Tubed Utah Lake - Printable Version +- Fishing Forum (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum) +-- Forum: Float Tube Fishing (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=396) +--- Forum: Float Tubing General (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=81) +--- Thread: Tubed Utah Lake (/showthread.php?tid=657997)

Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-16-2011 [cool][#0000ff]I usually prefer to wait a couple of days after a front goes through before fishing. But this year I would never go fishing if I waited for that to happen. Front went through yesterday and I launched my tube at the Knolls about 7:15 this morning. Air temp 29. Water temp 46. Both TDC (too d..... cold).[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Started fishing near shore. Water levels way up. High tide. Threw plastics, spinners and cranks. Nada, zip, zilch. Only exercise and snags.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Moved out and started dragging a minnow on one rod while continuing to pitch plastics on the second rod. Fished shallow to deep and back again. From 5' to over 10'. Two hours later I got my first hit. A small white bass in 10' of water. [/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Kept working big S turns...from shallow to deep. Finally got a runner on a piece of carp meat. First kitty...a nice little cookie cutter from 10.4'. About a half hour later I went bendo on a biggun...a 28" mama cat that weighed 9.3#. Yee haw. Much fun.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Had a couple of other runners that did not want to join me in my tube. Water temps started warming toward 50 and the deep water bite shut down...such as it was. Figured something might be enjoying the warmer water close to shore by now. Figured right. Lots of munches by small whities and skinny mud cats. Landed a few of each. No more channels.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Left the water about 2:30. Water temp and air temp both 52. How dey do dat? [/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]I did better than I anticipated. And the water stayed calm all day. Kinda scary to see all the snow on the surrounding mountains still. Gonna get damp in the lowlands soon.[/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - idahoron - 04-16-2011 Nice day[cool] I have to ask. What kind of cat is that mud cat? The color is very pale and it looks a little like a flathead. It doesn't look like a bullhead. That is a odd looking cat. Ron [signature] Re: [idahoron] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-16-2011 [cool][#0000ff]The correct species name is "black bullhead". But they can be quite a few different colors. A lot of them have a yellowish cast and are mistakenly called yellow cats...or yellow bellies. Around here they are commonly called mud cats...or mudders.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Like all species in Utah Lake they have had their ups and downs. At times they seem to explode and are pests when you are trying to catch channel cats. But the past few years they have been less common. During our drought years of the early part of the 2000's the white bass population dropped off and the bullheads became a big menu item for the top predators...cats and walleyes...and largemouths.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]That bullhead in the picture was not a healthy fish. It was skinny and ugly. Doesn't look like it wintered well.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]While these fish get a bad rap for being poor table fare, they are really very good. They do not produce big fillets but if you catch and keep a few the skinless fillets are really good eating and worth the effort.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Here are a few other pics from the past...also showing that these fish hit lures too.[/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - Fishtales23 - 04-17-2011 thanks for your detailed report. even though I don't live in Utah, I certainly enjoyed your post as well as the pics. Thanks, FT [signature] Re: [Fishtales23] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-17-2011 [cool][#0000ff]Thanks. If you ever make it out this way we can "splash down" together.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]How you comin' along on your "power" project?[/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - Fishtales23 - 04-17-2011 The next step is to take my tube out and make those adjustments you suggested and see if I am happy with the changes. If not, then on to step 2. In the meantime, I'm reading about other options, ie, a Fat Cat, a Scadden Outlaw, or maybe a Water Master. Only problem is the last 2 are so pricey. I live in SoCal and would like to fish the harbors, (saltwater) in the summer and don't want to mess with a motor, would prefer something with oars and fins so I can cover more water and IF I get leg cramps, I can use the oars. I fish freshwater in the fall, winter and spring and for that I'd want to use my Endura 30. So anyway, I'm in the planning, figuring-out stage. I'm itch'n to get out and use my tube. Hopefully next week. Then I'll know more. [signature] Re: [Fishtales23] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-18-2011 [cool][#0000ff]Might be a good idea to focus on what you want and then launch a campaign to find a good gently used one. Lots of stuff pops up on ebay and Craig's list. You can also post on this board what you are looking for and put us to work birddogging for you. [/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Having to work on a budget puts a crimp in being able to just go out and buy whatever you want. But if you work it smart and are willing to compromise on the "ideal" (new) you can sometimes score a pretty good deal.[/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - Fishtales23 - 04-18-2011 []Thank you so much, Pat! That's a great idea. FT [signature] Re: [Fishtales23] Tubed Utah Lake - flygoddess - 04-18-2011 [quote Fishtales23] In the meantime, I'm reading about other options, ie, a Fat Cat, a Scadden Outlaw, or maybe a Water Master. Only problem is the last 2 are so pricey. [/quote] On the "OUTLAW" it is the name of the series, which one are you looking at? There is the Escape (6') the Renegade (9') Rampage (10'6") etc...plus to add to that how about the new one the Assault: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2011catalog/page2.html Allot of Watermaster folks are liking the design of this boat with the rocker in the front instead of the over size front like WM. Allot less face spray with the NFO. Plus less expensive. Note in one of the Videos a GAS motor and an Electric. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpeYmqDP_U0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_aMjorXT1o (The best just keeps getting better...[]) [signature] Re: [flygoddess] Tubed Utah Lake - Fishtales23 - 04-18-2011 Sorry, I was talking about the Outlaw Escape. I like to lean back and relax occasionally when I'm fishing. I couldn't do that with a battery behind the seat. Joni, I sent you a PM reply to my first PM to you. Hope that makes sense [] [signature] Re: [Fishtales23] Tubed Utah Lake - cpierce - 04-18-2011 The Outlaw Renegade is very comfortable to relax in --- battery and all! Lots more room behind the seat for a cooler, battery and whatever else you get the urge to take with you. The [signature] Re: [flygoddess] Tubed Utah Lake - Tarponjim - 04-18-2011 Crap. I love my Renegade, but I could sure see myself in that Assault!!! [signature] Re: [Tarponjim] Tubed Utah Lake - 1tuber - 04-19-2011 TUBEEEEEE DUDE the greatest float tuber in the world i havent been on this forum in a long time i missed my tube teacher had to come back an say hi. tight lines [fishon] [signature] Re: [1tuber] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-19-2011 [cool][#0000ff]Welcome back.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Nice pics. [/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - 1tuber - 04-20-2011 thank you. I will try to come on more been more focused on the saltwater fishing ive been on bloody decks more but i will start posting some of my reports n her to maybe get you guys to come back down to california. [signature] Re: [1tuber] Tubed Utah Lake - flygoddess - 04-20-2011 Bloody Decks! I love those guys. TunaFVR and Shark plus a bunch of others on the fly fishing site. Looks like you got it nailed. Keep the photos coming, please! [signature] Re: [flygoddess] Tubed Utah Lake - 1tuber - 04-21-2011 Going to catalina tgus friday i will post a report i dont know if you guys are in to saltwater fishing tube dude might be interested so i will post a report. [signature] Re: [1tuber] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-21-2011 [cool][#0000ff]You kidding? I spent most of my early years in So Cal. Worked on the boats too...out of Daveys, Newport, Pt. Hueneme and Santa Barbara.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]I really miss the salt. REALLY.[/#0000ff] [signature] Re: [TubeDude] Tubed Utah Lake - 1tuber - 04-22-2011 Thats why i thought you would like it. I should be going out tonight if i go (weather) than i will definetly try to post some pics and give a report. The fishing right now hasn't been that well a couple calicos, some white seabass and 1 or 2 yellowtail it might be a rockfishing trip but i will post how it goes. [signature] Re: [1tuber] Tubed Utah Lake - TubeDude - 04-22-2011 [cool][#0000ff]This time of year it is a new day every day. You gotta watch the currents, the tides, the color of the water, the temps and the bait. Then after all that you still gotta find the fish and get 'em to chew.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Should be some good calicos and sand bass turning on soon. Always love the big whites. Used to get some good yellows in April around the island. Different every year.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff] [signature]