First Time Out on my New Tube

I just finished collecting all the various gear , and when the opportunity presented itself, I took the plunge, so to speak, and launched my float tube on her maiden voyage yesterday at Puddingstone. Had some technical problems at first keeping fins on, but either I figured it out or it figured itself out, and things went well after that. I caught a lot of nice fish including some really big crappie (my PB for sure). I was able to reach places I could never have gotten to from the bank, and the feeling of freedom being out on the water was great, though I wasn't eager to go too far, especially with the wind kicking up. I spent most of my effort dealing with the wind and the float tube and didn't get to concentrate on fishing as much as I would have liked. When I fish I like to put my line in where I think there will be fish and kinda "fish" that spot, but when I'm moving around like a bobber on top of the water, tactics start changing up a little. I am pretty sure there are skills I can develop to give me better control, like there would be in riding a bicycle, and avoiding wind is probably a good idea also.

Today I feel great. I went fishing, and I got exercise at the same time! I love my new little boat, and I am anxious to get back out there. I am sure I will be more mobile and more in control in time, and already I have seen the difference in the haul. Thanks for FTFF people for all your posts.

WTG! Nothing like the first time! Welcome to new world...tight lines!

It's good to know you had fun out there.

If you keep drifting away, you can always get a small anchor to keep you in place until you want to relocate

Cartman welcome to a new world that most will never know. I remember my first time out and yes there is a learning curve. More time on the water will build you skills and more importantly your confidence. So when you get a chance get back out there and build on your last trip. Also very glad to hear the fish are bitting out there, I have not been there is a few years now hope I could get out there soon.

awesome glad u had fun out there things will get easier as you tube more

Great job, it does get easier the more you are on the water. I can remember my first time up at Lake gregory and the wind was howling.
You will never want to fish any other way, the freedom to go where ever you want to.

.:LOLLY:. wrote:It's good to know you had fun out there.

If you keep drifting away, you can always get a small anchor to keep you in place until you want to relocate

I am gonna be looking into an anchor of some sort. I am worried that since the tube is mostly round if I am anchored in one spot it may just get blown around and around that spot, or is that something I can more or less control with my fins?

Are anchors commonly used, or are they generally considered an unnecessary encumbrance?

I don't use an anchor I just use my fins but that is me. There are plenty of people that use anchors, and they serve them well. there is the simple way get a small canvas bag, fill with rock and use a rope to tie it off to your tube.
I think with more time on the water you will get better with holding your spot. For me win the wind is to high it is time to call it a day. If I had an anchor my day might last a little longer.

Very cool cartman on your first outing....

Awesome man sounds like it was a great first time!!!

I dont use an anchor, but I have thought about it. mostly if I want to stay in position I point the nose of the tube into the wind and kick slowly or fast enough to hold my ground. I have also thought about a wind sock to help slow down the drift if I am going with this wind but have not done this either.

Where I fish, if you wait for a no wind day, you wont get a lot of fishing done. Keep at it, you will get the hang of controlling the tube in the wind.

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Cartman wrote:Are anchors commonly used, or are they generally considered an unnecessary encumbrance?

I just posted on this.

I'm still a newbie, so I bring everything. I think it's unnecessary in many places, but if you anticipate wanting to park your self, and fish a spot for awhile, or you know there's some wind.. then it might be good to have 2 anchors. I use rope and chain. You can put a carbiner on it, and it then serves 2 purposes.. you can latch onto a dock or whatever, or just use it as an anchor.

Good luck and congrats.

Congrat's on the new tube!


I'm new to this too (been out all of 4 times now). You'll get better at controlling your tube pretty quick. My first time out I swear all I did was paddle for position, and it was a calm day.
My last time out was pretty windy( at one point I spent about 20 minutes going about 300 yds). This trip I found that I spent far less time worrying about where I was at or where I was going. Turning is getting to be second nature finally, and I don't find myself drifting into the weeds when I'm not looking LoL!

Doesn't seem to be many people around me who tube, so I'm kinda on my own for learning this stuff. So far I've seen one pontoon on the lake near me, and no tubes.



I made a rodholder with ABS pipe. Mostly 1-1/2", with one 2" upright piece to accomodate my net. I set it up to hold 2 poles, net, plus a open holder for a future camera mount/light mount.
Still a work in progress... I've revamped it each time I've used it. I still need to make a camera mount/light mount for it. Also need to get a more secure way to keep it from leaning this way & that, lol!
Browse the forum, you'll find plenty of ideas for rod holders. For a live well, I went with a "repair" net, for fixing a landing net (about $10 at the local overpriced fishing store), attached some pool noodle and a draw-string opening to keep it closed.

First rodholder looked like this:
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reduced it down to this:
(the "upside down piece" isn't glued in. I can add more rod holders if I find the need later on.)

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