How to operate your float tube

The following information should help you get an idea of what to do the first time you get to a lake with your equipment.

Entering and exiting the tube

So you're at the lake with all of your equipment together. Your waders and flippers are on, all of your safety equipment is in place. Now what?

With a Regular donut style tube, you have a couple challenges. The first thing you do is place the tube on the shore with the back of the tube facing the water. Now use your rod holder to secure your rod (most tubes come with Velcro straps to hold your rod or if you purchased a rod holder, even better). Place one finned foot in the tube and slide it under the tube. Now place the other foot on the tube and bend over placing both hands and some of your body weight on the tube. Place your other finned foot in the tube and slide it underneath as well. You may have to lift the tube some to slide the fin under. You should now be standing upright in the center of the tube ready to go.

The hardest part about getting into a round tube is getting your flippers inside the tube. This may sound easy but rest assured, it will take some practice.

When I exit my tube I remove my flippers before trying to step out. Usually your legs are tired and your balance seems off when you get out of the lake.

Walking in and out of the water

Ok, so you're standing in you tube. Now what do you do? (Be careful that your are not standing on you seat for this next part.) Bend over and grab the side handles with both hands (there is one on you left, and one on your right). Lift the tube until it's waist high and begin walking backwards into the water. When the water is knee high, attach the safety latch on you seat and continue walking backwards. When you feel the seat touch you butt, you can then sit down. You may now attach the two straps to the stripping apron and guess what? You're floatin'.

As with the entering procedure, make sure you walk backwards exiting the water as well. If you've ever tried walking forward with flippers on when you were a kid, you know what will happen. You'll fall flat on your face.

Kicking

This is a very natural movement, much like doing leg hyperextensions in the gym. For the best performance, you'll want to alternate legs in an upward motion while the other leg returns to the lowered position. 

Remember you have all day, so don't try to race around the lake (your fins seem to get bigger when you're tired). The wind will change direction over the course of the day and it seems that you're against the wind up the lake and then back down again. The wind has a cruel sense of humor sometimes.

Turning

Turning is probably the easiest thing to do in a tube. To turn, just spread your legs like you are doing a jumping jack. Then extend one leg forward, one backwards. Now bring your legs to the center of your body. You should be able to pivot your tube 180 degrees very easily. This is an excellent way to switch direction when casting to a rising fish.