My favorite as well usually but not always with a 17lb mono leader and worm style jig head. I like an even shorter rod as it allows you to bring them straight up quickly avoiding under water cables here. Winter fish are sometimes at 75 to 100 feet deep so 3/8 oz jig head get you back to the fish quicker. People stop laughing at my shorter rod after they get snagged a few times!WesternRailfan5181 said:
Need fishing instructor!
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highdesertranger
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50lb line, 17lb line, holy cow what are you all fishing for, whales? highdesertranger
Record for Stripped Bass at Lake Powell is 48 pounds, plus the fact they hit hard and fast the less stretch in the line the quicker the hook set. Add to that there are a lot of obstructions around a dock line can rub against and be damaged. Heavy braided line solves all those problems while being small enough diameter to fit where regular line wouldn't. If your sewing canvas and want something that will cut the canvas before it breaks as well as holds knots this is it.
sushidog
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Down here in Louisiana we like to bowfish. I've shot my share of alligator gar (and probably yours as well.) The small ones are good eatin', filleted and fried. The big ones are used to make crab cakes and fried gar balls.
For reference, this is a small gar. (A longnose gar. Alligator gars have a head that looks like a gator - go figure.)
Big ones are huge! I've seen em' over 6 ft long. Might as well take a fish that will feed you for a while.
Chip
For reference, this is a small gar. (A longnose gar. Alligator gars have a head that looks like a gator - go figure.)
Big ones are huge! I've seen em' over 6 ft long. Might as well take a fish that will feed you for a while.
Chip
highdesertranger
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that's cool, with a recurve too. what brand bow? highdesertranger
ArtW
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I went from a recurve to a compound, big mistake for me
eDJ_
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I did so much Fishing in my past beginning as a little 4 year old kid.
I still have my rod and reel I caught my first fish with. LOL It belonged to my Great Grandad who won it on a
"Tip Book" where he bought one 15 cent "Tip" and got the lucky number.
My rod is a 9ft split bamboo Fly Rod and simple cage reel pre WW2. Hard to believe how money it's worth today.
But for learning to Fish if you don't know how, it may be easier to start out with a spin casting reel & rod.
such a reel mounts on the top of the rod and (as you can see) there is a trigger at the far left on the reel that you hold down with your thumb as you cast. Then just as you get the tip of your rod to about the 11 or 10 o'clock position you let up on that trigger and the weight, hook and bait pulls the line out of the reel to make the cast. It's probably the easiest way to for beginners to learn.
Often you practice in an open lot with a practice weight. They come in bright colors so you can see them as you cast towards a target you set up for your practice.
Now, if you can get some skill built up within a few days or a week......you don't have to miss Trout Fishing.
And....you don't have to have fly fishing equipment and be good with it to Trout fish with flies etc.
There are special floats you can fill with water (like 1/3 to 1/2 full of water) that will serve as a floating weight, where you may have 3 feet of line that extends past it with a fishing fly attached to the end. It can give you the best of both worlds. Why do this ? Cause right now is some of the best Fishing Weather of he year.
People at the Fishing Tackle Shop can show you these and show you how to rig up, but I've even seen these things at Walmart. There is either a tapered tube that goes through the bubble (that has the wide end of the tube facing towards the Fly) that can be pressed free so you can fill the bubble with water or after a few cast adjust to add more water for more weight or do the opposite to lighten it. Some of these bubble floats have a small rubber plug in the side of them to fill or empty the water through.
But being a lefty or not......set up like this you could be out catching Trout just as easily as those with all the Fly equipment.
Early in the Fishing season the Fish will bite on artificial lures such as Flies. But as the water warms up the fish will tend to be attracted to live bait more often.
The bubble float works nicely in the cool weather before the water warms up. Later you may want to rig up with red and white floats, some line with a lead sinker at the bottom and above the weight a foot or two a couple of snelled hooks on leaders. sinker at one end and line to reel at the other where the red and white float is a few feet above the hooks.
In this view there is a loop between the two hooks. That's only for the illustration. The hooks would be a couple feet apart. But this rig is for fishing with live bait such as worms or minnows.
But this would get you in the game and have you catching Fish, providing they are biting. A good time to fish is a few hours before it is supposed to rain when the barometer is low.
But this is the online fishing lessons I'd offer you. LOL
Also, brands like Zebco, Shakespeare, South Bend, can be found around discount and liquidation stores quite reasonably. (new never used) They are dependable and good entry level stuff.
I still have my rod and reel I caught my first fish with. LOL It belonged to my Great Grandad who won it on a
"Tip Book" where he bought one 15 cent "Tip" and got the lucky number.
My rod is a 9ft split bamboo Fly Rod and simple cage reel pre WW2. Hard to believe how money it's worth today.
But for learning to Fish if you don't know how, it may be easier to start out with a spin casting reel & rod.
such a reel mounts on the top of the rod and (as you can see) there is a trigger at the far left on the reel that you hold down with your thumb as you cast. Then just as you get the tip of your rod to about the 11 or 10 o'clock position you let up on that trigger and the weight, hook and bait pulls the line out of the reel to make the cast. It's probably the easiest way to for beginners to learn.
Often you practice in an open lot with a practice weight. They come in bright colors so you can see them as you cast towards a target you set up for your practice.
Now, if you can get some skill built up within a few days or a week......you don't have to miss Trout Fishing.
And....you don't have to have fly fishing equipment and be good with it to Trout fish with flies etc.
There are special floats you can fill with water (like 1/3 to 1/2 full of water) that will serve as a floating weight, where you may have 3 feet of line that extends past it with a fishing fly attached to the end. It can give you the best of both worlds. Why do this ? Cause right now is some of the best Fishing Weather of he year.
People at the Fishing Tackle Shop can show you these and show you how to rig up, but I've even seen these things at Walmart. There is either a tapered tube that goes through the bubble (that has the wide end of the tube facing towards the Fly) that can be pressed free so you can fill the bubble with water or after a few cast adjust to add more water for more weight or do the opposite to lighten it. Some of these bubble floats have a small rubber plug in the side of them to fill or empty the water through.
But being a lefty or not......set up like this you could be out catching Trout just as easily as those with all the Fly equipment.
Early in the Fishing season the Fish will bite on artificial lures such as Flies. But as the water warms up the fish will tend to be attracted to live bait more often.
The bubble float works nicely in the cool weather before the water warms up. Later you may want to rig up with red and white floats, some line with a lead sinker at the bottom and above the weight a foot or two a couple of snelled hooks on leaders. sinker at one end and line to reel at the other where the red and white float is a few feet above the hooks.
In this view there is a loop between the two hooks. That's only for the illustration. The hooks would be a couple feet apart. But this rig is for fishing with live bait such as worms or minnows.
But this would get you in the game and have you catching Fish, providing they are biting. A good time to fish is a few hours before it is supposed to rain when the barometer is low.
But this is the online fishing lessons I'd offer you. LOL
Also, brands like Zebco, Shakespeare, South Bend, can be found around discount and liquidation stores quite reasonably. (new never used) They are dependable and good entry level stuff.
highdesertranger
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don't get caught fresh water fishing with that last rig^ in California. highdesertranger
Kathleen
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Thank you, eDJ_, for taking the time to post that very informative info!! My grandfather used a bamboo fly rod too. My dad promised it to me, as I live in the west, but he ended up giving it to my brother in England, who has probably already sold it on Ebay.eDJ_ said:
Good idea to practice casting in big empty lot. I'm invited to go on a fly fishing trip in late May, northern NM and southern CO. Would be a rush to return from there to attend summer RTR in AZ, but I'd like to attend both events.
I'll print your page as a reference. I really appreciate you taking the time to post all that online.
Happy fishing to you!!
Kathleen
eDJ_
Well-known member
highdesertranger may be right about the last "rig" Kathleen. Each State has it's own rules about how you can rig hooks and the number of them you can use with a rod & reel.
That rig is known where I live as a "Crappie Rig" (white Perch or a sunfish like a "blue gill") and come packaged like this. So you will know them when you see them in stores.
When you purchase a Fishing License you will get some information that explains what is legal for fishing in the state's waters. If you are at a Specialized Fishing Tackle Store or Department of a Big Box Store they may sell License and have clerks who can explain things to you.
Fly fishing is one of the most complex types of fishing you can engage in. You can purchase starter outfits such as Martin sells commonly at Walmart and other places. ($30 to $45 dollars) You get a fiberglass rod, a "cage reel" (basically in Fly fishing the Fly Reel is just a container for the line and isn't used in technique so much like Spinning outfits....so you are landing a fish in a more manual sense)
You will soon begin to learn about what I'm speaking of. I own fiberglass rods of different lengths and several reels with different tapers of Fly Line to use for the kind of fishing I do. But just for starters a level "non tapered" line will be all you need to learn with. In Fly fishing you don't use weights so much as the line serves as the weight. I tie my own "flies", "poppers", "streamers", and "specialties" ("muddler minnow"
is a favorite of mine)
I've fished West Virginia's Mountain Streams and caught "Golden Trout" (the State Fish). I've used Salmon Eggs as bait with "egg hooks" (tiny things) Rainbow Trout, Brown's, and a bunch of small mouth Bass.
Craziest fishing story "I" have to offer:
I was fishing at a large Lake at a State Park from a row boat once. Fish just didn't seem to be biting. I was looking out over the stern of the boat and in close to the shore. All these birds started squawking and flying around the boat like they were "dive bombing on me". Never had anything like that happen before. I turned to look out over the bow of the boat and didn't see anything at first and then saw my minnow bucket which was sitting right behind me. A water snake (don't know what kind) had come over the gunwale (edge) of the boat and was after my bait minnows and eating them. I grabbed my landing net and launched him back into the water. Fortunately he didn't eat them all but still the fish weren't biting so I guess I didn't need them that badly. Just glad he didn't come on in the boat.
That rig is known where I live as a "Crappie Rig" (white Perch or a sunfish like a "blue gill") and come packaged like this. So you will know them when you see them in stores.
When you purchase a Fishing License you will get some information that explains what is legal for fishing in the state's waters. If you are at a Specialized Fishing Tackle Store or Department of a Big Box Store they may sell License and have clerks who can explain things to you.
Fly fishing is one of the most complex types of fishing you can engage in. You can purchase starter outfits such as Martin sells commonly at Walmart and other places. ($30 to $45 dollars) You get a fiberglass rod, a "cage reel" (basically in Fly fishing the Fly Reel is just a container for the line and isn't used in technique so much like Spinning outfits....so you are landing a fish in a more manual sense)
You will soon begin to learn about what I'm speaking of. I own fiberglass rods of different lengths and several reels with different tapers of Fly Line to use for the kind of fishing I do. But just for starters a level "non tapered" line will be all you need to learn with. In Fly fishing you don't use weights so much as the line serves as the weight. I tie my own "flies", "poppers", "streamers", and "specialties" ("muddler minnow"
is a favorite of mine)
I've fished West Virginia's Mountain Streams and caught "Golden Trout" (the State Fish). I've used Salmon Eggs as bait with "egg hooks" (tiny things) Rainbow Trout, Brown's, and a bunch of small mouth Bass.
Craziest fishing story "I" have to offer:
I was fishing at a large Lake at a State Park from a row boat once. Fish just didn't seem to be biting. I was looking out over the stern of the boat and in close to the shore. All these birds started squawking and flying around the boat like they were "dive bombing on me". Never had anything like that happen before. I turned to look out over the bow of the boat and didn't see anything at first and then saw my minnow bucket which was sitting right behind me. A water snake (don't know what kind) had come over the gunwale (edge) of the boat and was after my bait minnows and eating them. I grabbed my landing net and launched him back into the water. Fortunately he didn't eat them all but still the fish weren't biting so I guess I didn't need them that badly. Just glad he didn't come on in the boat.
Kathleen
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Craziest fishing story "I" have to offer:
I was fishing at a large Lake at a State Park from a row boat once. Fish just didn't seem to be biting. I was looking out over the stern of the boat and in close to the shore. All these birds started squawking and flying around the boat like they were "dive bombing on me". Never had anything like that happen before. I turned to look out over the bow of the boat and didn't see anything at first and then saw my minnow bucket which was sitting right behind me. A water snake (don't know what kind) had come over the gunwale (edge) of the boat and was after my bait minnows and eating them. I grabbed my landing net and launched him back into the water. Fortunately he didn't eat them all but still the fish weren't biting so I guess I didn't need them that badly. Just glad he didn't come on in the boat.
eDJ_, Thanks for yet another informative post and the great story about the snake. It is worthwhile to pay attention to squawking birds and other unusual critter activity. They notice what's going on around us. I need to add a large net to my fishing gear. Better than removing a large snake by hand!
Yes, I got the long handbook about fishing rules for my state that came with the license. We certainly live in a highly regulated world. I've never seen a Crappie Rig before. I'll print both of your posts for reference. Thanks for all the info, including info on fly fishing and the kinds of gear I can pick up at Wmart.
I was fishing at a large Lake at a State Park from a row boat once. Fish just didn't seem to be biting. I was looking out over the stern of the boat and in close to the shore. All these birds started squawking and flying around the boat like they were "dive bombing on me". Never had anything like that happen before. I turned to look out over the bow of the boat and didn't see anything at first and then saw my minnow bucket which was sitting right behind me. A water snake (don't know what kind) had come over the gunwale (edge) of the boat and was after my bait minnows and eating them. I grabbed my landing net and launched him back into the water. Fortunately he didn't eat them all but still the fish weren't biting so I guess I didn't need them that badly. Just glad he didn't come on in the boat.
eDJ_, Thanks for yet another informative post and the great story about the snake. It is worthwhile to pay attention to squawking birds and other unusual critter activity. They notice what's going on around us. I need to add a large net to my fishing gear. Better than removing a large snake by hand!
Yes, I got the long handbook about fishing rules for my state that came with the license. We certainly live in a highly regulated world. I've never seen a Crappie Rig before. I'll print both of your posts for reference. Thanks for all the info, including info on fly fishing and the kinds of gear I can pick up at Wmart.
eDJ_
Well-known member
You're welcome Kathleen, LOL
People teach each other to fish, but telling fishing stories....that's a skill that comes with time, experience, and good company. Although with this being National Library Week, you may find some books with fishing stories stories
in print.
People teach each other to fish, but telling fishing stories....that's a skill that comes with time, experience, and good company. Although with this being National Library Week, you may find some books with fishing stories stories
in print.
Kathleen
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eDJ_ said:You're welcome Kathleen, LOL
People teach each other to fish, but telling fishing stories....that's a skill that comes with time, experience, and good company. Although with this being National Library Week, you may find some books with fishing stories stories
in print.
Haha, but I want to hear those fishing stories in person...the one that got away, the Guinness Book or Records fish, whatever wild stories come up around the lake, river or campfire. :s
