First trip in H3

[kevinkay]

Hi all, just wanted to post a quick rave about my new tube.

My Freestyle H3 finally arrived last week, so I headed out to a small lake on Saturday for the maiden voyage. Unfortunately, pictures were not an option as a tropical storm was moving in and it was blowing and raining pretty hard.

Fished for about two hours without any luck. I had one great bite, but it came after I was soaked and freezing. Thus, my reaction time was a little off and I missed the hookset.

While there were no fish to be had, the trip was great. The tube kept me high and dry (except when the wind kicked up the lake turning it almost to whitewater). It also tracks well and has more than abundant storage. As soon as I can, I will get out again and hopefully post pics.
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[zonker]

Congrats on your new ride, kevinkay. Sounds like a really good tube. Possibly the new high end.

z~
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Glad you like it. Always good to get out, even if the elements aren't exactly how you would prefer them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There will be better days to enjoy your new toy.[/#0000ff]
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[mojorizing]

Told you you'd like it.
Oh, that was the other me.
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[tubeN2]

Sometimes just getting out is more important. The pictures only help the rest of us live the exerience of others.[cool]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Welcome to the H3 club! Ain't it great![/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Did you get an apron? They were on back order when we got ours but Larry Tullis has assured me he will have a couple at the ISE show.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]I have a lot of the rod holders and brackets from my pontoon, plus I have more money than brains[laugh] and I did all this before I knew about PVC[] Here is how I set mine up.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3] [inline "H3 setup 001.jpg"][/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I scored a thin battery from a warehouse and I use the quick connects on my pontoon so adapted them to this battery. It fits perfect behind the seat and with the rings all over the tube I am able to clean up the wiring.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black] [inline "H3 setup 003.jpg"]

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[black][size 3]I use the tube mount for the fishing buddy for my transducer which is mounted to a square aluminum tube for my pontoon.[/size][/black]
[size 3]For the monitor, I had an older rod holder for a tube that I mounted on the tube, them put a big bolt through the aluminum plate that mounts to my pontoon so I can use on both:[/size]
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[size 3]Rod holder, I use a tube mount Scotty, again I have the flush mount on my pontoon deck, so I can use these on both. Plus the bags on the H3 have built in rod holders plus the back of the tube. I fly fish so I take at least two rods with two different type lines at a time.[/size]
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[black][size 3]Mind you, I have nothing against Tube Dudes PVC, I just already had this stuff way before I met TD[/size][/black]
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[tubeN2]

That's a nice set up there Sis. It looks like you got the big battery. I guess that will keep you going for awhile.[cool]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Big Battery? It is longer, but thinner than the rechargeables at Cabela's. Being thinner, fits perfect behind the seat or even in the rod holder portion of the side bags.[/size][/black]
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[tubeN2]

I guess I should have put my glasses on.......Uh....I don't use glasses yet. hmmmm.... Maybe it's time to start.[laugh][laugh]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]You can barrow mine, but I will need tham back[/size][/black][crazy]
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[poky-mon]

We're still young we don't need no glasses like the old folk.
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[spidey]

Flygoddess, is that nifty battery of yours available on the www anywhere? If not, is there an address or phone number to the manufacturer?
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[buckdawg]

Batteries Plus sells those smaller Gel cells. You can also rig up a battery unit using rechargeable AA's.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Nice craft and nifty work in pimpin' it out. Thanks for shooting and posting the pics. I'm sure that generations of future tubers will be appreciative.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glasses? I am MUCH older than you kids and I don' need no steenking glasses. I did have to have a lens replacement (cataract) but I can still tie flies down to about size 10/0 without glasses.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anyways, if I was able to see too well I would be watching "other things" while fishing instead of paying attention to details...especially during the summer clothing shortage season.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 1]Post:[/size][/black] [black][size 1]Batteries Plus sells those smaller Gel cells. You can also rig up a battery unit using rechargeable AA's.
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[black][size 3]buckdawg, they are NOT gel cells. They are acid filled. A common mistake. I picked these up at NSI, I know TD know this place. Damaged goods warehouse.[/size][/black]
[size 3]Home Security's use 12 volt small rechargeables also.[/size]
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[spidey]

Thanks for the info buckdawg. I'll give them a try. I have a cabela's battery, but would like a smaller backup in case it runs out of juice on the lake. I've been known to fish all weekend without coming home. Of course, no matter what battery I get, it won't look nearly as cool as the one on FG's H3. That's a mighty fine looking rig.

BTW, where do you fish? Ever hit Hoover?
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Now if I can only get my body to say "Let's go fishing"[laugh][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]It looks good on paper, but I need water to make sure everything is working.[/size][/black]
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[Bassmaster-ND]

If you have the same cabelas battery that I have, the 12volt sla battery I dont think you ever have to worry about it running out of juice. I can charge mine and and use it for months(or many many weeks) and it has never died once. I can honestly say I rarely charge mine, but when I do I usually do it for about a day.[cool]
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[Bassmaster-ND]

FG you might have already explained this but would the H3 be an upgrade from a FC 4? It sure looks like it. If you could tell me the advantages and divantages that would be great. Also, does water get in the back part of the tube?
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]It is longer and wider, plus you sit a lot higher with out causing too much wind resistance. In other words, I use Force Fins and I was able to move very quickly and easily.. I didn't notice water in the back half which I did with the SFC. Seemed we always had to take a minute to drain the water out of the SFC.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]The toons are more a rocker shape, so you don't notice choppy water as much and being 6' long, they can handle some white water where permitted.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Larry Tullis sent me a pm to let a little air out of the back rest for a more comfortable ride. Haven't had a chance to try that yet, but I was comfortable already. Did feel like I was leaning forward at first, but I adjusted the seat straps and much better. Plus I could reach the tip of the toon with out feeling like I was going to fall out.[/size][/black]
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