Go to any bass tournament weigh-in and you’ll see expensive bass boats. Bass tournament fishing is one of the more expensive pastimes and most of these anglers never receive a check. For example, most bass boat owners are making monthly payments of $200 and up got up to 20 years.
The high cost of bass boats, up to $90,000, has many anglers opting for recreational fishing instead of tournament fishing and one trend that has been sweeping the country is fishing from a float tube or kayak. Kayak and float tube fishing is gaining in popularity on Clear Lake. In fact, there are several bass tournaments a year featuring float tubes and kayaks. On any given day you will see trucks and cars going down Main Street in Lakeport with a kayak strapped to the roof.
One local angler who fishes almost exclusively from a float tube (also called a belly boat) is Gary Hill of Kelseyville. He is out on the lake at least six days a week and is considered one of the better bass fisherman on the lake. He says he prefers a float tube because it makes him fish slow and carefully, which results in the bass grabbing his lure. Hill has caught a lot of large bass between 8-10 pounds.
The best part of a float tube is you can store it in a duffel bag in your closet. When you’re ready to go fishing, just toss it in the trunk of your car and head for the lake. Once there the float tube inflates within a matter of minutes, and then you’re off fishing. It’s the ideal fishing craft for those who live in an apartment or small home that has limited storage space. In comparison to a new bass boat, float tubes are inexpensive, costing less than $200.
Float tubes aren’t just for little ponds and lakes but can be used on lakes such as Indian Valley Reservoir, Pillsbury Lake and Upper Blue Lake. It’s the ideal craft for fishing at Highland Springs Reservoir and Adobe Lake. Even giant Clear Lake is popular among float tubers.
Age is no barrier to using a float tube. In fact, they’re an excellent form of exercise for the senior crowd and they are very safe watercraft. Rarely do you ever hear of a float tube capsizing.
Today’s float tubes come in all sizes and shapes. The most popular ones have separate air-filled bladders with one on each side and one for a back rest. They are easy to propel and you can move them about as fast as you can row a boat. In fact, they propel easily, even in a light wind. Float tubes can be purchased from the catalog stores such as Bass Pro Shops. The cost for the tube itself varies from $100-$200. A pair of waders will cost about $75 and fins are another $35. For less than $300 you can be completely rigged and ready to go fishing.
The other option is to buy a kayak. They are easy to store and they’re light enough to handle without breaking your back. Whereas they’re a little more expensive than a float tube, ranging slightly more than $4,000, kayaks give you the advantage of covering a lot of water in a day. A kayak is also an ideal craft to view the lake’s abundant bird life. Most of the modern kayaks have storage compartments so you can store your fishing tackle. Clear Lake Outdoors tackle shop in Lakeport carries a complete line of modern kayaks.
The bottom line is you don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy a day on the lake. Just ask Gary Hill.
