Another awesome bass fishing trip(pics)

[Floatin_n_Maine]

Took my tube out on it's 3rd trip to Sokokis Lake in Limerick, ME. Caught a total of 23 LMB and 1 Pickerel. Once again, the wacky rig senko bite was on! I caught a few bass on a suspending Rapala X-Rap. I made long casts down rocky shorelines with steep drop-offs, giving a twitch-pause type retrieve. First I would crank the reel 5 or 6 turns to get the X-Rap down to it's max diving depth, then dead stick it for about 10-15 seconds. Then give a sweeping motion with the rod tip followed by a sharp twitch or two and a 5 second pause, then repeat. The bass seemed to smack it right when I paused it.


Here are some pics:


























However, my trip was cut short by a little accident. I got my X-Rap hung up in a bush. Not wanting to kick my way into the shoreline and spook any fish in the area, I give it a few shakes and a tug. The lure comes flying out of the bush back toward me. "THWAP".................."PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

"Oh crap." Here I am a long........and I mean long way away from the boat launch with my left air bladder slowly leaking air. I quickly put on my PFD and started kicking like a bass-turd back to the launch. I did make it back after about 15-20mins. of non stop kicking with the air bladder a little less than half full.

But thats not where the fun ends...........................................

I get to shore, take off my fins, take off my waders and pulled my tube up halfway onto the shore line. I grab my 2 fishing rods, fins, waders, and my dry box for my digital camera. Walk up the little hill to put them in my truck. I get them into the back of my truck and drive down closer to the boat launch. I walk back down the hill to get my tube............."Where the *&$% is my tube?"...............

And there it was floating away about 25-30 yards from shore. So much for the waders keeping me dry all day. Of course I had to go for a swim to retrieve it.

I got it home and took out the air bladder. No sweat, just a pin hole from the hook. I patched it up with the patch kit included with the tube. Hopefully it holds well.

Has anyone else had to patch their tubes? Do the patches last??
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[SHigSpeed]

Wow, awesome trip!

Funny about your leak and retrieve.

I ALWAYS pull snags out to the side JUST for that very reason.

Makes me appreciate the 4 flotation chambers in my bag!

_SHig
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[Bluegillman]

I have that red throut lure too and haven't caught one on it yet. You had a fun day on the water and got a change to "swim"! Water must be just nice. Nice fishes!
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[smallmouth89]

Has anyone else had to patch their tubes? Do the patches last??

I repaired a pinhole leak in the urethane bladder of my Fat Cat 2 years ago. I used a dab of Marine Goop applied and spread with a moistened finger.

The backrest of my Wood River Glide Rider had a seam leak which I applied Marine Goop to 3 years or more ago. amazingly even though it was a seam separation about an inch long the "goop" is still doing its job.

My Fat Cat is nearly 9years old and I have resewn the bottom stiching as the original thread started to break down 2 summers ago. Think I'll goop the stitches as I noticed some water getting into the pontoon. Since I am anything but a professional seamstress I obviously need some help from the Goop to keep my pontoons waterproof.

God Bless,
Don
P.S. This is a question for Pat. Is it a definite thing that Outcast has begun to use vinyl in their Fat Cats as of this year?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Another great report with great pictures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You are quickly going through all of the "required" tests to become a fully accredited tuber. You got the hook in tube one done. Also the windblown tube one. Nice going. Two on one trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The patches provided with your tube are good. But, most of us get some Aquaseal along with the Cotol accelerant for faster curing.[/#0000ff]
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Aquaseal...penicillin for repairing waders and float tube air chambers. Shown with the Cotol accellerant for helping the clear flexible waterproof patch cure more quickly. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This stuff will save you on a long trip (more than one day) but will not get you back on the water the same day if you spring a leak. Even with the accelerant it takes a few hours to cure enough to use the tube again.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You simply lay the air bladder out so the hole part is level and then put a small blob of the Aquaseal on it and spread it out for a half inch or so outside the hole area. It dries as a clear flexible patch.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It also works well on waders...both breathables and neoprene...and for seam repairs on all watercraft, tents, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

P.S. This is a question for Pat. Is it a definite thing that Outcast has begun to use vinyl in their Fat Cats as of this year?

[cool][#0000ff]On the Outcast website they still have "urethane". Probably just did not change the old copy. However, in the Cabelas store in Utah, the specs list the bladders as PVC (vinyl)...even though in their online tube comparisons they ALSO still list the SFC as having urethane bladders.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Every other rating system in the industry lists them as vinyl so that would be my guess.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not as good as urethane, but plenty adequate for most anglers. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]They do not have a "Doofus warranty" against people running hooks, knives or fish spines into their air bladders. And, if you are determined to puncture your tube while on the water it don't make no difference what your air bladder is.[/#0000ff]
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[Floatin_n_Maine]

Thanks for the feedback. My patch work seemed to do just fine. I filled the air bladder up good and solid and let it set awhile. It maintained the same air pressure so i guess it's all set.

Coming soon, trip #4............................
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