Float tube

A traditional float tube is a 20 inch heavy duty truck inner tube covered and protected by a high strength flexible polyester nylon or cordura cover. A Float Tube is also known affectionately as a Belly Boat.

This cover is tough and has a fitted seat, backrest, reserve air compartments, and large tackle storage pockets. This cover is double and triple stitched at all stress load bearing points rather like a rucksack but obviously a totally different shape.

The fisherman who will sit in the tube wears stocking foot chest waders and professional scuba diving flippers, so his legs which are in the water remain dry and warm, and seated comfortably, he "walks" easily over the water with a gentle movement of the flippers. The seat is comfortable for long hours of fishing (unlike a hard boat seat).

Many modern float tubes are not round in shape. Anglers have found that a Vee shape cuts through the water better, and makes for faster finning with energy saving. Of course the air bladder in a U or V shape tube is specially made to go inside these tube covers. The cheap air bladders are vinyl, the best are urethane.

Float Tube fishing has gained most popularity with anglers who fish freshwater lakes for bass, pike, and trout.

An angler in a float tube plays a hooked pike

External links

• Float Tube Fishing in Ireland

See also

• Annotated Bibliography of Fly Fishing
• Bely boat
• Clam digging
• Coarse fishing
• Fishing
• Fly fishing