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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2019 14:50:53 GMT -5
OK, I'm 100% saltwater kinda guy and know ZERO about freshwater. I'll be fishing on the Clinch River and from what I understand monster channel cats, Muskie, Walleye, Sauger and Smallmouth inhabit it. Water in front of my house ranges from a couple feet to holes that I cannot see bottom. I have no interest in learning fly fishing but a vintage Mitchell 300 is my all time favorite spinning reel.
River is pretty lazy on the surface but I was told it really has a dangerous current. Bobbers, bottom fishing with 2 oz sinkers, 3/0 hooks or what??? Nightcrawlers, bloodworms, liver or what?
Several large lakes in the area so a boat will probably happen next year. Almost sorry I sold my Wellcraft now but bank fishing is what I need to know at the moment. Can one fish for these things in the winter?
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Post by guido2 on Sept 2, 2019 11:05:01 GMT -5
Wow that is a tall order to put on one post. But I will try.
- The Mitch 300 is a good real. I suggest you clean it up a bit. Here is a link that can help; Also check the spool for capacities on line strength etc. It should have a range. The fish you seem to be going after are larger so go with the higher strength.
- The rod; if you have a selection get one with some backbone 2/3s the way up
- If you are going for hugh channel cats you could even use a 'light weight' Bay rod with an casting reel. Regardless. Big hook big bait. Trebles or offsets seem to be the key. Bait? Cats will eat anything. Some use livers, fresh cut bait, worms, corn (smaller fish). A trick. Instead of direct tying the weight to the line use a 'slip sleeve' attach the weight to it an run the line through it then attach a hook. This allows them to 'run' a bit.... a bobber is optional.
-Muskie, walleye etc. have some grinders or even real teeth. You may want to consider a steel leader. Hook size? Start with one that is about 1/2 the size of your thumb. If it is cool or has been higher up bobber fishing can work. If it has been hot go with an arrangement like the catfish but scaled down. That is if you want to still fish. If you are like me and want to be 'busy' then go with jigs with dressings like pork rines (not like you eat)...ones that look like frogs skipped ontop of lilly pads are always good.
Small large mouths, Again smaller hook. But then here is where it gets fun. Carolina rigs and Texas rigs with plastic worms thrown into weeds and worked by hopping or dragging can have good results.
In all cases determining weight is a pond by pond, river by river situation. Best thing is to a reasonable small weight like 1/2 oz and maybe a bobber a few feet above. Cast and monitor the drift. Go accordingly.
I would suggest going to YouTube and punch in various inquiries ...THERE ARE TON'S of videos about pretty much any question you may have.
Hope this helps. Tight lines. g
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Post by guido2 on Sept 2, 2019 11:06:54 GMT -5
OHHHHH I forgot. And what ever you do
REPLACE THE LINE! If it has been sitting odds are pretty good is has broken down. Also check for 'nicks' periodically. And at the end of the day.
But, I imagine this is pretty standard for salt water too.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 11:49:00 GMT -5
Good info Guido, thanks. Been using 300's (French made) since the early 60's in the Bay, well versed on them. They're the 30/06 of reels.
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Post by guido2 on Sept 2, 2019 12:18:16 GMT -5
Good info Guido, thanks. Been using 300's (French made) since the early 60's in the Bay, well versed on them. They're the 30/06 of reels. Never heard that term before. BTW … you may want to check around ebay to see how the model is treated money wise. It maybe a collectable if it isn't beaten to badly. You could get lucky and buy a few new ones. Question: When you say saltwater, big boat, surf casting, brakish. Also, if you got any small baitcasters around and a bay rod that would be excellent for big cats. To bad you don't live down the street.... I got a few 'extras' that I am not using plenty of rods....all well kept. Sold my bass boat and don't get to use them anymore....mostly open face.
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Post by guido2 on Sept 2, 2019 12:20:01 GMT -5
Again sorry wish I could edit;
I meant that maybe if it is a collectable you might get something newer. But judging from what I have seen of the newer ones....maybe you should stay with the workhorse. 😊
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 12:34:59 GMT -5
Good info Guido, thanks. Been using 300's (French made) since the early 60's in the Bay, well versed on them. They're the 30/06 of reels. Never heard that term before. BTW … you may want to check around ebay to see how the model is treated money wise. It maybe a collectable if it isn't beaten to badly. You could get lucky and buy a few new ones. Question: When you say saltwater, big boat, surf casting, brakish. Also, if you got any small baitcasters around and a bay rod that would be excellent for big cats. To bad you don't live down the street.... I got a few 'extras' that I am not using plenty of rods....all well kept. Sold my bass boat and don't get to use them anymore....mostly open face. You never heard it because it's my opinion. Each sport I engage in I have favorites, 06's and Mitchell 300's are mine. They're do alls if you will. Baitcasters always wind up as birds nest to me, I love open face spinners. Should I use a stout rod or something thin and flexible is the question? Bucktails and banjoeyes are of no use to me anymore so what should I use... spoons or what?
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Post by guido2 on Sept 3, 2019 12:43:52 GMT -5
Never heard that term before. BTW … you may want to check around ebay to see how the model is treated money wise. It maybe a collectable if it isn't beaten to badly. You could get lucky and buy a few new ones. Question: When you say saltwater, big boat, surf casting, brakish. Also, if you got any small baitcasters around and a bay rod that would be excellent for big cats. To bad you don't live down the street.... I got a few 'extras' that I am not using plenty of rods....all well kept. Sold my bass boat and don't get to use them anymore....mostly open face. You never heard it because it's my opinion. Each sport I engage in I have favorites, 06's and Mitchell 300's are mine. They're do alls if you will. Baitcasters always wind up as birds nest to me, I love open face spinners. Should I use a stout rod or something thin and flexible is the question? Bucktails and banjoeyes are of no use to me anymore so what should I use... spoons or what?
Lot of variables come into play when it comes to rod backbone and flexibility. And a lot depends on what is at the end of the rod and probably more importantly how comfortable are you with the rod and reel combination for the particular fish you are after. Yeah like we as fisherman can decide for the fish what they are attracted to. But here is one tip that many overlook when selecting a rod. What are the conditions around where you are fishing/casting from. Here is what I mean. If I am fishing a stream for trout in one of the state parks well where you can cast tends to be filled with lots of trees and shrubs. Which translates to you space to generate energy to cast the lure/bait is minimal...that is unless you want to spend half your time detangling from brush. So in that case a whippier ...shorter rod in the 6ft to 5 1/2 foot range is best...at least for me. IOWs you don't need a lot of wind up to get the bait out. I have found that the 'Ugly Stik' line is excellent (and cheap) for that. Now on the other hand if I am fishing from a clear area or a dock I can go with a longer rod 6 1/2 for and up to 7. Again it depends on what your are fishing for or more importantly what you might know is available there. Big cats...long pole lots of backbone...if you got a similar Bay pole that can work. Cats grab and chomp few run. So sensitivity (to feel a nibble) is not a priority. However bass tend to 'mouth the bait' so a rod with more sensitive tip and less backbone is in order. Lastly, if you go to a 'bass pond' that is inundated with vegetation presents additional issues. As you have to have some sensitivity....but you want enough backbone if you have to literally yank the fish out of the weeds....which causes a lot of strain on the rod. I have some 'flipping and pitching' rods that are of that type. Here is a link that may help you along the way.... www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+pick+a+fishing+rod+and+reelMy only other suggestions are; - To many people focus on the reel....the rod is the key. It is your connection to you..the line...the bait and what the fish is doing (or not). This is kinda Zen like but if you are not one with the rod....nothing else matters. - Don't go for the Bass Pro hype about the latest and greatest rods of boron, Kevlar etc. You can do very well with a nice inexpensive 'Ugly Stik'.j - If possible ask your friends if they have any rods laying around that you can borrow and try. While they maybe out of production now. It will at least give you an idea of how the combination of line, reel, bait work in conjunction with each other relative to your casting style. And yeah how you cast is part of the equation. Then you can decide what works for you if you decide to buy. -Now the time to buy …. summers over....they are clearing the shelves at Dicks and Bass Pro. LASTLY... and I can't emphasize this enough BE SURE to check the line guide for dirt and knicks in the guides. Clean with a Q-tip and something like Reel Magic or just alcohol. More fish are lost because of those things than anything else. If you are using older equipment....it is mandatory that you do check. Sorry about rambling on....hope this info is more useful than confusing. Tight lines. g
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Post by guido2 on Sept 3, 2019 12:46:15 GMT -5
BTW if you bucktails are around 1/2 oz or less you can use them ….just tip them with some frog pork rines or worms or even bacon. But you will have to work them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2019 15:15:53 GMT -5
BTW if you bucktails are around 1/2 oz or less you can use them ….just tip them with some frog pork rines or worms or even bacon. But you will have to work them. Bacon huh? Using that I might catch my grandkids! Never heard of that but it makes pretty good sense having used pork rinds millions of times before. 6 thumbs up!
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Post by guido2 on Sept 3, 2019 19:35:50 GMT -5
BTW if you bucktails are around 1/2 oz or less you can use them ….just tip them with some frog pork rines or worms or even bacon. But you will have to work them. Bacon huh? Using that I might catch my grandkids! Never heard of that but it makes pretty good sense having used pork rinds millions of times before. 6 thumbs up! Bacon and cheese excellent for catfish. The stinker the better. Cheese ...treble hook with a spring to hold it or get cheese cloth > cheese> treble>bacon optional>wrap and hook cheese cloth around....wrap ...tie cast. Hope
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2019 19:38:55 GMT -5
Bacon huh? Using that I might catch my grandkids! Never heard of that but it makes pretty good sense having used pork rinds millions of times before. 6 thumbs up! Bacon and cheese excellent for catfish. The stinker the better. Cheese ...treble hook with a spring to hold it or get cheese cloth > cheese> treble>bacon optional>wrap and hook cheese cloth around....wrap ...tie cast. Hope Well this way I can always eat the bait.
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Post by guido2 on Sept 3, 2019 19:42:59 GMT -5
If you fish for any length of time with live bait and as a salt water guy I am sure you do......sometime the bait is the biggest catch. 🤣
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2019 20:17:25 GMT -5
If you fish for any length of time with live bait and as a salt water guy I am sure you do......sometime the bait is the biggest catch. 🤣 Secret to that is go to a all you can eat Chinese joint with sushi, fill your pockets and pants up.
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