I’m thinking of getting a float tube. Any advice on models?
This summer it looks like we will be making quite a few trips from Mpls to Portage WI. So rather then pulling my boat over, thought this might be an option. I likely will only get out for short periods on local lakes. (Bass Fishing)
I had a Browning tube for a number of years Buzz.
It was the round step in type.
Two things I found out about tubes.
1. The U shaped tubes are MUCH easier to get into.
2. Placing gills on the (round) tube to take out a hook will go through the material and puncture the tube. Slow leaks suck.
Once in the tube and in the water it’s surprising how easy they are and how much water a person can cover using flippers.
Two things always bothered me about float tubes. 1) your 
is in the lake, and 2) your not as visible to other boaters because you’re sitting so low.
What are the tradeoffs between a float tube and one of those one man pontoon boats?
Rootski
If you know a semi-prominent Minneapolis angler who goes by MT or MTBucket, pick his brain on this topic.
He has spent more time on Metro Area Lakes in different float tubes and one-person-pontoons than anyone else I know of.
One man pontoon with oars/elect trolling motor is like dying and going to heaven compared to a float tube. Still easy to transport in any vehicle yet eliminates the need for waders/wet feet, and allows you to take cooler and other gear with you. Simply a no brainer!
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Two things always bothered me about float tubes. 1) your
What are the tradeoffs between a float tube and one of those one man pontoon boats?
Rootski
Root, staying close to shore on lake without much boat traffic worked for me. Very enjoyable.
On the other hand, I never encountered an overly friendly snake either.
I would ditto a one man pontoon or a kayak. Float tubes are good but slow and everything will get wet. I was in my tube one day giving it all I had to get to the spot and here comes a guy in a one man pontoon and blows right by me .
Long handle rods are kind of out as well, but I can sneak right up on fish sight fishing, which makes no sense. Like BK said the U shape is better then the O.
Look for one with a high back and back up air bladder. Wear a PFD and orange if in a high traffic area and last make a safety strap for your fins in case one falls off 
, or you just go in circles JK.
Desperado, Thanks I sent MT a pm.
Buzz
check your PMs again
seems I was experiencing some IDO Mistaken identiTy in my earlier post
If it is just for fishing, I second the idea on the one man pontoon. If you do go the route of a float tube, great advise already given. High back, comfortable seat, easy release to slide out in case of EPIC failure, U-Shape, invest in quality fins and ORANGE BACK!!! I use to use mine on Lake MI for trout/salmon and duck hunting. It was a much older (1980’s) Mountain Trader -round. Fun as heck to have a 25# chin pulling you around. Biggest beef with it was the round tubes spin easy. Hard to land bigger fish. It also was brown and hard for boats to see on the water. This was my first method for fishing the power plants and harbors before I owned a boat or had a drivers license
Pics are me and Milemark_714 at ice out on the Quarry pond 
As for duck hunting 
you could sit right in the middle of the decoys and they would dump in right next to you! Fun way to hunt 3 miles out on the lake for open water divers
Where do you put the AIS sticker??
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Where do you put the AIS sticker??
Where the sun doesn’t shine
Is that for brown trout?
or invasive crabs ? 
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