In search of a Float Tube ...

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

We are going out tonight so I will make sure to stretch ... will let you know just how sore I am tomorrow ... laughs.

[AaronE]

The most important tip about fishing from a float tube - if you're wearing neoprene, do NOT drink a lot of coffee right before getting in the water

If you do, you're gonna be making a mad dash for the shore at some point just to keep from filling up your waders. Trust me on this one.

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

very good point .. puts a star by that one in my notes.

[Kevin K]

Another good piece of advice that I wish someone would have told me before my first tube trip is to put on your fins near the water's edge and either back into the water or walk sideways. Trying to walk forward with fins into the water can quite often be a bad idea unless you like wading wet from head to toe. Good luck, and post a report about the trip when you get back.

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

Well, we made our first trip to the lake to try out the float tubes. Everything started out well ... didn’t fall into the water. I got into the tube and into the water without an issue. I got a hit on my first cast and then brought in my first fish on the third. 12" LMB ... not a record breaker but it was great to bring in the first fish while on the tube. I then felt water down the back of my waders. I came back into shore and tightened up the waders thinking they were scooted down a bit. Went back out onto the lake and fished more ... caught another dink and numerous hits. It was great being out there fishing from a tube. It was a far different experience than I had expected. I was thoroughly enjoying my self and was looking forward to an evening of fishing and floating ... now going where I couldn’t before. Then I felt the water down my back again, I was a bit further out so I started to paddle in and felt more and more water. My buddy came over and helped "tow" me in. I lifted from the tube and noticed that the cover of the tube ripped about three quarters around. Thus was why I felt water … I was sinking … the tube held water ... the cover just didn’t hold me. So now I am back on the search for a tube. Even after getting wet and feeling the unsettling feeling of the waders filling with water I so want to get back out there on a tube. It was a fishing experience I can not hardly explain ... it was just great. I just need to make sure my next tube has a higher weight capacity. At 6'4" and 245, I seemed to be a little more than the tube my friend gave me could handle.

[Kevin K]

Sorry to hear about the water and sinking issues, but glad you had a good time. Congrats on your first float tube bass. Take a good look at the ODC 420 or the Fish Cat that KTK recommended. Both should hold you just fine. Before I bought my Northfork Freestyle H3, I had an ODC 420 and it had no problem keeping me out of the water. At that time, I was about 265. Good luck in your search.

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

My friend had gotten the ODC420 off of Craigs List for $100. Unfortunetly that is still a tad high for me. There is a Fish Cat but its capacity states 250#. Firetiger had mentioned he had a Navigator II that he had for sale. I passed as I thought I had one but sent him a pm this morning in hopes it may still be available. At 350# capacity I think i should be all right in that area.

[RB]

Sorry to hear about troubles. At least you caught one . Thats spanaway you're fishing correct?

[kutthroatkilla]

Thus was why I felt water … I was sinking … the tube held water ... the cover just didn’t hold me. So now I am back on the search for a tube. I just need to make sure my next tube has a higher weight capacity. At 6'4" and 245, I seemed to be a little more than the tube my friend gave me could handle.

One thing to keep in consideration is purchasing a "less-bulky" life-vest for situations like this. I've heard of some folks not being able to make it back to shore without immediate help from another tuber or tooner. I'm your same height, yet only 180, so the ODC works great for me along with the Fish Cat 4 (deluxe cause I prefer the inflatable seat). I know you are on a budget. Here's the deal. A great website to pick-up legit gear is www.washingtonflyfishing.com -- go to the classifieds; there can be some killer deals on quality tubes such as the Fat Cat Outcast which some will part with for around $115-150 used -- great deals out there to be had. I'm sorry to hear of your experience. I would NOT skimp out on the quality of the tube, while at the same time, keeping that budget in check. The ODC 420 gets high praise from both members here and reviewers on fly boards who use them daily. They go for around $159 now I believe, but I did see it for $149.99 at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way last month. The lifetime warranty, 300 LB capacity and back-straps for hike-ins make it a must own!!

[kutthroatkilla]

Some 420 plugs & useful links:

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gf ... ead#unread

(this guy really pimped his tube out)

http://www.wildernessangler.com/servlet/Detail?no=558

(shows the thing in action)

With the lifetime warranty and 300# capacity, it will work for those months where ones weight can fluctuate from 240 to 280, etc. Just don't eat too many doughnuts or as Aaron E said, watch the coffee intake :bounce:

Hope this helps you find a better quality tube than the round ones and puts you safely on the water again..

[Bisk1tSnGraV]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I purchased a new float tube last night from Firetiger. The Caddis Navigator II it is far better than the first tube I tried and has a capacity of 350 pounds so I think even in the heaviest of times in the winter I will be all right. I also got a spectacular deal on the tube keeping it well within my budget and allowed my CFO (wife) to remain calm on the expense. We are going out tomorrow to test the tube as tonight I am taking my girls to orientation for the upcoming school year.