Fishing Forum

Hit Rockport Saturday on the toons with a buddy around 9:30. As we were unloading the toons the DWR officer came by to say hello and ask if we had been to Deer Creek at all. We hadn't and he was very pleased that we had our decontamination form in the window. The guy couldn't have been nicer. There were a few other people on toons and some boats heading out about the same time as us.

We let the cold wind blow us down to the inlet fishing along the shoreline dragging some flies and rapalas without catching anything. We fished the inlet and just caught snags in the weeds. No fish or even bites. The wind died down a bit and we trolled our way back with our unused motors towards the ramp and finally caught a few around the first point just south of the ramp. First the rapala's hit and then a few on a olive conehead fly. I think we caught 6 between us. All were planter rainbows. This was probably around 3pm after it warmed up a little. Pretty nice day overall and a good first outing with the toons for the year.
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You were the two guys with the snowmobile trailer, right?
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Yep. That was us...
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I was the silver ram. I can tell you one thing that I learned from the first time out on the float tube... Gotta have an electric trolling motor. I am throwing those paddles in the garbage!!
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With the way that wind was the motor is a must. I have a Minn Kota 30 lb thrust which I want to upgrade. Mostly because the prop shaft seems too short sometimes. It comes out of the water once in a while if it gets wavy. That and a good deep cycle marine battery and you're set. I might head up again this weekend...
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So would you suggest a 55# thrust with a 36" shaft or longer even than that? I'm asking selfishly for advice as that's what I'm looking at getting.
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The 30 lb motor has a 30" shaft, which is too short. I think my motor is a 34, with a 36" shaft. I'm not sure they even sell the 34 anymore, so you might have to go with a 40. TubeDude will be happy to help you, I'm sure.
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I was thinking at least the 40 for myself. The fishing buddy I was with has a 50 and he gets around pretty well and he had the same toon as yours.
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Awesome! Thanks for all the information :-). I see a trip to cabelas in my near future.
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I have a 34 and a 55. The 34 is 36" and the 55 has 30". I like the 36" shaft due to the depth and length. Don't throw the oars away. I take them out with me. I had to use them once when my motor died (it wasn't a battery problem, had to buy a new motor). They were a life saver even though I had find on. Also some lakes don't allow motors so you will want them for those too.
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Hopefully I will get to try out my new 55# thrust 36" shaft triller. I have an AGM excide battery for it. Hopefully it doesn't sink me, the thing is HEAVY. I usually use it as the house battery for my boat but I have a couple other deep cycles that I can use for that purpose.

I will probably leave the oars in the truck. I know they will end up getting in the way if I bring them with. If I get stuck I will use the VHF and call my wife. Rockport isn't that big of a lake she can come pick me up when I eventually wash to shore. :-)
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