Fishing Forum

Well, finally I put together some time to get on the tube for the first time this year, 3rd trip overall in my tube. Went to LB and lauched @ 8:00 am, slight breeze but nice and sunny. Very pleasant morning, I had high expectations after TD's report last week that I could finally nail some kats and whites. I ziggyed over to the reeds in about 3-4 feet of water, the water was quite stained. I rigged up one rod with a minnow under a bober, and the other a dual jig setup of red/chartruse and the other a Malibou style red/white combo under a bober also. I had the leader set at about 42". I had also made some PVC mods to my fat cat to try out. (which they did not work, back to the drawing board)

My hopes where high today, but not to be, I fished and fished and fished, trying different things, differnent depths and not even one hit! this being my 3rd time in the tube you would think I would start to get the hang of things, But for some reason I just feel so out of place or uncomfortable in my fishing abilities in the tube, With the litte bit of wind I just could not control where and how I was fishing. I am begining to wonder if I just need to go back to the boat!

I was constantly spinning around, and fishing with 2 poles was difficult at best, I finally put one away and tried to concetrate on one pole only. Is it just me or what, I now many of you feel like you can be more successful in your tube, And I know that confidence in your presentation is a huge part of fishing success, Today I just did not have it. I felt like a duck out of water, clumsy, uncontrollable, and frustrated.

Any advise for a NEWBY tuner, would be much appreciated, one thing I did notice is that when I sit back against the backrest on my FAT CAT. the front is sticking in the air and not ballanced, so I would have to lean forward to keep it level. After a bit, my bad back did not like that, Any suggestions there also.

So after a very unsucsessful morning, it was still nice to be out and hear the sounds of nature in those reeds. TD I left all the fish still there for you.
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[cool][#0000ff]Sounds like you need some "lab work". First of all, you have to have the seat set up properly and the backrest adjustment so that you do not lean back so far. Just keep tightening the straps until you can sit down and lean back comforably without tipping the tube over backward. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, it seems that almost all "modern" tubes I have fished from have a similar design "situation". The backrests are wimpy and the straps are very small to hold any amount of weight at all...and are difficult to adjust on the water. That's one of the reasons I use a formed plastic chair in my tube. It is more comfortable and provides the back support that MY bad back appreciates. (see pic)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The second part of the problem is more related to Mama Nature rather than a structural thing. The constant weather changes and fronts moving through...with wind...usually chases the fish out of the shallow spots. My general rule of thumb is that I don't like to go fishing within 24 hours of a frontal passage. But sometimes you get lucky anyway. Other times you go during a nice warm spell and still have a rough time. That's fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The last issue (I hope) is propulsion and control. You can PM me if you want. I should know what kind of fins you are using. But, if you have not had experience using fins to propel a float tube before there is a "period of adjustment" for you to learn the right kicking rhythm and how to make turns when needed. That comes with practice. Once you have it down "Pat" you do it all subconsciously. Then you can really enjoy the hands-free aspect of tubing. Even then the wind can mess you up. Doesn't matter how long you have been at it the wind is a trip killer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let's try to arrange a get together and I can maybe help you work out some of the glitches. Maybe even help you catch a fish or two.[/#0000ff]
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My son and I are also tube noobs. We have found it helpful to hit a community fishing pond close to our house (Spanish Oaks Res.) for practice. It is small and usually not windy. It's also stocked with planter rainbows that are hard not to catch. I'll admit with our tricked out, sonar equipped tubes, I feel a little out of place amongst all the Barbie and Spider Man poles, but I think we are now at the point where we are ready to hit some more serious waters.
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Thanks for the advice and offer for some lessons, I have a chair like that, I will have to try something, I'll watch for you at LB, I frequent it often.
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It really is amazing how thought/hassle free tubing becomes once you get a few dozen (or a few hundred for that matter) trips under your belt.

Like TD says sooner than later you'll be able to focus 100% on fishing....not navigating, fighting the wind, etc...

It is amazing how much grace you'll have - and like I say sooner than later.

On a side note: it is impossible to do this with a boat. If the waves and wind pick up and you're in a boat more than likely you'll be spending a lot of effort and energy trying to stay put. Once you get it down in a float tube, even in pretty high winds you'll be amazed at how easy it is to stay in place and fish exactly where you want to.
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By the way I have soft plans to hit either the knolls or lincoln beach in the coming week or so. Just gotta find a "window"... (Might be Willard or Mantua instead we'll see[])

I'll let you know when I'm going - feel free to meet up and fish with me... (float tubes). Never know, we might even run into the tube legend himself[]
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Wow please let me know, I would love to see what the !!! I am doing wrong.
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