2008.03.12
For Backlash: A dedicated belly/pontoon boat thread
I'm one of those guys who, when I get onto something, I can become somewhat obsessed.
So I can relate to Backlash, who clearly has lost it on belly boats. As you may have seen he's been dropping his belly boat comments on other entries -- Taylor: "Virginia hunters kill record number of whitetails." Backlash comment: "Check out this belly boat livewell design."
That's my fault for not giving him the dedicated thread I've been promising for a while. So, finally, here it is.
To get it started, my basic thoughts. I have two belly boats, one that I've had for years (and used quite a bit in the little ponds around Virginia Beach when I lived there) and one that my neighbor just gave me.
Float tubes have their time and place. But if I had it to do over again, I would get a pontoon boat, or so-called kick boat. I've used them out West on big rivers and they are awesome. Nowhere near as portable as a float tube, obviously, but a MUCH better fishing platform. They also excel in whitewater, which we admittedly don't have much of in this part of the state.
One of the downsides of a float tube is that you are right on the water. I don't really like that. I want to be up, at least a bit, and, ideally, standing.. Some of the larger pontoon boats are stable enough that someone with decent balance can stand on the seat. But a standing platform works best. So if I ever do spring for a pontoon boat (and it's on my list), I'm going to get one with a standing platform or one on which I can install one.
My current river craft is a canoe and hate it as a fishing platform. Its best use is to get from one spot to the next, at which point you get out and wade fish. The upside is that it can carry two paddlers and a bunch of gear. Two-man pontoon boats are much more of a pain in the butt to haul around.
For a single angler float-fishing a bass river, I don't think you could do better than a single-man pontoon with a standing platform.
I really don't understand why they haven't become more popular around here.
Mark
Ay, caramba!
Thank you so very much for giving me the space for my ideal way to test the skills of anglers.
If SCBBC can do it why not the New River area. If you are not certain of the style of fishing view the below videos on youtube..
http://www.youtube.com Belly Boat Fishing
SCBBBC 2000 BELLY BOAT SEASON
oneilloutsidesupport@ earthlink.net
Here is a comment From O'Neil Outside hunting and fishing show.
Backlash: O'Neil have you ever done any belly boat fishing and that's a nice Tux.
I've never done it myself but I think it's very cool! Great way to fish!
Maybe I should wear the tux in a float tube! You never know... we may do a show on that some day, but I think I'll leave the tux in the closet for that one.
You never can tell maybe we can float tube a show in the future.
Thanks for your support!
O'Neill
Comment by Backlash — March 12, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Mark,
Where are these one person pontoon boats, with platform, available.
Roger
(Retired sailor)
Comment by Roger Fitzpatrick — March 12, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Hey Mark and Backlash,
I've been tubing for almost 20 years now (man that sounds like a long time!) and have been in a kickboat for about the past 7. It is a great way to go and really can help you become a better more versatile angler. For all those thinking about it...just go do it!
I'm lucky I have a chance to get out in my buddies big fiberglass rigs (along with my own aluminum) but always come back to my roots to get in some time with the SCBBBC in California (along with the BnT of the San Jose area of California).
If people have a chance, go do it and you are welcome to join the forum at SCBBBC as well!
Good fishing to all and hope to meet some of you on the water some day!
Todd
Comment by Todd (Samurati on the SCBBBC forum) — March 12, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
Backlash, sorry it took me so long to get this going. Thanks for sticking with this great topic.
Roger, Cabela's has a pretty good selection of pontoon boats. Check out this link: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat360011&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat20431&parentType=category&parentId=cat20431
Locally, I'm not sure who has them. I seem to recall John Zienius at Big Z's tackle shop (639-1651) in Radford telling me he was going to be a Water Skeeter dealer, but I'm not sure the status of that.
Blane Chocklett at Blue Ridge Fly Fishers used to be a dealer for one of the main brands, and had a boat (one without a platform) for rent as of a couple years ago. His number is 563-1617.
I asked the manager of Sportsman's Warehouse in Roanoke about carrying them and he said he got a "no" from corporate because they're not popular around here. He said they're huge out West.
These craft have traditionally been favored by fly anglers. But, as you can see by checking out the stuff Todd and his buddies are doing, these work great with conventional tackle, too.
Thanks for the reading, everyone. And good fishing.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — March 12, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
Northern Ireland Native contacted by e-mail
I currently live in Georgia, and I have been enjoying some largemouth and shoal bass action on the fly. If haven't tried float tube fishing give it a try you will love it, also a sport fishermen please feel free to view my videos on youtube.
Currently I am not doing videos at the moment, however enjoy the ones available under ‘polyfooka’ .
Regards,
Alan
PS – I love your country.
Comment by Alan Hanna — March 13, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Shared Emails
John McCalmont - Tournament Bass Fisherman and Host of Bass Champs
I would watch it! We have consider this for a show segment stay tuned.
John McCalmont
The Get it Done Guy!
ROWDY HD
rowdyhd.com
Ron Schara
We've done stories on this fishing ploy but for trout, not bass. It's a nifty
way to fish. And low budget.
Ron Schara Enterprises
Telling Stories Is Our Business
Bass Pro Shops
We have done a couple of shows on belly boating and thought they went great. Budget Bassin is a great way to put it.
If you would like Backlash for personally contacting us, we can mail you a copy of our belly boating shows.
Best Wishes, Be safe and good luck on the water.
Dave Appleton
Manager of Television Show Production
Bass Pro Shops Film & Video
2500 E. Kearney, Springfield MO 65898
dappleton@basspro.com
With encouragement like this how ca you go wrong. Terry AKA Backlash
Comment by Backlash — March 13, 2008 @ 8:26 am
Exploding the Killer Wader Myth:
Found on the Web:
The four tasks.
So I set myself four tasks: (1) to recreate KWM scenario where waders fill up with unreasonably heavy water and drag me frantically struggling (I assume) to the pool bottom, where I will be able to walk around for a little while and (2) to recreate KWM scenario where waders fill up with air and suspend my feet from the surface, which should hopefully give me a whole new perspective on existence and (3) to flip a float tube over so my girlfriend can get a good shot of my fins sticking up in the air and (4) to go for a long swim (in waders).
The myths
The first myth is that if you were to unexpectedly fall into a lake, your waders would fill up with water and drag you down to the bottom so as to drown you (because everyone knows that the water inside your waders is always heavier than the water outside) (!).
The second interestingly, takes on a completely different angle. This one states that if you were to unexpectedly fall into (assumedly) the same lake, your waders, instead of filling up with water, would actually fill up with air, and flip you upside-down and leave you suspended from the surface (like a very large suspender buzzer)!!!
Now I know that these two scenarios are both hilariously ludicrous, or at least they would be if they weren't taken so seriously. (You don't believe that anyone actually takes them seriously? Then tell me: why do most fisheries ban chest waders from being worn in boats? This is especially ridiculous when you consider that wearing chest waders would more likely save lives that lose them).
I for one would rather float around a cold lake wearing my waders. The neoprene helps you float, and any other sort just helps to keep you warm. Abandon sinking ship? Bung on a life jacket and waders.
Hang on a mo! There is the tragic story of two anglers drowning on a stream mouth on Lake Taupo. Waders were blamed. But what actually happened here was that they tried to swim against the current and the resistance of the water flowing into their waders caused them to look like they were being dragged down. They should have gone with the flow, and when they were clear of it, gently swum back to shore.
But this is all just theoretical stuff. The sort of thing that looks good in text books, but what use is it for you and I? We're practical people: mountain men, fly fishers; we who have the wind in our hair, dirt on our hands, steel in our hearts, strange far off looks in our eyes, eyes that have seen much - too much maybe. What is needed is hard-core proof! Throw away the text books. Let's put our waders on and jump in the pool. For this is the only way to discover life's sweet secret dreams.
And with this stuff spinning around my head I took it upon myself to attempt to recreate the Killer Wader Myth in a swimming pool. I have said it before and I'll say it again: The Paul Arden Fly Fishing Experience will take you places you never knew existed, because that's who I am and that's what I do.
When it comes to water safety, "let common sense be your guide not your Pall Bearer".
Comment by Backlash — March 13, 2008 @ 8:37 am
Shared Email
Question: What do you think of float tube/ belly boat fishing?
Responding: Babe Winkelman
They are good tools in the right situation. I have used them and filmed
with
them before and will undoubtedly do so again sometime in the future.
Stay in touch
Babe
"Babe Winkelman" bwinkelman@winkelman.com
Comment by Backlash — March 13, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
Check craiglist for some deals on a kickboat like this one.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/604238725.html
__________________
hook that momma!
Comment by DDoan — March 13, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
Ready for some fishing how about a boat visit Bass-n-Tubes for the free monthly kick boat give away The Creek Company Monthly Giveaway
March's giveway is for anODC Super Sport 9.
This is The Creek Company's nine foot design steel frame boat, a $360 value!
Comment by Static Lines — March 13, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
SCBBC web site has the photo's
Things you will need to build a tourney ready livewell.
1) 48 quart capacity insulated Ice Chest recommended.
Minimum requirement = 10 gallon container.
2)Bilge pump. This one is 500GPH which is the recommended size.
Minimum requirement is 350GPH
3)Aerator is required. This one pumps 7/8 liter of air per minute and it floats.
4)Aerator replacement air stone. Larger is better. Make sure it has a plastic back so you can epoxy it to the bottom of your well.
5)hose kit to plumb the pump and tank.
6)12V sealed lead acid battery.
A 7 amp hour rated battery will run your pump and a fish finder all day.
7)On/Off toggle switch.
This is a nice option. Some guys just plug straight to the battery when they want to pump instead.
8)directions of schematic for wiring the pump, battery and a fish finder too!
9)Any fish doping product such as this will go a long way toward keeping your catch alive and is highly recommended
10)FLW Livewell article if you can't find it on the web, SCBBC web site has it.
Comment by Backlash — March 13, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
I believe that Back Country Outdoors in Blacksburg and Salem has pontoon boats, both one and two-person styles.
Comment by Tom Caceci — March 14, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Do anyone have information about belly boats or float tubes being allowed in Gatewood Reservoir.
I have tried the available numbers to the magagement and the city of Pulaski but no one will return your phone calls.
Even if you leave a message....
Comment by Backlash — March 20, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
I'm 99% sure that bellyboats and inflatable pontoons are allowed. Private boats are restricted to electric motors or paddles. You can check more details at: http://www.pulaskigatewood.com. I hope this is useful.
Mike
Comment by Mike — March 21, 2008 @ 10:45 am
That's interesting, Mike. I would have guessed they weren't. But maybe I'm jaded because of the strict rules at Carvins Cove.
At Carvins Cove wading isn't allowed so I would think they wouldn't allow anything where your body is coming in contact with the water (even if you're wearing waders). But it you had a pontoon boat with a standing platform, that might fly. I haven't actually checked, though, so I could be totally wrong.
Backlash, keep calling Gatewood. You should eventually be able to catch someone in the office.
That sure is a great little fishing spot and a pontoon boat would be a good way to fish it. On the other hand, the rental boats they have are so cheap I've never even worried about bothering with my own craft.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — March 21, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Thanks Mike and Mark for the info. on Gatewood....
I have sought information this past weekend on various sites about belly boating and gotten some good responses and a few untranslatable coming from France, Sweden, and Denmark.
And I even got a call from Alberta Canada about float tube fishing more to follow in a day or two. One email from the The British Float Tube Association "Don't wait to long with a dry fly".
So let's face it Virginia anglers we need to get on board sure we have the bass rigs locked up. But float tube fishing in it's multitude of colors is fun for all that is up for the challenge.
Comment by Backlash — March 24, 2008 @ 1:45 am
The Creek Company has awarded it's monthly boat giveaway. Will a Virginia native be April's winner.
Follow the link below on the winner and photo of the prize.
http://www.creekcompany.com/news.php?News_ID=91
Comment by Backlash — March 24, 2008 @ 1:55 am
Hi everyone, my name is Mike and I'm "the call" from Alberta, Canada. Just thought I'd pipe in here with a western perspective on float tubing by someone who offers guided fly-fishing trips on our local stillwater fisheries. Some have already shared that float tubes have a time and place, that they can be a valuable tool in the right situation and that they've become more popular with fly anglers then fishermen of other sorts. I just thought I would expand on these a little bit.
Some of the are advantages to using a float tube over a regular boat include: Packing the float tube up with your other gear when hiking into a lake or using the shoulder straps that come with most float tubes and carry your tube fully inflated like you would a backpack. This allows you to fish water that doesn't get a lot of pressure, getting back into smaller lakes and ponds that don't have any boat ramps or roads, or for fishing water that boats aren't allowed.
Storage is another advantage. With a float tube fully deflated, you can store your tube without taking up very much room, actually not much more room than a couple pairs of waders. Float tubes are also an inexpensive way to to get out onto the water and fish places shore fishermen can only dream of. An older donut style tube can be purchased for well under $100 today and even the "U" and "V" shaped tubes are quite affordable.
Only an assumption here but the probable reason fly anglers have taken to float tubes so much is that it leaves both hands free for casting and stripping as we need both hands to do either of these. All movement is done by finned feet and the control you have in a tube can not be matched by any other water craft. No other type of boat gives an angler the same ability to fish an area as hard as a float tube (although pontoon boats are a close second). Using just leg power you can literally fish every square foot of water without ever taking your hands off your fishing rod. You never have to worry about picking up a paddle or oars and and you can spin 360 degrees without even a second thought.
If you would like more information on float tubing or interested in coming up to Edmonton for some trophy rainbow trout, check out some of my links here.
Float Tubes - The Good, Bad & Ugly
Float Tubing
Edmonton Stillwater Adventures
Cheers,
Mike (Doc) Monteith
Comment by Mike Monteith — March 25, 2008 @ 1:32 am
Thank you Mike.
Mark This is our second invitation to Virginia's to come visit another part of the country to enjoy float tube fishing.
We are truly missing out on the kindness of our communities and fellow anglers.
Your article has truly gone international.
Congratulations on your hard work.
Comment by Backlash — March 25, 2008 @ 10:52 am
The bobber mirrored the setting sun as it nestled into the distant clouds.
The rippling waves whispered for my readiness as a fish teased the hook, this is life.
Unknown
Comment by Stactic Lines — March 29, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Does anyone know where Blane Chocklett is aand if he is still guiding? he used to own Blue Ridge Flyfishers in Roanoke, Va. Thanks.
Comment by Betty Harmon — April 6, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Outcast Float Tube Review
Follow this thread to review and photos of the Fish cat float tube.
If you order this tube from Sportsman Warehouse you will save $60.00 dollars on your purchase. Reason is the tube comes from Outcast and sent to "SW" Shipping store by doing this the savings is past on too you.
Take advantage of the savings also when you receive your float tube no matter where you bought it. Inflate it and let it sit for a day or two. This is a great way to check for air leaks.
Comment by Backlash — April 6, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Betty,
Blane is still around and guiding. I spoke with him just a couple weeks ago. The shop's number is 540-563-1617.
Speaking of reviews of float tubes, this afternoon I took my girls out to Carvins Cove to walk the banks (I hooked and lost about a 2-pound largemouth on a Rat-L-Trap) and I saw a guy out there with one of the Sea Eagle pontoon boats. He said he LOVES it. He said he takes it on the New some, as well as larger lakes.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — April 6, 2008 @ 7:42 pm