New Float Tube Advice

[Cantstopfishing]

Looking into getting a float tube and would love detailed advice on what to look for ect. I am 6'5 260 lbs so I need something that will support me along with my gear. Also what sort of accessories should I get to go with it? Can I get a fish finder to go with it if so what are some good recommendations? I've never been fishing using a tube, so would love any and all advice.
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[albinotrout]

Sounds like you need to visit the float tubing boards.

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gfo...ategory=66

Are you interested in a tube or a toon? Motor? One can accessorize any tube or toon with a little creativity. I use a hummingbird 565, 570, or 571 hd di depending upon the day on my toon. Also have used the fishing buddies before. My rod holders and tool holders I built myself using PVC. I have also mounted an electric trolling motor on my wife's fish cat 4.

For a tube try looking at the fat cat by outcast. It is rated for more weight. Also a toon would work for you as well.
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[MBM1969]

Look at the Classic Accessories Cumberland. They are rated for higher weight and seem to get good reviews. Cabelas has them on sale right know for $174. I use a Fishing Buddy for a fish finder and it has worked great on my pontoon or tube. Make sure you get decent flippers.

Mark
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[remo_5_0]

Get a toon.
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[gofish435]

You need to sit down and think about a number of things such as:
Where do you plan to fish?
Can you drive to the edge of the water to launch or will you have some distance from the parking area to the water?
For your size the pontoon might be the way to go but there are u-tube options that will handle your size also.
Do you have a vehicle than can accommodate an assembled pontoon or will you need a trailer.
Like someone already said, don't go cheap on the fins unless your going with a pontoon and motor. Cheap fins are just that.
You need to have a fish finder and for simplicity I use a Fishing Buddy by Hummingbird. Easy to attach and remove and will go a couple of full days on a set of 6 AA batteries.
Good luck in your selection and welcome to the world tubing/tooning.
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[Cantstopfishing]

I have a small Jon boat already with a trolling motor. The reason I am wanting a float tube is to have something easily portable I can take with me when my family takes our trailer camping and I can't take the boat. The float tubes I've looked at so far don't look like they would accommodate a trolling motor and fish finder, but î would love to be able top use both with it if possible. Anyone have any experience with tubes that would allow for both?
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[Cantstopfishing]

Anyone have any experience with the Classic Accessories Cumberland?
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[albinotrout]

To put a motor and FF on a tube takes a little creativity, some PVC, 2 boat bumpers and a good V tube like the outcast fat cat or similar. Like I said I out one on the FC4. TD put one on the fat cat. Other models have had them put on as well. Show us the tube and we can help pimp it out for you.[]
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[Stickleback]

WOW after seeing your pics I was wondering if you could help me turn my Honda Civic into a motor home.[]. I showed the pics to my wife and she just wants me to see if you will come organize my garage.
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[albinotrout]

Heck if you saw my garage you wouldn't want me near yours. []
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]I have been tubing for over 5 decades and have been in and out of many tubes and toons. I am shorter but heavier than you. I have been fishing from an Outcast Fat Cat for almost 15 years now. I have tried others but always come back to the Fat Cat. Quality construction, plenty of room and a setup that allows adding a motor.

See the attached link on the float tube board that have pics and instructions for adding sonar and rod racks. Then see the attached PDF file for a writeup on my current motor mount.

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=529659#529659"]BASIC TUBE SETUP[/url]


[/#0000FF]
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[ZugBug]

If you buy the round donut shaped float tube, my one piece of advice is to always back into the water with your fins on. I have seen many funny and potentially dangerous launches.
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[TubeDude]

[quote ZugBug]If you buy the round donut shaped float tube, my one piece of advice is to always back into the water with your fins on. I have seen many funny and potentially dangerous launches.[/quote]

[#0000FF]That's why few serious tubers still buy the donuts. In the olden days we didn't have any choice. Today we do.[/#0000FF]
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[RockyRaab]

Amen to that! I went from a doughnut tube to a 'toon and now to a kayak. If I ever felt the need to step back to a float, it'd be a good 'toon.

Those doughnut tubes were horrible things.
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[lovetofish]

Rocky, do you have a trolling motor adapted to your kayak or do you rely on paddle power.
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[RockyRaab]

Neither. It's powered by pedals and penguin wings.

http://www.hobiefishing.com/mirage/mirag...angler-14/
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