Chock full of Bassin info.

In my search throught the internet, on one of my few night to myself, I came across an old bookmark. http://www.bassfishin.com/ this is a great site if you are a novice Basser like myself, and if you like to say you know what you are doing, you still might get something worth while from this site.

This site has a lot to offer, Forums, Blogs, Articles, Tackle Reviews, unusual tips, and what I like most; good video's, filled with bassin wisdom.

I have been able to pick up a few tips that I hope to use in the bass fishing adventures of my summer fishing trips.

Again, if you need some help with learning the tricks of bass fishing, or you just may have a night off and there is nothing on T.V. check this site out. You just may have a good time and learn a thing or two.

Puddingstone Gills gearing up

Last summer, I went out to Puddingstone lake (Sail Boat Cove) to float tube with some friends. It was there first time tubing, and despite losing a fin they had a good time. Fishing was not great for them but I had a much different day.

I always have one rod set up for the bait and wait fishing method so I can fish will on the move. Nothing more than a hook and bobber to float a half cut night crawler in the water will moving to the next spot. I have always found this to be a good way to locate some fish, makes for a more enjoyable day.

So will kick to my first spot and keeping and eye on one of my friends in the water, I get a bump on the bobber. I start to grab the rod and set the hook and the float is gone, I can feel it tugging pretty well. I reel it up to the tube and I see a decent Bluegill, so I set up in this spot and managed to catch a few more. Once that was done I moved to another location that has always produced for me.

The water in this spot has some good structure to fish so I start out worming for some bass with a 4 inch roboworm drop shot style. But there goes my bobber again, set the hook and land another nice gill, this spot really went off for me. I think I got at lets 10 to 12 from this location; all were good sized and nice colors as well.

I ended the day with 20+ Bluegill and 0 bass, but the numbers of gills truly made the day worth will. I am planning a trip this year to Puddingstone soon and I hope it works out as well as this day did, only time will tell.

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Lake Perris Float tubing

Lake Perris Southern California quality fishing waters:

I wanted to share some information about a lake near me that I have found to have some good float tubing qualities. The lake I am writing about is Lake Perris, and I am sure most everyone has heard of this place if not fished it already.

Lake Perris was built in the early 1970's as the last reservoir in the California Water Project to provide drinking water to Southern California residents. Nestled between Moreno Valley and Perris you will find many recreational activities to enjoy at Lake Perris SRA such as: Hiking, biking, water skiing, boating, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, horse back riding, camping and picnicking. But what are you hear for fishing right Float tube fishing so here we go.

Lake Perris was the first lake in Southern California to be stocked with Alabama spotted bass. The DFG also plants rainbow trout, channel catfish, and Florida bluegill. Green sunfish were not planted but arrived with the water from the California Aqueduct, along with tiny shrimp from San Francisco Bay that is a great food source in these waters. The lake also has a large population of crayfish or "crawdads" another great source for bass fisherman.

So my experience here at Perris while not productive was enjoyable. I ended up with one small Bluegill, not one of my more produce moments but I am writing about Perris lake because of its true potential as must truly know. My son and I hit up the dam area, as we were told this would be our best bet. The water at the time (summer of 2009) was warm stained and covered in weeds. As for Float Tube fishing this lake has some good locations for launch you tube from and some not so great places as well.

The dam area was our first choice as we could drive the truck right down to the dam and launch right on the water. Be careful as I am sure people have gotten there vehicles stuck in this area before. We had no problems other than once you drop off your gear you need to head back to park and then have to walk back which is a bit of a trek, make sure you go in pairs so that your tackle dose not go unattended. Other locations to launch the marina which is right next to the bait shop. You cannot use the launch ramp to drop off your gear so you need to carry all you gear down to the water. You must be aware that it is a long way down to the water and it is all down hill so you should take everything in one trip. Finally the other spot I was told of was in the other side of the lake, in the group camp site area. If you have paid to get in to the main part of the lake them you do not need to pay to get in on the other side you can park in the camp ground and again it is a small hick to get to the waters edge. This spot puts you close to the island which I have heard is another good spot to fish. I think this puts you on deeper water, which in the hot summer sun could be good for fishing.

Finally you should know like most lakes now there is a inspection for Quagga and Zebra Mussels which is handled at the main gate on the way in. There is also camping in the park this could be a great opportunity to turn a one day trip into a weekend fishing venture. So maybe you could make it a weekend of float tube fishing at lake Perris, let me know if you are going, I would like another crack at this Bluegill here, I have seen some monster pulled out of the lake and I want a piece of the action.

Other important information:

17801 Lake Perris Drive
Perris, California 92571
Latitude/Longitude: 33.8375 /-117.1400
Elevation: 1560 feet

Bass: 5 of legal size limit
Trout: 5
Catfish: 10
Bluegill, Red Ear Sunfish and Green Sunfish: No limit
Bull Head: No limit
Carp: No limit.

The Marina: Rentals, pontoon boats and small fishing boats. More information about the Marina is available in the Boating and Watercraft link and at 951-657-2179

CAMPING:
The family campground has 167 sites for tent camping (non-hookup sites) and 264 paved sites for recreational vehicles up to 31 feet long (hookups sites). Each site has a table, fire ring with a grill and water access. A maximum of 8 people per site only!

A minimum of 50 people constitutes as a group. For family or group reservations please call (800) 444-7275. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and can be made up to 7 months in advance.

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New float tube fins

Ok I know that I have posted this before but I think they are worth it. Omega Flip Fins have you seen them and if so do you have them. I don't have them yet but they are on my list, I just need my dive fins to finally take a dump, and this may never happen. Really i am looking for comments for others that have used these fins before.

They are not cheap $170, but if you are a true float tuber I think that they are very much worth it. I love the way they flip up in front to alow you to walk around (no more tripping on the banks of the lake infront of everyone else). And I don't know about everyone else but I like the dive fin for its moving ability, this has that same size flipper to really help move you around.

Again do you have these and if so let us know what you think do you like them or not.

Local park fishing fun

I was going to go float tube today 5/25, but I have never done well in the tube in over cast weather like we had today. So my father and I headed out to the local parks to try for some catfish. Well I don’t have pictures of the cat’s we caught, they were very small, but we did catch about 10 total. I just wanted to share a few pictures I got of the park lake near my house, let me know what you think.

PVC float tube rod rack plans.

I had spent a lot of time tiring to find some body to help me make my own rod rack. There were people out there to help but in the end I had to design my own. I found that it is not very hard to do in fact I had my completed in just under about 1 hour and made or of 1 1/2 “ PVC piping. So I thought that I would post here on my blog how to make the one that I use. This is a rough drawing of the rod rack laid out in pieces with some rough measurements. I think with some time and imagination this can be adapted to fit most float tubes or kick boat. If you have comments please leave them and if you have plans that you would like to share with others please let me know and we I will post it up here as well.

Reports from the Tube

Me and my son headed out to Puddingstone May 3rd to fish form our tubes. We got there about 9am and headed out for a 4 hour trip, in sail boat cove. There was not much being caught, the water was very stained and still pretty cold to the touch. My guess is that things will start happening out there very soon, with the warm weather we are having at the moment. Below are some pictures of our day.

My son First In, and Enjoying nature

1 of the 5 crappie caught, and a Good shot of the wildlife

Me fishing the tree line

Float tubing is a chance to bond

I will be heading out to Perris Lake this next Sunday for a small Tournament (listed below in the tournament section). This is going to be my first tournament I have fished since I was a teenager. And even better than that is this it is going to be with my oldest son. I am so looking forward to this for us, I think this is a great opportunity for the two of us to bond and grow. See my son is now hitting his teen years, and in full swing I might add, most of you know what I mean, for me this is not easy as it is new for me. The only other teen I have ever dealt with was myself so how does one prepare for these years with there kids.
If you are a new parent let me say congratulations, and enjoy your life it will change, challenges are ahead. For those of you that have been through this before, help me please. OK it is not that bad all the time, but when there are moments like this (he wanted to go) I know I need to grab it and take it for what it is worth. We will set out on Sunday morning to try and hook up with as many bluegill and crappie as we can find, and to try and win this tournament for the 1st place pay-out.
But I will also be using this time to teach my son how to tube and why I find fishing and float tubing to be one of my favorite activities. Again, it's a great time to bond with my son while floating on the water catching fish. If he learns something that is a plus, and if he catch’s something, even a bigger plus. But just being there with him is the biggest plus of all. Perhaps one day when he starts his family he will understand why this tournament, if his son wants to fish with him might be one of the best tournaments of his life also. As always stay floating my friends and I will be posting pictures of our big day.

New products for float tubing

Ok first of all I am not selling or indorsing and products, just want to talk about or bring to light any new product that are available for float tube fishing. I think I found something wealth sharing with everyone ok there. Flipfin’s by Omega Aquatics fin’s made for float tubes and kick boats.
These are not your ordinary fins, and this feature is what hooked me. The flip up, have you every felt like everyone was watch you walk in your fin, and waiting for you to fall because of them. I know that I have felt this way before, but I also know that I have never fallen at least you never saw it.
But I could not do this justice so below is a link to the page, so you can see how they work for yourselves.

http://www.omegaaquatics.com/index.php?page=products&product=navigator

So please tell me what you think and if anyone has them could you let me know what you think I would like to find out more about them? I may like to get a pair for myself one day, just need to save up for a few months to afford them.

As always stay floating my friends.

Photos from a float tube

One of the things that find enjoyable is taking pictures from my float tube. There are plenty of photo ops here in Southern California as most of you know. Here are just a few of the shots that I have got over the last few years. Please send in you pictures to me and I will post them as well for other to see.




This is Bolder Bay; Big Bear California



Sail Boat Cove; Puddingstone; San Demis CA.

Lake Elsinore A float tubing opportunity

When I was a kid of about 8 or 9 I remember setting out to fish this lake with my cousin. We did ok a few cat fish, and some very wet shoes, were all we really got from this trip. Needless to say I was not very impressed at such a young age and over the years have never heard much good of this lake.
Well times do change, and so do the waters around us. I have not been there scene I was a kid but have read some information that has changed my mind. After reading an article in one of my favorite magazines (California Fly Fisher) April 2009, issue: title Lake Elsinore. The author states that there have been vast improvements to this body of water by the city to help mainly with their water quality issues. They laid pipes through the lake offering much needed oxygen to the water to help fight of the algae blooms. And also brought in a out side agency to help with the over flowing carp population. But there biggest addition was the hybrid bass or (wipers) that were planted to help control the threadfin shad population.
In the article they state that this lake is a up in coming bass fishing lake with plenty of bass fishing structure, (sunken brush and boat dock) all over the lake. Now with carp population in check and the algae under control, the Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and the newly added Wipers numbers are up and in control.
So being that I have not been to Elsinore scene I was a kid I think it is time for a trip, to see for myself. Again this blog is about float tubes and I have not forgotten, there is float tubing allowed in the lake now, and unlike other California lakes it is still free to launch. And I love it when things are free, count me in. For more information on Lake Elsinore and the regulations go to. http://www.lake-elsinore.org/index.aspx?page=16 then scroll down and click on lake operations there you will find all the information you will need.
As always stay floating my friends.

Reports from the water

This is for everyone to add to, I will start off. Ok I know that this is about float tubing, but even the best laid plans change. I could not make it out in my tube this weekend, so I hit up the local park Ralph B. Clark. Not much to report it was windy and noisy (you know parks on weekend).
What I would like to report is that I tried my black widow fly on the water today and it held together than I though. I tie my own flies, and this is one of my creations, so I gave it a toss today for the first time.
Again I caught nothing, but the bluegills were all over this fly, they were just to small to hook. Sorry the report was not more exciting, but there will be more trips. Please add you comments or blogs to this and let get things going. As always stay floating my friends.

Introduction about me and my idea

Hay there my name is Jeff and I live in Southern California. I am a fisherman of over 20 years and of the past 8 years I have had the joy of float tubing. This something I found as a kid and always wanted to try it, but could never get my father to get into it. so like I said about 8 years ago I bought my first tube and almost a soon as I had it out I had it in the waters of irvine lake.

I have to say my heart was racing, just a little nervouseness and, just pure excitment. I don't remember much after that, only that I could not wait to get back out on the water. Well I have had plenty of more trips scenes and tried many other lakes, but what about you.

Sign in and share your stores and your tips with the other people that well find there ways here. I would like to set up a place for other float tubers and belly boat fishermen and wemon to find other people that may be interested in the same things as the rest of us.

And maybe one day this will be a community of float tube and belly boaters from all over the U.S. I can see group meetings and trips and maybe a touny ot two in the future.

So please sign in and let us know what you think; stores, tips, tricks, or just try and find some one near you. I look forward to hearing from you, thanks and stay floating my freinds.