Float Tube Fishing

[Fishinokie1]

I love to fish from my float tube. Moved to Ozark and found Lake Springfield and Fellows. These lakes look like great for tube fishing. Does anyone know if these lakes have regulations or allow tube fishing? Also would anyone suggest the Finley river for tube fishing? Any info on this or any suggestions on where to go would be great.

[RSBreth]

I 've fished out of tubes a lot in the past because they were easy to transport, cheap, reliable. I have two in my garage right now, but haven't used them in ages- solo watercraft like kayaks and solo canoes are just so much more mobile, it's hard to go back. I have done a tube float/wade thing on upper Beaver a few times, but not on the Finley.

As far as I know, there aren't any restrictions on their use on any of the bodies of water you mentioned.

[Fishinokie1]

Thanks for the info! Went to your web page...nice day on the water! I think I saw those "bubbas" from your boat ramp incident at Wal Mart buying lunch (30 pk Nat. Light and a can of vienna sausage). Going to give Lake Springfield a try Friday. That is, if the honey do's don't get in the way. I guess I could always make a 3 hour "trip to Lowes".

[Flysmallie]

A couple of years ago I went through a lot of trouble and several months of time trying to get an answer on using a float tube on either lake. At that time the answer was no. It could have changed.

I have been pulled out of the water on Fellows. That guy seemed really upset that I was out there. Even after I explained the whole concept, he kept telling me there was no swimming in the lake.

[jbeenemd]

I would be surprised to hear that they would allow float tubes in Fellows as I believe it is a source for drinking water for Springfield. Don't know about Springfield Lake.

Jackie

[Fishinokie1]

thanks for all of the response. I called the marina and they told me the same thing. no....

I find it strange since most of the boats I see out there are "not so eco friendly" to say the least. Some look like they leave a trail of oil so the boater can find his way back to the ramp. Oh well. I hear there is good walley on Fellows, guess I will need to convince the other half that it is time for a boat or canoe.

fishinokie1

[goggleeyes]

I have fished out of a tube for years. It is always a great way to relax and enjoy nature. The Finley has been a good place to go in a combo wade float. I have done the James several times as well. The thing I don't like as much is lack of speed, its takes a lot longer to get from put in to take out.

[Daveinozark]

if you're broke like me, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Challenger-200-Inflatable-Fishing-person/dp/B0006FRVJW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1269035207&sr=8-7

i got one last year and made several trips on the Finley, James, and Springfield lake. haven't gotten a hole yet. I'm fairly careful with it, but scrapped along the river bottom in it when I shouldn't have and it's still intact. Couple of times I got scared when pulling a lure too fast and not paying attention....

I picked mine up at MC sports, I think it's cheaper there, but the link to that site isn't working

[Fishinokie1]

Went to the Ozark Park for a couple of hours yesterday. One short one on 4" black power worm. I did see a few snakes sunning them selves on the rocks by the fishing piers. Almost stepped on one. I could not tell what kind they were, nor did I care to get close enough to find out. I have been in my tube in a pond in Okalhoma when a ticked off water moccasin decided to chase me like a puppy after a Ford. It is amazing how quick you can scoot your butt off the water when a snake decides they don't want you in their area. Someone told me Lake Springfield is known for having snake issues.

[RSBreth]

if you're broke like me, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.co...69035207&sr=8-7

i got one last year and made several trips on the Finley, James, and Springfield lake. haven't gotten a hole yet. I'm fairly careful with it, but scrapped along the river bottom in it when I shouldn't have and it's still intact. Couple of times I got scared when pulling a lure too fast and not paying attention....

I picked mine up at MC sports, I think it's cheaper there, but the link to that site isn't working

Or even better, you could get what I use to haul duck decoys behind my other canoe, the inflatable kayak.

Inflatable Kayak

I've taken it on a couple of wading trips to bypass deep water where you couldn't get out on the banks. I filled the bottom chambers with expanding foam to make it a "semi-rigid" boat.

Just about impossible to sink now.