Tube Dude, at the risk of sounding real nosy...

[iconoclasticPaul]

What do you carry with you when you float tube?

I carry everything in my boat, so I won't regret leaving it at home at the approperiate time... however in a float tube, you can carry just enough to make the float tube sink...

Can you do a breakdown for lures for different species of fish? For example, see below

For Smallies: I carry senkos, tube jigs, Panther Martin spinners, paddlebug jigs, small crankbaits...

Walleyes: I carry grubs, minnow crankbaits, etc...

LMbass: spinnerbaits, spinners, grubs, plastic worms etc...

blah blah blah...

Thanks for allowing me to be privy to get into your float tube equipment... but not that nosy to get into your personal life, Ha[]
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[iconoclasticPaul]

Oh and don't worry, there's nothing wrong with my boat... I like to mess around in a tube in windy conditions where boating would be frustrating, and boat control would take the fishing time away from you. Being in a tube maximizes your fishing time.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][blue][size 1]Honest, everyone, I didn't put him up to asking such a question. Doesn't he realize that this could suck up all the bandwidth on the forum? Okay, I'll be brief...for me.[/size][/blue]

[#0000ff][size 1]There's an old saying (by me) that you can never be too rich, too thin or have too much pocket space in your float tube. That is the big limiting factor in what you can take and what you need to leave ashore.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]In the accompanying pics, you will see some of the craft I went through, evolving towards getting faster, better, higher, more. Wore out several "round boats". Spent a season in the minipontoon Kennebec and currently kick around in an Outcast Super Fat Cat. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]One of my biggest gripes with most float tubes is that there is either not enough pocket space or the pockets are all small and narrow and not built for loading in big bass boxes. Finally, in the SFC, I got two large pockets...one on each side...that hold several different lure boxes and even let me tuck in my sonar system when I am done for the day. That's what I'm talkin' about.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Once you gots pockets, you can tailor your boxes to properly load them up and to factor in the kind of fishing you will be doing. For a day of multispecies fishing, that would include small boxes of small jig heads and plastics, some larger jig heads and larger plastics, assorted cranks and other hardbaits, and some spinner baits. I buy lots of compartmented plastic boxes in basically a couple of different sizes. Those are 11" by 7" and 8" X 4". Most tackle purveyors sell them with different compartment configurations. If I can't get what I want, I get the closest I can and then cut out some panels if I need to. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]You can't take big tackle boxes, so you have to be thrifty with the space in your tubing boxes. Don't take twenty of the same size and color. Two or three of the anticipated hot combo is enough for most tubing expeditions. Keep some extras in the vehicle if you are anal about it.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]When it comes to plastics, sort your colors into small plastic bags and you can carry two or three colors in one compartment without color bleeding. Otherwise, a lot of wasted space. Even better, take some soft sided tackle pouches for plastics.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Your list of lures is good. Tried and true stuff. The only variations...from day to day...are the sizes and colors the fish want...and of course the subtle changes in presentation.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Where our tackle selections might vary is in the proprietary stuff. I make most of my own lures and jigs. I have a lot of custom variations that are not generally available through a tackletorium. For instance, by pouring and paint my own jig heads, I can fish just the size hook on just the size head I want. There are a lot of times that fishing a 4" plastic on a 1/16 oz glitter painted head...with a 3/0 hook...is just the thing for shallow and spooky smallies. Try to find hooks larger than size 6 on 1/16 oz heads. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I also fish plastics on Roadrunner jig heads a lot. The addition of the fluttering, sparkly and vibrating bladelet is often the key to initiating a reaction bite when the fishies are playing hard to get. Flutter it in their kissers, vertically, and you will be amazed at how hard they smack those things sometimes.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I also make my own inline spinners. I use the Panther Martin style blades, but I make them with either a specially designed molded jig head body...or a single hook tied up as a fly or bait bug. The single hook holds better and is easier to release fish without tearing them up. (see attached pics.)[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I also fish plain "bait bugs" a lot. These are specially designed jigs made to fish a piece of worm or sweetener. You can cast them, bottom bounce them or vertical jig them. I make them in just about every color imaginable, on every kind of jig head. Fish will hit them without bait, but when properly flavored they double your pleasure.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]As you can see in the pics of the tubes, I go afloat with most of the amenities. Typically I will have five rods...one operational and four in the auxiliary holder. I usually go 2 and 3...two spinning and 3 baitcast. Sometimes I vary it, and sometimes I add in a flyrod or even a 12 foot "dipstick" for "reaching out and touching" crappies and other fish around stickups and back in cover.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I do have sonar, although it ain't a 4000 watt superblaster for fishing the Marianas Trench. Most tubing is in water less than 25 feet deep. I use my sonar more for checking out bottom contours, structure and finding dropoffs. Yeah, I like to watch for fishies, too, but most of the fish I catch I do not see on the display first. I just find the right water and stay in it.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]As soon as I get back up there, I plan to acquire one of the new Outcast Fish Cat Cougar pontoons. I need to get some more pontoon experience, and I like what I see in that 8 foot beast. Four air chambers, low profile (for the W) and shallow draft. Also has a built in anchor system and can take an electric motor, although I don't think I will go through the registration process for the motor.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I do go "heavily" afloat. But, in spite of my substantial bulk and all the gear, I float high and well. The big strain is that the more you have to carry, the shorter you should make the distance between where you launch and where you park. But, nobody ever accused me of overusing my brainpower.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]That what you were looking for? [/size][/#0000ff]
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[iconoclasticPaul]

Wow Tubedude! I don't think I've ever seen a setup like yours with those rod holders on the side! You got a real nice tube! I will have to meet you and see how all this fit on my tube. Also I have never seen a Panther-martin spinner with a single hook like you have customized. This looks real good and possibly much better as far as snags go. Thanks for your time to explain all this.

I gotta graduate from UVSC, which I will in three more semesters, so I can have the spare time to make stuff like the ones you have made. Looks like you've got it made dude![]
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[aquaman]

hi paul did you know we are having a BFT float tube get together your more then welcome to come along click on the link below for more info



[font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=139972;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]tubing trip ? [/url][/size][/black][/font]
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Wow! You da man, sensai tubedude! As always, that was a very educational post. I just got a small 14 ft aluminum boat (thanks for the deal, petty4life!), but until I get my motor situation straitend out, I think I'll still tube. Haven't tubed yet this year, but I think I wanna go get em at Utah Lake/Lincoln Beach area, on my piece of crap fishcat2. Very informative stuff here. Doesn't all of that weight with all the rods, sonar, fishbasket etc. make it harder to kick the tube around out there? Just curious.
Another question, back when your kids were small and you were a young professional, did you still have time to make your own tackle? Just wonderin. Hell, right now, I just get lucky to either find the time or get a kitchen pass for a saturday of fishin'.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][blue][size 1]Hey, O4T, glad you appreciate my mini bass sled. First answer: I have no problems with on the water mobility. With the exception of the fish basket and the transducer, everything else rides above the waterline. And, the Super Fat Cat floats my 260 pounds plus gear quite nicely thank you. Carrying all that stuff to the water is another matter. You would get a good chuckle watching me all loaded down.[/size][/blue]

[blue][size 1]The high seating in the Outcast line leaves only my lower legs in the water...unlike my older round boats. In regular tubes a lot more of your lower body rides down in the water and creates more drag. Also makes you get colder faster in cold water.[/size][/blue]

[#0000ff][size 1]In answer to your other question, I can't remember if I was EVER young. Man, that was a long time ago. But, the timeline on my tackle craft was that I started tying flies (crudely) before age 10, when I was a kid in Idaho with access to a lot of family chickens. I finally got some good instructions while I was in high school and sold flies to help earn money in college.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]With marriage, a family and fighting to make a living, there wasn't either the time or the money to invest heavily in frivolous stuff like fishing tackle and lure making. I was still a one pole guy for a lot of years. But, I had been playing with float tubes since age 12...when I invented my own system and made my own crude covers.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]In my late twenties, I had begun to dig my way out of the bottomless pit of family and finances and had some "net spendable". I acquired my first "store bought" float tube and graduated from tying flies to dressing jigs. At first I bought my own jig heads...or made my own from split shot and plain hooks. Ugly but effective.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]It wasn't until I landed back in Utah in the 70's that a kindly soul demonstrated pouring jig heads and got me started on that long road. I now own about 30 lead molds and have worn out three Lee Production Pot melters.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I was fortunate to end up (after a bad first marriage) with a lady who enjoys fishing and tubing as much as I do (TubeBabe). I don't have as much problem getting a kitchen pass as I do coming up with excuses why we can't go fishing. Lucky me. All I have to do is build her rods, keep her reels operating smoothly, charge the batteries for her sonar and keep her lure boxes topped off with the latest hot stuff.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]A word of advice for the younger guys that are looking way down the road to the time when they have the means and the time to spend fishing and acquiring tackle. DON'T WISH YOUR LIFE AWAY. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]It may seem like you will never claw your way past that degree, or getting ahead in business enough to afford things, but it will come. Love your family and spend time with them. If you go fishing, take them with you. It's good for them and it will build memories you will treasure when you are "empty-nesters" like me. With kids scattered all over the country, you finally realize there will likely never be another family fishing trip on the local pond.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]So, be patient and persevere. If you are good, and you are lucky...good and lucky...you will have all the toys and the tackle. And, the harder you had to work to accumulate them, the more you will appreciate them.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]And, the last part of that is that if you are properly grateful for the help you received from others over the years, you begin to derive more pleasure from helping others progress through the learning stages as you once did. At least that's where I am now. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I still get excited the night before a fishing trip. I think I would quit fishing if I didn't. But, I can accept getting bested by other people I take fishing (except TubeBabe). It is absolutely great to be the perpetrator of getting a kid (or adult) started fishing and to help them catch their first fish...or their first of a new species.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Getting kinda heavy here. Sorry 'bout dat. But, all I ever ask when I render assistance to anyone is to PASS IT ON. If we do it right, fishing knowledge can be a perpetual motion machine...passed on from one happy soul to another.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]YEEEE HAWWW.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][blue][size 1]Hey, I-Paul, I plan to recruit you to do some field (water) testing on some new weedless designs I have for fishing spinners and plastics in the famed lure-eating sage forests of Jordanelle.[/size][/blue]

[#0000ff][size 1]One of the weedless designs I have played with is molding a short piece of wire into the jighead...inlcuding Roadrunners. With the right balance of wire diameter and length, it works great for bouncing off the "casual" stickups. But, if you let them drop into nasty tangles of brush, nothing can get out of those. And, when a smallie munches down, the wire guards do not seem to affect hookup ratios.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I have also experimented with adding looped mono weedguards on jig heads. I make them up in small sizes that work great for crappies in cover, so they should do the trick on Jordanelle smallies and perchskis.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Are you familiar with the term "jig worms"? Quite a few guys fish plastic worms on weighted jig heads...jig worms. I do that a lot with 6" rib worms, with the little curly tail. I also rig them on single hook spinners, rigged "Texas" style, with the hook point buried in the worm for weedless fishing. I do them both with weighted heads and by rigging a favorite worm hook on the bottom loop of a spinner. I add little weight for fishing shallow, and no weight to fish them as a semi buzzbait. I use heavier weights for bottom bouncing or slow rolling. A gold spinner on a black and chartreuse head and plastic can be killer for early season 'eyes and largies.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]In case you have never tried it, a worm harness using a plastic worm can sometimes work better than real garden hackle. In fact, when Yuba was in its heyday, a black lizard with a chartreuse tail usually outproduced real bait.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Shoot me a PM with your address and I will get you a sample kit with some of the single hook spinners to try.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]And, if you swing over to the float tube board of BFT, you can go back through some of the threads and see lots of creative setups. Float tubes are not just kids toys or poor man's boats. We can get serious with the best of them.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[FlyFishingMoose]

TD, Did you see the available bandwidth dip when you posted this information? Good stuff here, thanks for helping out!
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Thanks for the info, TubeDude. I was just curious. It's nice to learn a little more about one of the most knowledgeable people on the board. I'm SLOWLY accumulating more gear, and as time goes on, I'd like to eventually start making my jigs too. Right now, the only time I seem to have is pick up some things at the tackle store based on the colors and weights that others have mentioned they had success with. I'm quite new to warm water fishing, and want to get into some big cats and maybe some white bass with some spinners or jigs this weekend out at Lincoln Beach. I gotta find somebody to go tubing with out there, so the old lady doesn't worry about me. ...maybe after I get a life insurance policy she won't worry so much???[pirate] hmmm... naw, it ain't the financial part of me she'll miss if I die, but maybe a life policy can help me justify goin' out in the tube by myself once in a while.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][blue][size 1]Be properly thankful that somebody cares about you enough to be concerned. Although float tubing is inherently more safe than many other macho pursuits, it is difficult to get that across to fussbudget spouses sometimes.[/size][/blue]

[#0000ff][size 1]The life insurance idea has merit. However, I think I would be concerned if she insisted on a huge payoff for double indemnity...and then kept pushing you out the door to go fishing. I would be especially suspicious if she was even more encouraging when there was a weather forecast for high winds and/or lightning, or if she gave you lots of sharp objects to carry in your tube pockets.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]Good luck on your quest for new species. Pay attention to all the help rendered on the forum here and wangle your way on trips with others who are more experienced. Reading about it is one thing. Getting some "hands on" experience on the water is the best way to internalize new techniques and to learn new tackle and species.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I sometimes have to when I observe somebody flailing the water with a "magic" new fly or lure...just because somebody told them it would catch lots of fish. As most of us have found, the lure or fly is only the beginning. After that, you have to be in the right place, at the right time, fishing at the right depth and speed, etc. You also have to be perceptive to subtle strikes, because not all fish smack a lure. And, it doesn't hurt to "hold your mouth right" and to wear your lucky hat and shirt.[/size][/#0000ff]
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