The modern float tube has come a long way from the old, black, stinky truck tire tube we all used (and loved) as kids. They are sleek, have lots of storage, and can support the biggest of fishermen.
The float tube is an inexpensive way to get the modern fisherman away from the lake shore and out to places that are all but inaccessible from shore. I don't want to take away from the spinning fisherman who uses a float tube, but the majority of float-tube users are fly fishermen.
Why not a boat, a kayak, or a pontoon boat? Have you looked at the prices for these? Pontoon boats run from your basic model at $250 to the really snazzy ones at $2000 or more. You can get a stripped-down kayak for around $350 or you can pay thousands for a tricked-out fishing kayak with all the bells and whistles. Boats, I don't even want to go there. You know how much those bad boys cost.
So, back to the float tube. If you're a fly fisherman, you already have a lot of the basic equipment you'll need to operate a float tube. Let's list the things you'll need to get you started.
First is the float tube itself. You can purchase the basic model for about $90, but be careful. There are some questions you want to ask yourself: Will it hold me up? That's a biggie. Most of the models on the market will hold a minimum of 250 pounds. How much do you weigh? Will it keep your butt out of the water while you're moving around the lake? You will probably upgrade to a more expensive model to make sure it has enough capacity to hold you out of the water.
Read more at http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/2011/08/12/summertime-and-the-floating-is-easy/
