FLOAT TUBES: Best Practices

[John Pierce]

STORAGE

• Store unpressurized so that air bladders are not stressed, an keep on stressing with evening-daytime temperature cycles.
• Ideally store inside out of sunlight to avoid uneven fading and droppings from trees, bug/birds nests etc.
• Clean after each use.

CLEANING

OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Net bag tied to side for storing fish in water.
• Painter with loop on end to be able to moor on a log etc, long enough to flip it off vs having to almost impossibly turn around in boat tube to access the painter.
• Pee tube if male and have zippered waders.

LOADING: Backpack Straps

• Can leave on bottom while using but adds drag and picks up lake muck/floating weeds.
• Store in side pouches.

LOADING: Bow Storage

• Can use for cooler, fishing bag.
• Often free water in area, fishing bag become full of water.

LOADING: Seat Back Pockets

• Store fishing net, but if horizontal then will act as seat back putting undue stress on end areas.
• Store stripping apron.

LOADING: Small Side Pouches

• Use one side for personal valuables, ie phone, car keys in water proof zip lock bag.
• Use other side for fishing valuables, ie fishing license in water proof zip lock bag.

LOADING: Large Side Pouches (16x7.5x4")

• Use one side for personal gear, ie water bottle, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, extra jacket layer.
• Use other side for fishing gear, ie straps.

LOADING: Rods Storage

• Put pre-loaded rod reel end behind seat strap.

USE: Placing In Water

• Rest gently on bank, do not place in water until ready too board.
• Load boat, then self, then boat half in water, then fins, then board boat.
• Board boat gently, sitting all the way back and evenly in middle of seat.

USE: Fishing

• Board boat gently, sitting all the way back and evenly in middle of seat.
• Paddle gently until get nature of boat and turning.
• Rod(s) can be wedged between the side of the pontoon on the Belly Boat and the thigh.
• When on lakes, fish with two rods using a combination of 1.5, 3, and floating as these three lines allow me to cover depths from the surface to five feet and all are very easy to cast.
• Generally, I fish close to the shore and if I have too much line out, bottom hookups become a very good possibility. I like casting towards the shore with my clear line, 1.5 ips, and just let the type 3 do what it wants.
• If I notice rising activity on surface, then a floating line.
• The slow movement of my pontoon boat generally creates enough movement on the fly that strikes can become a real possibility.
• A variety of depths can be obtained by letting more, or, less line out.
• I have seen some fishers let all of the line out the backing and in some instances allow well into the backing.
• For comfort, lean forward to take stress of seat back, then adjust seat back straps.

USE: Landing

• Gently nudge shore, step out in knee deep water, being very shallow is like standing up off the floor..
• Lift boat onto bank, remove fins, lift boat fully onto bank.

MISCELLANEOUS

• As sitting close to water, and unless tall, use rod(s) 1ft longer than normal, ie 10ft, as the extra height allows you to keep the back cast out of the water and also permits longer casts.
• Float tubes are well suited to two rod fishing as both hands free and can wedge rod beside thighs.