If so, do they have to be registered?
Do you have to wear a life preserver when fishing in a float tube?
Do you need lights when it gets dark?

Thanks in advance,
1 wt

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/recreation/fishing/

"Float tubes continue to rise in popularity. Quality float tubes are permitted in State Park waters in lakes and still water away from designated swimming or boat launching areas. A quality float tube has two air bladders made of heavy gauge rubber or PVC material covered by a durable fabric shell of denier nylon, Codora or similar material. Float tubes may only be propelled by non-mechanical, non-motorized devices like oars. A U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devise (PFD) must be worn at all times. A state park officer can terminate float tube use if the devise is being used in an unsafe manner or during unsafe conditions."

More:

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/newsrelea ... 011press/paddler-info.htm

Thanks so much, wg.
I think I'll purchase a float tube for these close lakes. I think a yak or canoe would be too much trouble while fly fishing the shoreline.
I could always wear my $10 LED headlamp when it got dark.
I don't see anybody wearing a PFD while fishing in a tube? But, I'll guess I'll have to spend a bean to get a small compact inflatable one?
I'm having so much fun with the shoreline bluegills in the lakes, that I have given up on trout for a while! A float tube would be like sitting in a easy chair and moving around the shoreline? Low cost also!! ..... and no pulling a stinkin' boat off the roof rack?

Dear 1wt,

Float tubes are great fun. I've been tubing for more than 20 years.

I know it seems like a PITA to wear a PFD in a tube but it is the rule. Buy a good one and get used to wearing it and you'll never know it's there.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Tim,
In all the years I've been fly fishing Marburg..... I have never seen one float tube?
I think that it would be perfect, but why doesn't anyone else think so?
I see one thousand jon boats and one thousand bass boats..... a few canoes, and a few yaks, ...... but never a float tube?

1 wt, I've used a float tube in a local state park a few times. I can say the looks I gat are at least as much fun as the fishing. I have a Creek co. "U-Boat" If you weant to try it out, I'll give the thing, fins and all. I have a 'toon now and will probably never use it again. PM me if interested.

Dave

Just some food for thought. Be careful using tubes on larger lakes. You really need to stay close to where you launched and pay attention to the wind,i've gotten my self in trouble more than once. Don't get me wrong tube are awesome for farm ponds or fishing a couple coves CLOSE to where you launch but that's about it. If you plan on doing any kind of exploring get yourself a yak. I picked up a Ride 135 a few years ago and love it. I fish Pinchot and Marburg ALOT from my yak and IMHO its the best way to fish those waters. Where a yak really shines over a tube is in moving water. I flyfish alot of local creeks from my yak and let me tell you it's some of the most enjoyable fishing I do all year. If you ever wanna try out a yak let me know I'm only 5 min from Pinchot and would let you take it for a ride.

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Dear 1wt,

Delta dog pretty much gave you good advice. It's tough to travel very far in a float tube. You certainly wouldn't want to try to cross Lake Marburg in one but you can work around coves and troll the shoreline easily in one.

That's usually how I begin fishing with one, I rig two flies and start out trolling, usually with a wooly bugger and something like a Clouser swimming nymph or a bigger Prince nymph .

If I pick up fish I'll slow down and concentrate on that spot for a while by finning back over the area. Once you are used to a tube you'll find that with just a little bit of kicking you can stay and sort of hover over an area on all but the windiest of days.

As you get out on the different lakes you will find and remember where the weed beds and underwater structures are located and you'll eventually learn to just get in the water and head back to the "good" spot from before.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

You can't swing a dead carp without hitting a float tube on a lake in the west. I never saw one till I moved out there and other than myself have only ever fished with one other person back here in the east. Probably the most underrated watercraft for fishing there is. You can fish from the second your butt hits the water to the time you but gets out. No stopping to move you just keep kicking. You can swing 180 in a sec to cast to something you see. You can work wind to your advantage if you pay attention. I have never been unable to kick back to a safe place and if you have to get out somewhere else you just pick the thing up and carry it. Weighs a fraction of any other watercraft. You could even pull the pin and let the air out and wear it as hike back if you had to. Its just perfect for fly fishing lakes.

1 wt,
If you scroll down just a bit you will find a post from last week about me fishing from a tube and catching a load of bluegill. Tubes are great because they leave your hands free at all times. You can rig up a rod, change lures, etc. while moving do a new spot. And if you need to back out of an area quickly to get a fish out of the cover, a couple of kicks and you are there. You can also turn on a dime and change your casting direction.

Quote:

Dave,
PM sent!

Thanks guys,
Wonderful reasons why a float tube is great for a lake...... it still surprises me that most would choose a yak over a tube?
If I want to fish a different cove, I'll just run my car over there and sit in the float tube again?? Why would I ever want to explore a lake in a float tube? If I just wanted to drive around, I would buy a bass tracker and pollute the lake all day and carry a big senko on my big 3/0 worm hook with my 20lb Power Pro and a can of bud light in my hand! LOL When I move to another spot...... I could start up my old two cycle smoker and drive as fast as I can and make huge waves to shake everybody up! ..... way cool?

check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXRMQGZYpQ

Thanks again for the reply's!
I was out again today, and a tube would be perfect for me?
Dave,
Please give your tube to somebody else..... but thanks anyway!

Tim,
We can still fish together this summer, but super cold now and trout opens in 3 days... I'll PM ya. You sound like a super guy, and we'll do some tubin' in a few weeks!

Today is the last day of "free shipping" at Cabelas and lots of stuff are on sale.
I just purchased a Creek Company 420 UL Float Tube for .... list $249.99 and sale: $179.99.
The Guardian PFD list $169.99 and sale: $84.99.
The Outcast Fins list $39.99 and sale:$29.99
Pump: $26

That's $165 off..... and with FREE shipping!

That's as good as a used sale on Craig's or e-Bay?

Scuze me, while I tie a fly

Delta Dog,
what body of water is in that pic? I have a kayak and have really enjoyed fishing Pinchot ( I live in Dover) but would love to fish some other bodies of water around that you might recommend for fishing from the kayak.

I havent flyfished from the yak yet, only bass fished so far. If you ever are interested in having some company on the lake, please dont hesitate to send me a message. I dont get out as much as I'd like to...need someone to get me moving.

I would be wary using a float tube in marburg or pinchot. I live close to Pinchot and when it gets windy on either of those lakes especially marburg forget trying to paddle in a canoe let alone a get anywhere in a float tube. Ive had situations on Marburg where I couldn't get back up lake in my canoe with a strong trolling motor because of very high choppy water due to wind.

My kayak however, I won't get rid of until I finally replace it with a newer one. I can pretty much take it in any water. I have had many good days on both lakes in the yak. I also can fish spots on the Susquehanna that no one else can get to when I'm in the kayak. And that really makes a difference the way fishing has deteriorated in the lower susky.

I feel really stealthy in my kayak too. You can really just glide into a spot without any noise or stirring up the bottom.

Quote:

Leaky,
Now look who's being negative! Remember when you bad mouthed me for saying that Muddy got shallow after Lee?

As the vid shows, a float tube is so much easier to control with a little wind. Don't worry, I won't get blown away with a hurricane? ..... I could always beach and carry the 6 lb tube back to my car!
I've had a few bass boats and a couple canoes, and I really didn't like baking in the hot sun all day. I would much rather sit in the cool water.
Why don't you buy a float tube? I could show you how to catch 100 big bluegills with a fly rod!
I could be like a old grumpy Nun with a big ruler in my hand? "Come on, Leaky, for God's sake tighten that loop and make a softer landing on the water"