What timing!!!

[Illinoisgiller]

grilw, I was suprised to see your post .[shocked] I was telling of a float tube sale while you were asking about one.[laugh][laugh]. Mike
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[zonker]

The power of networking.

z~
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[tubeN2]

Welcome aboard Illinoisgiller. We are glad to have you in our forum. Please feel free to share a little about the waters where you fish at.[cool]
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[Illinoisgiller]

tubn2 .You will be seeing more posts from me in the spring when the water softens and warms a bit.[laugh] We are devoid of ice at the moment but it will be back.
I've been reading with great interest, tube dude's ventures on the cold water. I tried to follow the experiance here, but even w/ oversized wader and boots ,I got pretty cold at 40 degree water.
I'll be looking at some neopreme waders. When I say cold, I speak mostly of my feet. At 65 I probably don't have the circulation I need[crazy] I wear a size 10 1/2 and my Cabella's breathable waders are a roomy 12 1/2. 2 pair of wool socks are just a bit crowded.
I know a spot where the crappie hit good at ice out, and I want to be there in the spring as the ice receeds . Thank you for the welcome, Mike
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Add my welcome to the others. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am only a couple of years behind you in age, and I am bigger in size. I wear XXL neoprenes and three layers in the cold water of pre iceup and right after iceout. As you know, that can be some of the "hottest" fishing for some species on some waters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It can take some time and experimenting (and money) to put together a cold water system that will let you fish comfortably in the frigid zone.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We look forward to your contributions. In the meantime, you are welcome to hang out and swap yarns with the rest of us frustrated cold country tubers.[/#0000ff]
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[tubeN2]

If we have to wait till springtime then so be it. [] I guess you may just want to get you a nice comfy chair while you enjoy the forums here.

Be sure to sit tight, hold on and keep all hands and feet inside the tube until it comes to a full and complete stop.[cool]
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[Illinoisgiller]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome folks. I hope I can add some useful input in the future. I'll be busy carefully building up a cold water outfit. I'll also take advantage of the winter time to search for an Eagle Cuda 168EX (memory?)
Wish to thank Tube Dude for your generous sharing of a mounting system for the finder. I would imagine that mine will end up the same or similar.
As for cold water gear, My problem with cold feet was the use of wading boots. My wader feet are oversized to allow for 2 pair of socks, but were a bit crowded in the shoes. This resulted in cold, not unbearable, but very cold feet. It didn't help that I intentionally kept my mind on how cold my feet got and the bite was slow.

I was notified that my yellow tube is on the way. I emailed a friend and broke the news. He was out of town and said to order him one too. Now there will be at least 2 Fat Cats to start the west central IL. fleet. He has never sat in a tube, but I know him well and forsee some great experiances here in IL and IA.
I know a few people that have bought float tubes after seeing how much fun I was having in them. Thanks again all, Mike
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[tubeN2]

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It didn't help that I intentionally kept my mind on how cold my feet got and the bite was slow.

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Those two factors always go hand in hand. It is part of the rules of tubing. Just remember this general rule for cold water tubing

Cold feet = Short Trip= Less fish caught=must have been a slow bite.[unsure]

It's strange how that formula equates but it does prove true. I have "Been there, Done that".

I used TubeDudes SFC and liked it so much that I bought the FishCat4 on my way home from my trip with him.[cool]
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[Bluegillman]

Ya closer to the Mississippi River? I'm closer to the Indiana state line....wat across....Hello from me too!
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