Fishing With Float Tubes

Modern, light-weight float tubes are the answer to fishing many difficult to reach places on lakes and ponds. Whether it's working a shoreline congested with brush or pushing out to deeper sections of a lake, the float tube can make fishing a lot more successful and considerably more comfortable. Float tubes, which can weigh as little as 6 pounds, can easily be packed into remote lakes where any other watercraft would be impractical.

While the old low-slung, doughnut-shaped tubes have the advantages of being less susceptible to leaks and offer a lower profile against the wind, the advantages of the newer U-shaped, or pontoon style, are considerable. With their open fronts, the U-shaped float tubes are much easier to board and dismount. Many have seats which positioned above the water, providing an improved view and easier casting.

Important Features

Features to look for in a float tube include a stripping arm which also provides a ruler for measuring your catch and a workstation on which to rig your line. Dual bladder boats give an extra degree of safety if one should spring a leak. Urethane bladders are better than vinyl. Boston valves prevent air from leaking while the tube is being inflated. Foam or inflatable seats and backrests offer greater comfort. Other important features to look for include ample gear pockets, a beverage holder, D-rings for strapping on additional gear, and packing straps for easy portability.

Accessory Equipment

The temperature of most mountain lakes will make wearing waders a requirement. Most float tubers are choosing neoprene waders for the added warmth they provide. Fins supply mobility in a float tube. Prices for fins range from $25 to $200, but there's little reason to spend a lot for fins. Classic Float fins which sell for about $35 will move you easily around the lake. A rod holder and a leash for your rod are useful additions. Frabill and Brodin make affordable nets that work well. An anchor can be useful in windy situations. For a little more than $200 you can add Fishin' Buddy's Portable Fish Finder.

Safety

Wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) need not be cumbersome. Choose a style that is only inflated if needed. Float tubes are not recommended for use in streams or rivers where currents can create dangerous situations. Nor are float tubes advisable in large lakes where heavy winds can come up unexpectedly when you are far from shore. An approaching thunderstorm would be another obvious reason to vacate the lake promptly.

Choosing the Brand

Prices range from under $100 to over $400. A product in the middle range is probably your best value. One of the leading brands, Creek Company, sells its ODC 420 for about $200. Its A-shape makes it easier to move through the water than the standard U-shape. It weighs 14 pounds and has a capacity of up to 300 pounds. Creek Company's 2000 weighs only 7 pounds and sells for around $130, including fins and a pump.

At the top of the line is Outcast's Super Fat Cat which sells for about $400. It is made with heavier material than some other brands and comes with all the desired accessories, weighing in at a manageable 12 pounds. It has a 300 pound capacity. Outcast's Trinity, which sells for about $350, is among the lightest quality float tubes on the market, weighing only 6 pounds while maintaining a 325 pound capacity. Classic Accessories offers its Kennebec for about $190. It weighs 12.5 pounds and will carry 350 pounds. The Kennebec comes with lots of storage pockets and a hydrodynamic hull.

No longer restricted to land or to shallow wading waters, you'll discover a whole new realm of fishing when you push off from shore in a float tube.