Fishing Forum

[cool][size 2][blue]TubeBabe and I needed further checkouts and tests on our new H3 tubes. Set up a trip to meet jnbsigma and road at Lincoln Beach. Road couldn't make it. I think he kept the wind with him. It was nice all morning. Hardly even a breeze at any time.

Justin showed up and Watkinator (?) his buddy showed up a few minutes later. TubeBabe and I were on the water by 6:30 and the other two guys about a half hour later.

Air temp was 60 and water temp 68 at launch. It would be 85 and 74 when we got out about noon.

I was throwing a variety of hardbaits and plastics, while dragging a minnow on my bait rod. Scored a nice 3# channel on the minnow before 7...our first fish of the morning. Caught several more cats between 18" and 22" before 9 and one more about 10. Ended up with 7 channel cats, 1 mudder and 1 silly misguided white bass.

TubeBabe bagged 3 nice kitties and a mudder. Her largest cat was 23" and 4.8 pounds...tops for the day. The two buddies took turns whackin' channels and mudders, and sharing a basket. They ended up with a half dozen channels and two mudders. Their top channel was 24", but weighed only 4.6#. Longer but not as heavy as TubeBabe's top cat.

Actually, our fishing took a nosedive when the boats hit the water. Never fails. The first boat out of the channel was a Tracker party barge loaded down with old fudds. As soon as it saw us in a group, over by the south shoreline, it made a turn and headed right for us. They pretended to not even see us as they motored at good speed right between me and TubeBabe, only a cast away. Not too long afterward, another Tracker, a smaller one, did the same thing...headed right for us, motored around us a couple of times and then ran right over the two lines I was trailing out behind me. They did not stop to fish. Only ran over our shallow fishing area and spooked the fish. We did not get any more fish after that.

TubeBabe and I agreed that our expensive H3 float tubes have the worst seat setup of any tubes we have ever owned. After two trips out in mine, my back is trashed. The wimpy twist valves cannot be aired up enough, and the back rest stays a bit soft. Then, the valve does not hold air and within a short time the backrest softens and the whole seat back just sags and collapses. I could lean clear over and lay on the back of the tube if I wanted. I did not want.

tubebabe is not as heavy and she did not have as much problem as I did. But, she is already talking about salvaging the rigid foam seats from her Fat Cat. Even with the PVC extensions I fashioned, she did not have enough back support either.

Overall, we are pleased with the stability and ride of the H3's. But, if you can't fish in one for more than an hour without having to return to shore to add air to the seat back, it is not worth it.
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[blue](This post was [/blue][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_editlog;post=345032;"][blue]edited[/blue][/url][blue] by TubeDude on Jun 21, 07, 4:16 PM)
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That is interesting TD, as I have not had any issues with the back rest. Mmm I wonder if I sit in mine differently. At first I thought I was going to fall out the front until i got it tweaked. Well that sucks that it has hammered yer back.
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Good report TD! Looks like the fish don't really care what ride you guys are in, they will surrender anyway. Too bad with modern technology the way it is, a stable inflatable seat is still such a hard nut to crack. Maybe someday someone at one of the tube building companies will you use as a "crash test dummy" during the planning and testing phases of a new craft.....

Do people trade in their brains when they join the power squadron....Utah Lake is 150 Sq. miles, but the boats just have to gravitate towards the 20 Sq. yards where one is floating.....crazy.
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What test line do u use? I can see the line on the cat looking like ten pound test and the stripper looking like two pound test line as u can't see the line!
You two got new tubes, what are u gonna do with the old ones?
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They need something like this:

[url "http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__ProductID=CRZ105"][/url]
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Majja I am with you, I felt like I was going to fall out the front till I remembered Larry telling me to loosen the seat straps a lot and let a little air out of the back rest. Neither Alan or myself have had any issue with it. I am not a good canidate cause I have had no problem with any seat except the cloth one like in Dusty's picture that I had on my pontoon so I could stand on the deck, but even that didn't bother my back as much as my bumb.
Alan hated the seat on the Super Fat Cat, but loves the heck out of this one. In fact they are still inflated in the garage from our trip three weeks ago and the seats are still full.
Might have a recall on yours Tube Dude.[]
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[cool][#0000ff]I generally use 8 or 10 pound line on my catfish rigs and six on my lure chuckin' rods...in Utah Lake. For most trout and smaller species fishing I use 4# line. I use almost exclusively Silver Thread Excalibur. It is clear, tough and abrasion resistant, and is easy to cast...with no "memory" problems. I have never had a fish break it, in any test. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Of course I try to fish with good reels and keep the drag set properly. I also change my line rrgularly so that it does not turn to powder in the harsh sun...like many "tanglers" do. I have long believed that fish do not break lines...fishermen do. When they use poor quality tackle, improperly set drags and try to horse fish in before they are ready, they will break lines. [/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]We already have a couple of those, which I experimented with on my Super Fat Cat (with the inflatable seats). See the attached pictures. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Over the past 4 years, I have been so frustrated with inflatable seats that I have tried many different solutions. Most have worked better than the inflatable, but all add bulk and weight. I would really prefer to have a seat that worked fine, right out of the box...first time and everytime...without having to have an engineering degree to make it comfortable and functional.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks again for a great outing TD. [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=345068#345068"]Here's a link[/url] to some more pics from my post on the Utah board.
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Wish I could have made the trip.

Not so much as a breeze? Whats up with that? I mean how could ya stand it ....... no challange whatsoever. I know it helped the light bite feel.

Ya ought to give that pic of the boater to the ranger. Make a compalint about both of them and see what they are willing to do. Since I could get the bow numbers I see no reason why they can't.
Send them folks a ticket in the mail ..... Now that would be justice.

Glad ya got into some fish TD to bad about the seat giving you 2 fits. I'm sure you'll work it out. You do have to be able to fish for more than an hour at a time. That would drive me nuts!!
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks Marty. We missed ya...but not much (LOL). More fish and fewer crossed lines for us.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am working through the different options for getting the seat properly adjusted. You KNOW I will make it happen.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, as far as it "driving" me wacko...not a drive, but a short put.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Still got Starvation on the agenda for next Tuesday, with LloydE. Lemme know if you can join us. Gotta be a couple of fish left over there with your name on them. Might make a good title for a book..."A fish named Marty".[/#0000ff]
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You knew I'd pop up with something on this Pat.
I've had the H3 out probably at least 6 times since we fished with you guys at Utah Lake. I know you're a little bigger than me, but still, I've been able to inflate both my seat and back cushion to make me happy. I've never had a leak, I've blown up both by mouth (and with the pump) and while blowing into it, twisted the tip tightly down. Never had a leak with either seat or back. I've let air out of the back, tried it, aired it up other times, and I think I like it aired up solid if we're out for an extended period of time. I feel comfortable right off the bat when I hit the water (unlike the SFC, I felt like I was going to fall in the water face first for the first 5 minutes of tubing or when leaning forward to net a fish)
Myself, after having Caddis donuts, Trouttraps u boats, Outcast SFC's, Anglers Inn Esclade X (inflatable seat and back) - I'll still have to stand by my H3 as the best built tube, and the most comfortable seat set up so far. If you have a problem with leaking, you also are going to know next what I'm about to suggest[shocked]([font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 1]call Northfork[/size][/black][/font])
Now, one thing I'm going to ask- your opinion about the tracking, manuevering, wind resistance compared to the SFC.
My experence is the H3 is faster and the manueverability is about the same (although I don't find manueverability a problem on any inflatable). Wind resistance- I've only encountered mild to medium winds. No 'berry blowing yet. So no problem with wind so far.
Call Scadden about the valve/seat problem.

xxxoooxxxxoooo Alan
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[cool][#0000ff]I am working on the adjustments, and am getting closer to a proper setup.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always hated those twisttop valves. I had them on some trout unlimited tubes and always had problems with them. They totally failed in less than a year. Wouldn't hold air at all. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been used to the pressure activated valves on the inflatable seats for the SFC. My adaptor fits perfectly over them...tightly...and I can pump them to the desired firmness. The twist tops on the H3 valves are grooved, and the adaptor does not make a tight fit. Once pressure reaches a low point, the air escapes around the valve and it will not inflate to firmness. Then, it loses more air as I remove the adaptor to screw down the top. Bad design.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have added some tape around the valve top, and that seems to solve the inflation problem. I suspect that starting out with a firm seat is going to make a big difference. But, I have also added an insert of flexible plastic in the rear of the backrest for extra support, and will upgrade that as soon as I can find some plexiglass or lexan for more rigidity.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will make another trip out today and another on Tuesday. If the air bladder on the backrest loses air again, it is going back.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On the positive side, the float and the stability of the H3 is unmatched by any other tube or pontube on the market. And, since it floats a bit higher and more stable, it is efficient in the transfer of power from the kicking. It moves well across the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had a chance to use it in "breezy" conditions on Jordanelle the other day and it handles sloppy water well. My only problem was fighting with the wimpy seat situation. I was leaning way over backward to kick, instead of having good back support to make for better power.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Getting there is half the fun. [/#0000ff]
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Just curious Pat, what is the significance of "Rojo" as a moniker for your new tube? By the way, I knew that tube would be in your future. I expect it will also be my next tube but your recent complaints have got me paying close attention. The other thing that holds me back is that they don't even carry the H3 in Ontario, Canada.
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smallmouth89, keep in mind there are three others onthis site with the H3's. My self and Mojo have had ours since Feb. (which we were on a hot pond then also) and used several times since. As Majja, we have had ZERO problems.
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[cool][#0000ff]Rojo is the Spanish word for red. There have been Mexican outlaws who were nicknamed Rojo. Having lived in the southwest, and having traveled extensively in Mexico (fishing and diving), I speak passingly fair Spanish. TubeBabe calls her craft "Rojita"...which is a small and female designation of rojo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As the goddess lady has suggested, there is no need for you to think badly of the H3. It is a superb craft in every way. My problems have been mostly related to being able to get proper inflation and adjustment on the inflatable seats. I still don't like them, but they are better than the Super Fat Cats. On my trip yesterday, I was much closer to having them dialed in. Still a couple of minor tweaks, but otherwise a great ride and a great craft.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will soon be posting my detailed review, which is 99% complimentary.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you can buy through Cabelas, you can acquire an H3. They have them for $399.[/#0000ff]
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[cool]....[#0000ff]If you can buy through Cabelas, you can acquire an H3. They have them for $399.[/#0000ff] [/reply]



I saw that, and it's a very attractive tube for a new ride. For the extra size the price is not unreasonable.
But red !!
I can't get my head around wearing anything red for fishing (or white for that matter).

Surely the only valid place for high viz colour in fishing is in the bait and fishing cloudy or cold water ?

I have this vision of every boat coming out, someone on board seeing that interesting red dot on the water in the distance and saying to themselves, "We'll go this way first ...." []
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[cool][#0000ff]I am not too enthusiastic about the red color either. After many years of dodging the "power squadron", I kind of appreciated the "stealth mode" provided by the dark green of the Super Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I asked Dave Scadden (the manufacturer) about the possibliity of ever having the H3 in other colors. His response was that they were more concerned about operator safety than fisherman stealth mode. Most of their different toons and tubes are "high-vis" colors.[/#0000ff]
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And it is only red on the top 2/3 rds the bottom part is black. Alas there is always spray paint. hehe
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There is the possibility of using some warm water, the bath, and a packet of olive dye.

But if the dye takes onto the bath ... the wife would kill me ! []
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