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.