noob + float tube = bad experience

[returnofthefish]

I have been back and forth on getting a float tube for a while. I wanted more access to certain lakes then a public dock would offer. I went ahead and got a float tube combo made by fish creek with a pump and fins. Since I already have a pair of waders, all I needed was a life jacket. I can't swim.

After picking up a life jacket and float tube, I went to a small 20 acre lake. It took me about 30 minutes to set up. I had two rods and a small tackle box that would fit on the side. I started to walk forward with the flippers and with the float tube on. It was hard. So I had to walk backwards with the float tube on my back.

Launching into the lake was easy. Then this is when things start to go wrong. I felt water inside the waders right away. Apparently, I had under inflated the float tube and I was laying real low in the water. Water quickly filled up the waders. The extra weight made it real hard to paddle. I was going in circles twice in the lillies before I kiind of figured out how to paddle.

I tried to troll with flashers made by the same company as the wedding ring. They only require 1/4 mph to spin. I made it half way across the lake and my legs were worn out. Trolling with a float tube might not be a good idea. I switched over to still fishing. It was hard staying still in one place with the wind blowing.

I my mini tackle box and polarized glasses sank in to the lake while I was fishing. I learned that it was difficult to have two rods on the float tube. It was also hard to rig my pole in the middle of the lake. I called it a day when the line on both of my rods got tangled. The small plus side was that I took out my wallet and cell phone from my pants and they didnt get wet in the waders.

I am a noob and I obviously don't know what I am doing. I became a member here to learn about fishing. Anybody got any advise for me? How long did it take till other float tubers became comfortable with fishing from a float tube?

[fishaholictaz]

#1 = LEARN TO SWIM!!!! If you are going to be on or around water it is very important to learn the basics and become comfortable in water... I have had to save a few people from the lakes and rivers and I am always thankful I had the knowledge to save lives! (I could not imagine watching those people potentially drown:-& ) Also for your own safety...

#2 The best way to cover water in a tube is by using the wind in your favor. I always like to drift at wind speed with a big bladed double whammy tipped with a worm or a bottom rig right off the bottom:-$

Being as I am not a tube fisherman I will let others comment on what works for them these were a couple words of advise:salut:

[Anglinarcher]

The first time or two without someone with you that knows what they are doing can be difficult, and you are learning that now.

1) Find a Float Tube Friend.

2) Make sure the tube is large enough for your weight, and then, inflate it all tha way.

3) Fish with one rod for several times until you get the hang of it. Then, get rod holders that strap onto the tube.

4) Even young legs get tired if you are not experienced in float tubing. In a short time you will find that your strength increases and you will have little difficulty in fishing all day.

5) Float tubes are not fast. Trolling in tubes is best done with lures that require extreme slow speed, like Flatfish, flies, etc.

[tnj8222]

also dont use the fins that come with the tubes. invest in a good 100 dollar pair of fins and you will be much happier.

also check out the float tube club http://www.psftc.com/boards/

[big fish lite line]

I've had days like that. I never got comfortable in a float tube because they are so slow and require too much energy to troll. fill up your tube next time and only bring 1 rod and you should be able to learn what works and what doesn't. tight lines!

[Mike Carey]

Ouch, tough first outing. The previous advice were all good and I'd have nothing much to add but encouragement. You should also be wearing a life jacket, if that wasn't mentioned. It does take a bit of practice, especially walking in backwards! But the payoff will come as you get more comfortable and find the stealth factor really helps catch more fish.

[returnofthefish]

Yes indeed, it was a tough first outing. I'm mostly upset about watching my tackle box sink. I had 8 spinners and 2 spoons in there. That wiped out half of my lure selection. There were also terminal tackle like hooks and sinkers. My polarized glasses were only 3 days old.

I did learn a lot from my first outing. I learned how to inflate the float tube properly once I got home. I also plan to only use one rod next time. The weather or lake conditions will dictate how I fish next time. If the top of the lake is glassy, then I can still fish. If the lake has some wind, then I can ride the wind and troll with Mack's Flash Lites with a Pro Wedding Ring tipped with bait.

It would have been nice to have a float tube partner for the first time. It's in the past and its too late. I still plant to take out the RMS Minnow out again soon. Next time, some experience will be on my side.

I also have two questions?
1. Do I tie the stringer to one of the D-rings if I catch any fish?
2. Does anybody carry a small net to land fish on thier float tube?

[racfish]

Im chuckling my friend cuz the same kinda thing happened to me on a pontoon last season.I leaned over a bit too far and slipped in after rowing halfway across to Mercer Isle.I couldnt get back on the toon.I kicked it to Seward Park Peninsula which was close.Then rowed soaking wet to my area. It was disasterous to say the least.I know im not a great swimmer and always wear my PFD.Thank G-D for that.
I carry a net on my toon so I wont reach too far over.My problem with the tube was leg cramps so I went to a toon.

[Anonymous]

Sorry that your first time out was so ruff.
My daughter is in the Air Force. She is an Air crew life support technician which too you and I means that she takes care of the fighter pilots support gear and systems. IE: radios, helmets, harnesses, G suits, night vision, life rafts and survival gear. One very important thing about her job that she showed me the last time she was home was that everything in a pilot’s survival harness has a lanyard tied to it. Also take a look at almost every fly fisher person out there. They will have several lanyards full of all kinds of goodies hanging around their neck or hanging from heir vests. I have several small tackle boxes all of which have connection points that I could tie a short lanyard too. You might have saved your small tackle box if it was tied to your float tube with a short length of line. I don’t use it but I also have a floating croakie that came with my Maui Jims. (Sun glasses) pictured below. I will probably regret not using it when I drop them over the side. I have seen them for just a couple of bucks at several sporting goods stores. Don’t give up…The first time you hook into a monster fish that pulls you around the lake, you’ll forget all about the first day that you had in a float tube.

Always wear a PFD while you’re on the water. The life you save may be your own.

Pictured below is an idea that would help with both issues. Storage and Safety. It's an Inflatable life vest. They are a little expensive but if you have to use it just one time...It's worth every penny. I was able to purchase two for the price of one on Ebay. Shop around. Good luck out there.

[Anglinarcher]

I also have two questions?
1. Do I tie the stringer to one of the D-rings if I catch any fish?
2. Does anybody carry a small net to land fish on thier float tube?

Again, you have received good advice. Personally, I am a non-swimmer (well I can swim, but I won't be winning any awards soon) and I did not use a PFD in my Tube. I would never go in my Toon without a PFD, so belive it or not, the tube is safer, or at least it can be. (My Tube used an actual truck inertube so even a big leak would keep you afloat for a long time). Still, considering the different types of tubes on the market now, the inflatable PFD is a very smart thing to use.

Now, questions, I did not like stringers. They tend to be long enough to wrap around your legs. I used a Buck's Bag fish bag that attached to two of the side D-Rings. Other float tube bags are also available. I have even used a floating metal mesh basket (spring lid but with foam to keep it floating), but not if I planned on moving very far or fast.

I always cary a small net to land fish. Sure, I could land one without it, but a hook in the tube or hand is not something I intend on going through again.

[cobrar543]

"I always cary a small net to land fish. Sure, I could land one without it, but a hook in the tube or hand is not something I intend on going through again. "

I do belive the KEY word there was.....AGAIN! LMAO

[Dustin07]

sorry to beat a dead horse, but I really would learn how to swim if I were going to be in water.

Second, here's a great float tube group: http://www.psftc.com/boards/index.php

and lastly, Here are some great float tube mods that may get you excited about your next trip!

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gf ... ost=475010


sorry you had such a crappy outting. I've always been afraid of the very things you mentioned. I never wear waders myself because I always fear them filling up with water and weighing me down to sleep with the fishes.

[returnofthefish]

I was wearing a life jacket or pfd. The life jacket probably saved me from the water filled waders. Towards the end of my trip, I coule tell that the waders was causing the underinfalted float tube to go lower in the water. Water was starting to come across the top of the float tube sides. I made the decision to come to shore before panic sets in. If antbody plans on float tubing for the first time, I highly recommend that they have a partner. OR just take the tube out without any rods and gear, and just learn how to move in the water correctly with a pfd..

[Anglinarcher]

"I always cary a small net to land fish. Sure, I could land one without it, but a hook in the tube or hand is not something I intend on going through again. "

I do belive the KEY word there was.....AGAIN! LMAO

Aaaaaaa YA!

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I have had good results with my float tube. Here are some ideas, some of which are similar to those mentioned above:

1. rather than a stringer, put your fish in a mesh bag that you can hang off a D-ring from a short rope. I use an old onion net sack/bag

2. get a piece of rope and tie that to the end of your rod. you never know when you might accidentally drop your rod.

3. For some of your fishing tools, you can attach them to your vest via retractable snaps

4. wear a life jacket all the time

5. Never walk forward wearing flippers. Put your flippers on when you get to the waters edge and walk backwards into the water

6. If you want to anchor, use an old dumbell as a weight

7. Watch your temps. Fill your tube to its capacity, but note that colder temps will cause it to under inflate and warmer temps may cause it to over inflate while in the water.

8. And the MOST important thing I have learned: no matter what you do, you will ALWAYS need to pee 15 minutes after getting in the water and paddling to the middle of the lake

[Anglinarcher]

Shad_Eating_Grin has a good point with item # 8 - ROFLOL. He is so right. There is a device that attaches to .......................... and fills a container, and you pump it with a had pump ball into the water, and ...................

The urge seems to go away a few minutes after your body gets use to the water temperature.

I thought about # 7 last night, and I totally agree. I use to duck hunt from my tube years ago, so I'd fill my tube from a compressed air tank that I had in my car on the trip to the lake. Of course the air was at 70 +/- degrees. When I'd get in the water, it was about 32 degrees +/-. If I did not over fill my tube, it would get pretty low in the water after just a few minutes. So, keep the temperatures in mind - is the water warmer or colder then your tube's air, and how much different is it?

[Gringo Pescador]

I thought about # 7 last night, and I totally agree. I use to duck hunt from my tube years ago, so I'd fill my tube from a compressed air tank that I had in my car on the trip to the lake. Of course the air was at 70 +/- degrees. When I'd get in the water, it was about 32 degrees +/-. If I did not over fill my tube, it would get pretty low in the water after just a few minutes. So, keep the temperatures in mind - is the water warmer or colder then your tube's air, and how much different is it?

I was suprised how much air temp changes affected inflation too. Went up to Lost Lake (Kittitas) on Snoqualmie pass fathers day weekend. Had my tune filled and strapped tight to the roof rack of my car with tie downs. As we started gaining altitude, the temperature started dropping. All of a sudden I hear a loud "FLAP FLAP FLAP". Pulled over and the toon has shrunk enough it had started slipping out of the tie downs#-o . Glad I stopped when I did, another 5 degrees and it probably would have taken flight!

Another thing I use alot that works great in certain situations and setups - Velcro straps

OH! and make sure to keep a patch kit on your tube at all times!

[Anglinarcher]

One last issue, and this will be controvisial to say the least.

Waders full of water do NOT sink you to the bottom.

A fly fishing ICON, the Late, Great, Lee Wolf, once proved this to a group of reporters many years ago. He had them come to a bridge back East, over a river, and he put on his waders. He then, to their horror, jumped off the bridge. The waders filled, he swam to the shore, got out of them, then spread out a blanket of cheese and wine for refreshments.

It is a fact that water weights the same as water. Let me say that again, WATER weights the same as WATER. So, if you fill your waders with water, they weigh the same as water, plus the weight of the waders. In fact, the only change between the before and after is that they are more bulky, and I suppose, a little less air, and of course you are now cold. Have you ever noticed that WATER DOES NOT SINK IN WATER.

So, why do we hear that people fill their waders with water and die? The same reason that we hear of people that drown in 4 feet of water, when they could very well have just stood up. They panic.

To keep water from filling your waders, or at least keep the waders from forming a big parachute that impeeds swimming, use a wader belt to keep the tops tight to your chest. Now I have dated myself, because most waders already come with these today, built in, or are elastic so you don't need them.

In short, who was it that said that the only thing to fear is fear itself? First time tubers, or tooners, have a lot to learn, and an experienced mentor can make a world of difference. But get serious, kids ride tubes in rivers, so we older kids should be able to fish out of one designed for us.

[Mike Carey]

Interesting fact, one I'm not interested to verify by experience!

[topdawg47]

Returnofthefish-

sorry to hear your bad experience:

YOU MUST LEARN TO SWIM THOUGH MAN...THAT'S A MUST, AT LEAST LEARN TO STAY A FLOAT!

Besides that, I personally like pontoon boats rather than float tubes becuase Im out of water and you can also hook up trolling motor/other accessories, etc.

But, my buddy has a float tube and seemed like it was o.k. Float tube is just not my style.

A buddy is good to have as well...

Stay safe