SweenDog67

When I was a young boy fishing for chain pickrel in the swamps running parallel to interstate 81 in northeast Pa. I used to daydream about how my mom might be able to sew some of my old cut up denim jeans around a big inner tube. I could cover more ground, I could get into deeper water, I could get into the HARD spots. The advantages were endless. Yep, that was back in the late 70's. Imagine that, I coulda been a millionaire. Luckily someone did talk there mother into sewing somthing around a tube and today we have many varieties of float tubes to choose from that can just about fit anyones budget. In my early twenties I bought my first boat. A 14ft aluminium with a 7hp motor. Something to hold me over until I could get a real bass boat. In the meantime I saw my old Idea come to life in the pages of a popular outdoors sales catalog. Boy I was ticked. But I needed to know how it would work. So for under a $100 bucks I bought my first Float Tube or "Belly Boat", as me and my fishing buddy like to call them. That was nearly 20 years ago. I still own that same tube and the same bladder, which is an actual inner tube, is still in use today. Most bladders today are vinyl like pool floats. They weigh less but I like the durability of the rubber. Anyway, I never did buy that bass boat and my 14ft aluminium boat is very lonely. Here in northeastern Pa. we have many small lakes and resivoirs. They are loaded with both large and small mouth bass as well as crappi, cats, pickrel, and even some muskies. Fishing in the float tubes is not only fun and relaxing but from my first trip my catch ratio greatly improved. Sitting half in, half out of the water using swim fins for propulsion you move quietly through the water. No motor, no loud noises from banging around in the boat. You become one with the lake. Sneaking up on the fish has never been easier. There is plenty of room for tackle and rod holders for a second pole. I even drag around a bait bucket from time to time for some live bait. Believe it or not some models even offer attachments so you can hook up a trolling motor. I can go on for ever here and tell stories about how the float tubes helped in securing many of my personal bests but here is where I'll leave the topic open for questions and discussion. Once the ice starts melting I fish upwards and sometimes over 5 days a week. With my love for float tubes and the numbers of fish it has helped me produce I am amazed that I don't see every lake peppered with them. I understand the everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone can fish how they please. But I say for the price, for the fun, for the fish, for the relaxation, for the exercise, and for many other reasons you should give it a try. I promise, there will be few disappointments .

Well it's March and the ice is slowly melting off the lakes. Time to Fish! No it is not too early to take out your float tube. Good long johns, heavy sweat pants and a good pair of wool socks should keep you nice and toasty under your 3.5mm or larger waders. Keeping the body parts out of the water are just as important but I am sure you can figure that one out. This is a great time of year to start looking for crappi or finding some lunker pre spawn Large mouths. Live bait is a great bait but you may want to cover a bit more water. I like drop shooting near shore or shallow water on warm sunny days. The water temp is rising fast in these areas and is sure to put a little more umph in our hungry adversary. Be sure to put the bass back so they can make some babies and instead enjoy a plate full of pan fish. Most importantly.. Take a buddy Float Tube fishing it will change his life.

I am a 43yo male who was born with a pole in my hand. (insert joke here). I mainly fish from a float tube in local reservoirs with my newest fishing buddy my 9yo son. Are fishing locations are for the most part off limits to most anglers. Even I have conflicting opinions on this but I have been fishing them since I was 8 and will continue to do so. There are an abundance of these locations within a 30 mile radius from my home but I confine most of my daily fishing to about 5 of them. I fish an average of 4 days a week but have been known to get 7 in 7 from time to time. Early morning and early night are my main time slots but I have no problems fishing days either. I fish mainly for both Large and small mouth bass but also hit crappi, native and stock trout. I love the pickrell in our area as well as muskies and the occasional northern pike. I love hitting Lake Wallenpaupack for hughe cats and stripers as well. I also live just a few miles from the Suscuhanna River and enjoy all the fish it has to offer. Smallies, Walleye, Muskies, Cats, and one of my favorite river fish, the giant carp. Sure they smell, but d**n there fun. Like I have said, for the most part you'll find me and the boy float tubbing a resi for some slammer bass. This is why I choose to fish where I do. I practice catch and release at these locations unless the fish is mortally injured or I am going to eat some fish that day. All trophies are photoed and returned to their homes. I have n understanding with the security guards of these fishing spots. I won't bring the troops, I will never litter or have an open fire, I will report any wrong doing or report anyone trying to launch a boat or remove large numbers of game fish. Respect is the key here. I am hoping to learn many new tips, tricks and techniques at this forum. Remaining teachable is a fishermens best bait. If you can put up with my spelling and pucuation errors I may have much to offer as well. For now keeping it simple is my best advice. Staying with baits you feel comfortable with is a priceless tip espically with the market overwhelming us with so many products. I am looking forward to meeting many new friends here. If it takes me awhile to answer any messages just bare with me, I'm probably fishing....