What was your first experience catching fish on the Float tube?

This question came to mind by reading Dannicus post on his friends first catch on the tube.

I caught my first memorable fish from the tube in about 15 or 20 feet of water. As far as fighting the fish I was surprised at the ability to spin 360 degrees as the little trout zipped back and forth underneath me. I remember the spot was hot and I had my limit in 10 minutes or so. That one trip had me sold on the tube.

It was really nothing like catching a fish from a canoe, or boat, or especially the shoreline.

Great topic!

My first experience catching a fish in a float tube was at Alamitos Bay. In my typical fashion I had done a ton of research, including YouTube videos (R.I.P.) Ornery Bob, Alakai and a few others. I also joined this forum. My first session was a 5:45am launch from Mothers Beach, solo. I went under the 2nd st. bridge and hit the very first row of slips just south of it. On my second cast with a Red Crab HUB I was on! It was definitely a different and exciting experience compared to what I was used to when fishing from shore. I could feel the fish dive deeper in addition to the side to side zig-zags. My tube also turned in the direction the fish was pulling. My instincts kicked in (pun intended) and I gently controlled the fight by gently kicking to back away from the slip a bit and landed the fish. I ended up with four Spotties on the morning and a great sense of accomplishment.

Yes!
The ability to drag the fish into deeper and away from structure is the opposite of the shore fishing experience.

Big Bear rainbow on pink mini jig on a chocolate brown Sabre fiberglass spinning rod fished upside down on a Shimano chronarch MG baitcaster as I left my spinning gear down the hill.
Wind blew me 1/4 mile as my boogie board Churchill fins could not keep up.
Had to get to shore and hike back.
Same thing happened first time fishing Newport as I didn’t get the tide thing.

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jmytuna

Yes, winds and tide have an important meaning for the tube.

Irvine lake. Back when the lake was full. I had fished just after some heavy rains and it was truly my first time out in a tube. Nothing big as I was targeting Bluegill. I kicked around for a while along the shore and weed lines and found nothing. But I saw a tree sticking up out of the water. I realized that I could get right up on it and fish the branches that were under water.
I made my way over and first cast I hooked a nice bluegill. After that it was fish after fish for about an hour or more. I knew that I was going to enjoy float tube fishing and this day sold me on the stealth ability of the float tube. From there it was just finding more time to get on the water and learn all I could.