I Need A Float Tube

Float tubes are excellent fishing tools and gaining popularity for several reasons. They are cheaper than boats, more portable and can get into areas a regular boat cannot, while still allowing anglers the chance to get out into the water. No matter why you use them there are a few tips that will make your float tube fishing more successful.

Be Safe

Always wear a life jacket while in your tube. Some people do not feel like they are in as much danger as those in boats, but float tubes take you out into the water where you're more likely to drown if you end up in the water. Carry a repair kit with you. Tubes puncture easily and deflate. You can keep your trip fun and stay on the water if you have a patch kit on hand. Plan for emergencies. It is easy to relax and forget to watch how far from land you float. You can go further out if you have a plan for how to control your float tube, a set of paddles, or flippers are popular ways of manual propulsion for float tubes.

Type

Chose the type of float tube to match the location you want to fish, and the type of fishing you do. Float tubes come in three main styles: pontoon, tube, and u-tube. Pontoons are more rigid and take more space in your vehicle. They are harder to carry from place to place as well so if you want to camp or hike to out of the way spots they are not your best choice. Pontoons are sturdier and less apt to puncture. They are better for going further off shore because they hold up to more pounding water. Most pontoons have chairs above the raft rather than down in the water making them popular for those who do not wish to get wet and prefer to be more visible on lakes with a lot of motor boating traffic. Standard tubes are the cheapest of the types of float tubes. They blow up and fold away in a very compact manner making them easy to store and light to carry. They are great for anglers who want to get to very obscure places in rugged country. Their lightweight makes them great for fast trips and near shore fishing. The u-tube is a slightly modified standard float tube. They have a floatation tube on three sides with an open front that is easier for older anglers or those with mobility problems to get in and out of. They are light weight and fold up small like standard float tubes.

Clothing

Wear hip waders that anglers normally wear when standing in rivers and streams to fish. You will sit low in the water in most float tubes and get very wet. Waders keep you warmer and drier than just shorts or pants. Be careful with your gear and keep all fish hooks secure to avoid puncturing your float tube accidentally.

I really think float tubes are cool. With the way things are going with boat repair and spring prep, I may end up having to buy a float tube just to get in the water at all this year.