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[font "Tahoma"][size 2]Hey guys, new to tubing and new to this site.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]Seems like a great group of guys with a whole lot of knowledge.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]I live in Southern Cal and fish the Ocean boiler rocks from shore in Orange County with swimbaits. 95% of the time I'm targeting Calico / Sand Bass in structure and do fairly well. Lately, I've been thinking... if only I could get out a just a little further.... i would be in the zone.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]I've gone the Kayak route and ended up with a fully equipped Malibu X-treme Kayak only to sell it several months later. Great yak, but for me, it ultimately proved to be too much of a hassle to take out. It was just soo darn big and HEAVY that getting it up and down from my Tacoma and draggin it to and from the water was a workout. For me, the minuses outweighed the plusses. Dumped a good chunk of change into it too! [unsure] Lesson learned... do more research.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font][font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]Well after much research, i[/size][/font][font "Tahoma"][size 2]'ve come to the conclusion that my next best option is to tube it... i think. I've been doing google searches and hitting multiple sites to try and figure out what people like and don't like. First off, TD, you are the MAN! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Very insightful, posts / reviews![/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]From what I've read, I'm leaning towards a Fish Cat 4 or ODC 420. I'm not a big individual so I don't believe I need the Fat Cat or anything larger. I've read nothing but good things about the FC4 and only a couple negatives on the ODC 420.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]Which do you think is better for the Ocean?[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]Any insight / suggestions you guys could give me would be awesome.[/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Tahoma"][size 2]Tight Lines![/size][/font]
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.... non tubers point of view.. you are definately on the right board to get all the help and advice you need.. and inside infor.. td's son TN2 is in our area and I am sure he will be more that willing to help you out..
MacFly [cool]
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Welcome welcome. As far as floating in the big blue goes TN2 is the master I think. As far as craft goes those are both great choices, I have had a ODC420 and now float in one of the NFO H3's. I would suggest going with the FC4. One of the biggest limiting factors on the ODC is that the valve sticks up in the middle of the pocket and takes up valuable storage space.
Majja
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[cool][#0000ff]Yo, BB, welcome to the playroom. Glad you found us and also glad you like us...so far.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]While I am now landlocked over in Utah, I grew up in SoCal and have fished from the tip of Baja to British Columbia...and some Alaska too. I have launched a tube off many beaches and have floated most of the better bays in SoCal. I have scored more than a few halibut, calicos and grumpies. Love spotted bay bass too. Got bajillions of those in the Sea of Cortez...without any surf.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That brings up a major consideration. If you fish the boiler rocks, you will likely be launching through the suds. There are lots of considerations to doing that safely. Timing is a biggie. And, having a good pair of fins and knowing how to use them to power out in between sets of waves. After that, you need to watch the conditions and get yourself back in if the waves get out of hand. That can be fun too. You will want to have a good rod rack with bungees to secure your gear. Either that or bundle your rods and hold them while coming ashore...in case you get tumbled. Saves some broken sticks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are spots along the coast where you can launch inside the protection of a point, depending on how the swells are coming in. Even a pier can dampen the surf to help you get launched and beached with minimum danger.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are under 200 pounds in weight, the FC4 should be all the craft you want or need. A very good value for the buck. And, it is definitely light enough (before adding tackle and goodies) that you can get it a ways to the beach if you have to.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know which way you decide to go and if we can offer any help in getting your ride tricked out for the bull bass.[/#0000ff]
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TD is definitely the man on this. The old, "Been there, done that".
I have only played int he ocean once, but in light of my new tube, I don't think I would trust anything with a PVC bladder. Urethane only and that is going to cost more. But we are talking the OCEAN!
Anymore, I wouldn't try it in anything less than the H3 and more so the Navigator II, basically cause it has oars.
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[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, but you are a wimpess. Real men challenge the sea with whatever they can float. I used to do it in the old round boats with rubber inner tubes...shark donuts. Didn't stunt my growth none.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Granted, Urethane bladders are preferable to PVC, but PVC will get the job done. If someone has a budget to stay within, they must make that call.[/#0000ff]
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[font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]macfly55/Majja/flygoddess, thanks for the info![/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]TD, sounds like you've fished up and down the big pond here. I was born and raised in Long Beach and grew up fishing Belmont and Redondo piers. Bonito is what got me and most of my friends hooked on fishing. Unfortunately they've been gone for a long time now, yet have recently begun making a brief appearance locally. Problem is... only the babies are appearing (7-12" models). I hear they wrap them all up down south for cat food before they can make it further North. Sucks, cause pound for pound, I think the bonito are the best fighting fish out there.[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font][font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]Since the bones are gone i've switched to fishing the boilers for bass and love it! The area I fish has a couple spots that I could launch from that are shielded from the big breakers. Whew![/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]Prior to fishing the breakers, I'll do a couple runs at Cherry beach in Long Beach. This beach has very little to no surf and holds some flatties. I'm thinking.... perrrrrfect for a newb.[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]You suggest buying a good pair of fins... what'dya reccomend?[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]Since i dumped so much loot into the cadillac kayak, I wanted to try and not go sooo gung ho on all the gear this go'round until I'm convinced this is fer me. I am however all for spending good money for a good pair of fins. I'm thinking this is one of the more important necessities that'll determine how fast I can get from point a to point b?.?.[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]The assumptions on the bare necessities:[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]1) Fish Cat 4[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]2) Fins[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]3) Fin tethers (Sp?)[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]4) Hand pump (I've got a motorized one in the car)[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]5) Tube Rod Rack (Does anyone sell these?)[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]6) PFD[/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2][/size][/#0000ff][/font] [font "Tahoma"][#0000ff][size 2]Am I missing anything?[/size][/#0000ff][/font]
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Sorry guys for the tough read (1 paragraph).
I write the post in an email with mulitple paragraphs and then copy and paste it into the reply box. It pastes into the reply box with the spaces between the paragraphs, but comes out in one BIG paragraph when I submit the post.
Testing the spaces.
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[cool][#0000ff]I wondered if the "bones" in your name came from the lovely bonitos. I also had a passion for them, especially on light tackle. And, I also fished for them off Belmont, with a block and feather cast way to heck out there and skip-retrieved back in. Used to get a lot off Newport that way too. My favorite spot though, before they closed it, was the warm water power outflows...Redondo I think. Used to get a lot on light spinning gear and fly tackle.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Too bad about the current low population of the bonies. They used to be thick all up and down the coast. They were the fallback fish when you couldn't score anything else. They were thicker than mackerel. I got into some 10 - 12 pounders in the fall a couple of times. Yeeee hawwww.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Cherry Beach is a favorite with tubers. You will often have a couple of other guys out there for company. Cabrillo is good too. You need to hook up with a couple of the other SoCal BFTers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have not already done so, check the posts at the top of the page...Best of the Best. These are archives of past posts, organized by category. Lots of stuff on fins. We also have a picture board, and there is a pictorial review of fins. [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=198689;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]LINK TO FINS[/url] I have been using the Mares Plana Avanti for about 25 years...on my second pair now. Some folks like the Force Fins, but they are pricey and many tubers do not like them as much. You can get serviceable fins for under $50, but Mares and other quality dive fins will usually run about $70 or so. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Unless you add waders, for cold water tubing, that will get you afloat. You can make your own rod holders, according to pictures and diagrams on some of our past posts, or you can buy prefabbed PVC holders designed for boats. Most sports and boating outlets sell them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Your choice on net or gaff. Nets are sometimes better for controlling fish, especially if you plan to release them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Attached are a couple of unedited chapters from my book. They should give you some more ideas on what you might want to add to your rig.[/#0000ff]
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I 2nd the Mares Fins I use the Avanti X3's and my wife has the Quatros. As for mfg rod holders Scotty makes a strap on one that is nice. But making them from PVC is pretty easy. Pretty much if you can imagine it you can build it, well almost.
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0011326314693a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=Scotty&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=Scotty&noImage=0"]
Link tot he strap on Scotty[/url]
Good luck happy shopping
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TD...
I did not mean to imply that you were not a good source of info .. we all know that your youngster had to learn all he knows from someone and that would be you of course... the main reason I suggested TN2 in particular is that he is out here on the coast and in that area.. so would be an excellent one to one or close by source of information and strong possibilities of going out with ....
MacFly [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Sweat it not, my friend. I did not pick that up at all. Even if I did, you are correct in that Steve is much more in tune with the current conditions of tubing the salt. I was merely trying to establish that I have had a measure of exposure to tubing the salt and should be able to offer at least some input.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TN2 is an accomplished angler and fish cooker. I merely got him started in the right direction. He picked up a lot of what he knows by just doing it...and doing it right. I can take credit for the heredity part, but he is in full charge of the "environment" issues.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As I have tried to reassure everyone before, I am not a thin skinned and proprietary moderator, like there are on many boards. I'm just along for the ride too. And, with such great members, the moderatin' part is easy.[/#0000ff]
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Welcome aboard BiggetyBones. Sorry it took so long to chime in. I do have to work from time to time.
I do quite a bit of tubing down in your neck of the woods as I am just a little north in Shakertown (the rattling end of the SFV).
I too tube up and down the coast. Fresh and lots of Salt water.
I was just thinking. Since you have Bass gear for the Grumpies and Sandies, you might want to bring some gear out and join us at Lake Elsinore this Saturday.
There is a post about it on the California board. Map and directions included. It would be a nice way to meet some new members.
My next get together will be a Salt trip. I try to do at least one each month with as many members as can show. Cherry Beach is one of my favorite launch areas. It is easier to time the tide.
If you feel like venturing a little farther north, I also like to launch out of the North LA county line at the Ventura County line, Ventura Beach and Santa Barbara. Rocky Point is a good spot when I gather with seasoned tubers.
I have the FC4 and have been using it for @4years now. I am just a little over 225 + gear.
It would be nice to have you along on our Float trip at the lake this coming Saturday.[cool]
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jus making sure.. there is no doubt the level of experience and expertise that you have and bring to this board.. as well as TN2 bringing it this forum and others.. now couple that with all the other good people here with loads of experience and being more than willing to share... then a person would have to be a rock to not learn something [  ]
MacFly [cool]
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"[size 1]then a person would have to be a rock to not learn something"[/size]
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[size 1]We have had a few of those in the past. In general, almost everybody gets at least something out of this forum. Most are even able to contribute something as well. We are all here to share and learn from each other.[cool][/size]
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