float tube question

[gonefishn]

If you were going to buy a float tube, would you get a round or "U" shaped model? What are the advantages of open as opposed to closed front?

[skibum]

Most people think of the u-shape as a pond or stillwater tube and the round for moving water.. To each his own I guess.. I've used a round tube for years and never had a problem with it. Except this one time I somehow managed to wrap my foot around the line and no shallow water to help me out of the tube to fix the problem. :bang:

Anyone else have thoughts on the U-shape??

[Gatorbyte]

The U shape is less stable in fast water, but i see plenty of people use them. I just recommend going with quality as in a Buck's Bags. They are more duarable and have a little more room.

[nu2trout]

I had similar questions when I started thinking about tubes, and the answer I was given was do a search for tubes on the board and you should get plenty of information.
I personally like my BPS tube, round, and have had a few times where I thought I was going to tip over but did not. I am not so sure I would have stayed dry (from the waist up) had I been in a U tube.

My only issue with the BPS tube is the seat. My first one had been in a box for about a year before I bought it from the swap shop and the stitches busted after some pretty vigorous use. I took it back and they exchanged no question. I now have a new one and it is doing the same thing. I am sure they will exchange this one as well.

GB has a Buck's Bag, as do some others, and they may be able to attest to some better quality.

Good luck and what ever you decide to get you will be amazed at how much it opens the water up to you. I LOVE mine!:cheers:

[Jack Hise]

gonefishing;
Whatever you decide on consider the strength of the cover. I recently sold a Wood River Stealth Rider with 1000 denier Nylon all round. Almost indistructable! Some tubes have a heavy underside cover and a lighter top cover which may not hold up well when running into a overhang.
I also suggest a cheap pair of dog collars to be used as tethers for the flippers. Chasing a lost flipper around a lake with only one on can just about kill the rest of the day! I put the dog collar around my ankle with a loop of paracord tied to the flipper strap.
Mine was a V tube and very easy to propel around a warm water pond.
You may want to take a look at some of the tubes Scadden has to offer.
Another tip, put the flippers on AFTER getting the tube in the water and sitting in it.

[Bows2Bones]

As skibum said, the general rule is a u-shape for ponds/lakes and round for faster water. I've used a round tube for about 8 years, the same one actually, and never had a problem. Knock knock.

A friend of mine just bought a u-shaped tube and absolutely HATED it. It sat too low and got water in his waders. There's no feeling of support when trying to move around in it. I'm constantly resting on my elbows on the bow of mine, which he couldn't do.

My original tube, bought at Bass Pro, has a real inner tube, like a bike, and I've never once had to put air in it. However, I recently replaced my 2nd tube with the $69 White River tube at Bass Pro and it has this gray inner tube that appears stronger but will not hold air. Twice I've had to go back to the store after losing too much air before getting in the water. My buddy has a battery operated pump that's great to keep in the car.

My vote is definitely for the round.
Good luck.

[nu2trout]

I have an air compressor I use to pump my tube up with, but Gatorbyte has this awesome little multi purpose double action pump he uses. He said it was about 15$ and it allows him to have a little more room in the car going and coming from the water. I would definitely look into one of those as well. It takes about 2 minutes to completely inflate the tube wince it pumps on the up and down stroke.

[gonefishn]

I will definitely get a round tube as I didn't think the U boat would be as stable in the bow for a larger guy. With the colder weather coming on us I think I'll wait until Spring to get the tube. Only $300 more to save up and that shiny new fishing kayak will be all mine!!:cross:

[trout slim]

I've also been looking into getting a float tube, mainly for fishing the Hooch, and was wondering if the fins are necessary for floating. I can understand in a stillwater pond or lake you would need them to propel yourself, but is there any advantage to using them on a river?:huh:

[skibum]

Fins help more to move you from one side of the river to the other.. Sure in some slow sections you can kick to speed things up. Just dont plan on doing it for very long.. Another often used item is a dustpan.. I've even used flip flops ;)

[trout slim]

OK, that helps a little, but I'm confused. Are you using the dustpan and flipflops with your hands or feet. I'm from the school of less is more and I'm not a gear head. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse in flyfishing, but if I'm hiking a tube and all my fishing gear upstream to float back down the less stuff to carry the better. Also, from what I can tell the fins things look like divers fins that attach to your feet. Can they be worn with wading boots? If I'm hiking up a trail, I want something with a litte more stability.

[skibum]

The fins are for your feet. Not sure if normal diving fins will work the same but I know they make ones to fit your wading boots. The flip-flop and dustpans are used in your hands just to help you move away from something bad, or to get you to that rock on the other side of the river.. It's very hard to move across the river without touching bottom if you dont have any fins or paddles or something.. The only time I have ever used fins was at Callaway.. Man were my legs sore from fighting the wind to make it back to the other side of the lake..

[trout slim]

The more I learn about these things, the less appealing they are. It seems like I'd be doing a lot of sitting and waiting on a river like the Hooch that's got long stretches of slow water between the shoals. Is this the case? Does the slower water hold many fish? Other than not filling up your waders when you step off to far what are advantages of the tube?:huh:

Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate the advice.

[vidalia1]

Other than when I fish skinny water (Smiths, Nantahala, etc) I use either a float tube or a pontoon. I use a float tube anytime I go to the Hooch. Sometimes it is a pain to carry but it has saved me from getting wet many a time. I know at Whitewater those ledges can be brutal and I have seen many a person slip in. When I have my tube if I slip I just sit down in the tube. There are a few times on a river that I have used flippers or ping pong paddles but those are for longer floats where I know there will be slow stretches.

I like the idea of going to any water and know I can get around. This does not mean you do not have to be careful. I use a PFD anytime I am in my tube.

Good luck.

Kim Youngblood
(aka vidalia1)