Float Tubers

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Comment by JBplusThuy on May 8, 2010 at 1:03pm

Things I learned on my first float tubing trip Thursday:

1) A rod holder is essential. Must buy or make one before my next trip.

2) Tangles at the end of an 8 or 9 foot rod are the pits when in a float tube. Very hard to reach the end of the rod without dropping the reel end into the water. To this end, I need to make a floating "rod buddy" on which to rest the reel and let it drift out from the tube and securely hold the other end of the rod. When I get a prototype built, I'll post a pic.

Of course, if anyone has already made one, feel free to post a pic so I can copy it :-)

Jonathan

Comment by JBplusThuy on May 7, 2010 at 5:48pm

I took the day off work yesterday and took my float tube ought to Bethany to break it in.

First impressions: the ODC 420 is nice, I would certainly recommend it. I got the set with the fins and pump on eBay for much less than the list price of an ODC 420 alone, which was an excellent deal. The pump is adequate and lightweight, I can fill the tube in just a few minutes because it's a double action pump. I can see that I will probably want bigger fins for a more powerful stroke, but these are nice and light and fit well over my wading boots thanks to the adjustable straps.

The only thing I see so far about the ODC 420 that I'd change is I would put the inflation valves somewhere other than under the main pockets. That position pretty much means taking at least much of my gear out of the pockets to deflate the tube. I'd much rather leave my stuff in the pockets at all times, ready to go.

Speaking of waders and wading boots, My boots are Hodgman, got them last weekend at Sports Authority for $30. I saw no advantage to the Caddis boots at $70 on the shelf next to them. My waders are LL Bean Emergers, they fit great and were very comfortable throughout a full day of tubing.

Somewhere, somebody (probably here on BG) told me that once you try float tubing, you'll never want to shore fish again. That is *so* true! I'm hooked! :-)

It wasn't a great day fishing except for the 10" red ear (my personal best by an inch), with half a dozen bluegill and red ear + a 13" bass going home to the kitchen, plus some baby largemouth and a baby striper caught and released. I caught the bass after dark on my fly rod, and wow, even a small bass like that puts up quite a fight on a 5 weight fly rod. It was so dark I couldn't see the fly at all and could barely see the strike indicator in a reflection of the sky.

The bass, like several other of the fish I caught, was taken from an area I couldn't have reached from the bank, so my tube really saved the day :-) Of all those fish, only the 10" red ear and one of the bluegill was caught from a place that would have been easy to reach without my tube (in water right next to the boat dock).

If any of y'all live in the SF Bay area, let's go tubing for 'gills sometime!

Comment by Ben Reyna on April 21, 2010 at 5:15pm

a couple of pics of the ODC 616 kickboat and the lake

Comment by JBplusThuy on April 19, 2010 at 11:28pm

Haven't been out yet, hope to make it in May. Just need to get some leashes for my fins (used to body surf; all fins come off your feet sooner or later), some cheap wading shoes, and my 2010 license. Then take a day off work and enjoy some weekday fishing :)

JB

Comment by Ben Reyna on April 19, 2010 at 8:40pm

finally got out and tested the waters with the ODC 616 kickboat, and Creek Co. lightweight fins both performed well. The kickboat is easy to get around in and the fins are a breeze to put on and get me around the lake with ease. anyone else getting out yet

Comment by Ben Reyna on March 28, 2010 at 11:16pm

JB, you need to check out the bigfishtackle.com website, got to the floatubers section and there is a ton of information on fins, waders, add ons etc. etc. the people there are great and just as friendly as they are here. as for footwear over waders, I do use sandals and those inexpensive water shoes that you can buy at just about any dept. store. the vest, I wear a regular vest like MikeT and it is comfortable. I purchased an ODC420 from BM_2009 also and love it. good luck and good gillin.

Comment by Michael Thompson on March 28, 2010 at 9:00pm

Nice choice for tubes JB. I like just a regular vest type PFD, some like the inflatables though.

Comment by JBplusThuy on March 28, 2010 at 7:07pm

Well, I'm taking the float tube plunge. On eBay I just won a new-in-box ODC 420 + fins + pump set for $129.95, well under the typical store price for the tube alone, so I'm pretty happy with that. The seller is boatmaster_2009. He has another one relisted at the same minimum bid (I was the only bidder) so anyone else looking to pick one up might be able to get that price, too.

Now I just need to decide on waders, boots, and a PFD, then hit the bluegill spawn out in the California delta :-)

Speaking of boots and PFDs, does anybody just wear river sandals over their waders? Any PFDs you really like (or hate?).

Thanks!

Jonathan

Comment by Ben Reyna on March 17, 2010 at 2:13pm

I was waiting for this vacation to try my newly acquired ODC-616 kickboat, but just like good ole Murphy, I caught the cold I had been successfully avoiding all year long. So I am sitting here flipping through all the cool photos on the website still dreaming.

Comment by Ben Reyna on March 5, 2010 at 10:55pm

Zack T, Check ebay under sports. I have purchased several tubes/pontoons from there and have not been disappointed. or check craigslist for your area there are alot under boats and sporting goods. I started out in a round tube and then went to a V shape then a pontoon all 3 have their advantages and disadvantages. but if you have the money go witha V shape one you cant go wrong there, just be careful once you start you cant stop.

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