04-01-2004, 03:48 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]Relax, Bro. No offense taken and none intended.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]We recognize a kindred spirit in the creativity department. Most of the folks that hang out on this wacky forum are a little to the left of radical. We are always looking for new ideas and we ain't bashful about sharing...or hearing what others are playing around with at the time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Fishing (and float tubing) is a lot like marriage. It's a game of compromises. Hard to find everything you could possibly hope for in one simple package. There are advantages to some systems over others and vice versa. But, if you gear up for whatever you think you will enjoy the most, you can do "workarounds" if you decide to shift gears during the day. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]As I often say, I love the old Dirty Harry quote "A man should know his limitations". That is never more true than a floatation fishing trip. If you ain't got the craft or the power to troll at high speed all day, then stick with what you can do. If you would rather be washing lures at fifteen feet and 3 knots, then stay out of the tube or toon and get in a boat.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Myself, I would love to be fishing the offshore reefs and flats in saltwater, for a variety of big, toothy and cantankerous species. But, when I am limited to a quick halfday trip to a local pond, with too many boats and PWC, I make do with what I got at hand.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I don't think the solar panels are the solution...if you are serious. An extra battery in a "sidecar", for auxiliary power to get you back to your starting point, is a better idea. It really is not difficult to rig a regular auto sized inner tube around a cooler or stout wooden box...and then to put a couple of batteries in there. You just need to be sure that you can secure or release them while in your tube, without having to make a trip to shore.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The only other option I can think of is to hijack one of the windsurfers on Deer Creek and hoist a sail. Just be sure you don't put up the sail when there is too much wind...going the wrong direction. You might have to call someone to get you unstuck from the face of the dam.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]We recognize a kindred spirit in the creativity department. Most of the folks that hang out on this wacky forum are a little to the left of radical. We are always looking for new ideas and we ain't bashful about sharing...or hearing what others are playing around with at the time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Fishing (and float tubing) is a lot like marriage. It's a game of compromises. Hard to find everything you could possibly hope for in one simple package. There are advantages to some systems over others and vice versa. But, if you gear up for whatever you think you will enjoy the most, you can do "workarounds" if you decide to shift gears during the day. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]As I often say, I love the old Dirty Harry quote "A man should know his limitations". That is never more true than a floatation fishing trip. If you ain't got the craft or the power to troll at high speed all day, then stick with what you can do. If you would rather be washing lures at fifteen feet and 3 knots, then stay out of the tube or toon and get in a boat.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Myself, I would love to be fishing the offshore reefs and flats in saltwater, for a variety of big, toothy and cantankerous species. But, when I am limited to a quick halfday trip to a local pond, with too many boats and PWC, I make do with what I got at hand.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I don't think the solar panels are the solution...if you are serious. An extra battery in a "sidecar", for auxiliary power to get you back to your starting point, is a better idea. It really is not difficult to rig a regular auto sized inner tube around a cooler or stout wooden box...and then to put a couple of batteries in there. You just need to be sure that you can secure or release them while in your tube, without having to make a trip to shore.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The only other option I can think of is to hijack one of the windsurfers on Deer Creek and hoist a sail. Just be sure you don't put up the sail when there is too much wind...going the wrong direction. You might have to call someone to get you unstuck from the face of the dam.[/size][/#0000ff]
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