Fishing Forum

i am interested in getting a float tube. i was wondering if i could get some general information on them. like what type of water is best for them (Lake, or Rivers). and what makes them better or worse than shore fishing or boat fishing?

thanks!!
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First of all let me welcome you to the board. Now those are some loaded questions. First I would not recommend a float tube for a river. A nice pontoon would be best. Float tubes are great for still water (lakes) for you can get to places that you can't by being on shore and with a tube you can say you are now in stealth mode. Boats with big motors have a tendency to hurry you along and you miss a lot of fishing area and let you cover more water. Tubes let you cover an area a lot better even though it is a smaller area. I know Tube Dude can answer this better than I. But with a tube you can get places you can't with a boat. You can get shallower and spook the fish less. If you want a little more mobility get a toon and add a small electrict trolling motor. I prefer fishing from a tube or toon (yes I got both) more than standing on the bank.

Now you just need to decide which is for you and what model to get, which is a whole other discussion.
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Hard to beat fishing from a tube or pontoon in certain situations. IF the lake(s) you normally fish allow easy access to the areas where the fish are, then a tube is excellent. It is like sitting in an easy chair catching fish all day long (again, depending on the kind of tube you buy but most of the super people on this fantastic forum would likely agree with me on that). IF the lake(s) you normally fish are large and there is limited access to launch a tube easily, then a pontoon with oars or trolling motor might be a better option or possibly a regular bass boat, I have not owned a pontoon but I did have a nice ProCraft bass boat that I ended up only using twice the whole time I owned it. I couldn't get anyone to consistently go fishing with me to assist with the launching and reloading of the boat so I just went by myself on my float tube (almost every weekend and sometimes during the week when the lake I fish was open). I will categorically say this: I have caught MANY MORE bass from my tube than I have ever caught from the shore or from a boat of any kind. When you are on a tube you can get so close to the shoreline and "tullies" and just cast right in there when the bass are "holding tight to cover" and the results are amazing. IF you tried to do that from shore, then the snags and breakoffs you'd get would undoubtedly ruin your fishing trip. Pontoons are good for that too and most bass boats will also allow that kind of access but they usually are more costly and harder to manage, both on the water and when storing (especially if you fish alone most of the time). From a personal prospective, I absolutely LOVE fishing from my tube and highly recommend it to anyone I meet!!

A hearty WELCOME to this great forum. You will certainly learn a massive amount from all the wonderful folks here! I know I did when I first started "tubing" a couple of years ago and I STILL do when I visit the forum:o)
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[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. I suggest you wander back through the archives and some past posts on this subject. It is a common question by folks who are thinking about becoming "tubular".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'll try to be brief. First of all "better or worse" is very subjective and a matter of opinion. A lot depends upon your level of skill as an angler, the type of fishing you prefer, the part of the country in which you live (and the available waters), your personal budget, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have lived and fished all over the country. I have owned boats and fished from many others. I have fished from shore and waded a lot. It's all good. But, I fish almost exclusively from a float tube these days because I prefer to...not because I can't afford a boat. To me a tube or toon is simply a more efficient fishing system.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tubes or toons will never replace boats for being able to travel farther and faster on the water. But that is not always the key to getting more fish. Sometimes slower and more methodical is better. It is always more enjoyable and relaxing...to me.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One big advantage a lot of tubers and tooners appreciate is being able to head out somewhere and have their inflatable stored in their vehicle for ready access...along with some tackle. No trailer, no truck, no big engine, no gas or oil, etc. If you see a body of water that just NEEDS fishing...you are good to go with a few minutes of pumping and preparation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unless you are faced with a limited budget and/or limited space to keep more than one system, there is no reason to not own more than one...such as both a boat and a tube. Lots of guys have both. There are times and places where each will serve you better. It is not a mutually exclusive club where ownership of one will disqualify you from owning another.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Spend some time reading up on the sport and seeing what the issues and options are. Pop in if there are terminologies or technologies that you are having trouble with.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Better yet, if you have a fishing buddy with a tube or toon, talk them into getting you afloat for a trial run. If you are like most folks who do that you will be hooked soon after you hit the water...unless you literally hit the water by tripping over yourself on the launch. That is a prerequisite before you can call yourself a tuber.[/#0000ff]
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And some Pontoons can be Bass Boats;



And some Tubes can be Pontoons;


[laugh][laugh][laugh]

That H3 is still available!
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Goddess... how much are you asking for the H3 shipped?

Steve
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