Float Tube Advice

[Forest_Dweller]

Hi,
I was doing a little research on float tubes and it seems the general opinion is they should be used on still-waters only. I was looking to use one on Michigan's Ausable River. Since it is a pretty slow moving river would a float tube work here?
Any help would be great.

[Uncle Jesse]

I have fished, along with many others, in the Chattahoochee River, which is mostly a slow moving rivers, with a few small rapids for several years from float tubes. I have fished from doughnut tubes and currently use a Fishcat, which is near the top of the tube design in my opinion. I have been upside down in both types, only once because of water movement. Other than the loss of a couple of fishing rods and the drowning of electronics (cell phones & cameras) no permanent damage done. If money is no object check out the Scadden line of float tubes. For around $200 a Fishcat 4 is the way to go. Get a comfortable PFD and wear it.

[NJTroutbum]

While I would not fish a "Donut" in moving water, I am perfectly comfortable in fishing an open front (U-boat style) tube in mild waters. HOWEVER....not with waders. shorts with fins only.

Ralph

[Patrout]

I've fished from float tubes over the last 40 years. They have evolved from inner tubes with canvas webbed seats to the inflatable mini-yachts we see on the market nowadays. If you want to go for versatility, stability and load capacity, check into the "Watermaster". http://www.bigskyinflatables.com/ I've used one for about 15 years now and I think they have more going for them than the other designs. They ain't cheap, though, starting at about $1500.
Pat

[Thunderthumbs]

I'm sure a float tube would work pretty well, but I think you'd do a lot better with a pontoon boat in a shallower river like the Ausable.

TT.

[CrookedRiverMike]

I would agree that a pontoon is the way to go. I sold my U-Boat by Caddis to purchase an Outcast 8' pontoon and love it on moving and still water.
MW

[Fly Goddess]

I thought I preferred the open front like on SFC, FC and pontoons but I got the NFO ASSAULT this year. I love the stability of this thing. I can actually stand on the seat area with ease. I thought landing fish to the side would be a challenge but it isn't. Something about the design is very secure feeling. The rockers give the boat a foot print of two pontoons. NO DRAG like other models. The inflatable seat area rocks with pressure valve. I got the Apron for mine and have all sorts of storage. $1300. and weighs 23 lbs. There is an Ultra light version (no bags or D rings) that weighs around 18 lbs. It rolls up into a rolling duffle.

I have added sonar and the motor mount and motor to mine, plus two Scotty glue on rod holders although the side bags have rod holders built in.



It is 8 1/2 feet long.

Stripped down



Packed up:

[John_N]

I was just up there a few weeks ago for three days of fishing. As I always do when fishing up there, I fished long stretches on foot each day, and on at least two of the days that I recall, I saw guys floating the river in float tubes. Maybe it's me, but over the last ten years or so of visiting up there, I've seen a progressively wider variety of watercraft on that river. Where it seems like it used to be almost exclusively the traditional Au Sable river boats and occasional canoes, I started seeing pontoons some years back with more frequency than ever before. Now more recently I've seen float tubes too. Especially on the mainstream, it's such a slow flow and shallow water in most cases, I can see where that would be a practical means to get around. I think I'd still want a pontoon or something with oars to be better able to make a radical course adjustment if I was coming up on a sweeper or something, but I guess if you were keeping your eyes far enough downstream, you could navigate effectively even with a tube. Either way, I'd only use it for navigation between points that I'd fish while wading, but that's just me...

[DUB]

I've fished from float tubes over the last 40 years. They have evolved from inner tubes with canvas webbed seats to the inflatable mini-yachts we see on the market nowadays. If you want to go for versatility, stability and load capacity, check into the "Watermaster". http://www.bigskyinflatables.com/ I've used one for about 15 years now and I think they have more going for them than the other designs. They ain't cheap, though, starting at about $1500.
Pat

I second what Patrout said. I bought mine new for 900.00 (Kodiak), but I took the time (3 months) and browsed Craigslist to find it.

I do have to say, the Outlaw Assault does look pretty good.

[Fly Goddess]

I second what Patrout said. I bought mine new for 900.00 (Kodiak), but I took the time (3 months) and browsed Craigslist to find it.

I do have to say, the Outlaw Assault does look pretty good.

Good point on Craigslist. I know of three gentlemen that have the WM and recently bought the Assaults so I am guess they are selling theirs. Again, the rocker thing, big difference.