New to float tubing!

Hi guys I've never been float tubing before and have only discovered it this year fumbling around on YouTube,needless to say it looks like an absolute blast! I just ordered a cumberland from gobs of research and just ordered a castmate pro to go with it. Was wondering if you guys might have a gear check for me? Like good flippers,nets,etc etc I sure appreciate it!

Welcome LSUmane87!

There are a LOT of recommendations, reports, and reviews on what you need here.

Fins, waders, fish finder, lure retriever, 5 gallon bucket for storage

I recommend Force Fins I've had mine for 25 years plus so the cost is 10 bucks a year.
I wear my surfing wetsuits, but I'd recommend waders with a fly, we can stay out there a LONG time.
I use my trout net and it seems to be fine. I don't have a fishfinder but it is on the list. Just depends on how much you can spend.

Thank you!I plan on mostly doing bass and pan fishing, with the 5 gal bucket do you just float it ontop of the water?

I put the bucket in the back for backrest support and keeps everything dry.
Oh, rod holder & extra bungee cords for whatever reasons like tying to a buoy line so you're not blown all over the place on windy days.

Ah that makes sense. You guys have this to a science I have always been a techy anytime I get into something I want the gear to make it less of a headache. So far I'm looking at flippers,what kind of pump would you recommend and would I need to keep that on the tube?

The 5 gallon bucket fits great in back ( I have the Cumberland too), is cheap or free, and holds clothes, food, water bottles. I used to use a lunch box, but jackets presented a problem, and you can throw a fish or stringer right in the bucket. I line the bucket with a trash bag so if I keep fish I can carry the rest of the junk in the bag.

I don"t keep a pump cause it only takes a few breaths to top it off, but I have a Suburban or truck to use for hauling and I have 3/4 inflated before I leave.

Very nice have you heard of anyone having their own live well system? Or do most people use stringers

Stringers but there's a few guys here that has a floating live well "cage" tied to a rope and they let it float freely. I'm sure they'll chime on in soon enough.

A pfd and landing net are required to be on board.
As for me, rod holder/ fish finder set up, a heavy duty 15 foot stringer for keeping the tube from floating away when beached or tying off to something while fishing and sometimes an anchor.

Welcome lsumane87....lots of knowledge on here peeps will put in their 2 cents.....oh and as for a pump i keep one in my car....they r fairly cheap at wallmart...found mine for 9 bucks...its in the camping area....good luck....

I like to keep it simple. All you need is the essentials: breathable waders, fins, gaff, plastic mallet(for the seals and fiesty halibuts), 3 rods, landing net, fishfinder, water proof box for ff battery, waterproof box for personal items, 20-30 extra plastics, weedless jig heads, offset hooks, dropshot weights, sliders, spinner baits, crank baits, a rod rack on both sides, knife, measuring tape, extra fluoro spools, needle nose pliers, dikes, floating lip gripper, sun block, hat, stringer, pfd, water, snacks, and some cold ones in the summer. Like I said, keep it simple.

Welcome, you've come to the right place to find what your looking for. Poke around, I'm sure you will find great advice here.

SirMixALot wrote:I like to keep it simple. All you need is the essentials: breathable waders, fins, gaff, plastic mallet(for the seals and fiesty halibuts), 3 rods, landing net, fishfinder, water proof box for ff battery, waterproof box for personal items, 20-30 extra plastics, weedless jig heads, offset hooks, dropshot weights, sliders, spinner baits, crank baits, a rod rack on both sides, knife, measuring tape, extra fluoro spools, needle nose pliers, dikes, floating lip gripper, sun block, hat, stringer, pfd, water, snacks, and some cold ones in the summer. Like I said, keep it simple.

forgot whistle lol lol   

this guy is fishing fresh water ppl he doesnt need a gaff or a landing net haha pfd u dont need unless the lake u are fishing requires it what u need is fins waders for the cold weather but u wont be needing them now inless the water your fishing requires them most sd lakes do and a pump u can get a pump from wally world for about 5-10$ dont overload your self the first time out take what u need and go from there

Excellent ideas I tend to go overboard with everything I do lol thanks for your input guys it's a lake on a campground I will be fishing for the first time. Trying to gear up now for the trip. I was thinking about a floating live well cage also and do you guys recommend a fish finder or is that Not a must? I'm still up in the air about fins I don't know if I can swing the 180+ for the force fins just yet is there a cheaper alternative that works good?

Oh yeah I forgot my rape whistle.

LSUmane87 welcome to the board glad you found us you are in the right place. As for fins my 2 cents is this, dive fins the will serve the purpose till you can get in to a better pair, but I still use the same dive fins I started with years ago.

Check eBay for the force fins you can get lucky and score a used pair on there for a great price, I just won a pair on eBay for $95 !

BassHunter wrote:Check eBay for the force fins you can get lucky and score a used pair on there for a great price, I just won a pair on eBay for $95 !

I'm bidding on a set of XXL force fins right now actually lol

jeffcpr wrote:LSUmane87 welcome to the board glad you found us you are in the right place.  As for fins my 2 cents is this, dive fins the will serve the purpose till you can get in to a better pair, but I still use the same dive fins I started with years ago.

thank you sir! I'm trying to gear up before my first trip I'm gonna travel light for the first time I purchased the castmate pro set up I am getting the tube and the castmate Friday I'm excited to put it all together has anyone had experience with the castmate? I've seen a couple people mention it and Some people make their own.

LSUmane87,
I won a CastMate here this month and I had already built my own rack from ABS plastic. The CastMate is very secure with vecro and a strap to hold everything tight. The adjustability is great compared to the one I built, and the availability to "grow" by adding on to CastMate with prefabbed holders is nice.

Jerdon wrote:LSUmane87,
I won a CastMate here this month and I had already built my own rack from ABS plastic. The CastMate is very secure with vecro and a strap to hold everything tight. The adjustability is great compared to the one I built, and the availability to "grow" by adding on to CastMate with prefabbed holders is nice.

good to know I love customization. I'll post up some photos of the items I should be receiving them tomorrow.

Jerdon wrote:LSUmane87,
I won a CastMate here this month and I had already built my own rack from ABS plastic. The CastMate is very secure with vecro and a strap to hold everything tight. The adjustability is great compared to the one I built, and the availability to "grow" by adding on to CastMate with prefabbed holders is nice.

Jerdon,
Did you have problems getting the ends off?

kobra wrote:A pfd and landing net are required to be on board.

What state requires a landing net???

fisheromen wrote:

kobra wrote:A pfd and landing net are required to be on board.

What state requires a landing net???

Ca does for salt water anyways, not sure about fresh