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Hi, my name is Chris. I live in San Bernardino. I just purchased a new OCD 420 from Turners. I was allowed $300 for all of my equiptment. I purchased the tube for $175 including tax. Now i need to find some waders and fins for $125.
I was wondering since it is getting warmer out, maybe i could skip getting the waders until late fall when the sales start on. I plan on mostly tubing Silverwood lake and maybe Jess Ranch. I want to get this tube out asap but i guess the water would be a little cold still with out waders. What do you think?
Also if anyone know of a good deal on waders or fins this time of year please fill me in. You feed back is appreciated.
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cmechilln,
Maybe you just need to try it. Borrow some fins and stick your legs into the water. Then you'll know. If its too cold you'll also have the best incentive to run right down and buy them. It is probably best to buy waders and fins at the same time as you'll need to get fins that will fit over what you plan to wear on your feet.
I see neoprene waders on sale from time to time for $39-$49 (regularly $69-$79). They aren't top of the line, of course, but they will serve you for several years. I've had very good luck with Hodgeman neoprene waders. Breathables are another story. To get a good pair of breathables you have to go $200 and up. And it is probably best to stay away from Hodgeman breathables.
zonker
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[cool][#0000ff]The waters should be warming quickly over there. I lived in Riverside and San Berdoo myself for awhile, so I know about the weather there. As a general rule, I have found that you can comfortably tube without waders as soon as the water temps get past about 65 degrees. Of course, it helps if there are warm air temps and not a lot of wind.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I just bought a pair of Columbia waders for $89 at Sportsmans Warehouse that look very good and have plenty of room in my size (XXL) to add layers. I will be trying them out this morning and will post a report. I was told they are a new line, introduced by an exec that came over to Columbia from Simms. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I second what Zonker said about the Hodgman Wadelites. While some folks get some that do not leak, many of them leak right out of the box, or at least develop leaks within the first year. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can buy lots of different kinds of fins for under $50. Several major names make decent tubing fins, that are the divers style, with heel straps. Spend some time looking through our past threads in the Best of the Best and on the Picture Board. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As Zonker advises, you should not buy fins without having your other gear (waders) with you. make sure the fins will hold your wadered feet, with socks and/or neoprene booties.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck and welcome aboard.[/#0000ff]
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For the most part I agree with Zonker and TD. Stay away from the Hodgeman Wadelites. However, and I do not think they make them anymore, I have had a pair of Hodgeman Stretchlite breathable waders for a few seasons now and have had no issues. This is after using them in my toob and fishing for salmon and steelhead in numerous rivers where I am constantly bending and kneeling. But neoprene are much less expensive and seem to hold up well. You might want to check out websites like Dick's sporting goods and GI Joes. They quite often have good deals on waders. Good Luck, and let us know how the maiden voyage goes.
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There is no way on earth I would go out in a float tube without waders. Along with the cold, there are branches, plus sometimes parisites (swimmers itch).
Cost being an issue, I agree with the neo's, plus you will be in the water to your waiste at times (choppy days) Plus you can roll the tops down on warm days.
I have wore shorts before on my kick boat but I am only in the water from mid calf down and I can pull my legs out, however sunburn is an issue then.
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Thaks for the advice. I think since im on a budget right now i will go with the neoprene waders and a good pair of fins. Heck if it gets too hot i can just take them off. I never considered things like tree branches and swimmers itch.
I have one other question. I contacted a lake near me. They have a catch and relase tube only lake (jess ranch). They require that i disinfect my tube an tackel because it is a backup water supply for a hatchary. I have never heard of this. How is it done? Do i just spray it down with alcohol or something?
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That's an interesting wrinkle. Never heard of it before.
Maybe its a good thing, though. If they're that concerned, maybe they also know how to raise big fish successfully. [ ]
I wouldn't use alcohol on a tube. A good washdown with mild antibacterial dish washing detergent might suffice, but I'm just guessing here. You probably need to check to see what they require. Washing the bottom a a boat doesn't present the same problems as washing the bottom a a nylon/vinyl or urothane tube might present.
zonker
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[#505000]Maybe I'm just a dumb hick, but any lake that requires me to disinfect my tube and tackle, and is also catch and release only is a little too uppity for me and I would take my bacteria ridden tackle elsewhere!! [ ][/#505000]
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Hey, I emailed the manager of the lake again about the disinfecting. I will post here what he requires. It does seem a little odd.
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Ok i just got an email form the manager of the lake
quote:
The best way would be iodine, but you can use 409 or put it in a deep freeze for 24 hours.
I guess it is a good idea to keep the germs and bacteria out of the hatchery. Do you think it a bit excessive?
Here is a link to the lake.
[#800080][url "http://www.jessranchlakes.net/pages/prod03.html"]http://www.jessranchlakes.net/pages/prod03.html[/url][/#800080][url "http://www.jessranchlakes.net/"][/url]
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[cool][#0000ff]Ever hear of whirling disease? The number one way it is transferred to new waters is through the mud and grime on boats and fishing tackle.[/#0000ff]
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They are also worried about New Zealand mudsnails. Certain formulations of "Formula 409" have been approved as a disinfectant/ cleaner to remove these pests. I am to understand that California is having a lot of trouble with these and has come up with protocols to slow the spread of these pests. They also are in other waters in the West and have been felt to cause damage to trout fisheries. With that in mind, their requirements are probably not at all excessive.
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I suppose if I ran a pay to play fishing lake that was my livelyhood I might be a bit concerned about things that would wipe me out.
Still not sure if I'd use iodine or 409 on my tube though. I'd probably just fish somewhere else.
zonker
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[cool][#0000ff]The nylon and PVC covers these days are probably not going to be adversely affected even by strong cleaners.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Still...you always gotta answer the question on how much are you willing to give up for what in return.[/#0000ff]
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We have a lake here that is also our drinking water, therefore, you must wear waders, no swimming, no animals (dogs) , Catch and Release, and I wanna tell you we are talking monster fish.
The 409 if fine on the tubes and easy as heck, small price to pay for fish for your grand children (or should I say the future).
Those lakes do not get heavy pressure so there could be some monsters in there. By monsters I am talking about 22" Brookies and 25" Cutts. Worth it.......You Bet!
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I can't believe they said that a deep freeze would do it!!! Most parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc. survive freezing temperatures just fine. They just go dormant. I doubt it would even kill whirling disease or mud snails.
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I will give the lake a try. Unless i catch some of the big ones like flygoddess mentioned i probally wont go back.
I have some Idophor Iodine sanatizer that i use for sanatizing beer brewing equiptment. I figured it is a no rinse sanatizer so it probally pretty gentle on my tube. It may dye it a light brown tint.
This thread has been very informative to me. Thanks for the help everone.
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[shocked][shocked][#0000ff][size 1]plus sometimes parisites (swimmers itch). [shocked] [#000000]Tell me more about that! Out where I tube without the waders I need to know about that one![/#000000][/size]
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I agree. I too would like to hear more about that. Not sure where Bluegillman is from but i havent had this since i move to california. I got it a few time when i was a kid in Minnesota.
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I don't know first hand about it cause I always wear waders (hip waders in my pontoon).
We have two warm water lakes that I know of, Pelican and Mantua, both have bluegill and Large mouth, and during the summer I hear reports all the time about swimmers itch. I don't know if it is a parasite or what. Tube Dude I bet knows (and not from first hand I hope)
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