decided to get Fishin_gal a new tube since she needs something better then my hand me down and she needs to be out of the water a little more so she doesent freeze this fall and next spring.. so for all you tinkerers (pat) where should i start messing around first?
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You're right. Start at Pats place.[
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[cool][#0000ff]Obviously there is no "one size fits all" thing when it comes to pimpin' a tube. So, if you wanna bring it down for some show and tell and suggestions I can get you started.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It helps to know what kind of fishing she will be doing most...and what kind of rods/tackle she will be taking on most trips. It is possible to rig up a tube to handle both spinning and fly tackle so that casting is still possible with each but both are easily accessible and interchangeable.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You might also consider whether or not there will be a sonar system to install. That will also affect the configuration of the modifications.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Shoot me a PM if you wanna come down for a lookeesee. Got a couple of BFT things you might want too.[/#0000ff]
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What does she need (want)? A second pole or net holder?
Fish finder?? Motor?
What type of fishing and where?
Sometimes less is better!
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Cindy, you are always full of some great wisdom.
Oh I just read where Outcast is coming out with their new light weight Ferrari line pontoon. Urethane bladders and weighs in at the mid 40's?! Heck NFO has been doing that for years...LOL
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on e rod holder, one net holder, possibly a fish finder, but we will tackle that later, and the best thing in the world would be some kind of mount for an umbrella.
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fly fishing and spin fishing. all over the state and into CO, WY, ID and possible MT way up high
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If you are going to be carrying the tube in to some lakes --- as in hiking in, make sure that your additions are easily removable, so you don't have extra weight or stuff that is going to get hung up on trees and bushes. I liked the spring clips that Albinotrout used on his.
A small single rack on the left side should handle it and be expandable for other ideas. An arm off of it could conceivably come in a little behind the seat to hold an umbrella. A shade umbrella is going to be hard to do with all of the wind we have had this year! How about a large shade hat???
If she is going to be fly fishing you don't want too much to get in the way and get hung up on. I like the side pocket pole holders such as is on your Renegade. When I carry an extra pole it is always angled back nice and low and out of my way. (I am a sloppy caster, especially with wind and weighted flies!!)
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On second thought, for the umbrella holder you could probably do some kind of velcro straps or tube that is attached to the seat back or left side of the seat.
On my fish finder, I have changed what I use on my Fish Cat 4. On it I have my transducer on a pvc tube that fits in my old fishing buddy strap on holder. The display I like just to sit propped up in the left pocket towards the front. I used to have a pvc mount that I used but I have slowly gotten away from using it. For me I like the almost flat angle of the display in its usual position, and the ease of changing the angle depending on where the sun is. On my Renegade I still use the pvc transducer mount that I have on there instead of the buddy strap. The Renegade's pontoons are too fat and it needs to be out of the way of the oars, but I still just put the display in the pocket.
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[quote kochanut]on e rod holder, one net holder, possibly a fish finder, but we will tackle that later, and the best thing in the world would be some kind of mount for an umbrella.[/quote]
Zak, umbrella is going to act like a sail. like FG mentioned a good hat.
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Rigging an umbrella is usually not hard to do. Thinwall PVC tube section can be attached to the back of a seat and virtually all flex angle clamp down umbrellas will fit in the hole when you remove the clamp, then just rig a quick way to tighten or drill a pin hole fastener. That's one of the first things my wife wanted for protection from the sun, since what little fishin she does is drop line.
The advantages are few compared to even a ventilated hat- more area of shade coverage, less sweating at the band area and no mussed hair. Di
vantages is they catch wind as mojo noted, and also get in the way of casting, so you would be more limited to drop line fishing or trolling. The only place they work well is in low wind conditions- advantage over a hat in dead calm. Protected areas that don't have side shade like wide rivers with high banks or tall trees for example. For hats, I like the crushable ventilated type because they can be packed without losing their shape or deforming.
Pon
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