First Tube Trip of the year, March 10th @ Lincoln Beach, Utah Lake

[Hnaf]

Well Scott, Jason and I have been itching to get out and do some fishing. I think the wait has even been harder on Scott who got a new tube for Christmas but has yet to have been able to take it on a first run. This was a big upgrade over his older style round tube that his wife was nice enough to talk Santa into hiding under his tree. Anyway between work, school (for some), weather and household chores we didn't get a chance to get out until yesterday. We had the plans in the work earlier into the week watching weather reports and making sure we had the green lights to go from the home fronts. Everything came into place well enough and we gathered at my place at 6am so that we could reach Lincoln Beach by near sunrise.

Only two other vehicles were at the launch spot when we got there and they were already out on the water and out of sight. As we setup or tubes 2 more boats launched as well. We planned, hoped, that our plan to work south of the launch channel would keep us away from most of the other boats. That plan worked out well.

Scott was also sporting his brand new waders so it took a bit longer to get setup both with his waders and tube being on their first runs. I think I came to understand where the "Force" comes from in the name Force Fins as Scott borrowed my pair to wear over the wader boots he was using this run. The sheer amount of force requires to adjust those straps alone justifies the name... They are fine fins, but I still hand my head a bit and have a moment of silence when I think of the $ I sunk into them. I managed to be pretty good today on taking pics so I've got a few of the setup.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9wCAF...082527.jpg
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So Jason lead the train of the 3 of us down the channel and out into the main lake. Very few blips on the sonar until we got to the mouth of the channel. Though with all the aggressive rocks just under the water our lures never made it near the fish... Few snags later we moved out further and started to work the 7-9' water and headed south.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IoMnc...091400.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pw4KQ...091403.jpg

Instead of dragging a minnow on the second pole and casting plastics on the main pole I put a pair of jigs under a bobber and let them drag 3' under the water on the second pole. That proved to be a good choice. A while later as I was alternating between plastics and spinners on the main pole my second pole did a fair dip and I noticed the bobber was down out of sight. First fish of the day came in on an orange/green grub that I had tipped with worm.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HQ6r3...093411.jpg

As we worked south we started to head to slightly different spots. I started to turn west to head over to the little bay south of the beach to see if the springs were flowing enough to warm that area and maybe bring in a fish or two. Jason headed toward the Benjamin Slough and Scott kind of took the middle point between us along the shallow weed line. Well if the springs were flowing they were flowing cold as the temps dropped a degree as I neared my target. Both Jason and Scott were in pretty shallow water and dealing with some snags. So we all started to head back together kind of in the deeper water just out from the slough near Jason. Along the way I managed my second fish. This one came on on a red chartreuse grub again with a bit of worm.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6uyGS...103754.jpg


After getting everyone back out in deeper water we started a slow crawl north staying in 7-9' of water mostly along the way. I was trying out some other setups I've not used much. I tied up a drop shot like setup with the goal of dragging the weight along the bottom to hold my lure up a bit off the floor. Just as I was about out of patience with this setup I picked up the pole to bring it in and right them something took it. It was a bit more then the other two had been so I was overly optimistic that it might be something new... Well while it wasn't it didn't disappoint as it was the largest one for me for the day.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fnepD...111730.jpg

Then as we continued on our way back to the channel I managed my 4th and last fish of the day. This one on a spinner, one of my no-name knockoffs I've made similar to what TubeDude has shown in a few posts.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJ7T6...114337.jpg

I'm not sure what time Jason got his at, but he brought in a single white. Scott didn't avoid the skunk today but I think he had a fun trip and enjoyed the new ride. We all headed in about the same time, though Scott was a bit faster then us with some scheduled obligations to meet. I think we got off the water at about 1pm. Water temps in the main lake had been about 40-41. Though at launch the shallow water in the channel was a bit higher then that. Wind was either non existent or only a very slight breeze (cold though). Turned out to be a very fine day to be on the water and to finally scratch the itch.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MsHQP...131651.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fHRD...131655.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ppqth...131709.jpg
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[bnc]

I ended up getting my only fish about 10 or so minutes after you did. It was a good day to get out and scratch the itch. Now the water needs to warm up a bit to make the fish a bit more active!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Congrats on getting on the water...and avoiding the skunk. It can only get better from here.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hope Scott likes his new ride and that he can focus on fishing next trip instead of getting used to the new craft. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got some new trinkets for you to integrate into your "plagiarized" lures arsenal. You guys should schedule a visit sometime soon for a show and tell.[/#0000ff]
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[Hnaf]

You showed me a version tail spinner version of those wobble heads on my last trip. I do like the new version with the spinner blade up on the bent wire too though. I'm just that Cabela's dropped that mold model and that Do-It says they can't make it as Cabela's owns the rights on the design. Jason found one for sale on ebay but at over $65.00 it was too much for us to pick up. I'm still kicking myself for having had that mold on my cabelas wish list and the day I go to buy it is the day after it's no longer listed ( I had just checked it the day before)...[:/]

I'll have to take you up on the offer for another session in your lab soon. I'd like to see some more on the new offerings. [cool]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Already got a couple of other new "Wobbleholics" who wanna buy unpainted jigs from me. I work cheap and I am worth it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know when you can make it by and we will give a look see. I am finding new modifications on the wobble stuff every day.[/#0000ff]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]Did you start using a clevice on your spinner blades?........... I have been making my own blades and threading them on the wire between beads......... I'm not sure it matters if they spin or not as long as they move? ......... What's your opinion?[/size][/#502800]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]On some of my earlier models...using larger spinner blades...I did use a clevice. Worked fine. And I also experimented with using a small crane swivel and split ring...such as on pony head jigs. But when I experimented with just stringing the wire through the small (size 0 and 00) blades...and then a single metal bearing bead...I found that I had a winner. Those little blades seem to be slowed down by a clevice. When strung directly on the wire they are activated by the slightest movement. Letting them run beside my tube and watching the action on those blades was amazing. Lots of flicker at virtually zero speed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And the fish vote for them too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As an afterthought, after I string the blade and then the bead, I roll the end of the short wire into a tight loop at the end to stop the bead and blade. I cut off the excess wire and crimp it down tight with a pair of longnose to prevent rough edges that can catch line or weeds.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'll soon be making up some more...on different heads...and I will post a pictorial if you are interested. I plan to pour some heads on wire such as I already do for spinner-jigs...with my modified minnow head mold. But I will be making them on small heads for panfish and walleyes.[/#0000ff]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]Yeah, You know I am interested. If Hnaf and the guys come down, let me know and I could show up, if it's my day off ..........What am I saying, every day is my day off.[/size][/#502800]
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[#502800][size 1]I find that the smaller the bead, the better the movement.[/size][/#502800]
[#502800][size 1]I guess I need to start making some willow blades for spinner baits.[/size][/#502800]
[#502800][size 1]Have you tried the umbrella or Alabama rig craze yet? ........ Everyone is going bonkers over it, and it has been around a long time.......In-as-much as you can only use two hooks in Utah they are using willow blades on the other wires without hooks.[/size][/#502800]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]You know you are always welcome. You don't need somebody else here for protection. I'm fairly harmless these days.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't know how much you work with wire but I have a few little techniques that really help with adding blades and beads to almost any lure.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Come on down.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The "Alabama Rig" might be all the current rage, but just out of basic concept I will probably never use it. I like fishing ultralight, making good casts and finesse presentations...then feeling the hit and setting the hook. To me the A-rig is like trolling with treble hooks. Not much sport. No quarrel with the guys who are using it...if they enjoy it. Some guys like hitting themselves in the head with a hammer too...just because it feels so good when they quit.[/#0000ff]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]I agree with you on the Alabama rigs, (horizontal pop gear).[/size][/#502800]
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[#502800][size 1]I am new to wire........ I don't have any of those fancy wire twisting tools, and I am open to all the tutorials I can get.[/size][/#502800]
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[#502800][size 1]When will you working on stuff?[/size][/#502800]
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[idahoron]

The A-rig has got my attention. I like to troll for walleyes. To me if a guy had his A-rig set to have a trailer that had a BIG perch repala about 1 foot back I would like to see if all the activity would bring in a BIG walleye.
I don't hit my self in the head with a hammer but I would if it would help me to hook a 10 pound walleye. Ron
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I can be set up to play with wire anytime you wanna come down. No big production.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And no fancy tools needed...just a pair of round nosed pliers and some small wire cutters. The key is knowing how to form good round loops. Only one or two minor tricks and it becomes easy. Once you have a feel for it a whole new world of blades and beads opens up to you.[/#0000ff]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]That's what the Alabama set up is designed to do. and those that use it, swear by it. [/size][/#502800]
[#502800][size 1]Yeah a 10 lb. walleye could drag one around and I would bet TubeDude could design one in his sleep.[/size][/#502800]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]Are you going to be home tomorrow at about 10 AM?[/size][/#502800]
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[#502800][size 1]I have been bending my wire around a nail that I bent and put it in my fly tying vise and I will probably ruin the jaws of my vise if I keep doing it.[/size][/#502800]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Come on down.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to use a nail or other round metal rod for wrapping wire. But managed to discover the simple and effective method I now use some time ago. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.[/#0000ff]
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[WaveWolf]

[#502800][size 1]OK ....... I'll get out my trusty map to your house and be there at about 10 AM.[/size][/#502800]
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[#502800][size 1]My apology to Hnaf for pirating the post.[/size][/#502800]
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