I use and open face reel... does it make a diff. in catching fish than the traditional or just for comfort?
553900
Both.  I fish a lot.  I mean a lot.  I fish tournaments.  I fish ponds.  All sorts of cover, open water, underwater structure, the whole nine yards. \n\nBoth types of reels have their benefits and both types of reels have their shortcomings.\n\nFirst - the baitcaster.  There's a reason everyone on the Bassmaster trail has more baitcasters on their boat than spinning reels (open face).  This is because with the technology of today, baitcasters are amazing.  You can cast a 1/16 oz. weight into the wind nearly as far as you want, and land it on a dime if you've got the ability.  Practice, practice, practice.  Baitcasters also tend to have higher gear ratios (5.0:1, 6.1:1, and now even 7.0:1 - that means w/ one turn of the handle, the spool turns 7 times - bringing in over 30 inches of line w/ one turn).  However, baitcasters do have their shortcomings.  The backlash.  This happens when the spool is spinning faster than line is coming out and it creates on heck of a mess.  It can really put a damper on the day, especially in a tournament.  The only other problem w/ a baitcaster is that an inexperienced user will find it incredibly difficult to cast lightweight lures a desired distance.\n\nThe positives of a baitcaster create the negatives of a spinning reel and vice versa.  Where you get incredible accuracy and great ratios out of a baitcaster, the spinning reel lacks.  It is hard to cast a spinning real as accurately as a bait caster because you can't stop the line w/ your thumb.  You also aren't afforded great gear ratios and therefore you do a lot more work to get a fish in the boat.  W/ a spinning reel, you don't get backlashes and you have the ability to cast lightweight lures good distances with ease because of less resistance from the spool.\n\nI carry 2 spinning combos for floating worms and small spinners, and about a dozen baitcasters for everything else.  \n\nHope that helps.
1092884
I would have to agree to Markus, try soft plastics.  I caught a 5 lb largemouth on a YUM 4inch "dinger", it's like a senko type stick worm.  I actually let the line loose, and held the worm in my hand, and threw it up into the air.  I found that a certain "kerplunk" made the bass hit the worm like it was going out of style.  I was night fishing in a heavy pressure, over-fished lake in western Pa.  If it is rather hot, I would try a YUM 7 inch ribbontail worm.  They produce great strikes from some nice bass. I would have to suggest a slow retrieve with a few little jerks to make the tail flutter very fast.  It almost imitates a snake.    Of all bass lures, I am the most confident using soft plastics.  As always, keep your line tight when using plastics, and your rod at a 9 o'clock position.  When you feel the bass take the bait, lower the tip, reel in the slack, and set the hook with a good sweep up.  I find that in my area that watermelon is the most productive color at anytime.  I would suggest trying soft plastics in watermelon first, and then when you can use that type of worm efficiently, maybe try other colors.  Tight lines.
800738
seems to me that you are dropping your back cast.One common fault is to much line out.You only need to have at the most 10yds in the air.Try keeping the rod at 10 to 2 on a clock face.Dont forget that the rod is flexing when you cast.Put your thumb on the handle,it will stop the rod from going back to far.Try a simple roll cast first to put the line out ,lift the rod swiftly as the line goes behind you wait until you feel the weight of the line then drive the rod forward and let go of the line when the rod is at 10 o'clock . When you have got the hang of it then you can try 2 false casts.I taught my 10 yr old daughter to cast this way and in 45mins she was putting out a 15 yd cast . Just remember casting is hard work when tired you will cock-up your casting more. bad casts=bad fishing.Hope this helps some,tight lines.
1047647
It discourages the riff-raff element. I've already been put off coarse fishing because of the amount of idiots/@rseholes on the banks these days, especially the carpers. I've now taken up fly fishing and have to say that everyone I've met so far have been absolute gentlemen. If you have a genuine passion for it you'll pay the money. If it costs 50p all day then all sorts will be turning up.\nWhy do some shop at Lidl and some at Marks & Spencer?
264994
sensitivity of the rod tip.......for you to feel the subtle differences of dragging lure across the bottom versus a nibble or soft bite of the fish on your lure
452678
i lived and fished their, remember your in deeper water so you may need a longer steel leader, do not use the nylon for your leader go to a store buy Thar steel leader kits wire,barrel ls, crimping tool. that set up is your friend. and do not be afraid of asking another fisherman pay attention and watch the success full ones. all so if you are rigged properly, and using the right jig,spinner,bait etc. if still not catching change your hook size people come their and use the largest hooks not necessary. and have fun, it is so beautifully there. god bless good luck.
1180625
The best one in my personal and use opinion is the original Rapala..I have been using this lure for years and it has not let me down yet.
297155
First of all check out the "Project FISH" website, the "FISH" stands for Friends Involved with Sportfishing Heritage".\n\nSecond; Beginners and Professionals rely on bobber fishing with worms, minnows or other live bait.  Many walleye are taken using a bobber and a leach.  Steelhead anglers use a bobber and a spawn bag or artificial fly to present their bait.  A bobber lets you suspend your offering in front of the fish longer, you don't get tired casting and have less chance of getting tangled up in a branch or other person!  Bobber fishing is less expensive.\n\nLastly, have fun and take a kid fishing (if you are a kid, take an adult fishing!).\n\nLet me know how you make out.\n\nAllen
619948
To answer your question, live bait is better for most people. But in my opinion, anyone without skills the live bait would be better.  But someone who is into the sporting aspect of fishing would use artificial.  Because it takes skill to animate a piece of plastic to the likings of a bass.  I have a tournament in 10 days, and the only bait you can use is artificial.  So if you want to actually have more fun use artificial.  If your stuck on a deserted island and need to fish to survive, use live bait.I like to say, "Anyone can put a worm on and catch fish, but it takes real skill to catchum with artificial bait." I like to use artificial because it takes much more skill to get fish.  You have to pick just the right color and size that the fish want. Sometimes I fish next to someone using the same lure or plastic worm, and I'll catch fish and they won't, it all depends on how you work the bait.  Have fun!
126216
Most manufacturers make reels with several different ratios. The 5:1 ratio reel means the spool of the reel will make five complete revolutions with one complete revolution of the reel handle.\nReels with low ratios are ideal for lures that require a slow retrieve. Most crankbaits work well with a reel with a 5: 1 ratio, while other lures such as a lipless crankbait are best fished with a 6.2:1 ratio reel.\nSome anglers fish exclusively with reels that have a 6.2:1 ratio, and feel that they can simply reel slower when they are fishing a lure that requires a slower retrieve. Other anglers feel that they lose the sensitivity that a fast retrieve offers when they try this method.\nAnother consideration is the amount of line that is brought in with each turn of the handle. A reel that has a full spool, and a gear ration of 4:1 retrieves about 18 inches of line with each turn of the handle. A reel with a 5:1 ratio will retrieve 22 inches of line, and a reel with 6.2:1 will retrieve 28 inches of line with each turn of the reel handle.
669858
Electric trolling motors have come a long way.  With the new style batteries, you can fish for most of a day without loosing power.  I'm a big fan and think they are worth every penny (I used to run a trolling plate, this is MUCH better!).
1165463
i know for the white bass and large mouth and walleye if any!!! id for sure try a bullet blade (there called alot of different things... the ones i got were called Zonars) !!! ,,,  http://www.in-fisherman.com/reference/weekly_tip/IFD_tip_FreshwaterDrumA.jpg  ... in the picture its the lure on the top left looks just like the pic pretty much... i was just introduced to those this year by a random fisherman who was pulling them out left and right using one... and saw i was having no luck... i was using twisters.. rapalas.. live bait... all of the above.. and i finally ran over to the bait shop and picked up a few of these and nailed white bass and large mouth in the same spot i wasnt catching them B4..but the picture is what they look like not sure what there called in ur local bait shop.. but they were killer... Ive found out that white bass LOVE Silver!!!
633457
Yup, this helps a lot.  First, remove the cover to the reel, so you can see the bale (round silver thing with a small thing that sticks out on the side)run your line through the cover first, then wrap below the bale, and tie into a knot. Make sure knot is tight around, and trim any excess line away.  Put the cover back on and stare reeling in the new line.  You need to check to make sure you don't put too much line on the reel, or it won't work properly.
1134818
I have had the best results with a Rebel Pop-r.  I have caught largemouth on the bone colored pop-r's as well as the brightly colored ones.  At night, I have had good results with a Arbagast Hula popper, as well as a Jitterbug. Both in black.  Heddon also makes a good lure called the Spook, which is retrieved with the "walk the dog" technique. If it is a windy day, with a ripple on the water, try a Heddon Torpedo.  As with all topwater lures, cast the lure near cover, and let it sit, until the ripples dissipate.  Then try different retrieves.  Fast slow and in between.  Let the lure pause every few pops, and usually that is when the bass will strike.  When they hit the lure, wait until you feel the fish pulling on you line, and then set the hook.  I have tried different topwater frogs, and the best in my opinion is the Bronze eye.  Its hooks are better placed and result in 75% more hook up when you get a hit.  I have found that most other topwater frogs have poor results.  The fish will hit them, but the hooks only set properly in 20% of the bass that take the frog. Have fun, and tight lines.
1098017
if the line is not  yet on the spool then i would suggest taking the whole thing to your local tackle shop and have them load your reel,  they have the proper equipment to do that and it will only take 2 minutes.  when you are ready to put the reel on the rod you need to install the reel in the grooves of the rod and there will probably be a threaded nut that will cinche the reel in tightly. \n\nmake sure that you put the line through the bail of the reel before you feed it through all the eyes of the rod. \n\na spinning rod and reel should be used with the eyes pointing down. i often see people using them with the eyes pointing up but that is wrong.\n\ngood luck
1056995
Depends on what kind of jig...\n\n\nBass Jig: I'll usually just cast into thick cover and jig it along the bottom.  Soemtimes I'll put some attractant on it since I'm going to be up close and personal because I'll probably be flipping it.  That usually works pretty well.  Other times, I'll get a lighter jig, put on a trailer, and swim it.  That will work pretty well when the fish are suspended.\n\nCrappie Jig:  Most of the time I just swim these since crappie in our area are almost always suspended on underwater structure.  However, when I'm fishing minnows w/ a bobber, and I've determined the depth at which the fish are suspended - run out of minnnows - I'll tie on a crappie jig to the bobber and swim it that way.  By doing that, the jig is at the same depth that the fish are.\n\nGood Luck.
377990
There is one made called "fishing buddy" . Pretty worthless if you must ask me....Even on my boat where I have 2 fishfinders mostly we use them for finding structure or depth...not so much fish. How much is the depth and strutcure going to change fishing from shore...not much right. These things actually work best for ice fishing....save your money. Buy a better rod to cast further from shore if your gonna spend.