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[cool][#0000ff]One of the 39 lakes on our list of targeted waters this year is Mantua Reservoir. It is a small lake nestled in a pretty little valley, surrounded by small farms and the tiny community of Mantua.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The lake used to be managed as a trout fishery, and has produced some great rainbows and cutts in the past. However, since it is shallow and full of aquatic vegetation, it is also ideal for bluegills and bass. In recent years, there has been an illegal planting of yellow perch, by "bucket biologists". The perch population has exploded and they are now abundant.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe and I like to play with panfish. We go forth with only two or three ultralight rods and small jigs, solely to target the little guys. On most trips we are treated to some extra fun when larger trout or bass wanna play too, and smack our smaller offerings.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yesterday morning we hit the water about 6:30 AM and fished until about noon. TubeBabe caught the first and biggest within a few minutes of launching our tubes. It was a 20" rainbow that pulled the digital scale down to 3.6 pounds. Fun fun.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After that we had slow but steady action on a few bluegills to about 9" and perch to 11". Bluegills often exceed 10" and perch over 13" in Mantua, but not for us yesterday.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I lost one bass that would have gone about 2# on my little buggy whip rod and iight line. I did land one about 13" after a spirited battle.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The water temperatures are over 65 now and moving toward 70. The heavy weed growth is attaining its annual abundance, which will make fishing difficult in many areas. We will probably not go back until fall, but it was a lovely spring day on Mantua.[/#0000ff]
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Wow that is a beautiful lake. I have some pics of a lake that I just went to that I will be posting up soon.
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks. We look forward to your pics. We always enjoy both fish and scenery.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are some archive pics of past trips to Mantua, that show the abundance of the sunfish and the beauty of the valley and town.[/#0000ff]
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[cool]What a beautiful lake! Nice pics. You couldn't have asked for a better day of weather. Tell Tubebabe that the glamour shot was great, especially with that pink rod holder.
Looks like she was driving the Super Fat Cat on this trip (unless you modified her Fat Cat with a PVC backrest.)
Do you have a roof rod rack on your SUV or did you just lay the rods up there temporarily? I see 'em stickin' out in the troutski picture.
Sounds like you both had a great time. Reminds me of my California days. Lots more warm water opportunities there than here. I love to catch bluegills and small bass on light tackle. They are especially great on the table. Never caught a Yellow Perch but crappies are a nice addtition.
Thanks for sharing the photos. Glad you had a great trip.
z~
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[cool][#0000ff]Glad you liked the pics and the report. That really is a quaint little town. Some of the older homes date back to the early settlement days of the 1840's. If it weren't for the SUV's parked in front, and the satellite dishes on the roof, you could almost imagine you were back in the olden days.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The lake is just like an overgrown farm pond. Same water weeds, reeds and fishy denizens. The yellow perch are small cousins of the walleye and are really very good eating. We never turn down a batch when we can get them. I agree that crappies are fine on the table, but perch are firmer and just as toothsome.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had the rods on top of the car as a temporary measure. We set them up there both while loading and unloading. Helps prevent hearing that awful CRUNCH noise that means your favorite rod(s) has an "owie" We carry them inside the Jimmy fully rigged, by stringing a bungee cord across between the two clothes hooks on either side of the doors. It is flexible and holds the rods up out of the way when we run them full length inside the vehicle.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you like the pink/lavender rod holder, wait until you see how her tube turns out. We are playing with the idea of trying some fabric paint to customize our fading Cats. I am going to do a shark, in gray, with open mouth and teeth. I am trying to talk my wife into a purple tube with red and yellow flames. I think she is going for it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, she has the regular Fat Cat, with the foam seat and back, but it is the old style with the low back. I rigged the PVC extension for her too, and she won't leave home without it.[/#0000ff]
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Funny how folks can live in an old, sometimes run down home with a brand new $35,000 SUV parked out in front. I see a lot of that here, too.
Ah yes. Rods laid on top of the vehicle. Thought that was probably the case but I'm always digging for information. I'm very familiar with that "crunch" noise. Around here it is usually followed by loud wails of sorrow and lament. I've long since wized up to getting a rod anywhere near a car door but those grandsons still have to learn. Trouble is they are usually doing it on my dime. I've considered putting an electrified perimiter around the truck just for their benefit. Now if I can just convince them to carry the rods with the tips up and not down where they get crammed into the ground.
I think I'd be scared spitless to paint my tube but if I discover you're onto something I might be quick to change my mind. That would open a whole new world of customization. You're the pioneer so I'll let you break the trail through the wilderness first.
z~
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[cool][#0000ff]I am sure you have noticed that almost every tube and tune with a nylon cover has some kind of writing or decoration. This is applied with "fabric" paint...also known as "textile" paint. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been doing some research on the subject. Happily, there are quite a few manufacturers and the stuff is readily available in most craft stores. As you might expect, there are different types. Some require "heat setting"...ironing the back of the fabric after applying the water soluble paint. However, once it is heat set, it is water resistant and color fast for years.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I plan to try the stuff right on a fully inflated tube, and to set it in the hot sun to heat set. Some of the paints suggest other ways to get the job done and I am betting that hot sunlight will get the job done. At the very least, I hope to cover up the faded and watermarked old SFC with something more decorative.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since there are no chemical solvents in the products I have looked at, I doubt there will be any chance of an adverse reaction with the urethane bladder. So, I am not worried about applying the paint to the surface of my nylon cover while it is aired up. We shall see. [/#0000ff]
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WOW TD THAT IS SOME BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. WTG ON THAT HAUL. THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE A GOOD DROP SHOT LAKE.
AT
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[cool][#0000ff]Drop shotting is one of the "secrets" of the better bassers on that lake. There are largies up to 10 pounds in there. When the weed growth gets thick on the bottom, drop shotting with the plastic tied high enough to wiggle just above the weeds can be deadly. Of course, once you go bendo you need good line and good technique to get your lure back...with a fish on it. A high percentage of those bass come in wearing 20 pounds of "salad" on their face.[/#0000ff]
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[size 1][#0000ff]""A high percentage of those bass come in wearing 20 pounds of "salad" on their face.""[/#0000ff] [/size]
Ha ha oh I like that!!!!
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pirahna...just waiting to "nibble' on your fins. ![[Image: image.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/files/image.gif)
[#333366] TUBEDUDE'S HAUL.JPG [/#333366][/url](168 KB) [/size][/black][/font]Now u got me rushing my wife's list to do so I can go FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!