New To Float Tubing; First Time At Los Alamitos Bay

As the title states, I'm new float tubing.  I met a couple that had his/hers float tubes while camping in Mammoth in June, and, after talking to them, decided that I want to try this out.  I did my research, I bought an Outcast Fat Cat LCS; then I found this forum and asked a few questions (thanks for the help with your answers), and got the rest of my accessories.  After taking my first experimental trip to Jenks Lake, I needed to get things organized so I pt some rod holders on it.  Here's how it came out:
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I then wen to Mammoth for a week of fishing, and got fishing on my tube at Twin Lakes.  I decided I would beat the heat this weekend and take my tube to LAB that I've read so much about on this board.  So Saturday morning I got there a little later than I wanted (about 7:30).  I've never fished a harbor before, so I figured I'd just figure it out.  Long story short, I got a couple of nibbles, but it was looking like I was going to get skunked.  

I was letting the current and the breeze just carry me until I got under the second street bridge, when damn it, I go snagged... but wait the snag is starting to move!  The snag isn't just starting to move, the snag is moving me a bit.  The it splashes, and it looks like it has some size to it.  And here is my first saltwater fish on my float tube:
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I didn't even know saltwater stripers were found this far south!

That was it for Saturday, but I decided to come back this morning with a bit of a different plan. I got to a wall area and caught 4 small sand bass.  Then I just kicked my way along the outside of the docks jigging a 3" swimbait along the bottom.  I caught another 6 or so sand bass
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Then I caught my first halibut:
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I have a lot to learn, but I had two great mornings fishing.  I'm definitely looking forward to to my next trip on the saltwater!

Thanks for reading this long post (the excitement got me extra wordy).

Nice rig, great job on the fish now your hooked on the salt maybe I will join you some day.
Thanks for sharing.
Bass in the Hood.

Wow a striper in the harbor, that had to be fun.
Thanks for sharing

You did well on for your first LAB experience. I envy your striper! Nice job!

Nice way to go.that's a nice stripper too, I hope to catch one to.

Damn for a first time LAB trip you killed it seems like you know what your doing. Next time you go out post up an invite I might join you. Nice tube also looks like you got some extras

Nice job out on your first saltwater trip.

WTG on your first outting!! That salty stripper is a catch of a life time. You only see a handful a year.

Looks like catch of the month...love the rig....good stuff and pics!!!! Wtg on first salt outing.....

Tony g

No f'n way

Nice job on the striper. That is one fish that is going to be hard to beat.

Dude you just hit the lottery with that stripper, a catch in the salt is rare, and in the habor, well, you just won the lottery! This El Nino is crazy this year for sure! Catch of the month...or year (from a float tube) for sure! Way to go bro!

Wow! Best first saltwater fish I can think of. Way to start off a saltwater career

Congrats on the striper and your first outing

wtg on the striper might just be seein that pic in a mag here soon

Wtf good job man

Wow! You sure killed it on your first salt trip! I've been tubing harbors for a bit now and still haven't had a day like yours. BTW, how do you like the Force Fins? I just ebayed a used pair and I really like them. All I have to compare them to is some Outcasts though. Huge difference.

Wow what a great way to hook up on you're first time out tubeing..congratulations on you're striper.

HOly S**t!! that is one of the cooolest color combos EVER!!! i dig it. big fan of the orange and grey man, and welcome to the forum im glad you had a blast and glad you are now addicted to float tubing. nice score on the fish also man

Awesome catches bro

A) Man that's a sweet rig! That tube looks PRO!
B) You just had a day most of us only dream of! A stripper on the tube=CRAZY!

SirMixALot wrote:
B) You just had a day most of us only dream of! A stripper on the tube=CRAZY!

lol a stripper on a tube?

Nice catch.  I'm new to float tubing as well and was thinking about going to the LAB.  Where is a safe place to launch from for a newbie?  Thanks.

I looked at Google maps on the satellite view, and just picked the beach on E Ocean Blvd because the parking lot is right there.  I wasn't too far off, there is an open invite for this Sunday @ 6:00 am on that same beach next to the US Sailing Center.  I plan to be there, hoping to pick up some tips from the more experiences people.  It is an open invite, so you should come (so I won't be the only newby there!).

Ifishtoolittle wrote:

SirMixALot wrote:
B) You just had a day most of us only dream of! A stripper on the tube=CRAZY!

lol a stripper on a tube?  

I don't know what other tubes or laps that stripper has been on... I hope waders count as "protection"!

Desperado64 wrote:I looked at Google maps on the satellite view, and just picked the beach on E Ocean Blvd because the parking lot is right there.  I wasn't too far off, there is an open invite for this Sunday @ 6:00 am on that same beach next to the US Sailing Center.  I plan to be there, hoping to pick up some tips from the more experiences people.  It is an open invite, so you should come (so I won't be the only newby there!).

Thanks for the info. I'll try to meet you on Sunday but kids' soccer may interfere. I'm reading a lot about currents and the impact it may have on one's fishing session. Did you encounter any issues or is the LAB relatively unaffected? Thanks.