New member with a question?

[Minnowfish]

Are you guys and gals familiar with the Okuma float tube that is sold at Academy sports and outdoors? Me and my buddy both picked one up to try out, but I know nothing about tubes so I'm wondering what kind of quality these are. We took them out and now we are both hooked, so I want to know if I should keep this tube or return it and go for something better. Thanks in advance...
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[zonker]

Greetings Minnowfish,

I don't know anything about the tube you mentioned but I did want to welcome you to the forum.

z~
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[Minnowfish]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm new to tubing, but after just one trip with my new tube, I'm hooked. My tube is a basic U shape and inflates from one valve location. I google searched for my tube, but can't find it anywhere. I payed 69.00 for it so I'm sure it is a beginner type. Maybe I should return it and go for something with a reputation behind it. What does everybody think? I don't want to spend alote because I still have to buy waders. I'm scuba certified and already have a very nice set of fins so I don't have to purchase them. I'm sure glad I found this forum though, Thanks again for the welcome. Ricky...
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. I couldn't find your craft on the Internet either. But, that does not mean it is not a good tube. Okuma makes good reels. I have several and I am happy with them, even though I paid much less for them than similar reels would cost from other manufacturers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glad you enjoy tubing and that you like our playroom. Don't be too quick to bail out on your new acquisition. Use it and learn the sport well enough to know what is important to you and what isn't. Then, if you have both the budget and the determination to upgrade, either keep the Okuma as a backup or for friends or family...or sell it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you find a website, please post a link. Otherwise, how about taking some pics and posting them up for our collection.[/#0000ff]
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[Minnowfish]

Thanks for the replies gentleman. Here are a fews pics of my craft! Maybe you guys could tell me a little about the quality of the construction. Feel free to use the pics as a reference for anyone wanting info from this site.
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[Majja]

Well for what it is worth form my limited opinion I think it looks like a great tube to start on. Like TD said use it see what you like and dislike and go from there. Also this will give you a good idea of how much time you will spend on the water. I am big into researching things that is how I found this BFT. Here is a little Eye candy for you. So when FTF (float tube fishitiss) sets in you will have some comfort.

These are in no particular order.

Probably the up and coming most popular the North Fork Outdoors H3
[url "http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007websitecatalogpages/2007catalogpage40.html"]http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007websitecatalogpages/2007catalogpage40.html[/url]

The tried and Outcast Line Superfat Cat, Fatcat and others
[url "http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/stillwater.shtml"]http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/stillwater.shtml[/url]
[url "http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/fishcattubes.shtml"]http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/fishcattubes.shtml[/url]

And Now the ODC420
[url "http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.php?primaryAutoID=103&Cat=2"]http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.php?primaryAutoID=103&Cat=2[/url]

Ohh yea we can not forget the Bassturd children of the tube world.
[url "http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=84260&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults"]http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=84260&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults[/url]

Ok no you have the candy so what do you do with it. Well I can answer that also, you become a student of the PVC. There are so many different ways to create you on set up here is the general link. I think the only limit is your imagination and weight limit of the tube you choose.

[url "gforum.cgi?post=184642;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=184642;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread [/url]

So I hope I have not been just going on to here my self type as I so often do. WELCOME to the Board, feel free to ask anything and we look forward to hearing your reviews and trip reports.

Majja
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[TooPureToDie]

I just started using a tube that is almost the same thing as yours, last year. It works great for beginners and is very reliable. I'd say that you should keep with it and get use to working it and you'll do just fine![]
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[tlspyder13]

Welcome to the board. Many of us have started with or still use a U shaped tube. I just picked up a V shaped one this spring but kept my U shaped one. Its only a couple of years old and in good shape. I have a few uses for it still and it has served me well.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The pics definitely help get a better idea of what you have. My first assessment is that you got a reasonably good craft for your investment. There are many that sell for more that are not as well made as this one appears to be.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In that price range, you cannot expect to get urethane air chambers or other "high end" bells and whistles. But, it does look like you got something that will be comfortable (high back rest) and which has essentially enough pockets and D rings.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As most of us seem to agree, you should keep it and make some meaningful trips in it. However, as most of us also advise, you might want to leave the tackle behind on the shakedown cruise. Get the feel first and learn how to maneuver both in calm water and under breezy conditions. Once you have a level of comfort and confidence, you can concentrate on fishing rather than navigation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Be sure to provide a review and evaluation after you have it on the water. If you want to make some extra money, bring along a friend or family member with a video camera. Some of us could qualify for prizes on our first launches.[/#0000ff]
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[Minnowfish]

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[#0000ff]"Quote"
"Be sure to provide a review and evaluation after you have it on the water. If you want to make some extra money, bring along a friend or family member with a video camera. Some of us could qualify for prizes on our first launches. "

[cool] Ya, it might prove entertaining if nothing else!

My biggest complaints so far is the lack of a beverage holder and the pockets are a little far back. I was a little questionable on the quality of the air bladder. But all in all, its not bad for the money. I will take a look at Cabela's and Bass Pro as both are located near me and see what they have. I will keep it unless I see something else that strikes my fancy and put that bad boy to some use. Thanks for a warm welcome everyone!
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[tlspyder13]

A good source of information is the best of the best board located at the top of this forum. It has a lot of good information over several years. Most tubes are there. If you keep the one you have I'm sure your
evaluation might make its way on there as it is a new tube. Good luck with what ever choice you make and looking forward to your reports.
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[tubeN2]

Welcome aboard Minnowfish. I too searched high and low for the Okuma float tubes. Couldn't find anything.

By the looks of the pictures, you have a very nice craft for the price. It also looks like a very good tube to start with.

If you look through the pictures on this site, you can get an idea of what I have. I did start with the old donut about 30yrs ago. Went to a Uboat, Vboat, Bass Boat, and now a combination Pontoon/tube.

We look forward to your ideas, questions and opinions here. All are welcome.[cool]
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