fished from one of the old tire tube devices that has sort of a canvas saddle and you propel yourself by either dive fins or special flaps that strap to your ankles? How was your experience?

From a float-tube, yes. But no fins or ankle attachments. It was a passive experience in moving water (Hiwassee River). Terrifying at times. PFD required. Never used the tube in a lake.

We used to retrieve ducks from a pond with one.

I used one in Lakes, mostly subdivision lakes around Houston. I loved it and only carried a flipping stick. I loved it until I came around a willow one day and was face to face with a snake as long as my flipping stick. That was my last trip. If I saw a gator I just got out of the water.

I have one of these that I’ve fished from recently. Got the thing for my 5 year anniversary with my company. Works perfectly for the Saluda and Broad River that runs into Columbia. Managed to catch a 4lb blue cat, little smallmouth bass, and a stud of a rainbow trout (stocked, not native to the river in these parts) last time out (all caught on an in-line spinner). It was about s 3 hour float but I missed a lot of fish too. It’s an awesome rig for these rivers as it allows me to float downstream to
my apartment which is on the river and fish while doing it. Easy to control, but the only downside is going down the small rapids. Gotta keep your feet on top of the water going through those. There are some gators and snakes in that stretch of the river but haven’t seen any large gators that would discourage me from doing it again... at least not yet.

Used to use a float tube to fly fish the upper chattahoochee. This was moving water of course. It was great, but lugging it back was a pain. After I got out, I usually had to go back to the truck through the woods and often time it wasnt really on a path.

I dont think I would be too crazy about using one in a pond or lake. The fins helped with positioning yourself in the moving water, but I dont know how well it would propel you all over a pond or lake. Been a long time since I've used one.

I'll also say the "sit in" style are dangerous. You have your legs through a couple of cutouts and, people have drowned using them. I can see how too. It's an outdated style these days. The "sit on top" style is the way to go. Your legs are dangling free and it's like you are sitting in a chair. Those are very safe if you have a pdf. They're easier to fish out of and get in and out of.

ive used one when i was a kid. it was u shaped and you sat down in it had a pvc pipe that kept it open. caught some nice bass out of it but i hope i never have to do it again

When I was a young teen, me and a friend took some tractor tire innertubes, made some seats, and floated a river while fishing. It was a lot of fun. When we got too hot, we would stop and swim. Worked great till I realized I was burnt to a crisp, lobster red, and my backside was pale as ever. Talk about a half-baked plan...

How would one of these work for fishing a central AL creek? I'm talking about the size creek that doesn't have enough water in the summer to float a boat or canoe, but has enough deep holes that wading it becomes really difficult for an old man. Would it work ok to ride the float and fish through the deeper water, and then get out and wade and drag it along in the shallow water and shoals?

Sounds perfect for a 10 foot kayak.

many many times! all I used to fish in ponds and rivers. now use a yak. But still have the tube

many many times! all I used to fish in ponds and rivers. now use a yak. But still have the tube


been fishing out of an 11'6" SOT Lifetime Yukon yak last 1/2 doz trips. Love it. floats in ankle deep water. smallies on fly rod, ~4 lb smallie and 7-8 lb cat. And ton of very large bream - all in creeks and rivers under 50-75' across. My go to fishing now.

What if you snagged that mofo with a hook and sank?

Crossed my mind too.

The tube that I have has a thick canvas exterior and an inflatable bladder inside of it. Not saying it wouldn’t be possible to poke a hole in it but you’d really have to yank a hook into it to do so. Definitely would make sure you have a pfd on just in case. Once the weather cools down a little here I’m planning another float trip down the Saluda for smallmouth and trout. I’ll post up a full rundown once I get a chance to go again.

That sounds like a fun way to fish, but that is a much bigger boat than would work for my situation. I need something I could drag behind me through the shallow areas, and than sit in it to float through the deeper pools. And then turn around and go back and be able to pick it up and carry it by myself back to the truck.

I've looked into various floats, rafts, and kayaks, and am thinking I might try something like this one:

Intex Challenger K1 Kayak, 1-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00177J4JS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jtQwDb2JMVS3E

Loaded with all my gear it would still be under 30 lbs. I guess it would just be a question of time before I sunk it, but it's only $60 and I would just walk back to the truck when it happened.

What you guys think?

That would be really good for your old wore out back.🤦‍♂️

been fishing out of an 11'6" SOT Lifetime Yukon yak last 1/2 doz trips. Love it. floats in ankle deep water. smallies on fly rod, ~4 lb smallie and 7-8 lb cat. And ton of very large bream - all in creeks and rivers under 50-75' across. My go to fishing now.
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That sounds like a fun way to fish, but that is a much bigger boat than would work for my situation. I need something I could drag behind me through the shallow areas, and than sit in it to float through the deeper pools. And then turn around and go back and be able to pick it up and carry it by myself back to the truck.

I've looked into various floats, rafts, and kayaks, and am thinking I might try something like this one:

Intex Challenger K1 Kayak, 1-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00177J4JS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jtQwDb2JMVS3E

Loaded with all my gear it would still be under 30 lbs. I guess it would just be a question of time before I sunk it, but it's only $60 and I would just walk back to the truck when it happened.

What you guys think?


[/quote]
That would be really good for your old wore out back.🤦‍♂️[/quote]


It's mainly just an old man dreaming of something that will probably never happen.

There aren't but a couple of places I can think of that i might use it. But it would probably produce a great story if actually headed down the creek in that thing.

It could also produce back surgery.😁