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[cool][#0000ff]How's that for a catchy title?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I got my replacement Fat Cat. Bought the regular model with the foam seats. Cheaper and I want to do without the inflated seats for awhile. I can always change them to the surviving inflatables from my "road kill" SFC.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My new ride is the one with the WORTHLESS apron...the one with the floppy plastic supports, etc. I got that figured out, but will make a separate report with pics when I get my new "sushi board" made up for the new ride.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The biggie is that I have been codgertatin' for some time on how to add all of my PVC "essentials" without having to use the bungee straps and clips. That stuff works but it is a pain to set up and take down.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I sorted out all of the past experiments I had stored in the database of my carload of crooked cogwheels (brain) and came up with something old and something new. The end result is that it should be exactly what I am looking for...simple, easy to install and remove, little (if any) added weight...and rock solid. No problems with instability of rods, waving in the waves or breeze, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The key to this installation is using two of the 2X2 wood blocks inside the pockets...fore and aft...to create a stable frame for attaching external goodies. Then, I connect the front and back blocks with a thin strip of wood along the inside of the outside edge of the pockets. That makes it possible to anchor the "anchor" pieces of PVC to which I attach the modular rod rack and utility rack.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a few pics, fresh out of the Tubeatorium. I will be hitting the water with everything on Thursday and putting it through the REAL tests.[/#0000ff]
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that looks way awesome. been wanting to sell my boat and start tubing again. this makes me NOT want to wait till my boat is sold.
Very clever...
Will you guys have another floatilla at UT anytime soon?
last 2 weeks the cats have slowed. the bigger ones anyway. have caught 5-6 smaller eaters, but only one in the 5lb zone each time.
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[cool][#0000ff]No floatillas planned, but we do regularly have two or three tubers/tooners all show up at the same spot at the same time...and we are not an exclusive club.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know by PM what your potential fishing schedule is and what your favorite hangouts are. I can at least let you know what the proposed schedule is and you can launch with us when possible.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Won't be long until the cats go wacko. Once the nighttime temperatures drop and water temps get below 60 the kitties know that they have a short time to pack on extra weight for winter. That's when daytime fishing for big cats is the best of the year. I always catch my biggest fish in October each year.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There have been a lot more small cats caught this year than in past years. That is good for the future health of the lake. They are also prime eating. I would rather have a basket of "cookie cutters" than the big ones...for eating. But, for sheer hand-to-fin combat fun I love the bigguns too.[/#0000ff]
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[#008000]You had me worried for a second. [/#008000]
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[#008000]I thought you were going to post up half naked skimpy pre-verticated pictures of some bold new strapless wading attire you were thinking of displaying on a red carpet in front of big red lights and cameras - you know, like ... A National Enquirer make-over exposee.[/#008000]
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[#008000]Nice cogertatin (fer an old codger like yerself) you done there. Looks like you left plenty of room for the coffee maker and bar-b-que grill in the pockets.[/#008000]
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[#008000]Question; Are the pocket internals (wood supports) perma mounted ? Or, are they removed with the rest of the workings when you disassemble the units ? [/#008000]
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[#008000]"Question; Are the pocket internals (wood supports) perma mounted ? Or, are they removed with the rest of the workings when you disassemble the units ?"[/#008000]
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[cool] [#0000ff]The wood blocks are secured by running in 2 to 3 screws into the ends...through the fabric of the pocket. I position and secure them with the tube partially deflated, to get a good flat mount. Then, when the tube is fully inflated it applies pressure to make them even more steady and stable. That framework stays in place and the modular racks just pop in place when you are ready to rumble.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wood strip is about a half inch wide...painted particle board, but any wood will work. You can either screw or bold the outside anchor PVC to that board.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Contrary to what might be expected, the wood framework takes up little space. Nor does it add appreciable weight. But, it does make it possible to mount other things on the outside without having to strap them down or use bungee cords.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The BBQ, wet bar and sound system will on be on the second or third decks. Still working on the placement and balance. Don't wanna mess up the center of gravity. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, by the way, I keep my "A-Rated" tubing porn pics in my private files...along with all the naked fish pictures.[/#0000ff]
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i might have to copy this set up alot. maybe one of these fridays i could come on over and we could pimp out my tube.
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[quote Lingwall]i might have to copy this set up alot. maybe one of these fridays i could come on over and we could pimp out my tube.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]I will be giving everything a good shakedown and checkout before the end of the week. If it works as well as I anticipate, I will be happy to help you get set up too. The good thing about this system is that it will work on any craft...regardless of dimensions or placement of D rings. As long as you have pockets you got a place to build the framework. The modular thing will also work on toons. All you gotta do is install the anchor frame. Small and simple.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Man, I don't know how I ever fished from an unpimped tube...in the olden days. I am really spoiled by having everything within easy reach. That is probably one of the main reasons why I prefer tubing to tooning. I don't have to lean so far or twist around so much in order to have everything available. That and the handsfree part of tubing, using only the fins and not having to mess with oars or a motor.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know when you can make it and we will take advantage of your "government day."[/#0000ff]
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will do. yeah let me know how it works. when i read your post and saw the product it looks like it will work great. maybe this friday or next need to check the wifes schedule but either on will happen.
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Pat,
As a flyfisherman who dabbles in baitcasting and spinning, I have to keep things pretty simple on my tube and "toon". Flyrods are too long to comfortably use the PVC systems most guys use. No matter what you do sooner or later your going to break a rod if you carry it fully rigged on the tube. On my 10 foot pontoon I can lay the rods along the pontoon secured by cable cuffs so it's a lot easier to carry rigged flyrods on that vessel. The other thing is that flyline, as you well know, is attracted to every little projection that sticks up or out from the tube.
Even though I can't really dabble in the PVC world I have always appreciated your ingenuity and creativity. This latest setup looks great.
I missed what happened to your Super Fat Cat. Did it fly off your car or something?
God Bless,
Don
P.S. Got some nice fish on those sickle hook jigs you "recommended" to me. Thanks again!
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[quote smallmouth89]
I missed what happened to your Super Fat Cat. Did it fly off your car or something?
God Bless,
Don
P.S. Got some nice fish on those sickle hook jigs you "recommended" to me. Thanks again![/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, my float tube went airborn from the top of my Jimmy at freeway speed...on the way to our recent kitty floatilla. [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=526569;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]Friday Floatilla Report[/url][/#0000ff][#000000] [/#000000]
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[#0000ff]I was able to salvage some of the components and the new Humminbird 565 sonar still works, in spite of some road rash and a horrific "drop test".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glad my "recommendations" worked for you.[/#0000ff]
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