Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]Fellow float tuber TubeIke wanted to get his tube wet and had some time off. Utah Lake did not look good (chocolate and cold) so we opted for Willard. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Knew it was gonna present some challenges after all the blowin' and snowin' yesterday. The frozen dandelions next to our launch spot also suggested it might be a tad coolish. Air temp 27 and water temp 49.4 at launch. TDC...too ****** cold.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ike hit the water first. I had a lot of extra setup with my new "Fat Cat Ferrari"...my newly motorized float tube. I was still mussin' and fussin' when I heard Ike hit a high note. Never knew he could yodel. Looked out across the water to see him holding up a fat wiperette. 22" and 5.2 pounds. Not bad for his first wiper ever. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Nice start...even if it did give him the "first fish jinx". That was his first and only fish. Seen that happen a lot...to other folks. I usually let somebody else catch the first fish so I don't have to worry about it. That's MY story and I'm stickin' to it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I was fishing by 8 AM but did not get my first poke on either plastic or bait until about 9:30. Finally found a few cookie cutter kitties that warmed up enough to open their little mouths and munch my minnows. The water temp had only climbed a couple of degrees by then but it helped.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I also had several run and gun hits that I am sure were wipers. I had one hooked briefly but it was an inexperienced fish and did not know how to hang on. Absolutely NO hits on any of several plastics or hardbaits I threw through the day. Ike caught his early wiper on a chartreuse tube jig.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Saw lots of fish on sonar in about 12 feet of water that I would guess were suspended crappies. But they would not touch anything fished either below a bobber or on a slow retrieve at mid depth. I think that if I looked closely at their images on sonar I could see them shivering.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One dead giveaway that it suddenly got colder were the carp. Only one here or there slapping the surface. Didn't see any splashing in the shallows. Had reports of some carp getting active on warm afternoons last week. Maybe again in a few days.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My new Ferrari performed great. It handled my (substantial) weight, plus gear, plus motor, plus deep cycle battery, plus rods and lures, etc. Surprisingly it floated almost level, even with the battery and motor in the front. Of course once I sat on the seat it leveled out even more. Trucked me around pretty good, even on low speeds. Moved right spritely on the top setting but I doubt I could tow a water skier or get up on plane.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Great day on the water. I caught about 9 or 10 kitties...keeping 4 or 5 for my sis in law. A few midges started coming out about midmorning and the swallows and terns were swooping over the water to slurp them up.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But...no skeeters, no skiers and no PWCs. It don't get much better than that.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

How was the wind? I may get to Willard at the South Marina tomorrow. Cool you got to the cats.
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]Pretty calm all day. Nothing worse than light westerly breezes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Should be about the same tomorrow.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

When I got up this morning the thought entered my head that you might have gone fishing today....I checked the BFT site and I was right....scary!

Now that you have invented a motorized float tube I am surprised that you didn't invent something to keep your feet out of the cold water. All kidding aside, I studied your [#0000ff] "Fat Cat Ferrari" [/#0000ff]and I still can't figure out how the new creation works. I am just going to have to see it in person.

Thanks for the detailed report and the pictures. Another successful fishing day!
[signature]

Hey TD. Don't worry. According to Al Gore; global warming should be upon us at any moment. Seriously, it has been a really cool spring but things will be heating up eventually. At least you know how to catch something when the fish have lock jaw. 49 degrees in early May though? It won't be too long now. The walleye have spawned and the crappie, white bass, and perch are in pre-spawn. Not to mention, the kitties are feeding for the summer spawn. LMB and SMB's are going to get frisky very soon as well; and the wipers... their crazy anyway. Looks like some of the best fishing is going to happen within a two month time frame this year. Yes the fish feed year round because they have to eat to live but I think that the fishing two or three weeks from now is going to be absolutely nuts.
[signature]

Like the Ferrari! You might officially have more PVC on it now than tube, it's hard to see the tube in all that PVC[cool]. I have conjured up in my head an extremely similar design to your mount for my H3. I was thinking of using 1/2" conduit though instead of the PVC. Here were my concerns (untested) . How did the tube do supporting the thrust of the motor? Did the PVC seem to hold the same, I am very interested in seeing pics of the construction (I know you got em). I haven't figured out yet how to anchor the mounting plate so it won't move, but yours looks really sturdy. My desires all started mounting the more I kicked out to Knoll point, or over to the Hot springs. I look at my watch and see it took me 45 minutes to kick there and I thought: "There's gotta be a better way"
Anyway, Your Ferrari looks really good! You now need to work on a design for the TD on the "Hood Ornament"
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]I will be posting a full writeup with pics on the tubing board. But just in case other Utah folks might be interested in the methods behind my madness, here are a few pics.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The PVC works fine, but conduit would work too. In fact, there are some commercially made motor mount frames for other craft using metal frames.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The key element is the flattened PVC "feet" on the front of the frame that slide up a short ways under the seat. They virtually eliminate the potential for "lift off". You can feel them push when the motor turns on. The front part is also secured with bungees.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Still working on a satisfactory extension and control for the motor. Have another design to try.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I also installed an on - off "kill switch" that I mount below my right arm, using the velcro strips on the side pocket. Makes it easy to set the motor on one setting and then turn it on and off without having to turn around. You also just set the motor in the straight forward position, screw it down and steer it easily with your fins. Look Ma...no hands.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Your H3 has slightly more space behind the seat and more floatation. Setting up your ride would be simple. You could handle a bigger battery too. You are welcome to come look it over any time.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]PS...In the attached pics there are two different motor mount designs. The one I am using is made of 1X8 wood...12" wide. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Think those things would get us out to the "hot spot"?[/#0000ff]
[signature]

"Now that you have invented a motorized float tube I am surprised that you didn't invent something to keep your feet out of the cold water. All kidding aside, I studied your [#0000ff]"Fat Cat Ferrari" [/#0000ff]and I still can't figure out how the new creation works. I am just going to have to see it in person. "

[cool][#0000ff]I don't "sweat" cold feet. Some of us are more well padded and warm blooded than others.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I posted some more explanatory pics for Waljustia that should help provide more visual explanation. But you know you are always welcome to come visit...or to look it over on our next fishing venture.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[signature]

"Hey TD. Don't worry. According to Al Gore; global warming should be upon us at any moment."

[cool][#0000ff]Global warming...my frozen behind![/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Maybe Al is a fisherman too...among all his other accomplishments. Maybe he was misquoted and really said global WORMING. That could refer to some creative way of catching nightcrawlers using an electified metallic globe of the world. I made one of those in my high school physics class.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

Welcome to the world of motorboating Pat. Cause that's not a tube anymore, ask the state of Utah. That is now a motorboat, registration, taxes, number plates, power demands...
You said it would never happen.

What size is that deep cycle?
[signature]

Thanks for the pictures and explanation. I am really impressed. There is just no end to your creativity!!
Where did you get the battery and what size is it?
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]The battery is a 33 Amp Hour battery...AGM deep cycle. Made for wheel chairs and other deep cycle needs. Got it at Battery Plus in Salt Lake. Cost $85 but is ideal for the float tubing applications. Don't need it so much for trolling as for auxilliary power to move spots or get back in at the end of the day. Still had over 80% capacity after using it for that yesterday.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The AGM batteries will also tolerate about 1000 cycles...drain and recharge...compared to about 350 for regular batteries. (See pic)[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]According to the specs for my Minn Kota 30 motor, it will draw 30 amps per hour at top speed. My calculations are that I can use it for multiple short moves during the day and still have enough juice for a 20 to 30 minute run back to the vehicle on setting 5. Or, I can do some slow trolling and bottom bouncing for 2 to 3 hours on lower settings.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Still have some experimenting to do...including how much of a run I can get on an 8 AH battery...as a backup power source.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

TD I guess the batteries you got from me ended up being too big, or did you change you mind on the tug?
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]Nope. Will be getting good use out of both batteries. The larger one is the power source for my "tube taxi" (see pic below). That is for longer distance trips or for doing some trolling. It works great but is bulky. That's why I also put together the Fat Cat Ferrari...a motorized self-contained float tube...with a smaller battery.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The 33 AH battery rode so well and with no noticeable weight that I am thinking of trying the smaller battery I got from you. It is probably about 15 to 20 pounds heavier than my small one. If nothing else it will go on TubeBabes new Ferrarri. She has put me on notice that she wants THE POWER too.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

Sounds good man. I'm anxious to see how it turns out. I can remember many times on windy days, etc I was wishing I had a electric motor for my tube or tune over the years.
[signature]

I need some rod holdrs on my boat. Nothing commercially fits the bill. After seeing your contraptions I'm getting all kinds of ideas. I need to get trolling poles out of the way when I'm casting and vice versa.
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]Ahhhhh. I love the smell of PVC glue in the morning.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Hey Bro, if you wanna drag your ride and your rods over to my "PVC Parlor" I would be happy to make some suggestions and maybe help get you set up with some "white bling".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After tricking out about a bajillion float tubes, pontoons and a few boats too I gots some good idears on ways to make things more convenient...and to reduce lost or broken rods too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Shoot me a PM if you wanna come over and I'll get you my addy and directions.[/#0000ff]
[signature]