I would rent or Charter something like that, if I got the itch to go into open seawater, as I wouldn't use it often enough to justify owning it.

Some Pros of using a drill propeller:

.much more speed and range than fins or oars, and spare batteries store in pockets, no mounting or wiring; moves against some heavy winds and some 2 knot river currents going Upstream.

.probably the best way to move around quickly through extended sections of shallow water down to 6 inches " the flats" or if it includes portaging or packing in, because of the low weight and the very shallow draft of a small trailing propeller, where oars, fins, paddles, and other heavier boat methods may not work

May be the easiest to Travel with and Transport anywhere and using just about any vehicle/ aircraft/ motorboat that can carry a fishing rod case and medium size suitcase, as FT weight fully loaded with all equipment, motor Drive with 8 mile range, plus a quart of water and snacks, is under 30 lb. The range can be increased by adding more batteries, I could fit 10 batteries which would give me 25 to 30 miles.

. Fully assembled float tube with all equipment in pockets stays partially inflated and suspended on my garage wall for a quick grab and go. Then backpack straps are used when arriving at the launch parking; quickly gets me to just about anywhere with a walking trail and shallow water approach, no need for wheels, or to wait for boat ramps or Docks, or make multiple trips loading. Usually I pick a launch point that allows me to motor into the wind and into the river current going Upstream; that allows me to troll going against the forces, and to look for promising Lays (for the return )and to move away from crowds of Bank fishermen, or crowds of other boats and kayaks. I can usually backstrap around Rapids or other barriers which blocks off heavier craft which cannot be Back strapped. The drift back to launch point is with the assistance of natural forces, so that even if I lose motor power, a pair of ping pong paddles will steer me back to Launch point.


FT allows Get in, out, or stop almost instantly anywhere you can stand up in close to hip high water, better stability than narrow longish craft. No need to repeatedly climb in and out or constantly adjust position with paddles if feet can touch bottom, plus no marinating feet in muddy water when using my crossbar foot rest. All of my float tubes and pontoons have seats that are at least 4 in above the water, which keeps my butt dry, without having to use waders.

FT is Probably the lowest cost powered boat, works with even some of the cheapest battery drills that have a high RPM function, if using a trolling motor propeller.

Here are some of my dislikes:

.Drill or batteries can fall in the water if not properly tethered or zip pocket stored, but I use a Bungie neck strap with instant quick release for my drill which helps.

Noisy and uses a lot of spare batteries when operating at full speed, better at half speed with variable trigger speed control to get longer range and decent power

Drill will get hot at full speed and may shut down temporarily after a couple of miles or so depending on the brand and the amount of continuous use. I use a wet washcloth tied away from the vents to cool things down,, a squirt of water periodically will keep it moist and cooling, so there's no shutdown.

Drill propeller Requires two hands to operate while under power, depending on how it is set up, and the speed used. I also mounted a couple of rear view mirrors since the propulsion is backwards at speed, helps with not having to turn my neck so much. I have a couple of rod holders mounted for trolling purposes.

Probably not for use in heavy rain, I have some plastic covering that will help in that situation, but I have never needed to use it so far.

Requires registration in Tx public waters, but not in private Waters, or at some other USA states or other countries.