Bluegill - Big Bluegill

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Float Tubers

Anglers that use a float tube, or those that are interested in trying them out

Location: Omaha
Members: 44
Latest Activity: Jul 14

Discussion Forum

will the fishing man

pimped out float tube 1 Reply

Started by will the fishing man. Last reply by Ben Reyna Jul 9.

Michael Thompson

Fins for tubing 9 Replies

Started by Michael Thompson. Last reply by Michael Thompson May 11.

Ben Reyna

Tubing with the spouse 4 Replies

Started by Ben Reyna. Last reply by Jeff Bernier May 9.

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Ben Reyna Comment by Ben Reyna on July 13, 2010 at 10:30pm
I have been using alot of surplus vacation time at the lake. I purchased an ODC 616 Kick Boat as a secondary/back-up pontoon and havent used anything since. The last several outings have been oustanding with large bluegills, sunfish, and redears. The lake I fish is stocked with rainbows and winter stockers that are left over getting big, several have been over 15 inches. I did take some pics and will try to upload them soon.
I managed to talk everyone into a short day of fishing and will upload those pics also.
will the fishing man Comment by will the fishing man on July 8, 2010 at 10:08am
oh yeah back in february i got my float tube. its a outcast fish cat its blue. i should i have pictures of it by today or tomorrow. its just been awlie since ive been on the site.
Vincent Ventura Comment by Vincent Ventura on May 31, 2010 at 1:31pm
got back about a week ago from kalkaska county in michigan and floated a section of the manistee only got one trout that day but it was really fun and i missed the only fish that hit on the fly rod i was heart broken maybe next year
Michael J. Searl Comment by Michael J. Searl on May 9, 2010 at 3:50am
There is no need to get the reel a long way from you to handle a tip wrap. Simply reach up ane seperate the rod at the joint. Lay the reel end in your lap and deal with the problem. A dunked reel won't last long at all. Illinoisgiler
Jonathan Byrne Comment by Jonathan Byrne on May 8, 2010 at 9:57pm
I like that floating fish basket idea, may try that and see if it works well enough. I already have one, and it does have a fairly long rope. Long enough, in fact, that I often found it over on the other side of the tube with the rope past underneath after making turns, so I was planning on shortening its rope quite a bit. May have to re-think that.

I am using an ultralight rod, but it's nearly as long as my fly rod :-)
Ben Reyna Comment by Ben Reyna on May 8, 2010 at 9:46pm
I would agree, a rod holder or holders is essential. I resorted to using mainly short Ultra Light rods it makes it fun. I watched a fellow tuber use his floating fish basket for that very purpose with his fly rod, he had a long rope attached to it.

I made it out on fri. and did well. a bunch of trout and some big blue gill. took a camera and forgot to take pictures.maybe next time
Jonathan Byrne Comment by Jonathan Byrne on May 8, 2010 at 1:03pm
Things I learned on my first float tubing trip Thursday:

1) A rod holder is essential. Must buy or make one before my next trip.

2) Tangles at the end of an 8 or 9 foot rod are the pits when in a float tube. Very hard to reach the end of the rod without dropping the reel end into the water. To this end, I need to make a floating "rod buddy" on which to rest the reel and let it drift out from the tube and securely hold the other end of the rod. When I get a prototype built, I'll post a pic.

Of course, if anyone has already made one, feel free to post a pic so I can copy it :-)

Jonathan
Jonathan Byrne Comment by Jonathan Byrne on May 7, 2010 at 5:48pm
I took the day off work yesterday and took my float tube ought to Bethany to break it in.

First impressions: the ODC 420 is nice, I would certainly recommend it. I got the set with the fins and pump on eBay for much less than the list price of an ODC 420 alone, which was an excellent deal. The pump is adequate and lightweight, I can fill the tube in just a few minutes because it's a double action pump. I can see that I will probably want bigger fins for a more powerful stroke, but these are nice and light and fit well over my wading boots thanks to the adjustable straps.

The only thing I see so far about the ODC 420 that I'd change is I would put the inflation valves somewhere other than under the main pockets. That position pretty much means taking at least much of my gear out of the pockets to deflate the tube. I'd much rather leave my stuff in the pockets at all times, ready to go.

Speaking of waders and wading boots, My boots are Hodgman, got them last weekend at Sports Authority for $30. I saw no advantage to the Caddis boots at $70 on the shelf next to them. My waders are LL Bean Emergers, they fit great and were very comfortable throughout a full day of tubing.

Somewhere, somebody (probably here on BG) told me that once you try float tubing, you'll never want to shore fish again. That is *so* true! I'm hooked! :-)

It wasn't a great day fishing except for the 10" red ear (my personal best by an inch), with half a dozen bluegill and red ear + a 13" bass going home to the kitchen, plus some baby largemouth and a baby striper caught and released. I caught the bass after dark on my fly rod, and wow, even a small bass like that puts up quite a fight on a 5 weight fly rod. It was so dark I couldn't see the fly at all and could barely see the strike indicator in a reflection of the sky.

The bass, like several other of the fish I caught, was taken from an area I couldn't have reached from the bank, so my tube really saved the day :-) Of all those fish, only the 10" red ear and one of the bluegill was caught from a place that would have been easy to reach without my tube (in water right next to the boat dock).

If any of y'all live in the SF Bay area, let's go tubing for 'gills sometime!
Ben Reyna Comment by Ben Reyna on April 21, 2010 at 5:15pm
a couple of pics of the ODC 616 kickboat and the lake

Jonathan Byrne Comment by Jonathan Byrne on April 19, 2010 at 11:28pm
Haven't been out yet, hope to make it in May. Just need to get some leashes for my fins (used to body surf; all fins come off your feet sooner or later), some cheap wading shoes, and my 2010 license. Then take a day off work and enjoy some weekday fishing :)

JB
 

Members (44)

Michael Thompson Michael J. Searl Ben Reyna Steve Crowder Ray Danders Kenny Poe Jeff Bernier Alex G. Patrick "Bullworm" Olson Jay Fogle Jonathan Byrne Tom Hudson Bob Murnan Bruce Condello crappiecrazy Csteel Rob Greer Bill "Musky" Modica David Merical IceWarriorGill Paul Bissell Andrew Yanchick John Sikkila Jim Gronaw will the fishing man Zig Frosch Woody Knamm Clint HenryDavid
 
 
 

Latest Activity

Ditto, but they shut up after going with or eating the results.
21 minutes ago
Jared Thrasher Apparently love making a jerk out of myself online....sorry folks.
30 minutes ago
Aw shucks there I go making a fool out of myself on line again. Sorry about the whole rooked thing, I saw that was on a different post of one of your pics Zach. I'm a little paranoid about Google, so thats where that came from. I've gotta work on my…
52 minutes ago
jacob wilson added 8 photos
58 minutes ago
thats a big ole chinqupin
1 hour ago
My stomach usually doesn't give the scales enough time to join in on the action though.
1 hour ago
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I was kind of worried about that, but I have seen some variations of Hybrids look this way, or at least that is what was posted on the internet. We always called these black pearch. To be honest I do not think the Green Sunfish have the yellow bel…
1 hour ago
I am still trying to figure out how to fish for Redear. I have not had much luck with them. The seem to be pretty smart. Do you have tricks you would like to share on catching these guys? Did you happen to get the weight of any of these fish?
1 hour ago
They fight just like a big bluegill. I am told you can eat them but haven't tried yet. The ones we caught today went to a friend who has a pet shop. I wouldn't mind trying them though. They are local to south Texas and I would imagine that they eat…
1 hour ago
Oops sorry Zach I forgot about need a trout stamp on your license.
1 hour ago
Bank access has improved since they began stocking trout back in the late 90's. As of now State regs require a trout license to fish it during the season ($10). If you plan to launch a boat you will need a permit. Not sure about other options as far…
1 hour ago
About the only time you can fish Pawhuska from the bank is when they drop the lake for trout season. There is no cost to fish it.
1 hour ago
I know, I will have to try it out this fall when the temps drop a bit. Can you fish it from the bank at all, and is there a cost to fish it?
2 hours ago
Oh brother, Zach living in Northeast Oklahoma and having not fished this lake before......Let me tell you. A spring fed 90 Acres of Heaven. The wildlife department comes in and stocks trout every other week from November until the end of March (bl…
2 hours ago
Cedric you are truly gifted to be capable of putting things like this into the words they way that you do. I've been reading your posts, you have just gained a huge fan. Cant wait to hear more from you!
2 hours ago
I have yet to fish lake Pawhuska, is it a nice lake? Did they stock everything in it?
2 hours ago
So how do they fight and can you eat them?
2 hours ago
almost has a knot head
2 hours ago
trent houtz added 12 photos
2 hours ago

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