Mantua 9/21/07

[leaky]

My old tube finally bit the dust, seat ripping out, etc. so I got me a Fish Cat 4 and Sparky and I made a quick trip to Mantua. Tube worked great and stayed a litttle longer than I intended. [] Ended up catching about a dozen or more LM bass (largest about 13") and 2 good size perch. No monsters but fun again. [sly] Caught em all on my reaper again. A little breezy but I hung in there.
Leaky

[tubeN2]

Nice report. Thanks for sharing it with us. It sounds like you and Sparky had a good time.

How do you like your Fish Cat 4?? I have had mine for 4 years now. It is still going strong.[cool]
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[zonker]

Leaky,

Sorry to hear about your old tube, but if it brought you a new one, sounds like it was a good thing. The FC4 is a very good tube for the money.

z~
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]We always hate to lose "old friends", but I am sure that you will like the higher ride of the FC4 enough to wonder why you waited so long to retire the old model.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glad to hear the basses are still cooperating. I suspect that they will go deeper and be tougher after the next little weather change.[/#0000ff]
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[leaky]

tubeN2, TubeDude, and others,
Now that I've had some time to reflect on my first experience with the Fish Cat, here are some of my comments/questions for you Fish Cat guys. First off, I am sure I'm going to be happy with it.[] There are some things that I guess I'll have to get used to --- I think, or get some ideas to to change a thing or two. 1) It took some time to get used to the back rest and adjust it so's it felt right, still not there. 2) The apron seems unweildy to use, especially getting in and out. It seems a little troublesome to undo the velcro strap each time. Maybe replace with a snap hook? 3) when I'm sitting in it and out of the water (which is a good thing), it seems as I'm unbalance towards the rear (riding high in front), my imagination as compared to my tube? I think that's just the design of the tube? I only weigh 180 lbs. 4) For some reason the pockets seem to be in my way of my reel when jigging, etc. off to the side. They seem to stick up higher with the reinforcements so I'm having to keep my arms up higher which is a little tiring.
Do you guys have similar observations or is it just me? In any event I got me some carrying straps and I/m much more mobile now. The Cat is a lot bigger than what I had before but seems to be much more mobile on the water and can handle rougher weather!!!! It looks like it's durable and will last me until I go to the nursing home.[] Sparky sill uses my fin/feet to push off from when he's hanging out.[sly]
Leaky and Sparky

[tubeN2]

Hey leaky. Congrats again on the FC4.

Even though it takes some time to get used to, once you are there you will never switch back to one of the lower seating tubes.

The seat is one of the common items that is the hardest to get just right. Once you set it then forget it. Keep working at it until it is just right and then you can get back to fishing.

As far as the apron goes, I prett much don't use mine unless I am fly fishing. I ended up using some parachute chord and some of the quick clips from the Home Depot. TubeDude has another modification that uses one of those storage box lids. That seems to work out for many of the UT tubers. I am considering making one of them myself.

The leaning back part of it indicates that the seat may be set too far back. Which would also be why the pockets are a little high.

I have my seat set a little more standing up. That gives me the support that I need to keep the verticals in a good position without tiring out.

Perhaps you could get Sparky to take a picture of you while in your tube so that we may see any postural corrections that might be necessary.

I'm sure you will get many happy years out of your tube. As I mentioned before, I have been using my FC4 for 4 years now. It is a little faded from the exposure to the sun but the strength and integrity are still there.

Please feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Others should be along anytime now and TubeDude can give you some more professional input as well.[cool]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Anything new and different takes some getting used to. As TN2 has suggested, the seat thing is a matter of adjusting and it is a personal matter with every tuber. Some like it higher than others. The important thing is to get it set both for comfort and best ride. You should not be leaning back too far if it is set right.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always disliked the Outcast aprons. I tried a lot of different modifications, including changing the velcro to quick clips. That helps, but the aprons are still wimpy. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you would like to come down to my garage someday, I can probably help with a setup you will like. I think I still have one that I modified that will make life easier for you. [/#0000ff]
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[leaky]

tubeN2 and TD,
Thanks guys, I kind of guessed most of what you saud for myself. I thinl I'll look for a clip.hook thinger for the apron and see how that works out if and when I use it, don't use it much. I'll work on camera techniques for Sparky.[] Might come in handy sometime.
Leaky and the Sparkinator

[tubeN2]

Let me know if Sparky needs any photo software. I'm sure I can walk him through it. I am very good with K9s.[cool]
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