Float tubes

3060 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by mrmugs, Oct 5, 2008

318

Discussion Starter · Sep 19, 2008

I'm thinking about buying a float tube and am looking for opinions and suggestions. I am thinking about using for small interior lakes mostly. I was looking at the Caddis Proline and want to know what you guys think about it. I would like quality, entry level round tube or possibly U shaped tube. Any other suggestions are welcome. Also what fins would be good to buy. I don't really want to buy Force fins as I can't justify spending more on my fins than the tube :wallbash:. Thanks. :cheers:

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FISHING~FORCE

· #2 · Sep 19, 2008

A U-shaped belly boat moves easier in the water and also a Outcast Super Fat Cat

Force fin are the best http://www.flybc.ca/forum/index.php?showtopic=11714 Here is a good deal

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mrmugs

· #3 · Sep 19, 2008

It depends on how much you are willing to spend. I have a belly boat, it's the cheapest one out there and it's done me well and is very comfortable. The drawback is I sit quite low in the water and it is hard to get in and out.

I find the higher you go in price, the higher you'll get out of the water. That is essentially how it works.
As far as fins go, the less you spend the more uncomfortable you'll be. I bought the cheapest pair I could and they are quite uncomfortable which sucks when you are blown across the lake and you need to go back!

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stone

· #4 · Sep 19, 2008

When I used to belly boat, the best one I ever used (and still own as a backup) is the Fishcat 4 mentioned above. Sits you out of the water, is comfortable, and easy to get in and out of. I have Force Fins, and I think they're worth the money, but my friends who use plain scuba fins seem to keep up with me just as easily. The nice thing about Force Fins is they produce all this thrust without being so long and bulky like regular fins are.

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ouch

· #5 · Sep 19, 2008

I bought a Fishcat a couple years ago too. It seems a bit more durable then its competitors and keeps me right out of the water. I think depending on your weight that company recommends a certain model. and the accessories are cool too. The anchor really helps out on windy days and the custom icebox, sweet.
Forcefins are a rip off so I just use regular fins and they work fine. But if I had that kind of money to burn I'd do it

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318

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 19, 2008

Thanks. I thought about a fishcat but my only concern was that since I'll be using it in the summer time, my neoprenes (which is all I have) will be to warm. I can't really afford to buy breathables especially after buying a tube and fins. Also as far as casting goes, I'm not the greatest caster and I know it is harder to cast from any tube and am wondering what needs to be done differnently from a tube.

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mrmugs

· #7 · Sep 19, 2008

All this talk about force fins, I realize that's what I have. I find them quite uncomfortable, possibly because I wear cheap rubber waders and the boots attached to them are quite thin.

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Flyfishin Magician

· #8 · Sep 19, 2008

My wife bought me a super fatcat v-boat last year and it rocks (compared to my other doughnut shaped float tube). It's so much easier to cut through the water than a "conventional" round tube. It's super easy and quick to blowup too! I too have force fins and find that they can be uncomfortable if I tighten them up too much. As for waders, I use neoprenes for lakes and this works fine. Casting? Hmmm. May I suggest you practice in a park (if you can find the time). I find casting from a tube to be no problem at all. In fact, when chironomid fishing, I find that fish will often strike when the line is just a rod length away from the tube! In other words - casting distance may not be that critical for hooking fish!

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Rick58

· #9 · Oct 3, 2008

I have been using a tube made by Bagmaker for about 15 years. Never a problem and very comfortable to fish out of. However, my fishing buddies have recently bought Super fat cats and I've had the opportunity to test float them. Very nice. They are very easy to get in and out of and you sit out of the water giving you a much better view of the water you are fishing. As soon as funds allow, the old donut boat will be replaced by one of these beauty's for sure.

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mikerotch11

· #10 · Oct 4, 2008

just get something that fits your budget, and floats!.....u shaped are better I've found but besides that....just getter done

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stone

· #11 · Oct 4, 2008

mrmugs said:
All this talk about force fins, I realize that's what I have. I find them quite uncomfortable, possibly because I wear cheap rubber waders and the boots attached to them are quite thin.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, Mugs...a couple of questions:

1) When you say "boots", do you mean actual boots attached to your waders? The ones that are meant for walking with the stiff soles and big lugs? This could be part of the problem. Force Fins are meant to be used with soft footwear with flexible soles to enable you to flex your feet while kicking. Using stiff boots in them is probably less efficient. I use those cheap Dragonfly slip-on neoprene booties in mine.

2) Are you tightening them up too much? Tightening them up too much can cause uncomfortable pinch points on the top and sides of the feet that make contact with the fins. Tighten them up enough to be secure, but not too tight that they pinch. If you're nervouse about losing your fins, you can always make up or buy a security strap to go on your ankles. They don't float and will sink to the bottom if they come off.

:beerchug:

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mrmugs

· #12 · Oct 5, 2008

stone said:
mrmugs said:

All this talk about force fins, I realize that's what I have. I find them quite uncomfortable, possibly because I wear cheap rubber waders and the boots attached to them are quite thin.

Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, Mugs...a couple of questions:

1) When you say "boots", do you mean actual boots attached to your waders? The ones that are meant for walking with the stiff soles and big lugs? This could be part of the problem. Force Fins are meant to be used with soft footwear with flexible soles to enable you to flex your feet while kicking. Using stiff boots in them is probably less efficient. I use those cheap Dragonfly slip-on neoprene booties in mine.

2) Are you tightening them up too much? Tightening them up too much can cause uncomfortable pinch points on the top and sides of the feet that make contact with the fins. Tighten them up enough to be secure, but not too tight that they pinch. If you're nervouse about losing your fins, you can always make up or buy a security strap to go on your ankles. They don't float and will sink to the bottom if they come off.

:beerchug:

1)Correct! They are cheap $50 rubber/pvc waders with the boots factory heat taped to the waders. They are a bit tricky on the river as the "lugs" aren't made for the slippery rocks. I can outrun anybody in the mud though! I can't buy the neoprenes or breathables when one of my boys needs new shoes, pants, food etc...

2)Thanks for the tip on the security strap.
I find I have to cinch them up tight because they slip off after a while and to get them back on in a float tube is asking for trouble! The boots don't allow a proper fit. If I fish with friends I often try to steal a extra pair from one of them, even if it is the leaky spare!

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