does anyone think that a 12 or 13 year old is old enough to go float tubing in the harbor or couple of yards from the beach?

thanx,
aaron d.

uh oh,
trying to convince the parents =)
I started tubing my freshman year in high school. I think I was 14? First time we went we headed straight out to sea off hendry's beach. My advice would be to go with a buddy until you feel comfortable out there. It all depends on where you are going. Pick somewhere without too much boat traffic or big waves and you should be fine.

my dad said no until i am 18. i am a freshman in HS now, and cannot wait that long to take advantage of such a great resourse. I would love to catch some halibut at the exxon pier in avila. Please-help me line up a list of reasons to help me convince them. They think with all the tackle i will go to the bottom in a split second. Help me prove them semi wrong. I do own a life jacket too! Thanks in advanced!!!

Till Later,
Desperate Joel

First off, are you an excellent swimmer? This will help for convincing them that you'll be safe. Second, find a partner, the older and more experienced the better. Third, wear a life jacket. Forth, until they trust your skills, fish only lakes, harbors, and beaches w/ NO waves. Fifth, buy a Caddis Navigator II or it's equal. Reason being, it has 4 air bladders, sinking one is near impossible. Sixth, have your parents come with you a few times to see how safe it really is.

Here's a few others too. They are superstealth. Bait will even congregate under you sometimes. They are excellent for getting exercise. Last of all, my tube (a Nav II) is my favorite way to fish bass, and I work on a boat. They are an absolute blast.

If you can convince them, post the area where you live. I'm sure one of us can find you a partner. At least I know I probably can if you live somewhere between L.A. and San Diego.

Good Luck and let us know what happens,
Amish Ed

Have you tubed in freshwater?

This is what it would take for me to let my kid float tube. I'm having my first kid next March and I can't wait to take them tubing so as soon as they're able to fit into waders and have strong/long enough legs to move the tube they'll be out there - regardless of their age.

1) He/she would have to be an excellent swimmer

2) He/she would have to have a partner (of course that would be me!)

3) He/she would have to stick to low wave areas (harbors, freshwater, or places like the cove near U.C.S.B.) until he/she is strong enough or tall enough to deal with waves.

4) He/she would have to stay close to shore.

There is so much great fishing that can be done in less than 10 ft. of water. Probably 80% of my legal halibut this year were taken in less than 8 ft. of water.

Watched a guy towing his partner around in NP one day. Turns out the towee forgot his fins. While I don't know if I'd do it for a friend, I will do it for Mateo. Probably before he even knows how to fish.

Good luck with the new one, it's still pretty hard to believe Mateo's mine. I take it you don't know which model you made. We couldn't stand not knowing, guess we really like to plan ahead.

Again good luck,
Amish Ed

Believe me I've been trying to think of a way to get a small child out there and tow he/she around but for a while I think I'll be stuck surf fishing the harbor with the kid in the backpack.

Learning to swim is top priority. None of this "Drown in a lake trying to save your child who can't swim - then have your family sue the city and force them to wreck the beauty of the lake with a fence all because your a $%^&*# idiot that doesn't have the sense enough to stay away from the water when you can't swim" stuff. Sorry - just blowing off some steam :)

thanx for alll the help......

aaron d.