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HI ya okbow68 and welcome to the bft.. I can safely say that you have come to the best site on the net for float tubing.. you will find members here that are always willing to assist you and answer any and all questions you may have..
.. again.. welcome and hope to see lots of posts from you of your tubing adventures..
MacFly [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. Glad you are getting back into tubing. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at all of the positive differences in the new generation of float tubes. I too fished from an old Fishmaster for several years before going through a procession of other donuts and then finally going to the open front models. I can't imagine why anybody would ever want to fish from a round boat again after trying the new styles.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know if you need help in getting set up. And, of course we expect a full report on your first trip...or two...or more.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the welcome you guys. I notice that it seems some of you catfish from you tube, I have never done that. Do you just drift fish for the cats while your casting for other fish, or is it strictly catfish when you do it.
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[cool][#0000ff]Fishing for cats is a hoot from a tube. Even a two pounder will punch your lights out, and a ten plus will pull you around and leave a wake. I have landed many channel cats over ten pounds from my tube and flatheads 4 times that big. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On many trips I fish both for catfish and other species. Here in Utah we can buy a two rod permit, and I have one rod rigged with a minnow or cut bait, dragging it weightless out behind me as I cast plastics or hardbaits for wipers, walleyes or whatever else happens to be available. When I get a hit on the bait rod, I put up the lure rod, set the hook and take care of catfish business.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On lots of trips, we get several of us together for a "gorilla floatilla"...targeting big catfish. On those occasions we will usually drag two baits...one each of two different kinds...just to reach more fish and to give them a choice.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You need to be properly prepared to fish cats from the tube. Larger cats usually do not have really sharp pectoral or dorsal spines. They get worn down over the years. But small cats have very sharp spines that can inflict nasty holes on both you and your tube. That's why you need a good long handled net...to scoop them and control them so that they can't flop around and do any damage. Then, you need to know how to hold them to control them while they are aboard. You also have to have a pair of sturdy side cutters, to cut off the spines before you put the fish in a basket or on a stringer. This prevents them tearing up your basket and also makes it easier to handle them at filleting time. Of course you do not damage any fish you are planning to release.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wherever the water is clear enough for catfish to become sight-feeding predators, you will catch them on lures while fishing for other species. We catch lots of channel cats on lures and even flies in the mountain states. When I lived in Arizona we caught both channels and flatheads on bass lures all the time. But, if you specifically target cats, you will usually do better with whatever kind of natural food they feed on locally.[/#0000ff]
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Welcome aboard!! You will love the new ride compared to the old one night and day difference. It will be like going from a very well loved old VW bug to a new Ferrari.
And on the Cats exactly like TD said. Cutting the spines is a great trick. I will even do that when I am in my little 12foot boat as they are much easier on the Fillet table.
Enjoy
Majja
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Welcome aboard and thanks for taking the time to register with our site.
We always enjoy new members and fellow tubers sharing in our forum here. Hopefully you can learn a little and share a lot with us.
I came from a Tubing family myself. I started with the old Fishmaster donut too. I still have it and I'm tempted to get it back in working order to haul around an extra ice chest for longer tubing trips.
I have also gone to the open front tubes, Pontubes and a Pontoon as well. I won't mention my Ocean Kayak since it fits better in Yak board and not here.
We hope you can find this as a second home just like most of us here. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have.[cool]
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Dude you know you just want the extra tube so you can upgrade to the 72" plasma tv...admit it.
Majja
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and dont forget the extra keg storage.. and the microwave.. and the satellite dish.. and . hmmmm what else was the TN2.. I can never remember that long list of things.. [sly]
MacFly [cool]
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Welcome to this GREAT forum and glad to see that you are getting back into tubing in a big way! Those Fish Cats are great tubes/pontubes and I know you'll have a blast out on the water. I just started fishing from an H3 Freestyle about 3 months ago and I LOVE IT. Absolutely fantastic way to fish, IMO!
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I guess that you and MacFly know me all too well.
The 72" plasma is already there. I use the screen for my fish finder.
As Macfly was mentioning, the beer storage was the next issue for the bigger craft.
BTW: are you planning onother trip out here soon??
I have a few member and fambly things coming up in December and plan on getting a charter boat together for some nice fishing.[cool]
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I am actually but It is only for a few days with the wife and kid so I do not get to do any fishing. I am headed over to Hawaii this year for a big vacation and we have a charter going out for a full day there. I am looking forward that one. This year has been a crazy one for me I have actually spent a lot of time in the North east of the country with work so I have not gotten any fishing done.
Majja
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Besides this one, I had another job that involved alot of traveling. I utilized that to my advantage to get familiar with alot of different fishing in different states.
It would be smart to pack at least a hide-a-way fishing pole. It helps keep the urge at bay and can still keep you in line.
I just wished I had a way of packing an extra Tube everywhere I go. There are so many good bodies of water that cannot be fished effectivly from shore. I'm sure you are aware of that by now.[cool]
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Ohh yea tell me about it.
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Thanks for all the welcomes, some of your comments reminded me of a friend I used to tube with in college. He would be in his tube and he would have in tow on an extra stringer a 12 pack cooler full of beer, that he would stretch a small inner tube around about the size for a riding lawn mower and inflate it, worked like a charm LOL
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do you still have that fishmaster tube? Would you be willing to sell it? I will pay for it & also shipping, please let me know since these tubes cannot be purchased anymore.
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no i am using it now for a backup or for a friend but thanks for asking
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], so anyway hello, looks like tubing has come leaps and bounds in the last few years.
