Best gear to bring tubing?

Are you talking tubing session?
License, tube, pump, fins, waders, rod holder, tackle, light (if night or early morning fishing), rods&reels, glasses, net, sun block, water, camera. That should do it.

 

Adding to the above list:

* 5lb anchor for the bay. If the current is strong and you need to keep position. You'll need it maybe 3 out of 10 times you're out fishing.

* Headlamp. Super useful to see in the dark -- early launch/night session--, to be seen, and for hands free fishing.

* Backup tube bladders. You don't need them right now that your tube is new, but it does happen that you get to location and one bladder is damaged, usually for over inflating. There's nothing more frustrating than finding out when you're about to get in the water and having to head back home. So yeah, do NOT over inflate! Just know that you and your tube can actually float with just ONE bladder full of air. LESS air is better! A little less air will ensure you're not putting too much pressure to the seams of the bladders.

* 4" or 5" Fish Finder with downscan. Not required, but it's nice to see how the bay looks like, what's underneath, what structure you're fishing, etc. It's like a 3rd eye and you'll learn a LOT!

* Fishgrip, in case you catch an halibut.

* For tubing in winter, wear heavy clothing and heavy socks underneath your waders. It's better to feel a bit warm than having cold legs/feet. I've fished in really cold days but I was super comfortable in the water because of heavy clothing.

* If you have a rod holder, use 1 spinning rod for 'trolling'. You're kicking and moving backwards while your line is about 100 feet away from you. With the speed you're going, you won't be believe how many fish you'll catch trolling -- sometimes too many that you won't even have time to cast and retrieve plastics with the other rod. Gulp products work great in the bay for trolling.

Have fun!

 

Depending on what kind of waders you have, maybe dive booties. Also a pfd, some ziplock bags, and a whistle or horn. I’ve also started carrying a piece of plastic tubing that fits in the Boston valves. Got that tip from fisheromen on another thread.

 

First things first... everyone is different. We can all tell you what we carry personally, but there's no way for you to know what's right for you until you do it. I will tell you this though.. my first couple of times out were an absolute trainwreck not only because I hadn't developed a "system" yet, but because I hadn't figured out what I really needed vs. what I thought I needed.

Like everyone else... pump, fins, boat apron, wading pants for colder water, wading shoes (bcuz I wear Outcast fins that you wear with shoes), a bath towel to put down on your car seat after you're out of the water, trash bags to step into before I get into my wading pants (its a great trick I learned years ago), big hat, camera, nippers and whistle on a lanyard around my neck, sunglasses, bright red bicycle lights on my hat in case there's fog or its still dark out and a PFD.

Weight. There's a consideration. My boat weighs 14 lbs empty and dry. With gear in my saddlebags, I'm guessing the boat comes in at 18+ lbs. If you're interested, here's what I carry at all times... (keep in my mind, I'm flyfishing so my stash will be different from others).

I use a Humminbird 110 just to see the bottom contours and depth. That in itself adds a couple of pounds.

Right saddlebag) Boga Grip, hemostats (both on bungee cords so they wont go overboard). 2 boxes of flies, fishing license in a waterproof envelope. Waterproof container for used flies to sit in after I've swapped them out.

Left saddlebag) A small bottle of drinking water. A couple of KIND bars to chew on if I'm hungry. A fly box full of larger Halibut flies. An old rag for wiping saltwater off my face and sunglasses. Another waterproof pouch that holds a modified wallet and my keys, and a relief tube because I found out early on that I didn't enjoy contorting my body so that I didn't pee all over the seat.

Each saddlebag has a small zipper compartment on its rear side. The one on my right stores a velcro rod leash. The other stores a 6' piece of thin rope with carabiners at each end - just in case I need to tie off to something, or another float tube for some reason.

Sidenote.. the pepper spray goes in my jacket pocket.

 

Number one...a net...trust me...
Number two...a net...get one...they’re cheap at dix sporting goods on sports arena
Walmart has some cheap dry bags in their camping section...pretty good quality for around 10 bucks...I highly recommend a dry bag...it’s good for extra tackle you’ll never use unless you don’t bring it...and also to put sweaters and stuff when it warms up..
a few ziplock bags for the phone and wallet...
I also like to bring a small plastic case I can just throw lures and plastics with hooks still in them in instead of having to dig through my compartments to put things back neatly...I deal with that when I get home..
Not really gear but a recommendation...always keep an eye on your surroundings so you know where you can get out to use the bathroom...especially on some of these secluded holes where there’s no shore access...but you’ll learn all about that..
And water...the double leg cramp is not the business..
Of course all the other safety stuff already mentioned....

 

One thing not mentioned but very important...drinking water. If you don't drink you will eventually start to cramp. Your legs are your motor and without them you are dead in the water. Bring a snack to keep your energy levels up as well.

 

Ive mentioned it before on another post for float tubing but one thing that I would recommend to always have in your float tube is some Tear-Aid type b. Ive been out a couple of times where I accidentally stuck a hook in my bladder and starting loosing air pretty quickly. I was able to get to the closest dock, hop up and do a real quick patch on the hole and continue on with my day. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FLOAT TUBERS Im telling you from experience.



You can find it at big 5 and sometimes walmart!!!

 

I still haven't taken the hand-me-down Fat Cat on her maiden voyage, but I'm wondering - I have an electric pump (hooks up to the car battery) that can get the tubes reasonably firm, but I'm not sure whether or not I should use a manual pump to top it off. Do any of you actually bring pumps with you for the ride?

 

I use a manual pump to top it off...and I bring just the hose part of my pump with me...you’d be surprised how few breaths it takes to fill up a bladder when it’s low..

 

I agree with the bay part...sometimes it is very refreshing to fish the salt...I can fit everything in one pocket...fresh is the opposite although I am learning that at certain lakes I can leave some stuff at home..

 

Haha don't ask me. This photo is from back in my early days - when I carried LESS gear.

 

Haha