Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]Some tubers and tooners like to just chuck out a baited line and wait for action. Or, when it is legal to use two rods, they like to fish one rod with bait, while casting lures with another. Still other folks like to hang out two different rods, with the same or different bait, to double their chances of getting some "inquiries". I do all of the above.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I buy my two pole permit in Utah, and when fishing lakes that permit using the two rods I do often fish either one or two rods with bait. Like most of us, I have fumbled around, trying to find a way to prop up the extra rod(s) in a way that is both effective and secure...against the occasional runaway muncher.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have tried several different rigs for horizontal and upward angled rod tubes. Some I cemented permanently in shape and regretted it when it was time to tuck my gear back into my vehicle. A tangle of PVC tubing takes up space and gets in the way of everything.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My latest experiment seems to fill the bill. Both TubeBabe and I have been using these breakdown, two part bait rod tube for about a month now and we can't think of any practical ways to make them any better. They are light, they break down into two parts, which tuck into the side pockets on our Fat Cat tubes when not in use, and they hold the rods and reels securely...but are quick on the takeout when you need to pick up the rod and set the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The Outcast craft have a long slotted pocket next to the big main pocket. I have never been able to figure out why they were there, but the new tube design takes good advantage of them. There are even two velcro straps that cinch down the pocket when you have the rod tubes tucked in. You can see that in a couple of the attached pics. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you do not have such a pocket on your craft, you can still rig something up with a 1" PVC connector, into which you push the top part of the system to fish with it. You can use a straight connector, a 90 Deg. or a 45 Deg., as long as it takes the 1" length of PVC to connect the rod tube.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]I fish this system by casting out the bait (usually with no weight), and then leaving the bail open on my spinning reel or the free spool open on baitcasting. To prevent the line from running out as you slowly kick or drift around, you need to secure a loop of the line to some kind of snap or catch. I have long liked the use of a plain old rubber band, either on the tube or on my rod. Slip a loop of line under it just securely enough to hold it, but loose enough to let a fish pull it free on the strike so that it can run out line without any resistance. If you are using another rod, this allows time to reel in the second line and clear the decks for the battle to come. Big cats will sometimes spin you around several times in your tube before crawling into your net, so it is good go have other lines out of the water.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Oh yeah, I have been experimenting with tieing a single loop of surgical tubing on the rod tube, to use as the line clip. It works fine and holds up longer than rubber bands. They rot and break pretty quickly in heat and sunshine.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]I am attaching a pic of my tricked out craft, as it is today, including some of the new rod tubes and the tool rack. [/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Whadda ya think?[/#0000ff]
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[cool]One word....NICE!!!

You've outdone yourself this time TD! The pic of the complete setup is enough to make any greenie tuber drool! I've still gotta get my setup fine tuned. Every trip it gets better, so I'm not worried. It's a gradual refining process. I've seen you go from one design to another and now this! Lookin good.[cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]I appreciate your appreciation. That design really does work well. If you want, I can help you throw together one or two tubes for your rig. You have the FC4...right? Let me know the measurements of the inside of the side slot pocket. I have a lot of materials left.[/#0000ff]
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Will do. Thanks Pat!
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[cool][#0000ff]I just checked on an older model FC4 I had in the garage and it looks like they do not have that same side pocket as the Fat Cats. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will play around with my FC4 and see if I can come up with a workable system for the outrigger tubes.[/#0000ff]
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Ya I wasn't sure what you meant at first, but you are right there is no side pocket in addition to the main pocket. I have acquired some bunjee cords with plastic J-hooks on the ends that I'm going to bring home today to try out and see what I can do with them.
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[cool][#0000ff]I will warn you in advance that the base needs to be anchored firmly...better than with a bungee cord. There is a lot of torque on the connection, when you have a rod leaning out in the tube, and that 1" connector needs to be rock solid or the whole works will tilt into the water...even without a fishy on it.[/#0000ff]
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Well, it couldn't be any worse than I currently have it, which is nothing securing it underneath, and having it just hanging from the D-rings on the top. It will hang nicely if you don't move it at all and if the weight is balanced just right with both rod holders carrying a rod, but just paddling around or taking a rod out, and the thing tips over one way or the other. I'll try it with the Bunjee and see how much it improves.
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K, Pat... I've been lurking reading your posts on this forum and I think you've convinced me to get a FC4. I can't dish out dough for the bigger better tubetoon. Not quite yet anyway...maybe when I get my big return next year or something... anyway. I do have a question about your ride. Do you have any problems with all that PVC and the rods you carry putting your craft off balance or leaning the whole thing to the left or does it all balance pretty well??
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Hey rr I can answer that for you! I use the Fish Cat 4 and believe me they are very stable. The amount of weight that rod racks, rods, sonar, battery, tackle boxes, bait, and other gear has absolutely no effect whatsoever on stability. IMO the only way to tip one of these suckers would be to take a mighty huge wave when you weren't expecting it, or to PURPOSEFULLY tip it over, and even then it'd be difficult.
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[cool][#0000ff]I guess this is where I should make the disclaimer that most tubers are unbalanced anyway, but I won't go there. As Kevin has stated, the stability is great. It is certainly far better than what most former "donut dunkers" are used to. There ain't much "rock and roll" with those FC4 or Fat Cats. They ride pretty steady, even with a humongous person like myself aboard. The extra "goodies" do not even make the slightest bit of difference. Sure, it is good to try to "balance the load", but you don't have to get fanatical about it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unless you are substantially over 200 pounds in weight, the FC4 should provide all the ride you need. However, when you start comparing with the extra size and goodies on the Fat Cats, you will begin to lust after either an upgrade or a pontoon. The good news is that you can usually peddle off your used FC4 for a decent used price...or keep it as a backup or for family or friends. You would be amazed at how many other folks would like to join you once you are a "flotation fisherman".[/#0000ff]
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