Fishing Forum

[cool][size 1][#0000ff]As we headed south toward Utah Lake, it was still dark...except for the big full moon in the western sky. Oh-oh. We started making other excuses...Thursday the 13'th, weather front coming in, etc. I told TubeBabe that if the sun came out and the wind did not come up we would still catch fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When we launched at 7:15, the sky was clear and air temp 50 degrees. The beginning water temp was already 54. Warmest early launch we have had in a long time. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Light easterly breeze...just enough to blow the muddy water from the Spanish Fork River and Benjamin Slough into our fishing area. So much for fishing plastics. The water was too murky. Threw plastics for about an hour anyway. Didn't see many fish on sonar. They moved out of the murky water. Not even any carp rafts or carp scales on the jig hooks. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Rigged with two bait rods, one with minnow the other with carp meat. Covered a lot of water (lake bottom) before getting my first inquiry. Pop and drop. Another half hour and I finally finessed a 3# channel. Skunk repellent. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I kicked my tube against the building east wind, thinking it would be easy to go back when I was ready...with a tail wind. Kept kicking and fishing clear up past the inlet of Benjamin Slough. Caught another small cat just before the W hit. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wind shifted and began blowing strong from the southwest. Oh joy. Now I had to kick back against the wind to get back to the vehicle. TubeBabe had remained back closer to our launch area, and announced over the walkie talkies that she was going in before the wind got any worse.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I started powering back against the building wind and waves. I put up the bait rods and started throwing a tandem plastic, just for something to do while getting my daily exercise. Sonamagun, a silly little white bass munched my walleye plastic and I got to play with him. First, last and only whitie.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tubebabe had not gone all the way back into the shallows where we had launched. She was kicking hard a few yards ahead of me and wailed that she had a problem. First one of her fins had become loose in the heavy kicking and then the second. She was being blown off course by the wind and could do nothing about it, without losing both fins. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I powered to catch up with her. I reached her just as she got to water shallow enough to stand up. She salvaged one of the fins, but lost the other one. I took my tube ashore and came back out to help look for it. Fortunately, I felt it and was able to scoop it in my net. That was close. Good it didn't happen a long ways from shore in deeper water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Would you believe...NO PICTURES today? I took the camera but was just not motivated to shoot any pics. A couple of bitty kitties and a junior whitie are not exciting enough to waste an image on. At least I got to bend my stick a few times. Poor TubeBabe had one of her "off" days. Not even a hit. Remember that the next time she beats me. [/#0000ff][/size]
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Pontoons have oars[]
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[cool][#0000ff]I have mine just about tricked out and ready to launch. And, mine will also have a powerful electric motor and mega deep cycle battery. I'll be ready for Katrina.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But...there are times and places that I simply prefer the hands free fishing of a tube. Thus it shall always be.[/#0000ff]
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Once you get your pontoon tricked out and with tht motor, I think you will be talking major hands freeeeee.
After you been out in that, I bet your gonna be saying"tube, I don't need no stinkin' Tube" hehehehehehe
I know, there are places that a tubes is a must.
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Nice report TD. Made my legs ache just reading it. But it surely beat sitting here in my office typing away.

Doncha ever use those snazzy velcro fin keepers? They've saved my bacon, er, fins more than once.

z~
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[cool][#0000ff]The lanyards or fin keepers are great. I know several tubers who have lost fins without them and saved their fins by wearing them. Good investment, especially for newbies who still need experience in keeping their fins and footwear properly adjusted.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been diving about as long as I have been tubing...going back to my preteen years in Southern California, in the early 50's (that's 1950's...not 1850's). In all that time, I have never lost a fin. Had a couple of near misses, after launching without securing the back strap, but never lost one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe's situation was unusual. She was using some new breathable waders, with neoprene feet that were not as bulky as the neoprene waders she had been wearing. The Cabelas tubing booties she wears over the wader feet were a bit loose. She tried to compensate by tightening the fin straps. Everything worked fine before the major wind required heavy duty kicking. That added strain loosened the booties from the waders and they slipped off. It was not a fin problem, but the net result was the same.[/#0000ff]
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