Goin tubing either this weekend or the next weekend for the first time. Anyone have any tips? I've heard Newport's a great place to go tubing. Anyone have any other good spots to tube? I'm mostly targeting calicos and sandies. But I'll also take suggestion for halibut spots. I don't necessarily just need tips for the areas to fish, but also tubing in general. I've never done it, and I don't wanna end up floating in Mexico somewhere...lol. Tips on what to bring, baits, lures, rules if any...etc...BTW, anyone know the cheapest place to buy waders? I need two of em...

Sandra Love - Love's Outdoors & Sporting Goods
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Okay, im not a pro but I go now and then. Well make sure you always have your life vest with you at all times and a whistle or blow horn for safety to signal other vessels that get by too close and can't see you. Waders, I heard they have a sale at sportmart right now, check sport chalet also, i think they got a sale going on too. Neoprenes are what I have, but can get hot at times, you might wanna try out the breathable types since they would be a lot more comfortable but do not keep you insulated if the water is too cold. Have a landing net with you because I think DFG requires it, and also a lip gripper would be helpful also, like a berkely lip gripper which is the same concept as the boga grip without the weight scale and under 30 bucks. Makes catch and release so much easier without having your thumbs ripped up. Some would say bring a gaff but that is pretty dangerous around a float tube in my opinion especially with a big hali' shaking you around. If you have not gotten fins, get some US diver ones from Walmart, they're under 20 bucks and are better than many of those designed for float tubing imo. Just be really careful and always aware of what's around you, especially at newport because of all the boat traffic. Oh, if you have questions about livewells or places to keep your fish, check out baytubers.com, that is the best place to learn about tubing the ocean, check the pictures and f&Q's there is so much info there. If you wanna tube sometime let me know, I can always use a buddy to go with for safety reasons. Oh yeah, don't go alone. Hope this helps and good luck

Alex

Oh yea, bring plastics such as Big Hammer swimbaits and or some 3-4 inch grubs. Use 1/8 to 3/8oz. darterheads for the grubs and 1/4 to 3/8 heads for the swimmys. Live bait is good if you can get it, especially for those big butts. But plastics will get you bit pretty well. Crankbaits are good too. If you have questions about line sizes and good colors to use let me know. I'll be glad to help out a fellow tuber.

I've gone tubing in the ocean twice now so I'm not much of an expert. However I did get to try Newport Harbor (launched at Harbor Patrol Beach) and had a great time catching sand and bay bass along with a small halibut (18"). I was on the water for about 4 hours, 2 hours on each side of a low tide. In Newport Harbor this worked out great. The outgoing tide moved me towards the ocaen and the incoming tide moved me back to the starting point. This way I avoided a long kick back to my launch point against tide and winds. If you go to Newport, pay attention to the tides and try to bracket either a low tide or a high tide so you avoid working against the tidal current. I was surprised at how strong that tidal current could be.

My second trip was to Cabrillo Beach down in San Pedro about two weeks ago. This beach is protected by a rock seawall/breakwater and the water was extremely calm - dare I say flat. I fished it very early in the morning, starting at 6AM and was done about 11 AM. The wind can come at Cabrillo and you might have to kick back to the launch point against that wind. Some folks have tired out and had to be rescued by lifeguards. I had no problem with either wind nor tide at Cabrillo Beach. I got into a real nice white seabass bite. I was tossing 3 inch big hammers on 3/8 oz darter jigs with a 6 lb test light spinning rig. I caught 6 WSB up to 20 inches and they put up an awesome fight. None where of legal (28") size but I doubt if I could have landed a legal WSB bruiser on my light rod/reel combo. I also had 6 or 7 cut/break me off. The bite was definately on. I just wish I had put on some sort of bite/shock leader so I didn't lose so many of the hookups.

There is a group of tubers that met every Saturday morning at Cabrillo for a friendly little tournament. They welcome beginners and you don't have to join the tourney to fish with them. It would be a great spot to try/learn. The fellows I fished with were very free with information and tips. I had a great time and I will definately be back soon to try it again. Lots of legal halibut are caught at Cabrillo. The only drawback at Cabrillo is a $6.50 parking charge.

I have been tubing for about 3 years and you will learn the most from other tubers. I think Cabrillo is a great spot. Easy access, live bait from the two bait barges, about 200 yards off the beach. Great variety of fish and habitats. Sandy bottom, shallow and deep (35 ft) lots of kelp, and everything from sand bass to halibuts to white sea bass.

The baytubers are a friendly and helpfull group of people www.baytubers.com We meet each Sat at Cabrillo at 5:30 and start our tournament at 6:00. Come on down on Sat and join us. We will be more than happy to help you out in any way. You can join the tournament for $20 bucks, the prize has been running between $200 and $300 the last few weekends. Or just come and fish right with us.

Parking is $6.50 (bring exact change they get too many $20s) and you can get a decent scoop of live anchovies or sardines for $5.00. You will need a bait hold of some type, there are some photos on the baytuber site. Or just throw plastics. Kio got a 32 inch white sea bass on Sun with a 5 inch bighammer swimbait.

Think it over, it's the best tubin' spot in So Cal. ERIK

Welcome to tubing--you might check out Rob's article on this site as well. I would recommend only wearing waders in closed, calm water like a bay. If in the ocean, the chance of getting them filled with water is too great. Wear a wetsuit if going off an open beach. Pick a sheltered beach and/or a small surf day too. You can't move very fast in a tube, so outrunning a wave is impossible. I like beaches that drop off fast with a shorebreak so I am out of harm's way quickly. Higher tides are usually safer to launch as rocks are covered better. Watch as the tide drops though, I was at an unfamiliar beach and was greeted with exposed boulders in the surf line upon my return at lowtide. I had to kick to another cove 1/8 mile away and walk back.

How much do wetsuits go for?

Sandra Love - Love's Outdoors & Sporting Goods
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Cabrillo is great, even from the shore and from our inflateable we have caught and released 21" halibuts (fun, never had luck with plastics b 4). Seems like almost every fish is a halibut or a bass. Plastics and live bait are all I have tried, but I have only been out 2 times. Oddly, live bait produced not a one nibble the 1 time I used it. It was late, windy and kelpy though. Try and get out by 12 or so on the weekends, it turns into a madhouse.
I was wondering if I could give the tourneys a shot with the baytubes, even if all i have is a 12' "Fish Hunter" inflateable? Might be a silly question, because I don't have a "tube" to join a "Baytubers" tourney, but it never hurts to ask, (I think)
Cya
from a girl trying a bit more than just freshwater. You learn something every day.

It,s a floattubes only tournament.It keeps the playing field level.

THE BAYTUBERS TOURNAMENTS ARE MOVING FROM CABRILLO TO LONB BEACH AGAIN WITH THE FIRST IN A SERIES BEING AT GRISSOM ON SAT THE 7TH.

I have a good used Caddis for sale if you are looking for a nice used tube...It has been used less than 10 times and has the good old USA type bladders...You can find me at www.baytubers.com ... you can try it out before you buy it if you are interested ... Would you like to fish the tournament with us this Sat in it???

They range anywhere from $75-350 depending on brand, style, features, etc. A short sleeve/short leg spring suit is fine for now as water is warm. Full suits (long arms and legs) are more versatile. You don't need a super flexy, sealed neck, zipperless, ultra-whatever surf suit as you aren't paddling a board. Go to a surf shop and ask to see a range. Some of the lower cost surf models are more than adequate for tubing. Remember, waders are fine in enclosed areas like bays. Wetsuits are good though in that one may relieve his or herself (aka nature's warmer). With waders, you wouldn't want to do that and will have to get out of the water. Sorry to be direct, but everyone who surfs and dives does it.

Fongster's right about waders vrs suits. I vote wetsuit, but some say waders are warmer. Anyways, I'd suggest a 5mm longjohn. This is long legged, but no sleeves. That way you can wear whatever jackets, sweatshirts, shirts under and over it. This is the warmest way to go. Also, get 5 or 6mm booties.

With colder weather and water right around the corner, I'd highly recommend polar fleece for over t-shirts, and a good nylon or gortex shell to cover that with. Polar fleece stays warm when wet, the shell will also help with heat retention, and more important it'll keep the wind off you. Wear a skicap for the noggen. This is all very important if you want big sandbass. Best time for them is usually in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter. Take cold air, while sitting in cold water and you need to be smart. No sense getting too cold and cramping or locking up.

At one point last winter I was wearing my 4mm longjohn, short and longsleeve shirts, polar fleece vest and jacket, a heavy nylon shell w/ polar fleece colar lining, and polarfleece cap. I was hot by the time I hit the water, but usually within an hour I was cool. Within 3 hours I was cold, but I could last 5 or 6 when the bite was on. Plus the thermos of hot coffee was really helpful in staying warm.

As for tides, beware and be aware. Plan your trips around the tides. Learn each area you fish, the tidal movement differs based on lots of variables. Get a tide chart that shows water movement, not just highs and lows. They will cost like $2 instead of free or close too it. Water doesn't move at nice even pace with each swing. Sometimes it will smoke for an hour then die, sometimes it kinda pulses, sometimes it is nice and even. But, fish like the movement, so don't plan for days when the swing is slight.

Pay attention, and listen to your gut. Like David, I got myself into a few situations that could have been bad. For Newport, launch out on the Penninsula south of the Pavillion. Stay in that channel, that way if you do get pulled out too far, you can exit by the public pier. Basically, stay back in the bay, within the moored boats. As you learn the area you can venture further. I think bracketing the highs is best, for both fishing and safety. I've known a couple people who got sucked way too far out, because the swing was very steep at the backend, even though it wasn't an overall big swing.

Last of all, fish the light line. 6# is all you need. It'll seem too light at first, but you'll get used to it. You'll get bit way more with 6#. Baits? Well that's a whole 'nother mega post.

Hope this helps,
Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

The only thing I don't agree with is the 6lb line...We fish the L.A. and Long Beach areas and have pulled out WSB up to 34" out of the Cabrillo kelp and Halibut up to 39" and there is no way you can do that with 6lb line...But yes, you will get a lot of bites...

You said:
>I would recommend only wearing waders in
>closed, calm water like a bay. If in the ocean, the chance
>of getting them filled with water is too great. Wear a
>wetsuit if going off an open beach.

While working at Fisherman's Hardware in Long Beach, a bunch of us who worked there fished the local spots in tubes. We launched through the surf in tubes, with waders. Nobody ever had a problem.
Yeah, we did get water in our waders once in a while. But only enough to be uncomfortable. I do remember watching a friend of mine take a wave right over his head while going in. He popped right up. Soaking wet, but safe and floating.(and laughing)
It's also been proven lately that waders full of water will not pull you down. It's a myth. In fact you'll probably float a bit more.
I wish I had the link to that test. It's on this site I think. (Rob?)
I think waders are always the best bet. There's no reason not to use them.

Point Fermin was also a great calico, halibut and seabass spot too! ;-) Launch off the beach on the sea side of the Cabrillo wall. 5" Big Hammers on 15/20 lb test on a 7-8 ft med heavy action rod.

I use a 2/3 Bodyglove wetsuit that I got at Big 5 for around $100. It's a full body one. I use a wetsuit (and sometimes fold the top down) on warm summer days but in colder water (less than 60 F) or at night I'll use waders.

The waders I use are Hogeman stocking foot and go for around $60 (Sportmart in Goleta had them a while ago) but I'd also recommend getting a pair of diving booties 2 sizes larger than your foot size to go over the stocking foot (between the waders and fins) or you'll be patching holes in the feet rather soon.

I don't know much about the areas you are describing but for tubing information and fishing information I recommend you check out:

http://www.calfishing.com/tubing/index.html

http://www.calfishing.com/saltwater/halibut/index.html

http://leapinbass.com/fishing/tubing.htm

http://swimbait.com/halibut

http://swimbait.com/combat

Thanks from a lurker.
I have never been tubing, but I bought a tube mainly because you all are having so much fun I gotta try it. Thanks for the info.

JR.

Quietman

http://www.kayakfishingpro.com