Float Tube for Mantua?

[LT-perch]

Dear BFTers, is it allowed to use float tubes in Mantua? Thanks for your inputs.[]
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[RockyRaab]

Yup.
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[TubeDude]

[quote LT-perch]Dear BFTers, is it allowed to use float tubes in Mantua? Thanks for your inputs.[][/quote]
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[#0000FF]Not only allowed but highly recommended. Been floating on Mantua for many years. A great way to find some holes in the weeds and drop down your offerings for nice bass, perch, bluegills and even (cough) slimers. And now that they have put some catfish in Mantua there should be even more opportunities for tubers, tooners and yakkers...as long as we can avoid being run over by the wacko power squadron. That lake is too small for the high RPM crowd.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Bottom line? Go early...midweek if possible. Watch the weather and get off the lake if it becomes too busy with the motorized yoyos. Also, be sure to observe the no parking areas and do not take too long at the launch ramp if that is where you go afloat. And...stay within the speed limits to avoid an unpleasant conversation with Barney...or whoever replaced him as the traffic Gestapo.[/#0000FF]
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[LT-perch]

Thanks!
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[LT-perch]

TD, thanks so much for detailed information! You are the BFTpedia!
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[RockyRaab]

I've been trying to be less verbose lately, lol!

You should be able to park and launch at the lot located at the southeast end of the lake, where the creek comes in. That will save you a long trip across from the regular ramp. There's another small craft launch area on the northeast, but that road has been closed, I'm told.

If you have to launch from the usual ramp on the southwest corner, you can fish along the rocky west dike area.
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[TubeDude]

"I've been trying to be less verbose lately, lol!"

[#0000FF]Me? I'm just trying.[/#0000FF]
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[gaardvark]

Do be aware of the dreaded swimmers Itch in that lake. I don't know if it is still there, but there was a sign at the boat ramp.
Lots of people swim and play in the water. I have done it once myself before I learned about the "Itch", but if you are going to be in the weeds, you should know there is a parasite that may burrow into mammalian skin. It is not a parasite whose biology is compatible with our physiology though, so once inside it dies and creates a miserable itch and rash type symptoms.

There have been reports here over the years:

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gfo...post=53542
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gfo...ost=750642
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gfo...ost=889580

I won't get in that lake without waders, though I have seen tubers without waders. I didn't look close enough to determine if they had any pants at all.
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[AlexB]

Speaking of cats. I have yet to hear about anyone catching a catfish in Mantua.

I did see a dead one a couple of weeks ago floating on the north end.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]They put in both some larger ones and some smaller ones. Strictly an experiment. Time will tell if they like their new home and will play with fishermen.
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