At first glance, a float tube might look a lot like a fluorescent doughnut that you wear around your belly. But don’t let this “beach party” appearance fool you. They are rugged personal watercraft and highly effective fishing tools. This post gives you some pointers for picking the tube that’s right for you.

1. Float tubes are inflatable personal watercraft designed for stillwater fishing.
2. Choose from O- or U-style float tubes. O-style watercrafts usually weigh and cost less than U-style models, but are more difficult to enter and exit.
3. To propel a float tube, wear fins and kick your feet.
4. Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
5. To stay dry and comfortable, wear chest waders.
6. Consider extras such as number of pockets, rod holders and shoulder straps.

What Is a Float Tube?

A float tube is an inflatable, one-person watercraft designed for angling on lakes, ponds and reservoirs. They usually feature one or more internal air bladders made of tough PVC or vinyl. The exterior cover is often constructed of tear-resistant nylon pack cloth.

When you sit in a float tube, the lower half of your body rides underwater and your upper half sits above the surface. You should always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when float tubing.

Benefits of a Float Tube

Float tubes offer several key benefits to the angler:

Portability – Float tubes are lightweight watercraft. When deflated, many float tube models fit easily into a backpack. Float tubing is often the most effective means of fishing backcountry lakes.

Stealth – Float tubes make little noise on the water. When float tubing, you sit close to the water’s surface. Both of these facts give you an edge when stalking wary gamefish.

How Do You Propel a Float Tube?

Your feet, equipped with fins, power the float tube. Once you’ve strapped on your float tube fins: simply start kicking to get moving. Keep in mind that due to the physics of fin propulsion, you will travel in the direction opposite to the one you are facing.

Note: Specialized float tube fins are designed to fit easily over wading gear. Tight-fitting scuba diving fins probably will not fit correctly and could damage your waders.

How Do You Inflate a Float Tube?

Float tubes come equipped with the same type of air valves found on bicycle or car tires. You can inflate them using hand or motorized pumps.

Many models give you the option of old-fashioned mouth-and-lungpower inflation. This method may leave you lightheaded for a few minutes, but will allow you to leave the pump at home or the trailhead – a nice feature if you’re backpacking with your float tube.

Factors to Consider

Style: You can choose from two main styles; the traditional O-style (also called round) or the U-style (also referred to as easy-entry). Here’s a quick comparison:

• O-style – The traditional, circular float tube design. These weigh less than U-style boats, making them a good choice for backpacking. O-style float tubes can be tricky to enter and exit.
• U-style – This is an open-front design. U-style tubes usually feature a bar across the front that you open and close, making for easy entry and exit. You will, however, pay more for the added convenience and comfort. Also keep in mind: U-shaped float tubes usually weigh more than O-style models. U-style models often feature multiple air bladders that require individual inflation. Typically, U-style craft take longer to inflate.

Weight: Before choosing a float tube, consider its weight. Pay particular attention to this factor if you plan to backpack with your float tube or carry it long distances. Size, materials and extra features (such as the number of pockets) contribute to a tube’s weight.

Dimensions: They vary in size. Take a look at the overall dimensions to get an idea of the watercraft’s roominess and gear-carrying capacity.

Hull Shape: While most of them have rounded hulls, some models feature more hydrodynamic V-shapes.

Weight Capacity: They are designed to carry anglers and their gear on relatively brief fishing excursions. The watercraft’s weight capacity indicates how many pounds it can safely accommodate. Float tubes are not designed for expeditions. Leave heavy objects such as food-filled coolers back at basecamp.

Accessories and Extras

Pockets: Most tubes come with pockets to hold gear, water, roast-beef sandwiches, etc. The number of pockets varies by model. When shopping, you’ll find many different pocket types and configurations, from all-purpose pockets to gear-specific pockets designed to hold tippet spools, reels, reel spools and other tackle.

Stripping Apron: This is a nylon mesh panel that goes across your lap when you sit in the watercraft. The stripping apron provides a surface for holding your fly line. You unclip the stripping apron to enter the watercraft and then re-attach it over your legs. Some stripping aprons feature printed-on rulers – a handy feature for measuring your catch.

Adjustable Seats: Certain models allow you to adjust the seat’s size and position for comfort. Some models feature no-slip covers.

Rod Holders: These straps hold your fly rod, freeing your hands to tie knots, release fish, eat lunch, etc.

Fly Patches: You pin these squares of synthetic fleece on the cover. They hold waterlogged flies, allowing them to air dry before you return them to your fly box.

Shoulder Straps: Removable straps allow you to easily portage your float tube on your back.

Fluorescent Accents: For safety, nearly all of them feature fluorescent accents on their rear panels. These make you highly visible to other boat traffic on the water.

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