Hypalon tubes now peppered with patches

[ribber]

My newfound hobby of fishing has created another problem, punctures!
Merrily catching bass, landing them in the boat and unbeknown to me, they were puncturing the tubes. Their splines/fins are incredibly sharp, enough to put a tiny pinprick into the tube. Instead of unhooking the small ones, I was shaking them off, which accidentally dropped on the tubes.
I couldn't work out why the tubes were getting soft, because they let the smallest amount of air escape. Thought it was the Leafield air valve, so I changed the innards...

Still, lesson learned, patched up with some spare Hypalon patches and two-part glue. Back out, looking like a patchwork quilt.

[Pikey Dave]

Are you sure it’s the fish causing punctures & not the material going porous? I’ve been fishing off ribs & sibs for 30 odd years & never had a puncture due to fishing.

[User name]

Someone told me this wasn't a realistic problem a few months ago, though I suspected they'd never been fishing in their life.

This is why airdecks aren't great for fishing. Bass and many other species can puncture the boat very easily, as you discovered. I've actually picked up a few free SIBs because they were peppered with micro punctures like this. I'd stick to using a landing net in future if you can. If you have an airdeck, stick some garage floor matting down to give you a better chance, but it's always a worry no matter how much prep you do.

On the plus side, you're catching loads of bass so I don't feel too sorry for you.

[ribber]

Yep pikey dave, it's those pesky Bass. I didn't notice the leaks for a while as the air escaped very slowly.
Four patches so far, hopefully the last, as I will be more careful in future in landing them. Will take the advice of user name, in getting a landing net.

[Brinormeg]

Land and unhook in a builders bucket was best for us if we couldn’t shake them off over the water.
Less chance hooking yourself, anything or anyone.

Already have rubber comfort matting on the air floor to discourage the dog trying to dig when fed up.which might not end very well!

Can’t comment on bass…..as yet to mange to catch one! But many of the guys I see manage fine on inflatables with a bit of extra care.

[spartacus]

Been fishing for years and never had an issue with fish spines. Actually, dried in blood in on hypalon tubes stains like hell when you despatch them is more of an issue unless wiped down quickly.

You can find a washed up fish box. Plentiful on west coast, and land them in there.

[ribber]

This was admittedly only realised after switching to catching Bass, as the mackerel we were catching didn't raise an issue.
Have got an old cool box for next season... not sure where to keep the beers!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ribber

This was admittedly only realised after switching to catching Bass, as the mackerel we were catching didn't raise an issue.
Have got an old cool box for next season... not sure where to keep the beers!

Get yourself a piece of carpet/astroturf/rubber matting & make a landing patch to go over the tube where you land the fish.