Fish-Hawk.Net

I'm thinking of getting a Floatation Tube or Belly Boat. There are several listed on ebay but I have no idea of what I am looking at. Any one here have any tips? I met someone on Shiner Lake and again at the Ottawa Flyfisher club but didn't get his name who has what I want.

TIA, bobfly

Don't overlook the inflatable pontoon boats that have the portability of a tube and the handling of a canoe. Some even come with casting platforms.

http://www.waterskeeter.com

You must consider where and how you will be using it. Are you going to use it on tiny lakes near a road or are you going to pack it into the wilderness? Body size and physical condition are both important when making a choice. If at all possible try before you buy. Get contacts from a store or a fishing club in your area and work with them.. I have used a float tube on the alpine lakes in BC. I was not impressed. I felt confined . But I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs. I found a canoe much more useful. The learning curve is about the same.
Whatever you choose, have fun.

Thanks for the response. I've been fishing from a canoe for about 20 years. I've got a real safe one now that you row instead of paddle. There have been a few canoe deaths recently and I did find myself in the water once trying to unhook my fly from a branch. Fortunately I was close to shore (obviously). If your already in the water, you haven't got far to go and you get to hold your line all the time. What happens if you catch your tube with the fly? Game over?

bobfly

I did own the Sevylor Fishyak.

I have a donut shaped tube, a Browning, which I've used for about 5 years in some pretty fast and choppy waters.

I also now have a V shaped Trout Unlimited float tube.

I've used the solid Hobie Cat several times.

Portability and lakeside inflation by lung, you can't beat that old Browning of mine. But that said, you sit quite low on the water with it.

The V Shaped boat is a little bigger and therfore more awkward to pack (due to 2 pieces od foam for the seat) but I do like the extra elevation and the fact I can mount the fish finder on this boat.

The Fish-Yak sucks. Poor oar lock location and height. Poor stability, 44 lbs of boat to carry and poor oars.

The hobie cat is solid and heavy. You won't sink this tank and you can really move on the water with it. You sit real high and can take a little cargo. Trying to portage this thing is pointless.

Outkast and Water Skeeter have some great products. I was checking out there stuff at the TO Sportsman Show in the spring. It's a little pricy but some of their U Boat Float Tubes seem real durable and sleek. But, for starting out with a tube, I'd reccommend the old donut design. It never did me wrong, and made me passionate about fishing from a tube.

I was gonna get one, but I keep thinking about snapping turtles.....No kidding they scare the beejasus out of me.

Regards: Jigs

JIGS,

you either read one of my old posts and are now pulling my chain, OR, you and I share a similar fear.

you see the recipe for turtle soup in this months Ontario Outdoors? I imagine that's how you like your turtles too.