Fishing Forum

well i am geting back in to tubeing and i was wonder what kind of tube should i get ? it mainly go to be used on small ponds and some lake . any info thanks
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i would suggest a Scadden X5.... but seriously, if your just bumming around little ponds and lakes here and there, you cant go wrong with a used one. look through KSL, sometimes you can find a hell'uva deal in there.
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It all depends upon your size. If you are a bit husly then an outcast super fat cat would do you fine. If not then go with the lighter fish cat 4 or fat cat. Other brands are available as well ie: caddis, creek company as well as others.[cool] Welcome back to the sport!
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[cool][#0000ff]If you read back through some of our posts, and visit the archives and pictures, you will see that we all have different ideas about what is best. The important thing is to get something that fits your personal style of fishing and your body size and shape. Lots of choices and lots of good craft on the market. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A good suggestion is to visit a well stocked store like Sportsmans or Cabelas and to look over the options firsthand...to get a feel for the size, shape and construction quality. Pay special attention to the seats and the pockets. Some pockets are arranged mainly for fly fishing anglers and some have larger and more open pockets for those who like to carry larger tackle containers for bass or other species.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am PMing you a small section of my book on "Choosing a Craft". It should help guide your search for the perfect craft...for you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Feel free to pop in here to ask the questions that will most likely occur during your search and comparisons. Where you are we all once were.[/#0000ff]
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I was going to suggest looking in the archives. Tube Dude has put allot of work into it.

(TD quote) Pay special attention to the seats and the pockets. Some pockets are arranged mainly for fly fishing anglers

That is interesting, I never thought of the smaller bags as being a Fly Fishing feature. Thought it more a cost choice on the manufacturers. I know I carry some pretty big fly boxes and some even carry BUGGER BARNS http://www.cliffoutdoors.com/index.php?page=the-beast-s
Ever noticed the size of bags on North Fork Outdoors (built by Fly Fishers)? [laugh][laugh][laugh]


What about the ODC? Allot of people here really like them and the price is very reasonable.
I do think a trip to Cabela's is probably the best answer you are going to get. Go kick some tires so to speak.
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First decide what you want to do with the float tube. Small lakes? Hiking in or launching a ways away from your vehicle? Float rivers? Do you want to put a motor on it? How big are you and how much weight will you add to it -- such as battery and electric motor.

Then how are you transporting it. Car? Truck?

If you don't float rivers and want something small and light to go into a car, then stick with the float tubes or a Scadden Outlaw. If it is a float tube you decide on, then get one that has a "v" shaped bow. You sit up higher and it moves easier in the water. They are a world of difference from the old style round and u shaped tubes. Look at ones like the ODC, Fish Cat, Super Cat, Trinity etc.

If you want more room, a motor, and intend to float some bigger water look at the Scaddens and other pontoons.

After a while of being back in to tubing you might want to add something bigger and more versatile to your "stable". I love my Scadden Outlaw Renegade. It is light (28 lbs), folds up and will fit in my car, floats 800lbs, can do class 5 rapids. It glides through the water with oars, fins, or electric motor. It is a frameless pontoon boat with lots more room that is in a regular float tube.

Whatever you get be sure and get some good fins. They make a huge difference. Look through some of the posts for additional suggestions. I like a pair of diving or scuba fins for most of my adventures.
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"That is interesting, I never thought of the smaller bags as being a Fly Fishing feature. Thought it more a cost choice on the manufacturers. I know I carry some pretty big fly boxes and some even carry BUGGER BARNS "

[cool][#0000ff]Some of the earliest tube manufacturers got their start making tubes mainly for the fly fishing crowd, and before the availability of some of the larger storage boxes we have available today. Their pocket sizes and designs still reflect their earlier concepts. We see this a lot whenever even the large pockets are divided up into several smaller compartments.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of the more modern designs feature large pockets with few or no divisions to restrict the sizes of the boxes we can load in them.[/#0000ff]
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thanks for the help guys
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So you decide what tube you gonna get yet? I know so many choices so little time![:p]
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Check out the scadden Escape it is kind of a hybrid it is a tube but it has oars and you can mount a motor on it. That is what i bought and I love it I can float the rivers and still hike it in a short distance as well.
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