12-12-2010, 09:53 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. We have a couple of other regulars from the Lone Star State who are likely to chime in. What part of the state do you hail from and what kind of fishing will you be doing most...tackle, species, etc.?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Always pays to be careful and to not tempt fate. But if you are familiar with your surroundings...and the "wildlife" you are likely to encounter...you shouldn't need to worry about too much.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some waters are worse than others for reptile problems. Depending on what part of the state you are in, and which waters you fish, there is always the potential of meeting a rattler, cottonmouth or copperhead. You are more likely to see them along the shoreline, before getting in the water, than while you are fishing. So be extra careful if you have to hike a ways to get launched...or if you have to go through brush or reeds. No different than shore fishing precautions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Gators are a potential problems in the waters further south and around the gulf. Fishing in cold weather is a good way to help avoid them. But if there are lots of toothy lizards in a water you want to float you would be well advised to find a safer pond to fish. I don't know of any tuber who has ever been munched by a gator but that potential always exists. I would hate to be the first.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sad to say, but just like on the freeway your greatest potential source of disaster is from others sharing the same waters...especially the power squadron...water skiers and jet skis. That's why tubing is such a great way to fish. You can take your fishing to waters that aren't plagued by the idiots.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You also need to pay attention to the weather forecast...and the tides if fishing coastal waters. Wind and rain can literally put a damper on your day and can blow you a long ways from where you want to be. Ditto for tides going the wrong way. Use them to your advantage.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Turtles CAN munch you...and they will if you put a finger within range. But they are not known for coming up under your tube and chomping a hole in you or your gear. However, if you leave a stringer of fish dangling over the side don't be surprised if a big ol' turtle thinks you are serving a buffet lunch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sharks? I have waded and tubed a whole lot of the gulf coastline without ever encountering sharks. But, I have also been out in boats when schools of bull sharks were so thick we couldn't get a fish in close to the boat without it being attacked. Not much concern about lemons, blacktips or nurse sharks. But if bulls or tigers are in the vacinity...I'm not. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You will find a lot of great fishing for specks and reds inside Laquna Madre and outside the passes along the flats. Wherever you can launch you will usually find some action close by. And at times there are lots of other species that show up within easy range of waders and tubers too. Love the Gulf Coast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Let us know if you need any help getting set up and put up some reports on your first trips.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Always pays to be careful and to not tempt fate. But if you are familiar with your surroundings...and the "wildlife" you are likely to encounter...you shouldn't need to worry about too much.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some waters are worse than others for reptile problems. Depending on what part of the state you are in, and which waters you fish, there is always the potential of meeting a rattler, cottonmouth or copperhead. You are more likely to see them along the shoreline, before getting in the water, than while you are fishing. So be extra careful if you have to hike a ways to get launched...or if you have to go through brush or reeds. No different than shore fishing precautions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Gators are a potential problems in the waters further south and around the gulf. Fishing in cold weather is a good way to help avoid them. But if there are lots of toothy lizards in a water you want to float you would be well advised to find a safer pond to fish. I don't know of any tuber who has ever been munched by a gator but that potential always exists. I would hate to be the first.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sad to say, but just like on the freeway your greatest potential source of disaster is from others sharing the same waters...especially the power squadron...water skiers and jet skis. That's why tubing is such a great way to fish. You can take your fishing to waters that aren't plagued by the idiots.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You also need to pay attention to the weather forecast...and the tides if fishing coastal waters. Wind and rain can literally put a damper on your day and can blow you a long ways from where you want to be. Ditto for tides going the wrong way. Use them to your advantage.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Turtles CAN munch you...and they will if you put a finger within range. But they are not known for coming up under your tube and chomping a hole in you or your gear. However, if you leave a stringer of fish dangling over the side don't be surprised if a big ol' turtle thinks you are serving a buffet lunch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sharks? I have waded and tubed a whole lot of the gulf coastline without ever encountering sharks. But, I have also been out in boats when schools of bull sharks were so thick we couldn't get a fish in close to the boat without it being attacked. Not much concern about lemons, blacktips or nurse sharks. But if bulls or tigers are in the vacinity...I'm not. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You will find a lot of great fishing for specks and reds inside Laquna Madre and outside the passes along the flats. Wherever you can launch you will usually find some action close by. And at times there are lots of other species that show up within easy range of waders and tubers too. Love the Gulf Coast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Let us know if you need any help getting set up and put up some reports on your first trips.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
[signature]