Cool

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

You'll like the intimacy of the kayak Ken

I grew to reset the constant juggle between paddle and fly rod - Im looking forward to the float tube for hands free fishing.

[Allen Morgan]

I can understand that.  That's why I try to set up a drift on a weedline parallel to the wind direction.  Set up on the upwind side, toss my drift sock over, put my paddle down, and start fishing.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

What is parallel to swirling? ;^>  (kidding, sort of)

I try to do what you describe but more often I am in the river using current or purposefully running aground on a slightly submerged obstruction. The biggest drawback for me as far as a tube goes right now is that it would not be a good choice for a few of my favorite places. When I had one in Denver, it was a great choice for exactly the reason David states. I used to fish a lake there called Quincy that was on the plains and it was always windy and rarely steady from one direction.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Well Andy, the other guys here will tell you I ain't a "serious" angler. I talk about it as much as do it.
So, the focused element of a tube will have value to me. I'm a grab-and-go type, basically. Mounting the equivalent of a safari expedition aint my thing.
4-5 hours of fishing time is both enough and usually a luxury; there's always something else demanding my time.
So I want the kind of fishing that is minimalist, with the least preparation possible.
I live just a few minutes from a lot of excellent backwaters; a little driving, a little walking and Im golden.
The tube has no distance legs, but in other respects it should suit.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I like grab and go; I usually have my yak so that all I need is a rod and box tossed in and I am ready. Literally can be on the road in 5 minutes or less. Not knocking a tube; like I said when I was fishing Quincy a lot in Denver it was the perfect choice. Too much shallow soft bottom in my favorites where I am now though.

[Allen Morgan]

Do you have an anchor trolley installed on your yak?  I do, and can run an attactment point from bow to stern.  I have about 3' of line on my drift sock, so there's several feet of space between the back/front of my yak and the sock itself.  This helps keep me "in line".

In a river setting, I'd go for my brush hook and clip it to a log or stick, then run the attactment point to bow or stern.

You could go with a drag anchor.  Just some heavy chain tied to a rope.  Drop that off the yak, run the attactment to the front or rear, and let the current drag you along.  Be advised many people don't like this kind of thing, as it will mess up the bottom of a stream.

Most of my kayaking buddies either drift along in slow/slack water, or beach the yak and wade-fish a spot.  One gent in my local group actually has Bow and Stern anchors, and will drop his stern anchor and fish a spot, fan-casting.  He'll lift the anchor up, drift downstream a bit, then repeat.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

No I don't have a trolley. I have 4 cleats I can reach and just pick the best one. I don't think that is better than a trolley, but it is usually good enough. I like the "brush hook" also. I use a spring clamp on a line for that. Fishing lay downs in the river, anchoring  on the bottom is a bad idea. I mostly spin fish in the yak while moving. Fly is mostly wading for me partly because of the paddle interruptions. I have a small one hand paddle (like a ping pong paddle) for quick adjustments also.

[Sam Holt]

Andy,

In your reference to Quincy, are you referring to Quincy Reservoir located in Aurora,Co.?

if so, did you have much luck with fishing this reservoir either from a yak or from the bank?

i live about 5-8 minutes from this reservoir and was planning on fishing it this year after the weather gets suitable!

[Andy is OptiMystic]

yes I am but my info is ~25 years old. I fished there with a float tube a few times and from shore several times. very scary place to be if a T-storm pops up. no place to run, no place to hide.

I caught lots of trout there, mostly big stockers. Saw some big bass caught, but only caught a couple of small ones. Never saw a tiger muskie except on the signs.

[Slip Sinker]

Never saw a tiger muskie except on the signs.

LOL

Andy... i'm going to use that line at the local launches if you dont mind 

[Sam Holt]

Yeah!

Those storms can be troublesome!

After watching the last episode of " River Monsters", I will definitely have my antenna`s up at full alert position when dabbling around muskie territory!

From shore,were you using fly rod or spinning gear?

I am in the process of outfitting my gear for perch fishing when the water warms a little more,going back to porcupine quills for floaters and indicator! Will rig up fly rod, spinning gear, and probably my old standby the forever dependable : cane pole"!! So whatever the fish prefer, I will oblige them!!

[Andy is OptiMystic]

On shore I used a spinning rod. Plastic crawfish were good, Panther Martin spinners and Daredevil spoons did well also. It was so long ago I don't know how much still applies.