My parent got my one, I think it'll be a stealthy way to get into tight spots and fish small ponds/lakes.

Anyone use one?

Advice would be appreciated

Watch out for moccasins. They like to investigate things. 

I have a Fish Cat Deluxe by Outcast, bought it on sale at cabelas for $219. It has floatation in the seat for a drier ride. This boat has replacement air bladders port and starboard, not one single bladder.

small window of opportunity but they are great in July and August. the water is just too cold in our neck of the woods most of the year. a kayak will get you far more bang for ur buck. you can really cover water in a yak vs a tube. plus you can stay dry and fish a solid 9 months. if you have a car you will most likely upgrade to a kayak or canoe quickly

I had one back in the day.  They are a fun way to fish in the summertime.  Spring & Fall - not so much, water is too cold.  They can be a workout if where you want to fish is a long ways from where you put in.  I got dehydrated from that a couple of times.  That was a weird feeling, knowing that you are getting dehydrated while you are floating in water.  Get another inner tube and bungee a cooler inside of it to solve that problem.  Be aware that beer makes you more dehydrated.  Bring water or gatorade to solve the hydration issue.

I wear breathable waders.

Something about my legs dangling doesn't sit well with me.

Bass'nBoy... What tube did you receive?

 

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If youre gonna wear waders definitely wear a pfd.

Well whaddaya know, we happen to have several articles on that subject too!

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/float_tube.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/float_tubes.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/float_tube_fishing.html

My parent got my one, I think it'll be a stealthy way to get into tight spots and fish small ponds/lakes.

Anyone use one?

Advice would be appreciated

 

Float tubes are (just about) all I do!  I don't know your budget or what tube you got... but here are a few suggestions:

 

ALWAYS WHERE A PFD!! (as someone else noted).

 

I have two sets of waders - both are stockingfoot style.  A neoprene with jeans and/or longjohns will allow you to go when the water is 40* or warmer.  Once the water gets warm enough, I switch to the breathable type wader. 

 

Fins.  Be careful!  The float-tube specific fins - the kind you step into - seem to catch a lot of weeds (I fish VERY weedy ponds).  I've had the best luck with the open-heel type scuba fins.  You can get used ones on eBay for $20-$30.

 

I always use a "fin-keeper".  You can buy them, but I just make my own from scraps laying around the shop.  USED fins aren't terribly expensive... but most don't float; AND if you're a long ways "out" and lose one... "one fin" doesn't work very well!

 

There are tube-specific forums on the net.  I've used them to create my own rod-holders out of PVC.  I have six holders but found out that 4-5 outfits is about all that I can manager at one time. 

 

I also use cords or floats to everything that might go "overboard"... scales, pliars, mearsure-boards, etc.

 

I have a Bluetooth to my cell-phone and the phone is in a ziplock bag.  I can play music and/or news through it from my phone.

 

When I go, I usually am by myself... so I also  carry a LOUD whistle so that if the worst would happen...

 

No, tubes are not the best for larger bodies of water... for that, a kayak or other small boat might be better.  But, a lot of the ponds I fish are NOT accessible by a vehicle... I don't have a truck or 4x4 (have a Honda Accord), so I can put the deflated tube in the trunk and walk sometimes 1/4-mile through weeds and fields to get to the water... something I couldn't do with a kayak (especially by myself).

 

Any more questions or details needed?  Just drop me a PM....