Bassin' on a budget. Float Tubes, Kayaks and Toons.

[smalliestalker]

Who uses them and how do you like them?

I decided to get mobile this summer and bought a float tube. I have to say it is one of the best investments I have made so far in my pursuit of this wonderful gamefish. It has opened up a whole new realm of the underwater world to me that I haven't had very many opportunities to experience.

Sure, I've been out in my buddies Skeeter quite a bit. Unfortunately he is the type of angler who only hits the visible structure near to shore. We always catch fish and some are even good ones but I'm want to hunt where the big ones reside, if you know what I mean. I learn early to let him operate his boat in the manner that best suits him. It was frustrating at first but I've got used to it.

With the float tube I have been able to go out and look for some of the off shore structures i have been reading so much about for so long. Now I can't and won't scour the lake for all the humps and rock piles but I can kick my way around depth contours and deep weed edges, that are not too terribly far from shore, and go until I locate fish. I bring along my ice fishing graph and just plop the ducer down beside me and off I go, kickin' away. When I find something that looks good, hump, rock pile etc. I toss out a buoy and start chunkin'.

I carry my tackle in my William Joseph Creel, that I bought for wading in the river, or in one of the two side pouches. That takes care of more than enough for me. I also bring two or three rods with. One across the tube in front of me and two wedged in between straps and the tube. It's worked out pretty darn good.

It has been a blast so far and the summer isn't even half over. I can already see so many more good times.

Joe

[badfish]

I have a 12ft kayak that I love to fish out of. I can get into places where a bass boat wouldnt stand a chance. What I like best is that it is very stealthy and quiet, i've gotten very close to carp in a half a foot of water. And its a lot more fun to fight a fish in one to.

Ive mounted a fish finder, rod holder and a paddle holder on it. Its a perfect little setup for the smaller lakes and rivers where you can't launch a boat.

[Flaco651]

I have a float tube and a river ridge canoe. My float tube hasn't got much use the last couple years, but tubes, canoes, and yaks are a great tool here in the metro for me. There is a lot of good bass fishing opportunities on ponds and small lakes where there is no boat launches and limited shore spots. As a matter of fact me and a buddy hit a little lake last night for a couple hours and caught 13 largies, which is a little slow for that lake. They really picked up at dusk but we had to get going. My best one last night was 19".

[rushing]

I have been float tubing for ages and its a great way to fish. Everyone I have convinced to come out with me in my extra tube have loved it and have bought their own.

I recommend getting some really good fins. Makes getting around a lot easier and more comfortable.

[ocf1]

Paddle boats are a blast to fish out of. with some nifty back pedaling you can hit docks very well.

[backlash 1]

When float tubing, do you guys use waders, wet suits, or just plain shorts?

[Cyberfish]

BL, I like waders when it is cooler, if it is hot, I prefer to just wear pants and tube wet.

[Cyberfish]

Smalliestalker, I hear you! I have been out chasing bass in the metro area in my small kayak and have had the best bass action of my life this summer! I have got atleast one over 20 inches every week the biggest going over 22, here is some pics of my outing last nite...

Oh yeah! got a couple of hours of solo bassin action and the larrys came out to play

Started with the ring-N tube got this one

then as it got close to sunset went with a topwater popper and those bass just nailed it!

one hungry sunfish

Big fish of the evening 19.5 incher

Time to go!

another great evening to be on the water!

[Cyberfish]

Joe, float tubes are great for fishin! here are some tubin reports and pics from this year...

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1034383&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

what kind of tube did you get?

[Tman2]

What kind of kayak is good for fishing out of? I'm looking at my options (tube, toon, or kayak). I don't have enough 'ching' for a real nice fishing boat and this seems like something I could do with my son (10yrs) that would give him something to help keep him occupied as well as get him more excited aobut fishing (I hate going alone). BUT.. first I need to learn/check it out. I found a tube for sale but don't know if it's right. I'd like to be able to hit the river for smallies (although maybe a canoe is best for that) and get into some smaller lakes for bass that a boat can't get on. It seems like you can outfit a tube or a kayak with some ingenuity. Comments?

Thanks,

Tman

PS- I just want to get out and fish!!

[Tman2]

Anybody, any opinions?

Tman

[Cyberfish]

T2, I like smaller sit on top kayaks. I have two of them, since you live near where I do alot of my fishin, mabye we can get together and you can try one to see if you like them.

they work great for floating down the river sliding over shallow rocks and rapids nicely, also good for small lakes, and even big ones, i have been in 3 ft waves on mille lacs!

[Cyberfish]

Here are some I got tonite

Got out Sat evening for a bit of bass chasing. got some on spinnerbaits and a frenzy rattler. Casey on a weedless frog and spinnerbaits. here are some pics

casey gets one

My first of the day

hungry gill

Here is a fat one, and the fish is pretty chubby too! :mrgreen:

My big fish for the day, about 3 pounder

Casey got a good one around 4

just relaxin after a couple of hours of fishin'

[Tman2]

Looks like some nice fish, and calm and relaxing without all the water terrorists!

It also seems like you manage to get a bunch of gear with you. I was looking at a newer brand kayak from Brainerd since it fits my price range at the moment, but I haven't ever even been on one, so I would love to tag along. I'll pay for gas!!

You can email me at terry at buyashed (Contact Us Please) com

I hope you don't miss church from such a late night!! I'm trying to roust the family for early service myself.

Thanks,

Tman

[Cyberfish]

I made it up in time for church, might need some coffeee though to stay up haha! Gas? we don't need no gas with my boats!, unless you mean you are gonna get me a bean burrito! Your email isnt showing up here. try mine [email protected]

[Tman2]

email sent

[Doufish2]

I actually have all three, Ranger, Grumman Sport Boat and a tube. I love my Ranger, but the tube is a blast. I carry 2 rods, a small waterproof, floatable tackle box and hit several small lakes in the south metro area. I enjoy hitting the lake very early in the morning, very peaceful.

[Cyberfish]

I would rather be in a ranger on lakes like tonka, but the tube is perfect for those hard to get to small lakes!

[Cyberfish]

I met fish face Sunday evenening for a few casts in the mississippi. Fishy tried one of my kayaks and had fun!

I tried for pike or musky for a while with no takers, then I switched to the usually reliable bass and they were slow too, got a couple and missed some good topwater strikes. I hooked one that grabbed the current and pulled my a ways down stream!

a few bass pics

[

[ole matty]

wow nice fish cyberfish!! had u ever caught muskie on kayak?

[Cyberfish]

Nope, but I tangled with one tonite, a tiger on calhoun. it jumped right in the yak with me! then out and pulled me some more! I got it up next to me and I got my camera out and pointed to shoot, but right before the flash went he flopped one last time and was gone! nothing but its tail in the corner of the pic!

[Cyberfish]

Here it is, the tigers tail!

I was out on Calhoun and was throwing a black buzz bait with a ringn grub for a trailer when a big ol fish slurped it up off the surface. it was a light strike and I thought it would be a small bass, but it started pulling good ! then it broke the surface I saw it, Tiger! I got it near my kyak, and I started to reach in my pocket for the camera, then wham! it jumped right into the yak with me right on my lap! Then it popped back in the water and started pulling me some more! Keep in mind it was pitch dark when this battle took place! Finally he seemed to tire and was just sitting there with a big toothy smile! I got the camera out pointed and hit the button....Ugh! just before the flash went he dove and all I got was its tail! I tried to pull him up for another attempt, but he was GONE!!!!!! no good pic! sorry, was fun though!

later ol reliable a largemouth bit and saved me from getting skunked!

[ole matty]

lol good story cyberfish! at least u have proof that u caught muskie in ur kayak!

[mojoputter]

MT, aren't you suppose to grab a tiger by the tail..!!