Most excellent float tube pump/inflator :cool: - California Fishing

NulodPBall · 07-11-2005, 12:01 AM

It may sound funny, but the best float tube pump I've run across in years is found at Walmart for under $10.00 right now. A friend of mine got "rooked" because he paid $14.00 for it, but he took it on my latest Sierra trip and everyone just about had a smoregasm over it. Many of us have Fishcats (I'm always borrowing one) and the bottom seat bladder inflates totally in about three pumps (get a piece of clear plastic tubing from Home Depot -5/8"?- to use as an adaptor between the red seat valve and the end of the pump hose so you can fill it without having three hands). Basically you have your tube fully inflated in about five minutes, when it would take at least 20 minutes (that's what it seems like) to inflate it with the compressor at LNL.

I'm serious, everyone was amazed at how well it worked, and the bigger fly shops sell basically the same pump for about $30.00.

Just look around for the large tube, dual action HiOutput Air Pump...currently being sold by Ozark Trails. It's black and it looks like a plastic version of a very fat tubed bike pump. The hose has several adaptors attached to the end of it. It can pump as high as 8 psi.

I normally use my air compressor designed for offroad tires, and I have used a battery powered air compressor, a scuba tank, and CO2 tanks, but this pump impresses the heck out of me because it fills my tube so fast, and it's relatively light.

I'm sure there are similar variations in other stores but this one is cheap and it outperforms everything except the scuba tank (don't use a scuba tank unless you set the fill hose up so that it blows off if the pressure gets to high...like 2 psi).

Ray

FishSlayer · 07-11-2005, 07:10 AM

I got the same one at Sav-On for $7.99 and it does work better/faster than my electric one, its faster and it gets the bladders much more firm.

PlatinumHooks · 07-12-2005, 11:50 AM

Ray / Russ,

So the pump is made by Ozark Trails???? Am i correct? Hand or foot pump? thanks

Wahoo! · 07-12-2005, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the review. I got one very similar to that at Sport Chalet. Not expensive at all, but gets tubes inflated quick. Does that one pump on both the up and down stroke?

FishSlayer · 07-13-2005, 12:20 AM

Mine does

NulodPBall · 07-13-2005, 02:44 AM

yes it is Ozark Trails, hand pump (step on the base and push the handle up and down with your hands) and it pumps air on both the upstroke and the down stroke and comes with several adaptors.

Ray

PlatinumHooks · 07-13-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NulodPBall

yes it is Ozark Trails, hand pump (step on the base and push the handle up and down with your hands) and it pumps air on both the upstroke and the down stroke and comes with several adaptors.

Ray

Thanks Ray. I'm gonna go check one out at Walmart today. Hopefully they have one. Any special adapters needed for fillin a float tube?

NulodPBall · 07-13-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

Thanks Ray. I'm gonna go check one out at Walmart today. Hopefully they have one. Any special adapters needed for fillin a float tube?

===
No Problem. Good luck.
The adaptor situation depends on your Tube. I borrow Fishcats and I have a browning and the main bladders use the big valve that the end of the hose (no adaptor) just plugs into. You can fill the smaller bladders with the adaptors provided, but it's easier if you have either a second person, or you take a section of clear, flexible plastic hose (5/8"????) that fits both over the red valve and the hose and you can pump with both hands.

Ray

DementedFish · 07-13-2005, 08:56 PM

I still think the one at LNL fills up faster than any other pump. I can inflate my tube in 15 seconds.

NulodPBall · 07-14-2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedFish

I still think the one at LNL fills up faster than any other pump. I can inflate my tube in 15 seconds.

===
I think when I use it lately, it's been drained so I have to turn it on, and wait for the pressure to build up, then tie it to the top of my Jeep and drive over to the launch ramp...I guess I like the convenience of always having quick air, although my high capacity truck tire compressor is always in my car...

Ray

PlatinumHooks · 07-14-2005, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NulodPBall

===
No Problem. Good luck.
The adaptor situation depends on your Tube. I borrow Fishcats and I have a browning and the main bladders use the big valve that the end of the hose (no adaptor) just plugs into. You can fill the smaller bladders with the adaptors provided, but it's easier if you have either a second person, or you take a section of clear, flexible plastic hose (5/8"????) that fits both over the red valve and the hose and you can pump with both hands.

Ray

thank you again sir!

litltroutchaser · 07-18-2005, 09:01 PM

i ahve that ine too!

they are awsume!

PlatinumHooks · 07-19-2005, 03:33 PM

I'm gonna go look for this pump for my tube this coming Saturday. If any of you guys see it anywhere before I go looking, please let me know...thanks