Jeff,

I'll make it official. Buy both now.

I have no clue as to what your budget is, but if it's at least $150 you can do both easily and get in a whole season of fishing. That would be the goal for me. Giving up the fishing time is the worst thing you can do. Buy cheap stuff now to get you on the water.

You can get servicable waders for around $50 (I bougth an 'extra pair' of waders at that the big box store for $49 and like them just fine). A decent float tube for under $80 (again, wally world has them for $79 and they ain't bad to fish out of). That's $130.

Then, after you get out and go fishing you can decide to save your pennies to upgrade as you wish. In the meantime, you won't EVER have to skip fishing because you don't have both.

Fishing time is precious.

Buddy