A question to all of you Santa Barbabra fisherman. While fishing the harbor, are all of you fishing tubes or kayaks? I have neither and would like to try and get some flaties or W.S.B. My only choice is from shore. I live in Camarillo and mostly fish Oxnard/Ventura. Where could I check out a good selection of tubes and what is a good brand? It really sounds like a lot of fun. Also, a report for the boats out of Oxnard. I fished the Pacific Dawn last Sunday and I was very pleased by the Captain, Crew, and the boat. The Captain, Shawn Steward, has got to be only 25 years of age and put us on the fish all day long. I highly suggest giving him and his boat a try.

Hey Freddy,<BR>I would say that some people are tubing and some are kayaking. Each has it's benefits but as far as the $$$ goes tubing is quite a bit cheaper. If you're going ocean fishing a round tube is really the best. The U-boat type tubes aren't very stable in the waves. I've been fishing out of a $100 Lews Cruiser Tube for the last 6 years and it's been great which goes to show you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a decent tube. People generally concur that Caddis is a good brand so just pick one in your price range and charge it. Good luck.

Everyone I know who has or has had a U-boat now has a round boat. Mine is a Caddis (~$100) I've had for about 6 years also and my previous one I had (and still have as a spare) is a Caddis I bought in 1985. The jury's still out on whether an actual tire tube or bladder is better. I've always fished the tire tube. You can inflate it nice and tight which I like. I have to replace the tube about every 2 years (costs $15 - $20). Rob said he has a bladder and has never had any problems. My friend Mike has a Caddis Proline that's runs about $140 and it is really nice!! My cousin got a Caddis similar to mine (Deluxe) at the Fred Hall Show for $30 brand new - I can't believe I didn't pick one up also - what was I thinking! Catching fish from a tube is so much fun - there's nothing like being right there at water level and having a nice halibut come up turn, splash you, make a nice run and pull you for a little ride (not to mention what would happen if you latch into a good seabass!).<P>I would say the best deal I've seen right now is the Caddis High Sierra Tube at Cabela's. I think it's the same as the Deluxe model and the website says it comes with a tire tube. It's only $79.99 and you get a free pair of fins (worth $19.99). The only problem is Cabela's only has red and I don't like it - they make other colors (green, brown, etc.). They also have the Proline for $124.99. See the website www.cabelas.com.<P>As for the harbor/wharf area I've been fishing it from shore since January and from a tube since April. During a warm period in January we were nailing halibut from shore. I got a 25.5 incher on a krocodile. Every once in a while I'll run down there for an hour or so. One morning before work I got five halibut in the 15 - 18 inch range in an hour. On a light rod with 6 - 8 lb. test they can be fun. It's very shallow and the bottom doesn't drop off very steep so you've got to use light (or shallow diving) lures. If you're out in a tube you can step up to heavier ones when you get out a little deeper (or find deeper holes).<P>Pete<P>You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

I personally have been useing a kayak for inshore fishing recently. It has some advantages over tubing, but also some major disadvantages. Kayaks are good if you want to cover large distances (greater than 10 miles or so) trolling, or go miles offshore. they are also good for alternative uses - i use mine to access remote dive sites, and my fiance likes to go for paddles simply to surf or chase dolphins - when the gray whales come by you can go whale watching too. The disadvantages are cost (I got a great deal on a used one but it was still almost $300), large size and weight can make kayaks a pain, and the thing that bothers me the most is the fact that I have to set my rod down to paddle, this can be a problem if wind is blowing you into the surf while you are fighting a fish, whereas in a tube you can be swimming yourself around to maintain position while fighting the fish. I think both are great and someday if i ever I have the cash I'll probably have both. It's great to be able to get out on the water wherever and whenever I want and the fish count is way higher than fishing from a boat. If you get the chance definitly try both.

Dave is correct in saying that they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Being able to move and fish and the same time is one of the main things I've loved about float tubing for the past 15 years. In freshwater I like the "stealthness" of being so small. Kayaks on the other hand cover way more ground (or water). When I'm out and see birds going crazy working the bait too far away for me to kick in my float tube is when I wish I had a kayak. Having both is the way to go!!!<P>You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

I have this mental image of you paddling your kayak while wearing your tube. Trolling with rod in holder until you get to the bird action, then setting an anchor and over the side ya go. Paddling, tubing, paddling, tubing!

Storage of a tube has to be easier than kayaks. I have mine standing on end strapped to a rafter in the garage.