Tube tips thread

Check your pressure! As the day heats up, the air will expand in your tube. Be sure to keep an eye on it, and dont be afraid to let a little air out from time to time.

 

Secure your rods. Build a rod holder rack on side of tube if you have not already

 

In addition to the pliers and tools etc. I have my cutters and pliers on a lanyard thats attached to one of my zippers on the pocket.

X2 on the lighter. I always have one or two.

 

Sharp hooks, sharp knives, unforgiving braided line, not to mention the terrain fishermen are willing to traverse just to get to " that one spot", I'm thinking a small first aid kit wouldn't be the worst thing you could bring with you.

 

Most importantly....if you are going to fish the shore or in a boat, CHECK YOUR TUBE before you head out! lol
I can't tell you how many times I've rented a boat, fished in my buddies' boats, or hit the shore and realized when I got there that my "go-to" gear was back home in my tube!

 

I find that as long as the tube is in contact with the cooler water, the pressure stays fine. But, when I beach it the pressure goes up instantly. I will say it again, I carry a 3' length of 3/4" OD plastic tubing. It fits perfectly in my Boston Valves and allows me to quickly add air, even underway. I also carry a small 5" length of 12 ga. insulated wire to aid in releasing air, when needed. Sometimes you just cannot find a stick!

 

While I have posted this before here is a reminder. When you gotta "go" have a 2" by 8" piece of pvc pipe with end caps one glued and one that you can twist off/on. Slide it down your waders, stick your "equipment" in, lean back and let fly. When finished cap off the top very carefully then slide the pipe up out of your waders and add to the level of the lake with the contents or save for your next sample when you go to the doctor, its up to you. Beats having to fin for shore, scramble out of your tube, find a tree (bush), slide down your waders and then get surprised by a family walking the shore just as your ready to let go.

 

While we are at it I know lots of you tube persons like to make your own rod holders, etc out of pvc pipe but for some of us that are mentally challenged putting things together (we never had legos in my day) at Halls I saw some of this companies stuff and it looked well thought out and put together. Check the website at www.teamfishco.com right here in San Diego from CastMate Systems at 8316 Clairemont Mesa Blvd (92111) Everything from GoPro mounts and electronic holders to rod and net holders.

 

They do have some pretty cool stuff on their site but....that stuff is pricey! I can make an entire rod rack for the price of their camera holder. I've said it before, I'll help people make a rack for free (you buy the parts) or I'll make one for you for a little $ on my side.

 

I don't drink, so I was wondering, what kind of opener does beer require??? Aren't most bottles twist-off?

BTW, a Swiss Army Knife will fulfill a lot of requirements.

 

Oh wow, there could be a ton of tips in this thread but I'll chime in with my personal most important tip, safety first! I always wear my inflatable type V vest and use a type IV throw able as a seat cushion. I also always wear a whistle and use a head lamp at night. My tube has safety orange incorporated in to the back of it as well. I stretch before going out and plan an entry and exit route. I always have water with me. I double check the bladder and seams, etc. As you can see there are a ton of little precautions that can be life savers should the occasion ever arise. Please feel free to add as you like.

 

First of that PVC pipe when nature calls is one of the better ideas I've heard in awhile..much better tan depends..definitely make sure u handle that before you launch.

One thing I've found useful is a dry bag...It saves room for my main pockets...I put the lures in plastics I use most in my tubes pockets and put the stuff I hardly use in the dry bag just in case..what usually happens is when I leave stuff behind that's the day I needed it...the dry bag eliminates that problem...also great for extra clothing..if you're like me you get out early and it's cold...when it warms up u can throw your hoodie in your bag and it doesn't get wet...I have an odc420 and the bag fits perfectly in the back..I do use a caribiner and clip it to one of my d rings so it doesn't float away.

A net is nice to have..I've lost some big fish Tryna lip em from the tube and they pop off..the one I have floats.

Ziplock bags are a must too..cheep easy way to keep your phone and stuff dry.

For repairs I took someone's advice from this site and tried aqua seal..best thing I know of..I've tried patches and those may work on open areas but are no good for seams..I've used it on a four inch tear on my seam and it works like new..only negative is it takes 10 hours or so to cure..it's made for waders and works great for those too..

Electric pumps are cool...time saver..

And as an added bonus when I'm tubbing ponds with no boat access, only shore fishing I always check the tulles where near the shore spots for freebies..I haven't had to buy a crank bait in a long time..recently on one trip I found 3 lures who's msrp was around 45 new..only caught one fish that day but I found 45 bucks in the tulles so I wasn't mad.

 

I made the mistake and got a lower quality drybag from bass pro..just cause it was bigger and i could fir gear,clothes,food and still have room in it..but its a thin material that punctures pretty easily..nothing worse than tubing and needing to warm up as it coils down and going for your hoodie and its wet..the patches work great for that tho...i know west marine on rosecrans had some better quality dry bags for a bit more money..but definitely worth it