Float tube?

KAN Fish · May-14-2006, 05:31 PM

Hello there tubers of the salt,
I wannted to kayak fish but transportation was a big issue so now I think float tubing is the way to go. I fly fish the salt so is there a certain tube style that would accomidate fly casting retreiving ect? Are there certain types of waders that are for float tubing? Can they be used to wade the shore as well? when the current starts to rip does the tube just go out with it? What is the best tube for the salt these days?
Ken Nakanote

T'Una Mas · May-15-2006, 03:29 PM

I haven't yet seen a tube that wasn't fly convenient. With that said, they won't get where the kayaks will!! If you want to travel, get a V-tube, but understand it won't be kayak comparable. Most any waders will work with tubes, and can also be used on shore. Tubing may cause a cafe in the seat/croth that will ultimately cause leaking before shore use only, but beach use may be harder on the feet/ankles which will leak too. Get a V tube (I use an outcast for BIG freshwater), good waders and you're set!

the hook · May-15-2006, 03:40 PM

Probably not a good idea to start a bloody chum line in a donut.

hj

lunchbox · May-15-2006, 11:17 PM

thresher off a yak? big deal. thresher in a tube!

so as not to completely threadjack... v tube or u boat for the ocean, both are great for flyfishing and can handle some chop. Any full waders work fine, or wear a wetsuit and a good pair of booties. with a ripping current you'll need to plan out your entry and exit spots, since kicking against a good current gets tiring real quick. You should be able to kick against a light or moderate current without a lot of trouble. I've never tried it but I hear you just aren't able to get enough speed out of a round tube to deal with much current, so the v or u shapes are the way to go. I think of it more like planning a dive than a fishing trip. plan your dive and dive your plan...or fishing trip in this case.

TheShark · May-16-2006, 09:00 AM

Word of caution if you tube in S.D. Bay...

The seals might consider you a play thing, grab on to your leg and take off draggin you thru the bay... I have heard stories of this

by the old men who fish off the pier

Not trying to thread jack- good luck out there

KAN Fish · May-16-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShark

Word of caution if you tube in S.D. Bay...

The seals might consider you a play thing, grab on to your leg and take off draggin you thru the bay... I have heard stories of this

by the old men who fish off the pier

Not trying to thread jack- good luck out there

Your scaring me

Ill put some 9" nails in my fins just in case...

Are there any bay tuber fly fishers out there that have some advice?

Thanks

TheShark · May-17-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAN Fish

Your scaring me

Ill put some 9" nails in my fins just in case...

Are there any bay tuber fly fishers out there that have some advice?

Thanks

Could you imagine getting towed

at fullspeed thru the freaking bay

Let me know if you go - this could be good!

WadeK · May-26-2006, 03:24 PM

I've tubed and kickboated the Salt. I'm just getting into Flys.
A few things I've picked up:
1. An anchor can save your ass!! Offshore winds can be kicked against for only so long. A 7.5# Mushroom anchor and 100' of 3/16" rope will hold you fine.
2. Beach launches can be done, but they aren't much fun if conditions aren't atleast good and preferably perfect. I flipped a U-tube in 3' rollers.
3. Sealions aren't an issue if you don't keep your fish, usually. I have had them grab a stringer with Rockfish (not a good idea anyways), and grab a Salmon off my line. In both cases being slapped with a rod sent them running, but it was way too close for comfort and I lost the Salmon anyways.
4. When launching keep everything zipped up. Even in calm lake conditions it's amazing how much you can spill when getting into your tube and underway.
5. Legally you have to have a class whatever PFD(lifevest) with you. Wear it!
6. A whistle is a good idea. Wal-mart has 1 w/ a thermometer and a compass. Clip it to your PFD. Your hard to see in a swell, but sound can alert an idiot that your there. Canned Horns are even better but are never easy to get to.

All-in-all it's not as dangerous as it sounds. I have averaged 10 salt trips a year for 8 years and have caught many fish upto a 32# Hali (not to mention 2 broke -off that were definitely bigger). I plan on going on my 83rd trip soon.

Tight lines,
Wade

CstlFlifisher · May-27-2006, 10:37 AM

Yak in the salt, tube in the fresh.......

CF

OBfishguy · May-27-2006, 11:10 AM

I have tubed plenty in the salt, it sucks you realy start to feel like a cherio in a very big cereal bowl, that said when conditions permit it is better than not fishing. the current and wind should be taken into consideration as to where you can launch and then return without fighting the ocean the entire time, at beach breaks you can use the rip currents and keep going in circles only kicking to get into the current and then letting the wind push you back,
for saftey I always wear a wet suit and swim fins that I can bail the tube and swim if needed, anchors and life jackets are also a must in the ocean
dont be scared, just be carful
good luck

KAN Fish · May-27-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBfishguy

I have tubed plenty in the salt, it sucks you realy start to feel like a cherio in a very big cereal bowl, that said when conditions permit it is better than not fishing. the current and wind should be taken into consideration as to where you can launch and then return without fighting the ocean the entire time, at beach breaks you can use the rip currents and keep going in circles only kicking to get into the current and then letting the wind push you back,
for saftey I always wear a wet suit and swim fins that I can bail the tube and swim if needed, anchors and life jackets are also a must in the ocean
dont be scared, just be carful
good luck

Thats the first time I heard someone reccomending abandoning ship, I know an old sailor's saying that you should always stay with the boat if its afloat. But I guess theres that line between being so close to shore that you can swin, and being so far away from land that you can't swim to shore so you must stay with the craft...

KAN Fish · May-27-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShark

Could you imagine getting towed

at fullspeed thru the freaking bay

Let me know if you go - this could be good!

Your funny

I just took a bay fly class from Rich over at andy montanas. Maybe I'll see you on the bay now that I know of a few spots,(although we havent met, I ll just look for the person slaughtering the fish on the fly)