Im a shore angler looking to get further into the water but cannot afford a boat and cant afford to maintain one. I have seen float tubes on youtube and they seem pretty fun and something different but what gets me is that the float tubes looks a little hard to manuver and get to places faster. What also makes me shy away is saftey like the seat looks like it sags into the water and seems like i may sag down and fall thru between the seat and the strip apron that is used by fly fishermen and if i would not sag thru, it would look like a uncomfterble seating like sitting in a chair while someone is behind you lifting the chairs 2 back legs making you sit at a sloped angle. Not only that also what would make me question is my gear. I have g.loomis rods so droping that into the water would be terrible and also getting my reels wet would be bad for them also storage places seems small i usually carry 2-4 of those typical low slim profile plastic tackle bins with other small tackle bins and tools, will the tube compartments be enough? Also how long does it take to inflate? Could it fit in a truck when inflated?

Last but not least the quality of the high to low priced ones. I have found a cheap unused tube on craigslist which was the cheapest modle tube on cabelas and it seems like a good tube, would any tube be good for a beginner?

A float tube is both portable and comfortable... it is not roomy or fast. To maximise both comfort and speed research the V-shaped models (mine is an ODC420). My butt will sit at water level, I'm 200 lbs. +. Top speed with good pair of diver's fins is a slow walk pace. Without modification you will most likely carry less tackle than when you're shore fishing, one or two rigged rods and a shoe box of tackle. There is a little room behind the seat of most V-shaped models but it is not a "dry" area. More storage can be built onto the tube but I take a rather minimalist approach to float tubing. An average hand pump will inflate a tube in a couple of minutes so transporting them full of air is not necessary or even a good idea. They will easily fit into any car trunk I've ever seen. A tube excels in quiet hard to reach waters. Stay away from heavy boat traffic or strong winds. If you need more storage or range consider a kayak or solo canoe. If you want more float tube info PM me and I will give you a web address where you can find more information than you probably can absorb.

Last suggestion... don't buy the cheap tube you found on Craig's list.

Steve

Float tubing is a blast. Never lost any equipment myself. When boat fishing I have an enormous tackle system and 7 rods. In the tube...two spinning rods and a few tupperware tubs with lures specific to the pond and my plan....and a sandwich. Sometimes I'll put a cold one in a coozy to keep it cold to have with my sandwich. Simple is best for tubing.

You walk into the water backwards due to the flippers and travel backwards too. Its not really fast but adequate. You will get very good at positioning yourself and sometimes flipper very slowly to hold your place still in the wind while you target an area.

My take is it is nice to be out there solo and focused on minimal tackle. Its a real blast reeling in a big fish at nearly eye level !

Downside...as with boating it is a rough if its too windy.

Upside...simple, peaceful, easy to focus, and some great casting angles to docks and under tree limbs.

Have fun.

Mark

Back when I was a meat fishing bush hippie, I fished out of a tube quite a bit in warm weather.  The way to carry more stuff is to fit a cooler inside of an inner  tube and drag it along behind as you paddle with your swim fins.  It offered quite a bit of semi-dry storage and I could carry a six pack in a smaller soft sided cooler inside.   While there are foot paddles available that let you go forward, I thought the swim fins were better for moving several hundred yards across a small lake, once you got moving it took  less effort to keep moving.

I never had any issues with snakes, but it was always in the back of my mind t hat there were potential issues with snakes, so I was always wary when I was tubing.

Fishing out of a float tube can be a lot of fun.  I used to do it alot.  I need a new pair of waders so I can get back into it.  The water temps here are too cold to be in the water very long without waders.

I've done the float tube thing and had a blast.

But since i got one of these: http://www.seaeagle.com/FramelessPontoonBoats.aspx

Life is even better. I would just save up a bit more and get one.

You can easliy add a used trolling motor later which is a bonus.

I've done the float tube thing and had a blast.

But since i got one of these: http://www.seaeagle.com/FramelessPontoonBoats.aspx

Life is even better. I would just save up a bit more and get one.

You can easliy add a used trolling motor later which is a bonus.

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