How safe is tubing? I think if i bumped into a log or saw a snake I would probably pee my pants. I wouldnt mind trying it but some of the lakes around here in central arkansas might not be the best.

Thanks,

HawgFan

Hawg I have been tubing in Michigan for years and years. Without one problem (knock on wood). I love it it lets you fish places that most people can't fish from shore and you have to kick to get where you are going, there is nothing to do but fish all the water. You will catch alot of fish.

My kids do it with me to, I always tell them "you can go as far as you want but remember you have to come back. It is great and inexpensive to. Yes you will wet your pants when you don't see the logs and you kick one but you get used to it.

I have thought about tubing before, but i am starting to think it wouldnt be the smartest of things to do in South Florida. I would imagine it would be really stress free and relaxing to do up north where you dont need to worry about, gators and crocs.

I have thought about tubing before, but i am starting to think it wouldnt be the smartest of things to do in South Florida. I would imagine it would be really stress free and relaxing to do up north where you dont need to worry about, gators and crocs.

How smart are you ?

When I red the topic I was thinking of tubing like behind a boat! then I was thinking well it's pretty safe until you get knocked off and loose your swim trunks. I'll never live that one down.

Bill

I tubed in California for thirty plus years. Now being in South East Texas, NO thanks. The water moccasins and 'gators keep me in a boat. Good luck!

I tube up here in NH and it's great. I can hike out to ponds and lakes that no one else ever fishes or even knows about. However kicking a tree limb underwater sometimes feels like a skeletal hand reaching up to grab you. Other then that it's as super relaxing

No skelaton hands or alligators please. I might just give them a try.

Around here we get all our friends together and tube the river. We tie all ourselves together and float happily down! Only thing we ever had to worry about is bad sunbun. You can always bring a paddle or something. Oh, and don't forget an extra tube for the cooler!  

Yes you will wet your pants when you don't see the logs and you kick one but you get used to it.

LOL, First time tubing I was fishing for brook trout on a shallow natural lake  I came upon a shallow hump in the middle of the lake that had tons of weeds growing up.  Didn't see it and some weeds got caught up around my feet.  I was definately ready to s**t my pants.  you do get used to it though.  I only tube in the small ponds/lakes where I can't take my boat.  It is safe.

I am about to JOIN the ranks of float tubers here in So CA since Upper Otay Lake only allows tubing and shore fishing AND I watched a few tubers catch some NICE 2,3, & 4 pound bass DIRECTLY in front of where I was standing on shore (they were about 20 - 25 feet further out in the lake than I could cast!!). I ordered me what is subjectively speaking one of, if not the best float tubes on the market, an H3 Freestyle from North Fork Outdoors. It is more of a float tube/pontoon/kick boat than what most people refer to as float tubes. At 6' long and 48" wide, it is extremely stable and SAFE. In fact, most owners RAVE about it being the best "tube" they've ever owned. It also seats a person a few inches OUT of the water, which I really liked. I also bought a new pair of breathable waders which arrived Saturday and already have two great pair of diving fins for propulsion.

From all the extensive research I've done on tubing, it is a VERY SAFE way to fish as long as proper safety precautions are observed, like having/wearing a PFD! For the Southern States which have large carnivorous beasties to contend with, i.e. alligators, I would NOT subject myself to that deadly risk. In a lake without such creatures, tubing should be as safe as YOU make it. Visit this website for some great information:  http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?category=66;

When I lived in Cali I used to tube the harbors for bay bass and halibut all the time. It takes a little to get used to but pretty soon you are comfortable and forget about everything else. Freshwater should be easy

Just wear a PFD and attach a whistle to it in case someone in a boat doesn't see you.

I think you'll be OK as long as you avoid tubing in Mr. Gator's or Mr. Bull Sharks territory.  

Only tubing I'll be doing here in S. FLA is behind a boat with a ski rope.