Float Tube Angling. Capt. Jim Barr Skinny Water Charters Newport, RI

Transcription

1 Float Tube Angling Capt. Jim Barr Skinny Water Charters Newport, RI

2 Float Tube Angling Why Fish from a Float Tube? Equipment Techniques Safety

3 Why Fish from a Float Tube? Fun Relatively inexpensive Extremely portable Access to fish Very stealthy Safe Relaxing

4 Equipment Checklist Float tube/ U-boat style Manual inflatable PFD (CO2) Waders w/ safety belt Boots or water shoes Fins Float tube air pump Basic fishing equipment Rod leash Puncture kit Fin tethers Net Wader pants/warm socks Wide brimmed hat Polarized sun glasses Strobe light/whistle Water bottle Folding anchor kit/ mesh bag Sunscreen Spare PFD Spare air bladder Backpack shoulder harness Waterproof cell phone Standup rod holder

5 Techniques Don t drink coffee or caffeinated drinks prior to fishing, and always void your bladder before starting out Get to the lake early to inflate the tube, assemble rod, add anchor and line, put on waders/boots, assemble gear Load the tube pockets with spare fly spool, fly boxes, net accessories, hang water bottle Visually scout the lake, understand wind direction and speed Put on PFD and carry tube, fins and rod to water s edge Cinch wader belt and put on spare wading belt for added security Secure fishing rod to side Velcro closures Wade carefully into 2 feet of water, pull boat around thighs, sit on seat Put on fins and secure tethers to each ankle Close the float tube s seat support gate, tuck into pockets and snap into locked position

6 Techniques Adjust the seat to high and comfortable position Kick slowly at first to warm legs and lower back and to get the feel of being in the tube For the first few outings, stay in protected and shallow water and near the shore line When kicking to targeted water, cast your line and troll behind the tube using a bead headed nymph or weighted wooley bugger When approaching targeted water kick the boat so you reverse direction and study the water you want to fish If windy, position boat upwind of targeted area and drift into it- minimizing noise If fly fishing, keep your backcast high to avoid hitting the water behind you. Consider using a 9 foot or longer fly rod Generally you don t need to use your landing net when you catch fish if your intent is to Catch & Release

7 Safety Float tube fishing is not inherently dangerous but there are things you need to be aware of and precautions you need to take, as with any kind of boating Always let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to return Paramount is wearing a good quality Personal Floatation Device (PFD) I recommend a manually inflated/co2 life jacket. I also recommend strapping to the back of the float tube an inexpensive Type II life jacket as backup Wear a waist belt on your waders. Make sure it is cinched tight. I also recommend a second strap as backup Waterproof cell phone- preferably with a GPS mapping app (for darkness/ fog) Waterproof and floating strobe light

8 Safety When walking to water, avoid sharp branches, thorn bushes that might stick a pinhole in the tube bladder Adequate water supply or filtration bottle Wide brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, sun block Be aware of power boats in your area. Float tubes are difficult to see Extra valve stem caps for the tube (use car tire caps in a pinch) Some float tubes come in bright colors. Consider this to increase visibility Do not carry sharp objects in your tube pockets or on your person Strap a whistle to your tube, or carry a small air horn to signal for help Stay close to shore when possible, particularly when windy and near dark No alcohol

9