Float Tube Nube

[The Steady Foot]

A few float tube questions for those of you that do it:

1. About how much of your body is submerged once you're in the tube in the water? I was wearing chest high waders during my first tube mission yesterday and the water * near got in. My chest pack was totally soaked.

2. What does 5lbs PSI (the recommended PSI) feel like? How squishy would the tube be at the proper PSI? My tire gauge starts at 10lbs, I couldn't even measure the PSI.

3. Is the 5lbs PSI recommendation really that important? I'm 6ft 250 lbs and I swear I felt like I was gonna put that sucka undda. I think I need more air!!

My father in law (hard core bass guy from NY) let me borrow his Caddis float tube and i hit Jackson Lake. Lots of bluegill but only one stocker trout LDR'd on a big white streamer. I loved it tho, I'll be back.

Thanks for any feedback folks

[RichardCullip]

A few float tube questions for those of you that do it:

1. About how much of your body is submerged once you're in the tube in the water? I was wearing chest high waders during my first tube mission yesterday and the water * near got in. My chest pack was totally soaked.

2. What does 5lbs PSI (the recommended PSI) feel like? How squishy would the tube be at the proper PSI? My tire gauge starts at 10lbs, I couldn't even measure the PSI.

3. Is the 5lbs PSI recommendation really that important? I'm 6ft 250 lbs and I swear I felt like I was gonna put that sucka undda. I think I need more air!!

My father in law (hard core bass guy from NY) let me borrow his Caddis float tube and i hit Jackson Lake. Lots of bluegill but only one stocker trout LDR'd on a big white streamer. I loved it tho, I'll be back.

Thanks for any feedback folks

I'm not sure which model float tube you have so I don't know how much of you should be in the water. I've got an Outcast Trinity float-tube which keeps most of me out of the water. It has an inflatable seat that hangs btwn two inflatable pontoons. When seated in the water the back of my thighs and butt are just barely in the water but the top of my thighs and lap are out of the water. Usually my knees are out of the water when I'm seated so it just my lower legs in the water. The instructions that came with my tube says:

How do I know when my Trinity is fully inflated?
You should be able to push in about 1/4” with your thumb when the boat is fully inflated and ready for use. Our urethane coated nylon is very tough material so you are able to inflate the Trinity until it is ridged

Hope this helps

[tyingfool]

Let me tell you from experience. If you don't have one or are buying one BUY THE ONE RICHARD IS TALKING ABOUT. Or if you can swing it a Pontoon. Get as far out of the water as possible . Unless you plan on only fishing the warm waters of southern cal and I know your not going to do that.There are some lakes in the sierras that are in the forty's. So get something that rides high. Just my three cents.

David

[beachbum]

You are a pretty big guy, and a lot of float tubes rate less then 250 lbs. Check the ratings before you buy one. I switched to fishing from one of my kayaks, in lakes that you can drive to, but still use a Caddis Navigator II when I hike in. Good fins also make the experience much better.

[Artin]

You've gotten some good feedback there. I have an outcast as well, mine is a Fish Cat, I ride pretty high. My butt gets wet but just the bottom most times. You should look into one that has an inflatable seat, I think they are way more comfortable.
Regarding the psi, pump it until it's pretty stiff, like Richard said, 1/4" push sounds about right. Remember to always deflate your tube after use. Not all the way nut maybe 50-60% deflated. That's what I do, more convenient when you don't have to pup it all the way every time you o out. Also make sure if you go to higher elevations deflate properly to have room for expansion.


Artin

[Gila Trout]

Sounds like the tube did not have enough air or the weight max on that tube is not enough for a person your size. I am 6'4" 250 and use a Outcast super fat cat. That tube is rated for 300 lbs. and goes through the wind and rough water great. At the most you should be submerged maybe to the waist in a low riding tube. The pontoon type of tubes like a fish cat, super fat cat, prowler and the caddis navigator ride high out of the water and just the legs from the knee down are under water. As for how much air as others have said blow it up until all the wrinkles are out of the cover and the is bladder firm. You should be able to only push down a 1/4 " at the most when properly inflated. Stillwater fly rodding from a tube is the best, plus fish from lakes tend to be on the large side.

Lanny

[Dry Fly Rie]

Lots of good advice so far. I'm 6'2 and 235lbs and have a Creek Company ODC tube. It's rated for 300lbs, and I feel like I ride pretty high in it. The underside of my butt and legs are barely in the water, and my knees sit just above the water line. It has two inflatable side pontoons, and then the seat is made of two rectangular styrofoam blocks encased in canvas. As far as how much air, the instructions say to inflate the the two bladders until firm. I usually pump them up until they are pretty rigid, and then they will have a tendency to soften a bit in the water (depending on the air and water temp).

Here's a picture of me testing out my tube in Grandma's pool. It gives you an idea of how high I'm sitting, and how firm the pontoons are.


Hope it helps.

[The Steady Foot]

Agreed, excellent info from all. Thanks everyone, just what I hoped for.