Fishing Forum

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[#0000ff]TubeBabe is a female fishin' fool. She loves to fish ALMOST as much as I do. We have been tubing together for over 30 years. But, it has been quite a while since we had just a "his and hers" trip. Seems like every tuber in Utah wants to fish with us and most trips there are other tubers who join us. That's cool. We enjoy their company and tubing is a social thing...almost like ice fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yesterday we headed to Starvation again, perhaps for our last trip of the year before "hard deck". There are a lot of other tubing venues coming into fall fruition and Starvation has treated us well this year. As luck would have it, all of the other tubers who wanted to join us were unable to fit the trip into their personal schedules. Just me and Da Babe.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got to Bunny Gulch at first light and were launched just after 7 AM. Clear and light breezes, with air temps at a reasonable 50 degrees. Water level still dropping but not nearly as low as in previous years at this time. Water temp 64 at launch and 67 by early afternoon. Has been fairly constant for the past three weeks. Should start cooling soon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I took care of the "first fish jinx" by catching a big fat chub. Because I performed the jinx dance in my tube after catching it (very difficult), I was able to ward off the bad juju and also caught perch and walleye later. Also caught another chub later in the day. That monster 16 incher would have been a state record if I cared to register it and take the prestige away from Ray Johnson. No thanks. Like the first chub it swallowed my little flig (floating jig). But, they were both released in good condition to try to maintain the food chain for Starvation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were quite a few boats joining us on the water Friday...since it is now the new Saturday. Lots of folks with Fridays off these days. And, like ourselves, nobody was scoring much in the early part of the day. We sonared and jigged the heck out of a lot of water without seeing or catching much. Just a single perch here and there, and many of those sub-basket size...less than 10 inches.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]About 11 o'clock we were chatting on our walkie talkies and agreed that we probably had enough keepers between us for a good meal. Not our best day on Starvation, but the wind had not been bad and we DID have a few fish to show for our efforts. I suggested a spot for TubeBabe to try and I headed for an area that had treated me well on a couple of previous trips. We agreed to give it until noon and then we would head for home early if it did not pick up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ding-ding-ding. Somebody rang the dinner bell for the fishies. TubeBabe started whacking them pretty good in her spot and I got two doubles in a row. The first was a nice keeper perch on one rod and a throwback 8 incher on the other. Got both flig rigs back in the water, moved a few feet and both rods went off again. Out went the marker buoy for the first time of the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The second double was a "good news - bad news" situation. The first rod yielded a purty 16 inch wallie...on a pale perch flig. By the time I snapped a quick picture and put the fish in my basket, the line was slack on the second rod. But, when I tightened the line it had weight. Felt like a second wallie. Yee hawww. Yuck. It was a humongo chub. The 16 incher I mentioned before. I extricated the swallowed fire tiger flig from deep inside its mouth, took its picture and slipped it back into the lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]For the next two hours, the "Tubin' Duo" put a hurtin' on the local fishies. We each caught a grundle and we each kept just under the 20 fish limit on perchies. No smallies. And, no wallies or chubs for TubeBabe. She was just perch jerkin'. But, I did score one more walleye of about 15 inches on a red and chartreuse shad grub plastic.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe got most of her fish on one of our favorites...a 1 1/2" tube jig...red and chartreuse...on a "heavy" 3/16 oz. red glitter head. She did best by fishing perch meat and "touch" fishing...maintaining a hold on the rod and waiting for weight on the rod before setting the hook. She has become a pretty good "finesse" angler. In fact, she got the biggest perch...a 13 incher. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As usual, I kept changing around to different lures, just to find something they would not hit. I caught fish on just about everything I tried, but I probably caught the most and the biggest on those little floating jigs (fligs) tipped with crawler...drop shotted about 2' above the sinker and dragged behind the tube until I found fish. Then I would do some vertical jigging with pale perch roadrunners or a red and chartreuse 3" shad grub. It was all good.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The clear skies started to fill with pretty clouds, which turned to looking cumulus clouds. Thunderstorms on the way. When we heard distant thunder we decided we should depart hence. We hit the beach and set up my portable fillet station to give our fish a weight loss program. Packed our gear, dropped of the bagged fish cleanin's in the dumpster and headed down the road. Ran through several minor downpours on the way home.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We both agreed that we had thoroughly enjoyed our togetherness on the water. [/#0000ff]

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Nice work from the dynamic duo! Glad somone rang the bell for you. I've gotta find out who does that and get them scheduled on a more regular basis. []
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[quote ParrMark]Nice work from the dynamic duo! Glad somone rang the bell for you. I've gotta find out who does that and get them scheduled on a more regular basis. [][/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks Jesse. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I really wish I KNEW about scheduling the dinner bell thing. I just appreciate it when it happens.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Our experience yesterday was just a reinforcement of my belief that fishing is NEVER bad all day or everwhere on any given body of water. There will almost always be somebody catching fish, on something, somewhere. It is just a matter of finding active fish and serving them something they want. Or, on many occasions, finding inactive or neutral fish and stimulating a "reaction bite" with something flashy, noisy and/or flavorful. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is always helpful to have a good knowledge of the water you are fishing. If you know the bottom conditions, the fish species and their habits you are halfway home. But, having a good sonar and knowing how to interpret what you are seeing is the catalyst to putting it all together. Of course, having several lure boxes full of wild and wacky lures that the fish have never seen before doesn't hurt either.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Believe me, if I knew how to ring the dinner bell at will...or tell others how to do so...I would have retired wealthy a long time ago. Instead, I am retired on a fixed income and have to keep working at it on every fishing trip. Some are better than others.[/#0000ff]
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Noting wrong with a little one on one fishing. Keeps the passion alive and doesn't hurt to have a little competition between the two of you either.
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[quote TubeDude] [#0000ff]There will almost always be somebody catching fish, on something, somewhere. It is just a matter of finding active fish and serving them something they want. Or, on many occasions, finding inactive or neutral fish and stimulating a "reaction bite" with something flashy, noisy and/or flavorful. [/#0000ff][/quote]

Yeah, my experience confirms that too.
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[quote albinotrout]Noting wrong with a little one on one fishing. Keeps the passion alive and doesn't hurt to have a little competition between the two of you either [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/happy.gif[/img][/quote]"]quote][/url]

[cool][#0000ff]Just because the word passion vaguely rhymes with fishin' does not mean it is appropriate in a discussion of the latter...especially among oldsters of our advanced years. Hot flashes have nothing to do with lust and a burning desire may be a matter of heartburn rather than anything more exciting.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As far as the competition goes, TubeBabe is a pretty fair anglerette and I gotta work at it to avoid embarassment on some trips...especially when it comes to cat fishin'. She hits the water first, even if she has to knock everybody else over on her way to get launched. Then she is a picture of focused fishing. There have been more than a few trips that she has been top rod for both numbers and size.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not all bad to have the lady outfish you sometimes. But it still bothers me when I have to quit using a hook or bait until she catches up or beats me. When I hear the sounds of stress in her walkie talkie communications...and her replies are terse and through clenched teeth...I know that I had better back off a few notches and maybe step in to help her bag a few more fish. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Pays big dividends to let the lady win. Also reduces the chances that your dinner will be "hot and cold shoulder."[/#0000ff]
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Last week I got a change to get out fishing on the water where I like to do the tubing. Wife wanted to come along so took the canoe.
Tried a new lake and found it pretty deep and thought of your lures and those other jigs. Used them to try to catch something....nothing. Didn't work in this lake....
I wonder if you were fishing on one lake it works like crazy, did it work on one lake across the road?
Time was running out and I went back to my old way, the worm and a split weight and cast it out and let it sink slowly and watch the line. When it moves set the hook. Caught bluegills and bass, only kept six bluegills to have it for breakfast.....[]
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Now I know you have an addiction to fisin' but would you call that a passion as well?
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[cool][#0000ff]Glad you and the Mrs. got a chance to spend some time on the water together. It doesn't matter if she is fishing or just likes to paddle around and enjoy the surroundings. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]About the lures I use... I would never propose that anything I make and use is the universal lure that will catch any fish, anywhere, any time. Whenever somebody suggests that I give them a bunch of my lures...or sell them...I patiently take the time to remind them of a few things.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]First: Every body of water...stillwater or flowing...has a different ecology and personality. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Second: Each species of fish has a wide range of personalities and patterns that can greatly affect what it does and how it does it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Third: Almost any lure or bait can be fished in many different ways...to change the presentation and the appeal to the fish under any set of circumstances.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fourth: There are many variations in water temperature, clarity and chemistry that change with the seasons and weather patterns. And, each of these things can be very important in determining how the fish will respond to any given bait or lure on any given day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fifth: The combination of all of the above factors will have the fish in one of three "modes". The will either be active (best), neutral or inactive/negative.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bottom line? It pays to get to really know your favorite lakes during all seasons and conditions. And, after a lot of trial and error you should learn what works best under a variety of conditions. That will insure a reasonable shot at catching fish on any given trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Getting back to my lures. Most of the manmade reservoirs I fish in Utah have some similarities. They are subject to great fluctuations in level throughout the year, due to agricultural uses. Few have much natural aquatic vegetation and they are not as rich and varied in food sources as natural lakes. Also, the fish move around in these lakes a lot throughout the year as the water levels change and their food sources move also.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With the exception of trout, which may be high in the water column at any given time, most of the fish I pursue are on or near the bottom most of the time. And, often that is in water from 15 to 30 feet or more in depth. That usually means that I need to use a heavier lure to get down better and to provide more "feel" to help me know when I have an inquiry. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those same lures are not effective in shallower waters...and the light stuff I use in shallower waters does not work as well in deeper waters. And, the shapes and colors of lures I use also change from water to water, month to month and season to season. I don't fish the same stuff year round, even on the same waters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All this is a lot of words to say that "my lures" will not work everywere...all the time. But, when they do they often work better than "store bought" stuff.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Using the slow fall with natural baits is a great tactic on almost all waters and all species. This is especially true where there is a lot of angler activity and the fish get "educated". They will ignore an unnatural presentation...when the lure plummets to the bottom. But, toss out a piece of worm on a plain hook, with no weight, and they will swim up and suck it in. That little gem should be in the fishing arsenal of every angler and will put fish on the end of your line when nothing else will.[/#0000ff]
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She had fun coming along with me and wanted to go again this past Friday but I was still at work until four so was too late to do.[unimpressed]
That day she wanted to use the Mini-Mite jig that she caught alot with it, bass, crappies, perch, that big walleye and a bigger mystery fish up in Three Lakes Wisconsin. A mix bag on that lure up there than here. Out here we did catch alot of on bluegills on another lake "across the road" but this lake is no different from that one and not a bite but that was early/late spring, we could had hop over and see but we didn't have the time to do it with the canoe. (tubing for sure yeah...)
I didn't stop to figure those five reasons on any jigs as I do on the other lures. I would go for the jigs when I'm over deep waters as that is locked in my little head...[angelic]
We were drifting along the lake in the middle as winds was going along the long lake and I had the "canoe drift bag" out to slow down the speed and we jig all around and I used few different jigs color and sizes. Then got out of the windy area and still jig it, cast around..... I did put a half night crawler on her mini mite and right away she caught the bluegill.... looks like those fish are [#0000ff]"educated". [cool][/#0000ff]
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Hi TubeDude
Great report there.

It prompted a couple of thoughts ...

About that 16" chub and what it might have been if registered ... whatever happened to Ray Johnson? Did he give up fishing after all that "limelight seeking" and drop off the radar?

More up to date - have you done a thread with closeups of those so so interesting fligs yet?
I love the idea of being able to DS a buoyant or neutral density jig, and if you haven't done a thread on your conclusions and findings during the past season such a thread would be really appreciated, if not on the tackle making forum, then definitely here.
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Hey Norm, where you been ? Done any fishing lately ?[]

Peter
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Hi Peter
I'm in the throes of major home improvements, which has clipped my (water) wings a lot! Not much recent tubing unfortunately.
Most of my recent trips have been after dark to the sea, beachcasting for sea bass from beaches. Just making use of the only time left.
I'll not hijack this thread any more, but will post a fishing report, later. It'll be the first non tubing fishing report on the float tube forum, so it might get moved to the Europe forum by those in higher places, we'll see. []
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Good to hear from you Norm and best of luck
with the home improvements[]

Peter
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[cool][#0000ff]Ray Johnson provided an interesting chapter in the history of Utah fishing. He is a "focused" (maniacal) fishermen who works hard to catch his targeted species and is not happy until he catches (and records) a state record. He relentlessly pursued a record brown trout from Flaming Gorge Reservoir back in the late 70's, but saw the record go to someone else. He lived in caves next to the lake during the coldest part of the Utah winter and would fish only at night in his small boat...trolling endlessly along steep rocky shorelines where the big browns fed at night. He caught many BIG browns, and even developed his own line of lures...that did not work as well as Rapalas. After his quest for browns, he went after other records and got some for mostly the less desirable fish in Utah...like chubs and suckers. He is still "around" but not much is heard from him or about him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]FLIGS. I have been using some form of floating jig head for many years. Before the development of commercially made floating jigs I used to make my own by simply adding a piece of styrofoam or other closed cell foam to a hook...regular or jig style. I used them both for presenting natural baits, to keep them above weeds and mud on the bottom, and to float plastic baits up off the bottom for special applications. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Last year I found some packages of popper foam in my supplies. I used to use them for making small floating flies and poppers for our bass and sunfish. I had been making painted body flies and jigs and reasoned that I could do the same with the floating foam, and have a painted body lure that floated. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have made and tried them in a variety of colors (see pics) and sizes. I am still experimenting with new waters and different methods of rigging and fishing them. No definitive treatise in the works yet. But I will say that there are no species of Utah's fresh water fish that have refused them...so far. And, they have proven to be the ideal system for catching some species under some conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Rather than start a post on the lure making board at this time, I will gratify your curiosity by including some labeled pics on this post. I hope you can derive enough info from them to answer your basic questions. Feel free to ask for clarification if needed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Once I have the foam glued on the hooks, and properly shaped, I paint them. I use the same CS components vinyl jig paint that I use on lead jigs and some of my hardbait lures. It does not react with either the foam or the hot melt glue. And, once dried, it is flexible enough to withstand squeezing when removing a deep hook. Very sturdy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The foam I use is very buoyant and will float a surprising amount of bait or plastic. And, when being slowly trailed behind the float tube, the lures dive and wiggle as you move along. [/#0000ff]
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Thanks Pat.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a series of how-to pics is priceless for those with the right interest.

I now have a large lump of house insulation foam set aside, acrylic paints, (vinyl on the way) and will be modelling and testing and hopefully catching over the next weeks.
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[cool][#0000ff]I'll be interested in seeing pictures of your creations, and hearing about the species you pursued...and how.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Once you have a few of these things and grasp the concept of how they work, there are all kinds of potential applications you can think of. I have quite a few new ideas that I plan to try over the next year.[/#0000ff]
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