Just wondering what length and # of rod everyone uses / thinks best for tubing

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

Ten foot #3/4 or 5 is what I use. Don't need a heavy line.

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http://www.malley.comyr.com

Why a 10ft rod not a 9?

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

I think it all depends on the type of fishing you are planning and the average size of the fish.

For wild Scottish loch tubing I go for 10' #3, #4 or #5 rods depending on the weather.

My maximum rod weight would be #5 because the average size of the trout are small (very small by reservoir standards but with the appropriate tackle loads of fun.

The reason I use a 10 foot rod is to allow me to dibble the bob fly for as long as possible.

All of this can be achieved with a shorter rod but for a shorter distance and also closer to the tube / boat.

I would base your tackle choice on the water you plan on fishing most frequently and be prepared to compromise if you visit other types of water much less often.

I tend to now tale a long light rod (doubles up for river nymphing) and a slightly heavier rod with a slime or slow sinking line on it.

The rod that will see most use will depend on the weather and if the fish are rising or moving to worked flies in the top few inches of water.

This is my tackle choice, I hope it helps.

If you can, the best thing to do is borrow a friends rod and try different gear before you buy.

Kev.

When I float tubed in SA I used a 9 foot 6 weight most of the time.

But when after bass I used a 9 foot 10 weight, and backpedal like mad!

Jim

I standard tubing rod is my vision 9' 5# 3 zone middle to tip action it buckles when a 3lb rainbow takes and goings mental !!

However on wild lochs with brownies or small escapee rainbows i have felt at times even the 5# is too much !! You dont need the line weight for casting with tubing as you tend to fish back to the wind.

After trying my dads 8' 3/4# on Loch Tay i was convinced lighter was the way to go, hence ive purchased a Vison cult 9' 3# to play with next season.

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Englander

"Barbless since 2008"

Vision GT Four catapult 9' 6#
Vision GT Four SW 9' 9#
Vision 3 Zone 9' 5#
Vision Cult 9' 3#
Shakespeare Trion 9' 5/6#
Cortland Endurance 9' 6#
Shakespeare Expedition float tube
Vosseler DC3 reel
Okuma Helios 8/9 reel
Greys G series 3/4 reel
Snowbee Geo 3/4 reel

I've used two different Greys rods with my tube, the first was a 9' 5# 7 piece Missionary but I now use a 10' 4# 4 piece Streamflex. I find the second easier to cast, lighter to hold and I feel more in control of the fish. All of this is subjective as one man's meat is another man's poison but the 10' rod suits me better.

The Streamflex is a surprisingly strong rod and I have on occasion landed carp to 8lb (fishing from the bank at small trout waters) with it. There were no major hysterics with this proceedure.

10’ #6 ST6INT, ST6S2
10’ #6 ST6F, ST6S1

I carry both and would feel naked with anything less!

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

I ain't as good as the Irishman having only been at it since 1985.

10' is mandatory for dropper control and keeping it out of your face on a fishtailing wind .

Me, whenever I go the wind always seems to blow and sometimes quite hard at that, so for lines I go WE7# Floater and WF8# for everything else including a T-200 Teeny line ( so I use a 7#/8# ten footer ) and I carry at least 4 grades of sinkers because I catch mostly at depth - this is because I like fishing rather deeper than most .

For Pike I use 9# gear and a 10' flyrod - and that is specifically because the lures tend to be bigger and have a fair amount of air drag during casting - I think it helps in a long day to be in control of the rod/line/fly system as a whole rather than struggling with a big fly on a light line .

Others differ and there is no arguing with taste as the Romans said 2000 years ago ish !

Steve Parton

For wild Trout fishing i am using a Penn Gold Medal either 8ft 6in #6 weight or a Penn Gold Medal 9ft # 5 weight as i tend to fish around the margins and i'm not casting a full line,The reason i like these rods although they are a little old is that they are a good middle to tip action and handle trout very well in most conditions.
For pike fishing i use a 9 ft 6in # 9 weight as i am not fishing huge heavy flies and again i am not casting great distances sticking to weed patches and margins at a nice leisurely pace.

Pete