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Hello, all.
This post is part fishing report and part first time float tube report.
I took my new float tube and gear out on its maiden voyage on 12-9-2014 to Irvine lake. I was excited to see if this form of fishing was all I thought it would be. Short answer: YES!
I bought my gear around black friday because the deals were too good to pass up and I was already seriously considering getting a used tube and waders but just ponied up and got the deals instead. I assembled the Fish Cat 4 and made a fishing rod holder from ABS and rigged it to the tube at home in preparation for my first trip out.
5 am rolled around and I loaded the truck up and went to Irvine lake. I inflated the tube, rigged the rod holders on, put on my fins and waders and off I went to the West shore to launch for my FIRST TIME EVER! I was a bit nervous but that was all for naught. I was off and kicking!
The tube glided through the water well and not as slow as I had imagined it would. I began to troll a gold panther martin at about mid lake and continued towards the Red Clay Cliffs in search of fish (any species would do). I had no luck for the first 2 hours of the day.
A friendly guy on a kayak came by as I was changing lures and asked if I had any luck. I said no and asked if he did. He informed me that he had caught 2 decent rainbows and lost on big one (i know how that goes) trolling a silver panther martin in the deeper waters towards the dam. I immeditatley tied a silver panther martin and headed trolling in that direction.
I made it to Jims point and noticed that the rod I was trolling was bending so I reeled in the rod I was casting and set the hook on the trolled rod. I reeled in a small rainbow trout and in the excitement of my first catch on a float tube I pulled the fish up by the line, in lew of using my net, and the thigh spit the hook. I was only slightly disappointed because I nearly broke the skunk.
I decided to cast a the silver panther marting a few more times in the area and retrieve instead of troll and, sure enough, I hook on to a 4+ lb rainbow! I fight it for a while trying not to lose the fish or snap the 3lb test and manage to net the fish! I took pics and put the bad boy on the stringer and off I went again trolling.
I had seen a few boats anchored in Sierra Cove so I went there in search for more trout. I saw one boat with some 6 or so fish on a stringer so I thought I was in the money. No luck. A few other boats came and I saw one actually hook a fish but the guy lost it at the boat. I ended up losing the panther martin I had luck with landing my first fish so I then tied on a Matzuo nano Kinchou minnow in satin glass color and went back to trolling the depper waters.
By the time i go to the dam it was about 130pm. and I was heading towards Crawdad point when the Matzuo gets hit and again i'm reeling in a nice 3+ lb rainbow! I put him on the stringer and begin to troll again. After about an hour or so I decide to call it a day and head towards my truck while casting a Strike King crainkbait in Crawdad color in search of bass. No luck.
I make it to the shore and start to pack up my gear. I was tired but I was grinning ear to ear.
Overall this trip was a success for me. I know now how fun and relaxing and exciting this form of fishing is. I can't wait to get out on the tube again.
TL;DR: 2 rainbow trouts 3lbs and 4lbs. Get out on a float tube, you won't regret it!
Pics:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
This post is part fishing report and part first time float tube report.
I took my new float tube and gear out on its maiden voyage on 12-9-2014 to Irvine lake. I was excited to see if this form of fishing was all I thought it would be. Short answer: YES!
I bought my gear around black friday because the deals were too good to pass up and I was already seriously considering getting a used tube and waders but just ponied up and got the deals instead. I assembled the Fish Cat 4 and made a fishing rod holder from ABS and rigged it to the tube at home in preparation for my first trip out.
5 am rolled around and I loaded the truck up and went to Irvine lake. I inflated the tube, rigged the rod holders on, put on my fins and waders and off I went to the West shore to launch for my FIRST TIME EVER! I was a bit nervous but that was all for naught. I was off and kicking!
The tube glided through the water well and not as slow as I had imagined it would. I began to troll a gold panther martin at about mid lake and continued towards the Red Clay Cliffs in search of fish (any species would do). I had no luck for the first 2 hours of the day.
A friendly guy on a kayak came by as I was changing lures and asked if I had any luck. I said no and asked if he did. He informed me that he had caught 2 decent rainbows and lost on big one (i know how that goes) trolling a silver panther martin in the deeper waters towards the dam. I immeditatley tied a silver panther martin and headed trolling in that direction.
I made it to Jims point and noticed that the rod I was trolling was bending so I reeled in the rod I was casting and set the hook on the trolled rod. I reeled in a small rainbow trout and in the excitement of my first catch on a float tube I pulled the fish up by the line, in lew of using my net, and the thigh spit the hook. I was only slightly disappointed because I nearly broke the skunk.
I decided to cast a the silver panther marting a few more times in the area and retrieve instead of troll and, sure enough, I hook on to a 4+ lb rainbow! I fight it for a while trying not to lose the fish or snap the 3lb test and manage to net the fish! I took pics and put the bad boy on the stringer and off I went again trolling.
I had seen a few boats anchored in Sierra Cove so I went there in search for more trout. I saw one boat with some 6 or so fish on a stringer so I thought I was in the money. No luck. A few other boats came and I saw one actually hook a fish but the guy lost it at the boat. I ended up losing the panther martin I had luck with landing my first fish so I then tied on a Matzuo nano Kinchou minnow in satin glass color and went back to trolling the depper waters.
By the time i go to the dam it was about 130pm. and I was heading towards Crawdad point when the Matzuo gets hit and again i'm reeling in a nice 3+ lb rainbow! I put him on the stringer and begin to troll again. After about an hour or so I decide to call it a day and head towards my truck while casting a Strike King crainkbait in Crawdad color in search of bass. No luck.
I make it to the shore and start to pack up my gear. I was tired but I was grinning ear to ear.
Overall this trip was a success for me. I know now how fun and relaxing and exciting this form of fishing is. I can't wait to get out on the tube again.
TL;DR: 2 rainbow trouts 3lbs and 4lbs. Get out on a float tube, you won't regret it!
Pics:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Last edited by chafita on Thu Dec 11, 2014 9:08 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Added pics)
