Custom built: Fish Finder and Rod Holder frame for Cumberland float tube

Rock on buddy so glad you are hooked we all new you would be. and that is a very nice looking rack you have there really looks like a great set up.

Welcome aboard flipdog!
The rod rack looks great!

Thanks guys!

Can't wait for the weekend to go tubing again.

Welcome to the dark side flipdog! your ride is looking good. Cant wait to read your reports from that side of Cali.

you did a great job on outfitting your tube. If you want to hit the water let me know. I enjoy fishing Tideland park in coronado, as well as some other locations on the bay. I am always eager to see if the fish are active.

Welcome flippdog!!! Nice and clean setup! Enjoy your stay!

Tony g

Also liking what looks like a shimano chronarch201e7...got one myself!

Nice RACK...Fil..........GT

Nice

Thanks guys!

I can't believe it "only" took me 4 months to say yes to tubing. Ahhhh

Last weekend we were out in the water at 5:30AM. It was completely dark that I couldn't see a thing. I had no clue how to maneuver my tube haha Then I threw a jig on a boat and got stuck. Then I hit the dock and got stuck again. All in the dark. What a rough start! The sun came out and I started seeing things lol and finally got the ball rolling.

That's it: Shimano Chronarch 51E (lefty). I've been fishing with my Tatula (100), which it's an amazing reel, but I feel it's too big to handle, and I've got big hands. Just got my Chronarch this week and can't wait to try it out.

Coronado sounds good! I'll let you know. I'd like to hit every place in the bay. Anywhere really.

Question: I'm trying to figure out when it's best to go tubing (more than just once a week on weekends). I work 9am Mon-Fri, so early morning would work, but I live in RB and it takes me 30-40 min to drive down to the bay. So with driving time each way, that doesn't leave me much time to fish, and I don't wanna go at 4AM because I can't see s*it. Does anyone fish the bay in the evening? Any difference early AM vs. evening? What time is best? What's the latest you'd stay out at the bay?

Thanks

Nice i have the 201e7....good luck with yours!

As for staying out? I do newport most every wednesday and latest ive stayed is 10ish but depending on each person you can stay all night long 2015-03-20:twisted: , just make sure you have a couple head lamps, i put glow sticks on the back of my tube and plus i have my fish finder light on and for the most part since i like orange so much i dress in it while im tubing so hard to miss me....good luck! and dress warm!

Tubing in the dark is a little scary/difficult at first but you get the hang of it after a couple of times. Using a baitcaster(more control) really helps with keeping the lures off the boats and docks. My first cast ever out of my float tube I got stuck on a dock so you're not the only one

Nice work on the rod rack! I'm glad our design has inspired so many tubers to build one for themselves, a must needed item for the serious float tube fisherman! Good job bro.

Nice custom rack dude! You can fish anytime. Even in the dark, especially with a headlamp. The fishing can be good at night

that look so nice and clean!!! greate job filippodg!!!

Nice work flippdog I'm from San Diego too and fish the bay Rusty hook looking atfishing the bay tomorrow.

Thanks again guys!

I’ve found some of your guys’ videos on YouTube. Those are awesome! If I’m not fishing, I’m watching videos about fishing. Wife’s getting a bit upset haha

Setup -- I’m already designing another frame for the right side of my tube for accessories and other things (all very low profile so that it doesn’t interfere with casting).

Something like this:

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I’ve added a FF holder on there too because I like to be able to move my FF from left to right depending where and which side I’m fishing. Perhaps this is overkill and I should forget about my FF and just fish.

I also don’t wanna overload my tube (I’m a big guy), so I might skip a right frame and add those features in my left frame instead. TBD.

Holy crap my Chronarch 51e casts FAR!!!! I know it’s the fisherman’s skill haha but yeah, my Tatula T-Wing System got nothing on this little reel! Definitely worth the purchase!

Glow sticks – great idea! I’ve got a few LED ones that I use for scuba diving at night. They’ll work just fine.

Night fishing – I’m glad I’m not the only one scratching paint off boats hahaha It’s dark, no one sees us, shhhhhh

Sorry about not PMing some of you about tubing today. I woke up last minute and decided to go to Santa Barbara Cove (MB) again, solo this time. It was a nice day and caught a few bass.

I might take a personal day on Monday and go fishing in the AM. I’d like to hit America’s Cup Harbor or Quivira Basin. Or anywhere really. If anyone’s up to it, PM me.

I tried having my fishfinder on the opposite side of my racks but I just felt too confined.
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I ended up with  something similar to what you have right now.

Jerdon -- Your previous setup looks neat though.

Having my whole right side free of rods and accessories seems ideal, especially for casting. I think I'll keep everything on my left frame and add few features to it to make more versatile. Will post pics soon.

This is what I evolved to.
I added a Rapid Release holder to the front
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I like it. You're giving me ideas. Thanks! I see you're using straps instead of eyelets & trigger clips, and from the pics it seems your frame gets tilted outward. For holding rods it shouldn't matter much, but do you feel your FF is at a weird angle? Switching to eyelets screwed 1/4" outward from the center point should keep your frame straight when tied down.

Need to make another trip to HD...

When the tube is sitting empty the arms lean outward.
But once in the water with me sitting in it everything straightens up to perpendicular.

Sorry I'm late. haha. Gotcha, that makes sense.

Btw I'm now selling my rod holders and FF strap since I no longer need them.

2x Caddis Sports Rod Holder
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Humminbird BFT 1 Fishin' Buddy Float Tube Strap
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$70 worth. Selling all for $50 (Only used them once).

I'm in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego). Thanks guys