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[cool][#0000ff]A few of us tubin' and toonin' types were more excited about goin' fishing than payin' attention to the forecast for "breezes". Hit the Willard Bay south marina about 7 this morning full of hope...or at least full of something.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I rode up from Salt Lake with Hnaf. LloydE was already at the ramp and ready to blast off when we got there. Toadly and a couple of other guys arrived in their truck shortly after and AnglerDan brought up the rear. 7 tubes and toons on Willard. Should have been able to find some fish and a pattern. Yeah, right.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We all headed out in different directions, fishing different baits and lures at different depths. I got a couple of light hits on plastic while kicking out of the channel, but only one other hit on artificials all day. The other guys reported similar results. None of us were seeing many fish on sonar either. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Water temp was 41 in the channel and 42 to 43 outside. Water was calm early, with decent clarity. Still too cold for a wide open boil. No boils, no mosquitoes and no water skiers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]No fish for a long time either. I finally scored first blood with a nice 17 inch cookie cutter kitty about 9:15. Had a couple more bites but no other hookups for another half hour. Then I got into a "zone" with a few fish and added a few more to the basket. Touchy biters. Really had to finesse them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Chatter on the walkie talkies reflected that others were also getting more bites than fish. Cool cats. But, before quitting time Lloyd landed one, AnglerDan bagged two and one of the Toadly Trio landed one cat. (cough cough), I ended up with about six in my basket, with one going an above average 19".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As predicted (dang it) the south wind started picking up by late morning and we all scooted for the channel. The guys in the pontoons (and oars) made it in before the old fat guy in the Fat Cat. Took me almost an hour of tough kicking to make it from the north point of the channel to the launch ramp...kicking against a strong wind. When my legs started to tie up, Hnaf rowed out in his toon and towed me the last hundred yards. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Too bad for him his toon went SPROING!! just before we hit the ramp. The welds on his frame popped loose and he barely held it all together to make it back in himself. That is his second craft from Classic Accessories to fail during use. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am sure that if we had been able to stay out until the water warmed a couple more degrees we would have been able to catch more fish. Still a fun get together. %&$#& WIND![/#0000ff]
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The wind is never a good thing and always seems to blow at you on the way in. It had to be tough if the float tube didn't cut through cause I know my toon would be a "sail".
My welds let go right when I sat down to head out one day, I was sooo glad it happened then and not when I was out a ways. I have been considering of adding a platform for the colder times with a pedastle seat. The platform would help on keeping the 2 halves of the frame together, depending on how I would mount it on there.
I could make the pedastle seat part reversible. Anyways just some thing I am kicking around.
I haven't been fishing for almost 4 weeks and I need to get out!! When I went last the water temp was 38 & I did NOT wear enough socks or the right socks or something. I could only make it an hour. I think's my gear might need to be a little looser, maybe things are just slightly too tight.
Glad to see the cat fish, need to learn how to do that and I need to put a blue printed plastic spoon line release on my rod holders. I wat to find the walleye, sure hope I can go Saturday.
Thanks for the report and pic's, sure do appreciate what you do TD.
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Well at least you got something. My nephew and I hit the north marina early (there at gate opening) and left by 9:30. Marked fish on the FF but nothing biting. The water was a cool 44.7 degrees.
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"I haven't been fishing for almost 4 weeks and I need to get out!! When I went last the water temp was 38 & I did NOT wear enough socks or the right socks or something. I could only make it an hour. I think's my gear might need to be a little looser, maybe things are just slightly too tight."
[cool][#0000ff]In the super cold waters of late fall and early spring (and winter) you really have to dress for the occasion. Proper layering is critical...especially on the feet. If your feet get cold it is hard to enjoy the fishing, no matter how good it might be.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the early years of tubing we did not have nearly the choices we now have in waders, fins and footwear. It was difficult to find fins large enough to hold my "ample" feet with extra layers of socks. And there were no neoprene foot pockets at the ends of my waders. The only tubing waders were lightweights, with no special feet for warmth. So, with only one layer of wool socks, which was the maximum I could wear and still get into my fins, I could not stay out very long before having to get out and do the "tuber stomp dance" to restore feeling in my feet. A lot of the problem was due to constriction and poor circulation too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Today I buy "oversize" on everything...just to allow me to add the layers I need to stay comfy on the water. I have the XL model in my diving fins, with large soft pockets to hold my overstuffed wader clad feet comfortably, without constriction. I buy neoprene waders with several Xs in front of the L. I have plenty of room for extra layers of warmth. And, I buy a size 16 divers bootie online, to give protection to my neoprene foot pockets on my waders. On my feet I have three carefully chosen layers of socks. I hardly notice the cold water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You are right about the wind. Mama Nature and Murphy work well together. The wind always seems to come from the direction you need to go...and it is always strongest when you are trying to get back to your launch spot after a long tiring day of fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck with your proposed mods on your toon. Probably good insurance to have some additional support for the frame...but not sure about the pedestal seat. Gotta be careful about keeping the center of gravity low...to prevent tipping over or falling out. But, if you have a good wide base on your toon, should be no problem. Although it will also affect both fin kicking and rowing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hope you are able to get out soon. [/#0000ff]
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I was perusing your pics and thought I saw Anglerdan on an ODC 616 Kickboat....if you happen to read this Dan let me know the good and the bad. I sure would appreciate it.
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[cool][#0000ff]Dan is not as active on the boards as some. I sent him a PM with a link to your post. Hopefully he will get back to you.[/#0000ff]
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Much appreciated, I did some mods to mine, a rear rack and some front rod holders. I keep looking at it and think what else can I add.......PVC its an awesome thing.
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I have a ODC 616. The good: Lightweight, packs small disassembled, assembles/disassembles quickly, butt is 6" above water for 185# man, comfortable sitting position, frame can be adapted to just about any pontoons using ratchet straps, homemade foot bar works great and keeps feet out of water. The bad: thin all nylon pontoons and thin bladder, very thin tubing frame with luck of the draw welds could be hazard, boston valves, discontinued, so some parts may not be available.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote aztoon23]I was perusing your pics and thought I saw Anglerdan on an ODC 616 Kickboat....if you happen to read this Dan let me know the good and the bad. I sure would appreciate it.[/quote]
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Thanks, I am going to check the frame welds before I go out, and take the ODC 420 for my partner justin case. you guys and gals are a huge help. thanks again
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ODC 616 Pro and Cons:
I have owned mine for three years now. I also own a scadden V-Shaped tube and an older 8 foot long bubblebee pontoon as well. Of the three I normally will go with the 616.
Pros:
-Light weight and mobile
-Easy to kick around the ponds and lakes even in a moderate wind.
-Suprisingly steady in rought waters.
-Enough space with an added storage rack to hold 4 tackle boxes, bait, small cooler, and small hand pump.
-Great in the reeds and tight spaces
-Bladders have a warranty with them as long as you call Creek Company and talk nice with them. They are good small town folks.
Cons:
-You can't buy them whole any more. They where discontinued. But you can buy almost all parts serprate for replacement or spares.
-Too small for oars. The 6 foot pontoon buckles under the torque of a strong oar pull.
-Do not think they would handle a motor on the back either.
I hope that lends some insight. I have really enjoyed mine and hope you enjoy yours as well.
Happy Tubing/Tooning.
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[quote AnglerDan]ODC 616 Pro and Cons:
I have owned mine for three years now. I also own a scadden V-Shaped tube and an older 8 foot long bubblebee pontoon as well. Of the three I normally will go with the 616.
Pros:
-Light weight and mobile
-Easy to kick around the ponds and lakes even in a moderate wind.
-Suprisingly steady in rought waters.
-Enough space with an added storage rack to hold 4 tackle boxes, bait, small cooler, and small hand pump.
-Great in the reeds and tight spaces
-Bladders have a warranty with them as long as you call Creek Company and talk nice with them. They are good small town folks.
Cons:
-You can't buy them whole any more. They where discontinued. But you can buy almost all parts serprate for replacement or spares.
-Too small for oars. The 6 foot pontoon buckles under the torque of a strong oar pull.
-Do not think they would handle a motor on the back either.
I hope that lends some insight. I have really enjoyed mine and hope you enjoy yours as well.
Happy Tubing/Tooning.[/quote]
What do you mean about buckling?
An which Scadden V?
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Thanks AD I feel a whole lot better now taking it to the water. I checked Creek Co. and they have extra bladders and covers but no oar kits or foot rests, thats ok though wasnt gonna use oars and foot rests look easy enough to fabricate.
thanks again.
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You will want oars I think. You sit higher than any tube and on breezy days, it can be a bit taxing just kicking.
Even with my motor, I always take my oars. Wind blows you out, you gotta be able to get back.
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To clearify flygoddess,
I am a big strong guy and tend to pull on my oars too hard. LOL. Must be the old sports competition metality in me. I also weigh about 220 pounds and am 6' 3". I would suppose that a lighter weight person would do fine with oars but I have found at my size that with one good pull on my oars I dip the back end in the water as the pontoons bend at the back part of the frame. I suppose a lighter stroke would fix that but I do not have that problem on my 8 foot pontoos on my Water Skeeter.
FYI I said bumblee bee early and that was wrong. My larger pontoon is a Water Skeeter. And yes, compared to my V tube it is harder to kick against the wind. I will wait till I am TubeDudes age to back down to that. (Just kidding Pat). Weather looks good the rest of the week, lets go get em!!!
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I am trying to figure out how to PVC a set up to use my ODC sport oars on this kickboat. The lakes I fish are almost always wind free after april so its not to big a deal.
I cycle around 25 miles per day and longer on the weekends so an all dayer on the lake usually isnt to bad especially when I am catching fish. but if there is anyone out there that has an oar kit layin around for the 616 let me know and I will take it off your hands.
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Well got the ODC 616 out to Parker Canyon lake in southern AZ. fished for about 4 hours caught a limit of pesky trout, no bluegill or bass.
The 616 was easy to paddle and manipulate, it was easy to fish from and the seat cleared the water keeping my butt dry. I also tried a set of Creek Co. lightweight fins, they were not bad and did the job. thanks for all the info.
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Good to see another 616 is action. PVC work looks great. I like the idea for the wire basked up high like that. Thanks for the idea.
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A few more pictures of the tube at the lake. and one of the store area, Tubedude should recognize this area. a few more weeks and the bass and bluegill should pick up real nice.
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[cool][#0000ff]Yep. Brings back some fond memories. Loved that little lake. Lots of nice bass and sunfish...and a few big kitties too. In fact, on our first trip there TubeBabe caught a 9# channel cat on 4# line and a little jig she was fishing for bluegills. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Did they treat the lake for the northern pike or are they still in there?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We took a trip down to Arizona about this time last year and made a special drive to revisit Parker Canyon. No fishing tackle. The wind was blowing like crazy anyway. A sign on the store said there were new managers taking over.[/#0000ff]
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No more Northerns, havent seen one for at least 3 years. the new owner is great, they now rent boats, kayaks, paddle boats.
He is currently trying to bring back the Kitty population by raising money so that the local game and fish will stock some cats. we will see.
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