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I and my son had the pleasure to drag our tubes into a local strip mine area, We only ended up fishing a couple of the many strips and ponds.
It was at Snake Den Hollow area.
We sure had a grand time for this long day.
One last thing of note. I developed a very small slice in the PVC bottom of my Fat Cat. I will be building a light trailer to get it off the ground. I'm thinking pulling it on gravel at times is the culprit. There can be flint in gravel. (obviously) Illinoisgiller
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Very Nice! Looks like a great haul and those are some PIGS!
Good luck with the tube repair.
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nice going guys !
what a way to spend the day. very nice.
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[cool][#0000ff]Nice report and nice fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been using a "tube cart" to get my Fat Cats from vehicle to water for several years.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a couple of pics from my trip yesterday, showing my tube loaded on the cart and what it looks like after being disconnected at the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also attaching some pics of a great cart I made from a chopped down golf caddy.[/#0000ff]
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Thank you for the replies all. I and my son still haven't come down from the joy of this trip.[Smile]
TubeDude. No supprise that you have a very inovative solution.
Some of the ground we will be crossing is rough ,rutted, and sometimes high stands of weeds and pasture to bully our way through.
I have a little 16" wheel cart I tow behind my bicycle when fishing along a local canal. I'm hoping I can figure out a simple handle for pulling it.
If that doesn't work out I will take full advantage of your neat ideas.
Thank you so much for your input. Illinoisgiller
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Hi, again. Sorry if you have written about this already, but do you have capability of carrying your wheels on board? I haven't seen wheels on your tube while in water so I'm guessing you store wheels in your vehicle?

Thanks,

Pon

[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Nice report and nice fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been using a "tube cart" to get my Fat Cats from vehicle to water for several years.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a couple of pics from my trip yesterday, showing my tube loaded on the cart and what it looks like after being disconnected at the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also attaching some pics of a great cart I made from a chopped down golf caddy.[/#0000ff][/quote]
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[indent][cool]I had not added it to the archives yet, but I did one post with pics of the "Chopper Cart" stowed on top of the tube. Most of the ones I do I try to make so they are the right width for tieing down behind me. Here is that link:

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=453725;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=453725;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread[/url]

I am also including pics from some other posts that show the tube cart stowed for fishing. These are ideal because you can launch one spot...fish on down the lake a ways and then get out and truck the tube back without having to kick all the way back in a stiff headwind.
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[indent]Most of these things look heavy and bulky but properly lashed down behind you they are unnoticeable in terms of weight or balance. And, they sure are appreciated when you have to move the tube between point A and point B. Especially when you have all the stuff I carry on a typical trip.

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Thanks for your reply and pictures. I really like your 2 wheel designs which cleverly use low cost materials. The golf cart unit looks like it could be positioned so wheels support most of the weight. My one wheel, swing up design requires that you balance and support some of the weight, and that can be tiring when carrying heavy cargo over long distances. So I am looking for the most compact and lightweight 2 wheel for a pontoon. Your golf cart idea is the best I've seen yet, if I can adapt it. I made something from a couple of "big wheels" from a kids trike and a straight shaft with cradles, but it won't handle much weight.

You bring up good considerations for carrying on board of your tube.

Pon
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[cool][#0000ff]I once bought a slightly used Fish Cat Cougar that came with a single wheel cart. I tried moving it a ways and ran into the same thing most guys do with a single wheel system. It is very unstable. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I never got around to making a two wheel cart for my toon, but I have made several for the tubes. One is made with some cheap pneumatic tires I got at Harbor Freight. (see pic) I have often thought that a beefier version of that...even with bigger wheels...would work for a pontoon. The main idea is a quick and easy frame, with two wheels that ride in the middle just far enough apart to provide stability.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The "wheelbarrow" setup might work for moving dirt around but it is impractical for an unstable and heavy pontoon. But, the "garden cart" approach, with two wheels, makes sense.[/#0000ff]
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I thought the idea of a float tube was ease. Light weight.

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float...t_id=48849

WOW!

I will stick to a PONTOON for all that gear, and keep the tube simple.[angelic]
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[quote flygoddess]I thought the idea of a float tube was ease. Light weight.

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float_Tube_Fishing_C66/Float_Tubing_General_F81/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=48849"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/...ent;postatt_id=48849[/url]

WOW!

I will stick to a PONTOON for all that gear, and keep the tube simple.[angelic][/quote]

Mine is light weight, compared to your monstrosity

I do jes' fine, thank y'all.
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Minus the battery and motor and I bet you are close[Wink] But mine is spread out LOL
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