new to site and interested in getting started in float tubing

hey everyone the name is chris and I am interested in getting into float tubing. I am from El Paso tx, the middle of the desert. home of the only river that's a fire hazard . any way the nearest lakes and streams are 2-3 hours away. I ride a goldwing motorcycle and was thinking float tubing would be an ideal way of combining both hobbies, motorcycle riding and fishing. after all it would be tough to tow a boat with the goldwing. I have seen so many tube set ups on the web I can see it might be easy to make a bad purchase and not be happy with the equipment choices. that being said does anyone have suggestions for tubes and basic starter equipment that won't break the bank but give me a good basic set up to start with. keep in mind it will all need to fit on my goldwing. also does anyone else on here use their bike as a means to get to the lake?

Not sure what the goldwing is but I would like to suggest 3 tubes the Fish Cat 4, The ODC 420, and or the Cumberland. The Cumberland would be my first choice and so you know we as members get a discount of 15% off from Cover Bonanza. Of course I know that transporting would be the important part for you. Go luck in your search, I am sure there will be a lot more info coming your way soon.

thanks for the response...a goldwing is a motorcycle...the main reason I mentioned it was because traveling by bike will limit the space I have for transporting my gear

Would it even be possible to stow a tube, fins, rod(s), tackle and possibly waders in whatever storage compartments you have on your bike?

tubes are bigger than you think at least when I got my fishcat it was larger than I was expecting, even fully deflated... get a small trailer for your bike?

welcome to the forums i would go with a small tube or one with a inflatable seat n how do u carry your rods

Welcome to the boards. I would recommend getting something small like a caddis navigator. And this passed weekend I actually saw a motorcycle with one rod on it so I know that much is possible! Good luck

Yeah I say go with the caddis or if you want a better tube and sit higher out the water that doesn't take up much space check out the odc 420 lightweight model ohh yeah and welcome

welcome to the forum! I vote caddis as well

welcome to the forum! The ODC 420 ultralight would be your best bet cuz everything is inflatable, its a hassle pumping everything up but in your situation might be really handy for you. That was the first tube i started off with but i got tired of pumping everything up everytime i got tubing so yea but it was nice and sturdy tho! Hope u find the best that matches you

I have people riding motorcycle (Harley), hauling tubes and gears. However, it's best to look into finding a small trailer for the bike to be on the safest side, although not not a style for a cool cat to be riding a hot bike. Float tube, rods, and extra gears can burden a rider due to wind resistance and improper bulkiness. Rods alone, not a problem. A good tube for long day comfort on the water (including frame/rod holders/fish finder designs), and the extra gears to get you from point to point in the water, problem.

Best to have a nice list of what you want for yourself in:
1. supportive weight limit
2. comfort level for how long on average in the water
3. how often you use your float tube
4. how much gears you're willing haul/not haul with you
5. practical fishing vs all out search-and-destroy missions

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can bet we will be able to give you the entire concept of what you definitely should get no only for the short run, but the long run as well.

kc5qdf wrote:hey everyone the name is chris and I am interested in getting into float tubing. I am from El Paso tx, the middle of the desert. home of the only river that's a fire hazard . any way the nearest lakes and streams are 2-3 hours away. I ride a goldwing motorcycle and was thinking float tubing would be an ideal way of combining both hobbies, motorcycle riding and fishing. after all it would be tough to tow a boat with the goldwing. I have seen so many tube set ups on the web I can see it might be easy to make a bad purchase and not be happy with the equipment choices. that being said does anyone have suggestions for tubes and basic starter equipment that won't break the bank but give me a good basic set up to start with. keep in mind it will all need to fit on my goldwing. also does anyone else on here use their bike as a means to get to the lake?

Goldwing rocks! Big bike. All decked out?

I don't know what your bank is but I want to offer up something different.
North Fork Outdoors "PREDATOR"
This is 8' long and about 5' wide. Has Oars, removable side bags and comfy seat. Best part......it weighs 12 lbs!!!!!! It is heart valve material.
I ride a HD and put this in a larger back pack because although light, it has handles, oar locks and BIG D rings all that do effect how small I can fold it. I get it down to 24" x 22" x 6" easy enough.

Renegade