New Float Tube Law????

[ron1]

A friend of mine from Ohio is coming down next weekend to do some camping and fishing at Peabody WMA. I use a float tube when fishing these strip pit lakes and suggested that he may want to buy one and bring with him. They are an absolute blast to fish out of. Well, he went to Bass Pro and Dicks Sporting Goods (IN OHIO) and both had pulled the float tubes off the shelves. Both places told him that new regs prohibited use in Ohio. Has anyone else heard this? I know it is still legall in KY.


Just read the Ohio regs. Guess I should have done that first huh? If a float tube has more than one inflatable chamber (they almost all do) they must be registered with Ohio DFWR. Stores are just taking them off the shelves because of the inconvenience I guess.

[artcarney_agr]

Why would a float tube be any different than a canoe? Did they pull the canoes off the shelves too? Something seems odd...

[ron1]

Can't figure out the reasoning at all on this one Art. Probably just a way to get some revenue flow through registration. It can't be a safety issue. I have been using one for years and have never felt any safer in a boat/canoe.