01-03-2010, 07:11 PM
Well, unlike some of the more dedicated "tubers", I stop fishing out of my tube LONG BEFORE there's a chance of any freezing temperatures.
The coldest I've fished out of my tube are with water/air temps right around 40*... I primarily fish out of my tube for LMB in farm ponds and SMALL bodies of water. Here in Nebraska - the time span between air/water temps of 40* and ICE is just a matter of a week or two. If I decide to go during that time, I'll just use my boat.
That having been said... I keep my tube in the basement of my house. It's cool there, but - obviously - not "cold". What I HAVE noticed is the loss of air-pressure in the tube from the transition from "warm" basement to the "cold" air/water!
Right now I use "strap-around" rod-holders/tackle-boxes and have found that they have a tendency to slip/rotate on the tube once the "warm" tube hits the colder air, and especially after being on the colder water for a while.
I don't know about the impact - if any - of the cold on the longevity of the tube/bladders (as they actually make inflatable sleds/tubes/toboggans for sledding?), but I DO KNOW that the tube/bladders will "shrink" when exposed to the cold.
The solution to that would be to acclimate your tube to the colder conditions before hitting the cold water, and then adding air or tightening your "strap-on" accessories as necessary. BUT IF YOU ADD AIR, make sure to let some air out after you get it home to the warm air!!!
Bob
[quote idahoron][/quote][font "Times New Roman"][/font]When the weather is cold like in the freezing range will the air bladders get brittle when they get real cold? Is there a possibility that they could crack when they are inflated? If so what temp would it be ok to inflate them? Ron[/font][/quote]
[signature]
The coldest I've fished out of my tube are with water/air temps right around 40*... I primarily fish out of my tube for LMB in farm ponds and SMALL bodies of water. Here in Nebraska - the time span between air/water temps of 40* and ICE is just a matter of a week or two. If I decide to go during that time, I'll just use my boat.
That having been said... I keep my tube in the basement of my house. It's cool there, but - obviously - not "cold". What I HAVE noticed is the loss of air-pressure in the tube from the transition from "warm" basement to the "cold" air/water!
Right now I use "strap-around" rod-holders/tackle-boxes and have found that they have a tendency to slip/rotate on the tube once the "warm" tube hits the colder air, and especially after being on the colder water for a while.
I don't know about the impact - if any - of the cold on the longevity of the tube/bladders (as they actually make inflatable sleds/tubes/toboggans for sledding?), but I DO KNOW that the tube/bladders will "shrink" when exposed to the cold.
The solution to that would be to acclimate your tube to the colder conditions before hitting the cold water, and then adding air or tightening your "strap-on" accessories as necessary. BUT IF YOU ADD AIR, make sure to let some air out after you get it home to the warm air!!!
Bob
[quote idahoron][/quote][font "Times New Roman"][/font]When the weather is cold like in the freezing range will the air bladders get brittle when they get real cold? Is there a possibility that they could crack when they are inflated? If so what temp would it be ok to inflate them? Ron[/font][/quote]
[signature]