Another Maiden Voyage

[tubeN2]

I know this sounds like my first TubeN trip ever but I have been TubeN for close to 30yrs now. This is just a maiden voyage on my newest addition to my TubeN family of water craft.

I wanted to start with a picture of the basic tube. Notice the basic tube with Beer holder.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6470/cat/575"][/url] click on images to expand.

Here is the back of the tube with the Coast Guard required coloring.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6471/cat/575"][/url] Notice the beer is still in the holder.

This is a view of the night time reflectivity.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6473/cat/575"][/url]This one as the standard 5 hole rod rack. It handles a net in the front, 3 rods and 1 spare for a gaff.
******The beer dissappeared in this one******

This one is with the optional Deluxe Rod rack. You can never have too much gear when you get out there. Notice the Night light mounted to the back of the tube. It does have a photocell and solar recharge module on it. Coast Guard requires the light at night.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6472"][/url]

This is how it looks on the water. I had my flyrod in hand since we were only fishing for Halibut. They can be alot of fun on a 10wt especially when they can get up to almost 60lbs in Cali.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6476/cat/575"][/url][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6477/cat/575"][/url]

Back on dry land after getting pushed around by the W and white caps.

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6479/cat/575"][/url]

This ended up being the catch of the day. California Corbina (very small for the species) released to be caught another day.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6474/cat/575"][/url][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6475/cat/575"][/url]

By the way.....who took the pics of me out on the water????
Oh.....that was one of my workmates/fishing buddies/tubing partner

Frank
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6478/cat/575"][/url]

We had a good day. We began our saga in Redondo Beach. The surf was a little rough to launch in so we decided to stay on shore for safetys sake. Frank started the day off with a small Leopard Shark. It was a little camera shy and abandoned ship before the camera was in operation. After that I caught the Corbina.

A few more Corbina came up and split in the surf.

We moved on down to Cherry Beach. For those whom have been to Cali, you know the association of Cherry Beach and Halibut.

We managed a few very small ones that were around 18inches. 22 is legal size. They popped as well as us since the wind was starting to catch up to us.

We did manage to take advantage of the last hour of the outgoing tide before the conditions changed and it started to become incoming with a 10kt off shore. The wind was just right and as expected, blowing towards the beach and helping us to get back to safety.

We decided that the day was not done. We headed back towards my place to stop at one of my little testing grounds for LMB.

We downsized the flyrods to a 3wt and decided to give em hell. 1 1/2 hours later and 47bass between the 2 of us, we stopped and called it a day. It was now Miller Time.[cool]
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[buckdawg]

awesome pics!!!

how was the ride?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000bf]I think I rekkernize that fly pole.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Good show, lad.[/#0000bf]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]If it makes you feel any better, that weather you were dealing with.....well yesterday in the City of Salt, was a windy 70 degrees. Today however, storm expected this afternoon till tomorrow with 3" to 12" of snow expected.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]I know we need the water, but this sucks![][/size][/black]
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[poky-mon]

We broke our record by 1* and today we're getting snowed on and 5-7" through tommorrow
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[zonker]

Nice tube, Steve. Looks like its made to order for big and tall guys. Hope it continues to work for you.

z~
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[tubeN2]

The ride was nice.............until the W came around. Now I know what people are talking about wit the wind and high vehicles. I saw the weather report before going out and took the necessary precautions.

I just wanted to see for myself how that thing will handle even in the most extreme situation. After all, ocean tubing and extreme tubing go hand in hand or is that fin in fin??
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[tubeN2]

I recon that you should know that rod well. That is the one that you sent with the little Tubie and I on our last trip to AZ. It works well for the sturdier fish types as I'm sure you are aware of.




Hey Flygoddess: Normally I won't hit the salt in the wind with a tube. It is not recommended but it is helpfull from time to time. The nice part about the wind in the bigger Great Salt Lake (Pacific Ocean) is that when it comes in, it will always blow ya to the shore instead of out to sea.
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[tubeN2]

It is hard to get the snow to stick to the Ocean water around here. Especially when it is close to 90 degrees outside and the snow decides not to show.




Hey Uncle Z. I guess that tube was designed for the big and tall in mind. I just wish that I was a little taller than bigger. I know that I will be able to comfortably add some of my other planned hardware as well. Im in the process of designing a tube cam. It will be able to rotate to the front or to the rear to catch a nice pic of angler/tube combo with both hands on the fish.

I have to figure a way tie that into the DVD player and use it as a monitor.[]
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[tubeN2]

Do you have any recommendations to secure my rod rack to the tube??? I seem to have run out of parachute cord.[pirate]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6472/size/big/cat/"][/url]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Simple. Just run some lag bolts into the air chambers.[/#0000ff]
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[Majja]

Dude after seeing you in that thing I have to ask. Is it made by laZboy or Barka cause that looks like a big old recliner. You know the one that you get to early on game day cause it is just so cushy and comfy.
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[poky-mon]

Strap your old tube to the side and take it all out. peace of cake
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[tubeN2]

Ahhhhhh. Papason. I never though to that. Sounds like a good idea.[]



Hey Majja: Didn't you know that Lazy Boy and Yamaha joined forces?? They call that diversifitubin. Now if I could just get a motor for it.[cool]
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[tubeN2]

It wont fit on the old tube since I upsized the Fridge and microwave. Hell, I even upgraded my 9" DVD for one of those 42inch plasma tv/DVD combos.[cool]
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[poky-mon]

Get this baby and you could even take your recliner and the kitchen sink.

[url "http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog/Tubes_and_Towables/Water_Trampolines/Rave_North_Woods_Aqua_Jump_and_Accessories/index.asp"]http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog/Tubes_and_Towables/Water_Trampolines/Rave_North_Woods_Aqua_Jump_and_Accessories/index.asp[/url]
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[tubeN2]

I think I would get the 25 footer. Then I could even bring the truck with me too.[cool]
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[road]

Looks like they did a little re-design on that tripper since I tried one out. Did the straps remain tight? How much wind did you catch in it? And most importantly how was your control effected by the wind? But nice report and some great pics. I am truly going to have to break down and buy a camera (one that doesn't need film).
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[tubeN2]

Thanks for your question.

The straps did work out fine. They also have soem velcro that is incorporated into the cover on each secton of the tube.

As far as wind goes, the control of the craft was slightly lessened by the wind. I did find out that it was easier to control by keeping my back to the wind. We were only dealing with 10 to 15mph winds.
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[road]

I'm glad to hear that. The velcro is a nice addition over a couple of years ago. I take it then the straps are made of nylon or something similar. Something that doesn't absorb water. Glad your likin it and 10 to 15 can get pretty nasty depending on where you are at.
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