First float tube

[Oscar O.]

I got a float tube for Christmas and I was wondering if there is anything I should know/need before I go out to try it. Chances are I will use it in the Spring as it gets warmer. I usually go with my dad in a small boat but he is busy a lot of the time and i still cant drive (at least until February!) so I'm glad I got a float tube.

Thanks in advance!

[bipr8]

1.  Get a pair of neoprene chest wader (STOCKING FOOT!)

2.  Get a pair of flippers with the adjustable heels (the stocking foot waders are bulky).

3.  Shorter poles are better b/c it does suck when you get a tangle near the top of your pole.

4.  Baitcasters are easier to take along with you.

5.  I usually take 3 poles with me.  1 in my hand and 2 laying on the netting and hanging out over the water.

6.  If you are casting to your left, have your poles hanging out over the water to the left of you.  If the tips of the poles are to the right, you will snag them with your cast (big mess).

6.  Stuff the back rest of your tube with an old blanket or towels or something.  It keeps the back rest stiff and lets you sit more comfortably.

Float tubes are awesome, you'll love it.  It is amazing at how close the fish will come to your tube and still hit or how close you can be to cover and still catch fish.

[Oscar O.]

I still have to get the flippers and waders. Thanks for telling me what kind I should get. I have three poles but one of them is too long. The other two have spinning reels on them. I will keep the pole tip advice in mind when i go out. I'm surprised that a fish will actually come close to the tube! Thanks again, this coming year looks promising! ;D

[Branuss04]

bipr8 - good advice on the rod tips, i've always just had one rod with me, but was planning on taking more this spring.  

Oscar - you'll have a blast.  During the early spring, be sure to but layers on under your waders.  I have insulated waders, but was fishing some high mountain lakes and was out on the water for 5 hours, the sun started going down, so i started heading in.  Halfway back to shore, my right leg cramped up SOOO bad I was ready to cry.  It was like nothing i've felt before, it was from toe's to thigh.  Now try kicking back to shore with only one leg.  

But anyway, go have fun and knock them dead.

[Oscar O.]

Thanks and i definitely will put layers under, it's chilly enough just being outside! Cant imagine how cold the water is! I play high school soccer and our field has lights so we can play night games. Well sometimes we go into overtime and it is freezing by then. I had to keep moving to keep the cramps from getting to me, and that still hurt! As soon as i got fouled, both legs just had pain that shot up from toe to hamstring. :'( Then we ended up tying to make it worse! >

Thanks again for the tip, what do you (or anyone who reads this) suppose i wear under the waders that is comfortable?

[Tokyo Tony]

I'd advise against neoprene waders if you're gonna be fishing when it's hot out - I see you're from CA, so I recommend that you to get breathable waders.  I have breathable waders, and when it's early or late in the year, I just wear fleece pants underneath, and sometimes long johns underneath that.  They're a real godsend in the summer when you just wear shorts or boxers underneath the waders and it's nice and cool.

[mayassa]

personal flotation device

whistle

[Oscar O.]

Thanks, but the lake i currently fish (and about to fish with a float tube) does not require those things. I think its for larger lakes, and not so much for smaller ones, although i may be wrong.

[Bean Counter]

Whether it is required or not you should always wear a PFD in a float tube.

Also you should have a sharp knife handy. I have seen float tubes flipped and the only way to get out of it if you are alone is to puncture the tube.