Can anybody recommend a reasonably priced float tube for Santa Barbara area Halibut and Bass fishing? Also, is there preference between waders or a farmer john wetsuit?

I'm going to try and explain to my wife that I can buy a float tube for the cost of one good charter boat trip... cost effective cure for the fishing jones... right?

Thanks in advance for any information provided.

Different people will tell you different things about the float tubes. Shoot, you can buy a kickboat for what a charter boat trip costs. They start around $250. As for the tubes Sportmarts and other places like that will have tubes on sale for as little as $60 or $70. I have a Caddis Nav4 and I liked it. It's a pontoon syle float tube. I don't use it anymore since I got my kickboat. As for waders, I'm pretty sure you'll want to go with the chest high ones if you have a tube. There are some that come up to your weist that will work if you get a kickboat.

There are a few different basic styles of tubes. I have fished in both a U-tube, and a pontoon style tube, and I have a couple old donut style tubes too.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on what you should get, but ultimately it comes down to what is comfortable for you.
My lastest tube is a Caddis NavII, and I like it a lot. Of course, it has it's drawbacks, but ultimatley it is a good tube. Turner's had a sale on them a while back for $99--retail is around $179.

For waders, I would just get the most inexpensive neoprene chest waders you can get. You can get a pair for around $40 at Cabelas or Sport Chalet. If you take care of them, they should last at least a few seasons.

both the Caddis are great tubes, I have the NavIV and loved it, but I ran into some extra cash and picked up a Super Fat Cat. IMHO this tube is by far the best tube I've every used. It moves real smooth through the water and is extremely comfortable with tons of storage space. If cost is a concern go with the Caddis, if you can spend more get a Fat Cat or the super fat cat.. good luck
Bruinfootballfan!!!

I used to be a die hard round tube fan but the Trout Unlimited Togiak changed my mind. It is the best tube I have found so far. It sits up higher than most round tubes but not too high (There are a few out there now that sit very high - I haven't tried them but they just look a bit too unstable for the ocean - flat water they're probably great). The Togiak sells for around $160 but occasionally you can find them cheaper on sale. I got mine for just over $100 at Sportmart last year.

I use both waders and a wetsuit (not at the same time!). They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I like using the wetsuit better but one of it's disadvantages is warmth. When it's cold (winter, early spring) it doesn't keep me as warm as the waders. I have a Body Glove 3-2 suit and I like having the arms. I used to have a Farmer John and this one is much better. Something else that helps in the cold is some kind of water resistant windbreaker. I use the jacket from my Frog Toggs. Keeping the wind off makes a huge difference.

The wetsuit is also nice because you don't have to worry about water getting down inside when you are launching. In fact, recently I've been laying on my tube like a boogie board when I kick out - much faster and less likely to be flipped.

The advantage of waders is warmth and dryness. It's nice to come home and be perfectly dry. The biggest disadvantage with waders is that no matter what you do they always tend to develop leaks eventually. It's usually in the crotch area or the feet and they are a pain to repair and most of the time it doesn't work that great.

Hope to see you out there!

Thanks to everybody for the information. I hope to see you out there by the end of summer.... if I can sell enough junk on ebay to finance my new fishing vessel.