Where I fish, tubers are required to have 144 sq. inches of orange visible on themselves or their vessel. I have never cared one way or the other about this because my previous tubes were made by Caddis and they all had an orange panel (except my first tube, but that was before standardized tube regulations). But now I fish out of an ODC 420, which doesn't have an orange panel.
I see guys in Fish Cats and other "orange-less" tubes all the time, and they don't seem to be worrying about it. I'm not worried about being run over by a boat, but I am worried about being kicked off a lake and wasting my limited fishing time. I have come up with a solution for it, but have not gotten around to making it yet.
I was wondering if anybody else has done anything to their tube to satisfy this regulation.
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Not a law here as far as I know. Some states I say it is a great idea.
I learned a few years back that Idaho likes to follow the rules in that you must have a whistle/horn plus the vest. I have a bright yellow pontoon and a bright red float tube however my pontube is a dark blue so I have considered putting a flag on it. Specially on busy waters. I also have a vest, a headlamp with flasher, and a whistle.
Not a bad law.
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We need the whistle/horn and vest as well, in addition to the orange. We don't actually have to wear the vest, but have to have it in our possession. We also need waders (in the City lakes) and have to stay within 150 feet of shore.
A flag is a thought. What I was going to make is sort of a seatcover with an orange back.
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We don't have to wear the vest either and I am one of the few that doesn't. Except on the Rivers...there I wear them and I am sure that is the law.
The seatcover is good, but I have a battery and motor behind me on two of the three boats. Plus two have the inflatable seats, one with either a cloth or molded plastic.
Maybe we could borrow some T-Shirts from the City Workers....they are nice bright orange LOL
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its a law for the orange, the whistle or horn, waders and life vest here as well.. one member here, tn2, took a bright orange tshirt.. like the color of those guys and gals that work on the highway.. and just slipped it over the seat of his tube.. cheap.. easy fix to live inside the rules.. :-)
MacFly [cool]
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No such regulation in my state AFAIK. But then most fishermen don't even know what a kickboat is, in Texas. Thanks for the great ideas on meeting the regulations I would need for other states. I use a fluorescent bike flag that clips to a spare rod-reel combo propped upright for high visibility when motorboats and especially jet skis are around.
Pon
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Either get a workers fluorescent vest, or find a plastic sack made of the same color and cut the required size area out of it.
A couple of doggie snap clips or large snap swivels in the corners, and bungee cord are all you need to make a quick rule conforming addon to the rear of your tube.
Then you have what it takes. It folds up very small. Bag it and toss it in the vehicle trunk beside the first aid kit for whenever needed.
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It should be law here, specially at a couple of lakes. But, I am not sure how much good it would do.
I remember taking our Rinker up to one lake for some water skiing. 75' rope between the boat and skier in the water and one person in the boat with an orange flag held high, when a boater decided to take a short cut (SLOWLY) between the boat and skier. Needles to say, he cut the rope which is a fair amount of change due to being a special "V" rope.
We confronted about replacing the rope in which he declined, so we called Patrol, WHICH happen to see the whole thing anyway.
We didn't get reimbursed for the rope, but the other boater got a healthy fine and will think twice.
In short...some lakes attract CRAZY people.
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Ive thought of the orange flag thing too.. but here in Ca it has to be 144 sq in and at least 12" above the water line.. if I were to use the typical triangle bike flag I would not be meeting regs..
on another note.. a while back I found a bright red fleece pullover at wally world for like 10.. I figure that it is bright enough and if I wear it over the rest of my clothing there is plenty of color to see above the water..
MacFly [cool]
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If you mainly fish Upper Otay, the rangers are pretty "cool" about not hassling anyone about the orange requirement. In fact, about the only time I even see a ranger or one of their vehicles is when they come to empty the Iron Ranger collection box. Since UO is float tube and waders only and there are no boats to worry about, I think that is the reason they pretty much leave us alone up there. I have also never seen them bother the float tubers on Lower Otay either but thats not to say they haven't. I fished UO at least twice a week last year from April until August and never even was asked to show my license or daily permit (which I wear around my neck in one of those plastic holder things).
I like the idea of attaching something to the back of the seat! With my H3 being BRIGHT RED and visable clear across the lake, I doubt that I'll ever have a problem:o)
BTW: I'll be out on UO tomorrow from around 06:30 - 13:00 or so. Paddle on over if you see me!
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the lakes I fish in North County have a ban on any vessel (except their rentals).. including no waders.. so you South Bay UO guys are lucky for sure.. maybe one day Ill "get lost" and travel south.. LOL..
MacFly [cool]
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Yeah Bassamatic, at UO I don't worry so much. It's more when I go down to LO, or Murray, or somewhere else that I worry about getting hassled.
And I am definitely going to try to get out there either tomorrow or Sunday morning. Around this time last year they were absolutely swallowing trout swimbaits.
Macfly, I hear ya. Those quagga mussels are making things interesting (unless you're talking Dixon, who never allowed tubes). I would have liked to tube Poway this past winter. And you should check Uppers sometime. It's a tuber's playground.
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talked to a ranger out at dixon one time (who thought I was nuts using a fly rod).. and he said the lake is too small for tubers??? Im thinking.. its only small for tubers when all their boats are out.. lol..
btw... are either you are bassamatic members of the san diego fly fishers.. or some other local club (no this is not an advertisement.. lol ... )
MacFly
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I am not a current member of any clubs. I have toyed with flyfishing during different periods of my life, and am half-serious about picking up a 7 or 8 wt. for the surf. But at this point if I join a club, it will likely be a bass club. And that won't happen until I buy a boat.
"Too small for tubes"? I don't get it. Usually the smaller waterways are the best for tubing. Besides, are they worried you'll get run over by one of their trolling-motor-only rentals (the only boats on the lake)?
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lol.. exactly my point.. its either rowing.. trolling motor.. or big fiberglass paddle boats.. Im not that good at tubing but Im betting I could kick my way out of danger on any of those..
MacFly
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My orange Tshirts fade after awhile so I keep a collection of them. The last time I got tired of buying them, I just went to Home Depot and got one of the orange safety vests. It fits nicely over the entire seat back and complies with the regs wherever you go.[cool]
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