BOISE, Idaho — Tight Lines 208 is dedicated to helping people become better anglers through education. The Tackle Tip is designed to give readers a crash course on a specific lure or gear item. Want to see a topic covered? Email tightlinesboise@gmail.com with your suggestion!
Imagine sitting in the middle of a cool lake on a hot summer day. And by in the lake, I mean IN the lake, fishing from the comfort of a half-submerged recliner.
Welcome to the cool, refreshing sport of float tube fishing.
I love the benefits of fishing from a float tube, especially during the heat of summer. Here are three key reasons to add one to your tackle arsenal:
Practicality: Not every angler can afford a boat (not to mention a vehicle to tow it with and a place to store it). But float tubes remove those obstacles. You can buy a new one for between $100 and $200 (or a used one for less than that), and they fit in just about any closet or car trunk when deflated. If you’re looking for an affordable way to get out on the water, float tubes are a great option!
Mobility: Float tubes don’t have the range, electronic features, or storage space of a boat, but they provide one key advantage over their larger counterparts—you can take them pretty much anywhere. I most often use mine at hike-in locations where a boat isn’t an option, like alpine lakes. It adds a little work to bring your float tube on a backpacking trip, but it’s totally worth it. Once you get there, you’ll have access to the entire lake, which is a huge advantage at many fisheries.
Enjoyability: Float tube fishing is a unique experience. It’s refreshing (I have a pair of insulated tights for the coldest mountain lakes) and gives you a front-row seat to the action. When you are battling a nice bass or trout from your tube, it feels like hand-to-hand combat. The big fish will take you for a ride! You even get a bit of a leg workout in. Float tubes are powered by scuba fins, giving you maximum control on how to position your tube for the perfect cast.
Fishing from a boat is great, but a float tube is a useful changeup, especially at small, remote fisheries where boats can’t travel. Add one to your tackle collection this summer, and be prepared to soak up the fun. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters for 25 years. Share your fish stories, adventures and questions with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com, or visit www.tightlines208.com for the latest local fishing reports and upcoming class offerings.
