Published: May 12, 2008 09:25 am            

BARRY ST. CLAIR: Fishing with tubes

Necessity is the mother of all inventions, and fishermen have done their share when it comes to developing tools to make fishing easier and more productive.

Their identities as inventors may be unknown to the ranks of anglers who profit from their ingenuity. But it is nice to know that if a dilemma in the fishing world arises, sooner or later some angling Einstein will find a way to resolve it; especially if doing so means catching more fish.

Take the guy for example, standing on the bank of a pond, lake or river that sees fish actively feeding just out of casting range. The water is too deep to reach them by wading. No boat is available and with an I-came-here-to-catch-fish-attitude, he suddenly remembers that in the back of his truck is an inflated inner-tube the kids were playing with the other day.

Why not figure out a way to use it to get to those fish he reasons? So, he fashions a seat in the center out of some rope and steps into the contraption, wades into the water, kick-paddles to within casting range and catches the heck out of those fish he would otherwise be unable to reach.

Another innovative fishing product is developed based upon angler need. Well the development of float tubes for fishing might have happened that way. But, however the idea was turned into reality, fishermen are better off because of some angler’s resourcefulness.

Float tubes are about the cheapest form of personal watercraft available besides straddling a handy floating log. And good logs are rarely around when you need them.

Tubes are also a lot safer, more portable and won’t roll over at the most inopportune moments. They come in four basic styles: round, U-shaped, V-shaped and pontoon. They fit into nylon sleeves that are festooned with compartments and hardware useful for attaching other pieces of equipment to the tube.

Round tubes were the first design and are still popular today. They completely surround the angler and provide the most support.

The downside is angling from them is somewhat inconvenient because of the restricted access in front of the angler. It is more or less like having to fish with a large pillow sitting on your lap.

The next development to come along is the U-shaped float tube. It is somewhat larger than the round design because it has only three sides for floatation. This style of tube allows easier access when entering and exiting from the water and makes it easier to fish from because of the open front. A mesh panel is used to provide cross support between the side walls of the tube.

The third model is V-shaped. This type is similar to the U-boat but is more maneuverable when fishing in windy areas. The fourth style is called a pontoon and allows the angler to sit up higher with just their legs in the water. It can be rowed, or paddled with the angler’s feet. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages. Determining which type to choose is an individual choice based upon intended use.

There are a wide variety of accessories available for float tubes and they can make fishing from one more convenient and fun. Some of the more practical are waders for cool water adventures, fins to make moving through the water easier, pumps which take the place of lung power to inflate them, rod holders that strap around the tube, and landing nets with lanyards which can be attached to various rings on the tube sleeve. For locating fish in deeper water, portable fish finders are a nice addition.

Float tubes and small ponds go together like fried eggs and ham. They allow unobtrusive access to those areas just out of reach from shore-bound anglers. Fishing from them is almost a primitive experience. Tubes allow sneaking up on fish and there is just something inherently fun about that tactic. It is also a sound method to beat the summer heat in the southern climes. Water temperatures rarely exceed air temperatures and staying cool while fishing is another justifiable benefit of using them.

Good float tubes are available for less than $100. Most large outdoor retailers catering to fishermen stock them. The possibilities they offer for small-water fishing or getting into areas not practical with a boat are unlimited. And what is more fun than floating around in cool water on a hot summer day?

Barry St. Clair is a guest columnist for the Athens Daily Review. His columns appear weekly.

        

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