Float Tube n00b

Hello everybody, I'm in San Diego and a long time angler. After years of shore pounding the bays and lakes I got myself a kayak last year and have been out at least twice a month ever since. I'd like to get out more often so I decide to give float tubing a try. I was doing some research for my first FT and that's how I came across this forum.

Welcome cavedog619 so glad you are looking into Float Tube fishing, the fact is compared to a Kayak it is much easier to get to and from the water. I am sure you will find it to be a great way to fish. Do you know what you are looking for?
Ask questions the guys here will dial you in and answer any questions you might have. Once again welcome to the dark side and good luck in your quest for more time on the water.

Hi ya cavedog619,

I’m glad to have ya aboard the FTFF site Sir!

I had a Hobie Outback (white 2014 Hobie when they first attached the transponder to the bottom of the hull) and it was completely set-up for fishing but it was too heavy and too much work each time I wanted to plan a session.

I didn’t have a trailer nor a pickup truck, so I ended up having to put it on top of my Toyota 4-Runner’s roof-rack, it was way too much work.

So I had also; like yourself, found FTFF just over 3 1/2 years ago and have been float tube fishing with an OCFD passion ever sense.   lol

I have to openly admit cavedog619, that I have been looking for a white 9-foot Hobie Sport Kayak- with the Mirage-Drive that would fit inside of my Toyota 4-runner.

I look forward to reading a few of your fish reports in the near future sir!

PS ... I have fished Mission Bay about six times and luv it down there!

SP Dan      <“))><

Welcome aboard cavedog619!!!

Searching for a tube was how I found this forum as well. Let your budget tell you what you like. The Cumberland is affordable ($160), tough, and light. Do some searches on the brands you are interested in and you will see all kinds of reports on float tubes and pontoons.

I hope you enjoy the site.

Thanks for the welcome. I haven’t decided on a specific brand yet. I agree that I can get more time on the water without having to load up a kayak and gear, btw, ’07 Hobie Outback v1 mirage drive. I’ll probably need room for my crate and fish finder (and 12v lithium power box). I was looking at the specs for the Outcast Fat Cat 4 and it looks like it’ll serve my needs. I’ve been trolling OfferUp and Craigslist for a used one. There’s a whole lot of information on here and it’s like drinking from a fire hose.

If you have the budget I have a 7 bass explorer and absolutely love it. It fits everything with room to spare and I recently put a trolling motor on it which was an absolute game changer. I can go much further without worry of wind making it difficult to get back to where I started. With a weight capacity of 450 pounds or so it is plenty for my fat ass and all my stuff.

Floatingbassturd wrote:If you have the budget I have a 7 bass explorer and absolutely love it. It fits everything with room to spare and I recently put a trolling motor on it which was an absolute game changer. I can go much further without worry of wind making it difficult to get back to where I started. With a weight capacity of 450 pounds or so it is plenty for my fat ass and all my stuff.

Floatingbassturd is not kidding,

When we were all at lake Perris; for the Toy Drive, the wind started to pick up around 10 AM and the majority of us started kicking-our-way-back toward the boat launch ... but not Floatingbassturd, he motor’d all the way across the lake against the Santa Ana winds, he fished for a while over there and then it motor’d his fat ass with all of his stuff all the way back across the lake, right back to the boat ramp and got there when we all did! lol
He really does have a pretty impressive motorized float tube!

You should check his ride out!    

SP Dan      <“))><

SP Dan wrote:

Floatingbassturd wrote:If you have the budget I have a 7 bass explorer and absolutely love it. It fits everything with room to spare and I recently put a trolling motor on it which was an absolute game changer. I can go much further without worry of wind making it difficult to get back to where I started. With a weight capacity of 450 pounds or so it is plenty for my fat ass and all my stuff.

Floatingbassturd is not kidding,

When we were all at lake Perris; for the Toy Drive, the wind started to pick up around 10 AM and the majority of us started kicking-our-way-back toward the boat launch ... but not Floatingbassturd, he motor’d all the way across the lake against the Santa Ana winds, he fished for a while over there and then it motor’d his fat ass with all of his stuff all the way back across the lake, right back to the boat ramp and got there when we all did! lol
He really does have a pretty impressive motorized float tube!

You should check his ride out!    

SP Dan      <“))><

I’ll check it out. I did come across the 7 Bass Explorer. Buy once cry once. I’ll do some more research before I make a decision. I’m in no hurry. Looks like spring before I’ll be able to do anything.

cavedog619 wrote:

SP Dan wrote:

Floatingbassturd wrote:If you have the budget I have a 7 bass explorer and absolutely love it. It fits everything with room to spare and I recently put a trolling motor on it which was an absolute game changer. I can go much further without worry of wind making it difficult to get back to where I started. With a weight capacity of 450 pounds or so it is plenty for my fat ass and all my stuff.

Floatingbassturd is not kidding,

When we were all at lake Perris; for the Toy Drive, the wind started to pick up around 10 AM and the majority of us started kicking-our-way-back toward the boat launch ... but not Floatingbassturd, he motor’d all the way across the lake against the Santa Ana winds, he fished for a while over there and then it motor’d his fat ass with all of his stuff all the way back across the lake, right back to the boat ramp and got there when we all did! lol
He really does have a pretty impressive motorized float tube!

You should check his ride out!    

SP Dan      <“))><

I’ll check it out. I did come across the 7 Bass Explorer. Buy once cry once. I’ll do some more research before I make a decision. I’m in no hurry. Looks like spring before I’ll be able to do anything.

I have a used Cumberland for sale

SP Dan      <"))><

SP Dan wrote:I have a used Cumberland for sale

SP Dan      <"))><

Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.