There comes a time in the lives of bass anglers when nothing short of getting off the bank will do.

The most innovative float product of the last decade has to be the pontoon-style kick boat. You stay drier and warmer and get better casting angles. You can even pitch from these things. Photo by Mike Ayers.

Some will plunk down the coin on a tricked-out, top-of-the-line fiberglass rig. To those fortunate few, we tip our caps.

But there are many of us who are left high and dry because of tight budgets, lack of storage space or many other reasons. A float tube, kick boat or kayak might just be the ideal alternative.

There are several advantages these human-powered vessels offer. For one thing, you can safely launch them on many waters. For another, float tubes and kick boats can be stored in a hallway closet. You could hang a kayak on the wall of an apartment or garage.

Strap them to the roof of your car or toss them into the bed of your pickup and you're good to go.

And, as far as cost, unless you're committed to angling on foot, you can't pursue this sport for much less money.

Although you can't run and gun from them, just about any other bassin' technique is fair game. In fact, there are anglers competing in the sport's upper echelons who attribute much of their success to what they've learned through this up-close and personal approach to bass fishing.

FLOAT TUBES
Float tubes are nothing new. "Donut-style" models have been around for decades. But if you ever tried one of those old-school versions, you may have found they had serious drawbacks. It could be tough to get in and out of the water in them. You often moved at the pace of a tortoise, and your back and posterior often paid a steep price for a few hours of recreation.

Today's float tubes offer tough nylon covers that resist punctures. Back rests serve as flotation bladders for added safety, and multiple storage pockets are roomy enough for small tackle boxes.

U-boats have become popular alternatives to the round models. Their main advantage is they make entering and exiting the water easier. Whichever you choose, a flotation cushion strapped to the seat improves comfort and raises you a few vital inches out of the water, which eases casting without sacrificing stability.

KICK BOATS
Probably the biggest innovation over the last decade in the world of float tubing has been the emergence of kick boats. These pontoon-style rigs allow anglers to fish with only their feet in the water. You stay drier and warmer and get better casting angles. Heck, you can even pitch from these things. Plus, the addition of oars permits much faster travel than with fins alone. With large storage pockets and back decks behind the seats, anglers can carry plenty of gear.

KAYAKS
If the thought of being partly submerged while fishing just doesn't fire your engines, consider a kayak. Most bass anglers opt for the sit-on-top varieties. They're lightweight, fast and stable. With some simple modifications, they can accommodate a full array of tackle. You can cover some decent mileage in them, and they only require a draft of a few inches of water. Kayaks will let you access backwaters that boats and even float tubes have difficulty navigating.