New member

Hello.

I'm a brand new member to this forum and I gotta say it's great to be here. This is a sport that I'm really looking to become a part of. I look forward to meeting a lot of you and posting pictures and showing progress reports and learning from you all. I am just starting out meaning putting all my gear together. I am open to suggestions. For starters. What do you think is a great starter tube?

Anything from Classic Accessories and there best is the Cumberland, I will send you a PM with so more info soon. Welcome to the forum glad you found us.

Welcome aboard Soggy Bottom.........my first and a forum favorite is the Cumberland by Classic Accessories. Click on Cover Bonanza for a great deal...........GT

Thanks GT! They look like the toob that will hold up for many years. Appreciate the tip. What about flipper fins?

Look at equipment related topics...u will find a thread on fins. Personally I use Outcast fins, step into tighten traps. Easy on the legs, $100.....GT

Welcome:idea: always nice to get new Talent you will have a great time

Welcome to the forum Soggy Bottom (great name )!!!
I have a Cumberland as well. I use Omega Flip Fins and Force Fins. If you do a few searches Force Fins are the preferred tool, just very pricey. I say get what you can afford or use what you got and jump in the water.

Welcome aboard Soggy Bottom ... I hope that you enjoy your stay,
You should sign up for the International Float Tube Fishing Tournament ... today, it starts Jan 1 and it goes thru March ... lots of time and lots of fun!! Only $20.

I own (2) Cumberland Classic Accessories float tubes and (1) Fish Cat Deluxe 4 float tube,
You can't go wrong with either FT.

The CCA PROS in my opinion: offers larger storage pockets and an attached storage on the back of the seat, the seat and the seat back are both constructed with a pliable foam and so you only need to inflate the two air bladders. The seat is also very comfortable and you sit up out of the water.
The CCA CONS in my opinion: the bow of the FT tube is constructed from a mesh material which will cause minimal drag in the water and will also collect a lot more floating debris in it's netting (acting like a skimmer).
Also the bladder end caps are constructed out of nylon cloth so when you clean your tube you will not want to stand your tube up on end which will cause the fabric to begin to fail or cause the stitching to come apart.

The FCD-4 PROS in my opinion: slightly better construction, air bladder end caps are concentrically designed and are constructed with a durable vinyl product and the bow section is also constructed with the same durable vinyl product making it less prone to gathering floating debris and slightly more water dynamic (like the hard bow of a ship), the seat is very comfortable and you sit up out of the water.

The FCD-4 CONS in my opinion: slightly smaller storage pockets and no back of seat storage,
also you'll need to inflate the seat, the seat back and the (2) two air bladders.
With so many air bags ... sooner or later you will have a leak.

Fins: I prefer Force Fins. They channel the water perfectly and are proven to cause less muscle fatigue and leg cramping than the other (cheaper) fins in the market. Remember ... when you are out there ... that this is not a race. You will move slowly and stealthily. In SW, there are tide currents and gusting winds to consider.

PFD: A must and a requirement to have on board with you at all times. The USCG does not consider our float tubes to be flotation devices.

Pm me ... and I'll make you a deal on a CCA FT, a set of breathable waders and a two-way air pump ...
such a deal that you can't refuse.    lol
Contingency ... that you pick up the items in San Pedro, Ca.

Welcome aboard. I also would recommend the cumberland and fish cat. I have 2 cumberland and 1 fish cat that I have had for many years. I could offer you a good deal on a cumberland that needs 1 new blader. For fins I found a pair for $20 at big 5 that I like. I ussually look for cheap snokle fins to float tube in. They are longer then fins that where designed for float tubes. I have been float tube fishing for 6-7 years and would be happy to offer any guidance on the subject. Where will you be fishing? I go out almost every weekend in the Long Beach area.

Hi SP Dan. Thanks for the welcome! I did a little research and think the CCA is the toob I am looking for. Thanks for the helpful analytics. I read up on both of them and you were spot on. I will be contacting you "pm" shortly about the offer details. I may have to roll out to San Pedro soon Thanks again.

Thank you Litefoot

Jerdon: Thanks for the welcome. Great info on the fins...I am looking on line now. So many options.

Hey Soggy Bottom,

Just give me a-couple-of-days heads-up and I'll take you out to a couple of my local spots in order to give you a good feel of the tube. I have extra fins, rods and a PFD you can also use. Plus the tube you will be using will have a rod rack ... but not apart of this package. The rod racks cost me about $60 dollars in ABS parts at Home Depot.

SP Dan <"))><

SP Dan: "PFD: A must and a requirement to have on board with you at all times. The USCG does not consider our float tubes to be flotation devices." What does PFD stand for and will I need this for lak fishing here in Arizona?

I will reach out when I am able to lock down a time to head that way. Will be soon. Thanks for offering to test them out. I wear XL in waders. Looked at some yesterday, did not purchase as of yet. I will try to hold off...lol

PFD: Personal Flotation Device, life jacket.

I'm not 100% certain about the regulations in AZ but you should be able to inquire locally about it.

It is required here in Ca.

Soggy Bottom wrote:SP Dan: "PFD: A must and a requirement to have on board with you at all times. The USCG does not consider our float tubes to be flotation devices." What does PFD stand for and will I need this for lak fishing here in Arizona?

I will reach out when I am able to lock down a time to head that way. Will be soon. Thanks for offering to test them out. I wear XL in waders. Looked at some yesterday, did not purchase as of yet. I will try to hold off...lol

Welcome to the forum Soggy Bottom! PFD stands for Personal Flotation Device aka Life Jacket. You should always have a PFD anytime you are out on your tube or any boat. I'm sure it is a requirement on any floating platform in any water way if you are aboard. Plus it's for your own safety! If you don't like the bulky life vests, you can pick up a nice inflatable from Basspro for pretty inexpensive prices right now. Welcome and have fun!

Welcome. Let me know when you get set up and we'll go check out one of our desert lakes.

Welcome aboard! Lots of good advice from everyone above!

Soggy Bottom wrote:SP Dan: "PFD: A must and a requirement to have on board with you at all times. The USCG does not consider our float tubes to be flotation devices." What does PFD stand for and will I need this for lak fishing here in Arizona?

I will reach out when I am able to lock down a time to head that way. Will be soon. Thanks for offering to test them out. I wear XL in waders. Looked at some yesterday, did not purchase as of yet. I will try to hold off...lol

No. In AZ you are not required to have a pfd (personal floatation device) on you. I've popped my tube and unless you get a huge gaping hole, they deflate pretty slow.

Welcome to the club, Soggy Bottom! Tubing is pure fun and this forum is a good way to stay connected to the sport. I'm new myself and figuring it all out is part of the fun!

Thanks for the welcome volcomsurfrider. I went by BPS. That place rocks! Spent 4 hours there. I saw the inflatable FD you mentioned. Thanks for the info.

Thank you david886720.

Nice to meet you bobber. Thanks for the welcome.

Thanks HugeEuge57. I will most definitely reach out to you. I am heading out this next week to get gear. We will have to go fish soon!

Welcome to "FTFF" ... Poboy Floater.

I also hope to enjoy many (on the edge of my seat) fish reports ... from your edge of the woods pond in Texas.

I worn Force Fins since I've started floating, I bought them on eBay for $81, (new is around $230.00).
They work fine for me without any issues.


SP Dan     <"))><

See ya on the forum! Thumbs Up Tight lines!