I'm getting my first tube and was wondering what type/Brand is preferred. I'm about 250lbs so was curious about stability. This'll be my first tube and was also curious about accessories, pole holder etc....Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance.
Bruinfootballfan!!!

Bruinfootballfan!!!

greeper. I've had a few different tubes and my most recent one is a Bucks Bag Top Gun. The first time I took it out I thought to my myself, dude why the heck didn't I buy this 7 years ago!!! Super super bouyant. And it has adjustable straps in the seat so you can tighten it up to the point where you are really riding high. It is heavier than the bladder type tubes because it uses a truck tire, but I have still carried a mile + on a couple occasions and it's not that bad. They are more expensive than regular tubes, but worth looking at. I would go with a round tube too, especially if you are going to be fishing ocean.

thanks I'll check it out on the net... I'll be using it for both Fresh and Salt..
Bruinfootballfan!!!

You might want to check out the Togiak, it is a v shaped that kicks easy and is big so it will hold you fine. I have had mine about a year and a half and really like it. You sit high and it has plenty of pockets. I use it in the salt all the time and I think the V shape helps when punching through surf. I got mine for $119 through Cabelas and I think Sportmart has them for $139. If you search back to last summer on the saltwater board, you can check out photos of me, in the tube with a variety of flatties and seabass.

Bowlboy

will do right now thanks, someone else told me the V shape more manuverable.. thanks
Bruinfootballfan!!!

The U shape and V shape boats with the open fronts are convenient, but in big surf the front of them can collapse if the bar gets pushed or pulled around. It happend to my buddy Jamon a couple times in his Caddis U-Boat. If you aren't going in the surf, then it's not an issue. Some U-boats are more stable than others too. The tube I was talking about above has a round innertube, but the back of the boat is shaped to make a V so it kinda points through the water. I wouldn't describe it as fast, but it might be a little better than just a regular round tube.

just talked to a fireman buddy of mine he's gonna let me tryout both his tubes first, one's round the other is V shape, this way I can see what I think. The guy at Turner's swore that someone my size would like the pontoon Caddis, NavII...
Bruinfootballfan!!!

I had the Navigator II. OK boat but I had a hard time getting it inflated enough on the lower pontoons. Kinda saggy for me. That's cool you can try them both out. Have fun tubin, I always enjoy it :)

found the Bucks Bag Top Gun, how difficult is it getting the fins on, it looks like it has a tight entry, I'm a stocky guy it's a little pricey also, but looks like it'd be a great one to get.
Bruinfootballfan!!!

Swimbait makes a good point about U's and V's being collaspable at the spreader bar. My dad has a caddis and his spreader bar is foam on the inside and is only velcro'ed in place. On my togiak, the bar is made of stiff PVC and is clip locked into place. He has had issues with his but mine is solid.

Bowlboy

thanks looks like i'm gonna start off with the togiak and see how it goes thanks guys for the info it definitely helped. I may look into the higher priced brands later.. can't wait to get out there.. Any Preference on WADERS..
Bruinfootballfan!!!

Thats a tough one and if you search back a few months there has been alot of discussion on the topic. However, my personal feeling is that, if you use them alot all waders will eventually leak. I have always used neopreen, right now I have 3.5 mil. hodgemans. The guys I fish with use the breathable style. Both of them have had leaks within a year of purchase and so have I. So my thought is go with the cheap neopreen. I think they are pretty comfortable and warm even if you get a leak. I have had some in the past that have lasted for over 3 years with out a leak. Just my 2 cents worth. I suppose that if you get the really expensive breathables they might last longer, but I don't have 3 bills to drop on waders.

Bowlboy

P.S. - As far as colors go on the Togiak, the pictures you see on the net and in catalogues doesn't really depict the actual color of the tube, especially in the green color. I bought the green for my brother and was a little worried about it looking kind of "Teal", I was pleasantly suprised when it arrived that it was greener then it looked.

thanks turns out the guy that does the shirts and hats for my team works at a sporting goods store that has a good fishing supply section and he's a die hard fisherman. He gave me some good tips and a great deal on some waders. thanks for your help, much appreciated..
Bruinfootballfan!!!

I have made it a habit to just plan on buying a pair of waders every year at the fishing show. In So. California, the 3 or 3.5 mil. neoprene are just fine with our warm weather. About half the time, I get a leak by the next fishing show. When I am lucky enough to make it to the next show without a leak, I keep them as spares. You can usually find the Hodgman or Remington brand on sale at the show for $39. or $45. depending on the vendor. This way, you have a new pair to use every year and always have a spare set or two in case you have a buddy who wants to try tubing. As you probably already know, one of the important points to keeping your waders "leak-free" is to ware something on your feet. I have attached a picture of the booties I prefer. They have a semi-rigid sole like a tennis shoe so I can go just about anywhere, and all I have to do is strap on the fins and start kicking. I think they cost me about $45. at Sports Chalet. Make sure you swim fins are large enough to fit over the booties though. I use a size 12 bootie over the waders and XL fins.

I hope some of this is helpful.

Tight Lines,
Terry G.

Attachment #1, (.jpg file)

Thanks TerryG, got the Hodgeman from my buddies sporting goods store he gave me a good deal on the waders and fins since I do alot of business with him during football season and for my golf team. I got some cheap water shoes from Wal Mart but they were kinda tight with the fins so. I wore them into the water than put the fins on, that worked pretty well, never had to walk on the dry surface with the waders only.
Bruinfootballfan!!!