ohiotube

I have both a float tube and a kayak. For me it depends on the size and location of the water. For a lake I want to cover more water, and access to the water is more convenient. So, for that I use the kayak. But for small pits and ponds with limited access, you can't beat a float tube. As far as stealth, I lean toward the tube. And it does not need to be limited to summer. I live in Ohio, and start tubing in late March usually. Invest in a good pair of waders. The best advice I got was dress like you do for deer hunting (under the waders). Also, tubing is a convenient way to fish so you tend to do it more often.

I've never tried from my pontoon, but I have from my ODC420 Tube (sort of in between a traditional tube and a pontoon). I was able to do it after practice, but the limiting factor for me was the length of the rod butt interfering with my lap/belly. I like to use 7'-7'6" rods while float tubing just for the added leverage, but finding one that does not have a really long butt section is difficult. The best compromise I've found is a BPS Extreme MH 7' casting rod, and that seems to work ok. The nice thing is that from a tube you can be practically on top of a fish and still be successful. I've had them swim directly below me and not spook, that and the occasional pike actually coming up between my legs and nail a bait laying in the water!

Last season I had the same problem, I was using a similar setup 7' MH Basspro extreme, and a Diawa Viento with 12lb Suffix Siege. This season I switched to 50lb Suffix Braid and have seen a dramatic improvement. One other thing I have been doing is when I rig the toad, I try and work the hood in the plastic so the hole is a little bigger. It seems that the hook has a little less friction on the hook set but still is weedless.