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Post by esshup on Aug 22, 2024 0:24:15 GMT -5
Tonight I decided that I'm not a bait caster guy. I got tired of bad casts and bird nests. I'll be sticking with open bail reels from now on. Does anyone have a recommendation for a larger catfish open bail reel that won't drain my wallet? The key to catching larger fish on ANY reel is properly setting the drag. On freshwater rods I set the drag at 20-30 percent of the breaking strength of the line. Here is how I do it: Get a plastic bottle (milk jug/bleach bottle, etc. Fill it with water, weigh it. 10# test line = 2 or 3 pounds DO THIS OUTSIDE AND NOT UNDER ANYTHING! If the line breaks you don't want the rod to snap up and hit something - there's a good chance of breaking it. Ask me how I know..... Tie the jug to the line just like you would a lure - running the line through all the guides on the rod. Set the jug on the ground, try to pick it up with the rod/reel. If the drag slips and you can't get it barely off the ground, tighten the drag. If the drag doesn't slip a little bit when picking it up, loosen the drag. You will be surprised at how much drag pressure that is! You want to set the drag with all of the friction of the line going though the rod guides, etc., or it might be set too high if you just guess at it while pulling it off of the reel. I like the Shimano rear drag spinning reels. You set the drag, then you can move the lever for more or less drag and always return to your original setting. I have Symetre and others like that but the new one is called Shimano Sahara FI Rear Drag Spinning Reel, Look at the 4000R model. You should be able to put 12# test line on it. OR go with 15# braid and use a 10#-12# flurocarbon leader. Set the drag for 20-30% of the leader, not the main line. I caught a 10# Hybrid Striped Bass in a farm pond in Nebraska using one of the smaller model rear drag Shimano reels and 2# test line.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 22, 2024 7:56:46 GMT -5
Tonight I decided that I'm not a bait caster guy. I got tired of bad casts and bird nests. I'll be sticking with open bail reels from now on. Does anyone have a recommendation for a larger catfish open bail reel that won't drain my wallet? The key to catching larger fish on ANY reel is properly setting the drag. On freshwater rods I set the drag at 20-30 percent of the breaking strength of the line. Here is how I do it: Get a plastic bottle (milk jug/bleach bottle, etc. Fill it with water, weigh it. 10# test line = 2 or 3 pounds DO THIS OUTSIDE AND NOT UNDER ANYTHING! If the line breaks you don't want the rod to snap up and hit something - there's a good chance of breaking it. Ask me how I know..... Tie the jug to the line just like you would a lure - running the line through all the guides on the rod. Set the jug on the ground, try to pick it up with the rod/reel. If the drag slips and you can't get it barely off the ground, tighten the drag. If the drag doesn't slip a little bit when picking it up, loosen the drag. You will be surprised at how much drag pressure that is! You want to set the drag with all of the friction of the line going though the rod guides, etc., or it might be set too high if you just guess at it while pulling it off of the reel. I like the Shimano rear drag spinning reels. You set the drag, then you can move the lever for more or less drag and always return to your original setting. I have Symetre and others like that but the new one is called Shimano Sahara FI Rear Drag Spinning Reel, Look at the 4000R model. You should be able to put 12# test line on it. OR go with 15# braid and use a 10#-12# flurocarbon leader. Set the drag for 20-30% of the leader, not the main line. I caught a 10# Hybrid Striped Bass in a farm pond in Nebraska using one of the smaller model rear drag Shimano reels and 2# test line. Thanks for the info, but I'm going to stick with what I'm familiar with. I like to fish to relax. Fighting bird nests or 10' casts isn't very relaxing for me.
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Post by duff on Aug 22, 2024 19:29:53 GMT -5
Diawa bg in 3000 or 4000 size would bring any fish in and built to last. 125 on Amazon
Pfleuger presendential reel is good. $55-75 depending on the size.
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Post by esshup on Aug 22, 2024 22:30:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, but I'm going to stick with what I'm familiar with. I like to fish to relax. Fighting bird nests or 10' casts isn't very relaxing for me. You shouldn't have any bird nests with that spinning reel. The reel that I listed is NOT a bait casting reel. If you do, you are putting the line on the reel wrong. Or using an in=line spinner without a small ball bearing swivel. You lay the spool of line on the ground label up and string the line through the guides. When you reel it on the spinning reel every once in a while drop the tip of the rod and look at the line between the rod tip and the spool of line. If it twists, flip the spool over and reel for the same amount of time and check it again. Hold the line with 2 fingers just to the reel side of the rod eyelet that is closest to the reel. Holding the line tight will pack it denser on the reel. Fill the reel to 1/16"-3/32" of overflowing. If the line comes off the reel by itself, or it birdnests, it may be old line too. I try to change line every year, 2 years max.
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Post by budd on Aug 23, 2024 7:40:36 GMT -5
Tonight I decided that I'm not a bait caster guy. I got tired of bad casts and bird nests. I'll be sticking with open bail reels from now on. Does anyone have a recommendation for a larger catfish open bail reel that won't drain my wallet? LOL, I love my baitcaster's. Spending a little extra for quality baitcaster's helps, but knowing how to set them up properly for each lure goes even further.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 23, 2024 8:23:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, but I'm going to stick with what I'm familiar with. I like to fish to relax. Fighting bird nests or 10' casts isn't very relaxing for me. You shouldn't have any bird nests with that spinning reel. The reel that I listed is NOT a bait casting reel. If you do, you are putting the line on the reel wrong. Or using an in=line spinner without a small ball bearing swivel. You lay the spool of line on the ground label up and string the line through the guides. When you reel it on the spinning reel every once in a while drop the tip of the rod and look at the line between the rod tip and the spool of line. If it twists, flip the spool over and reel for the same amount of time and check it again. Hold the line with 2 fingers just to the reel side of the rod eyelet that is closest to the reel. Holding the line tight will pack it denser on the reel. Fill the reel to 1/16"-3/32" of overflowing. If the line comes off the reel by itself, or it birdnests, it may be old line too. I try to change line every year, 2 years max. Sorry, I thought that advice was for a baitcaster. I only get the bird nests with the baitcaster. When I'm catfishing, I like to set the drag real light so they can take some line when they hit. I grab the pole and turn the drag up before setting the hook.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 23, 2024 8:24:28 GMT -5
Diawa bg in 3000 or 4000 size would bring any fish in and built to last. 125 on Amazon Pfleuger presendential reel is good. $55-75 depending on the size. Thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to look those up. A new reel will probably have to wait for Christmas. My wife wants me to make a wish list this year.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 23, 2024 16:38:58 GMT -5
Diawa bg in 3000 or 4000 size would bring any fish in and built to last. 125 on Amazon Pfleuger presendential reel is good. $55-75 depending on the size. I checked out the presidential reel at Walmart. It looked like a nice one. It was $69
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Post by outdoorjoe on Aug 23, 2024 20:55:14 GMT -5
Diawa bg in 3000 or 4000 size would bring any fish in and built to last. 125 on Amazon Pfleuger presendential reel is good. $55-75 depending on the size. I checked out the presidential reel at Walmart. It looked like a nice one. It was $69 It's my favorite
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Post by duff on Aug 23, 2024 21:56:50 GMT -5
I checked out the presidential reel at Walmart. It looked like a nice one. It was $69 It's my favorite Great reel for reasonable cost
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Post by esshup on Aug 23, 2024 23:32:42 GMT -5
I have 2 bait casters, The Muskie rod is an Ambassadeur 5600C and the bass reel is a Shimano Curado 200E7
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 24, 2024 16:34:16 GMT -5
I picked up a Mitchell avocet rzt 2000 reel on a broken pole today for $4 at a yard sale. The reel looks clean and works good. It will make a good bass set up if I can find a decent pole for it.
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Post by omegahunter on Aug 28, 2024 19:50:37 GMT -5
Caught 8 more bluegills off beds Sunday afternoon during a short fishing trip. While trolling between spots, I found a good school halfway down a steep break 12' deep. I probably cast that area 10 times without anything hitting my cricket. Maybe it was a crappie school, but they weren't vertically scattered like I see most crappie schools look like on the YouTube videos. No pics as it was dark when I got around to cleaning them after a quick bite for supper.
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Post by duff on Aug 28, 2024 20:35:35 GMT -5
Caught 8 more bluegills off beds Sunday afternoon during a short fishing trip. While trolling between spots, I found a good school halfway down a steep break 12' deep. I probably cast that area 10 times without anything hitting my cricket. Maybe it was a crappie school, but they weren't vertically scattered like I see most crappie schools look like on the YouTube videos. No pics as it was dark when I got around to cleaning them after a quick bite for supper. I am itching for some gills. Thinking a trip to crane Friday morning is in order.
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Post by deadeer on Aug 29, 2024 18:21:32 GMT -5
We are all packed and ready to roll north for Ludington, MI. Heading out Saturday morning, as others are off Friday for the long weekend, so this slacker has to pick up the slack. Probably about as supreme of port for salmon there is on Lake Michigan. The main attraction is jigging for kings in Pere Marquette Lake that connects to LM, where they stage before heading upstream in the river of same name. Supposed to be a cool down/front over the weekend, so hopefully it will help increase the fish migration. Wife is coming with us, so one extra line in the water. Hoping for some success, put them on some fish, and just an overall good, family trip.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Aug 29, 2024 18:56:40 GMT -5
Good luck to you and the fam. Hopefully itโs at least an enjoyable time.
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Post by schall53 on Aug 29, 2024 18:59:16 GMT -5
We are all packed and ready to roll north for Ludington, MI. Heading out Saturday morning, as others are off Friday for the long weekend, so this slacker has to pick up the slack. Probably about as supreme of port for salmon there is on Lake Michigan. The main attraction is jigging for kings in Pere Marquette Lake that connects to LM, where they stage before heading upstream in the river of same name. Supposed to be a cool down/front over the weekend, so hopefully it will help increase the fish migration. Wife is coming with us, so one extra line in the water. Hoping for some success, put them on some fish, and just an overall good, family trip. Good luck guys!!
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Post by duff on Aug 29, 2024 21:08:03 GMT -5
We are all packed and ready to roll north for Ludington, MI. Heading out Saturday morning, as others are off Friday for the long weekend, so this slacker has to pick up the slack. Probably about as supreme of port for salmon there is on Lake Michigan. The main attraction is jigging for kings in Pere Marquette Lake that connects to LM, where they stage before heading upstream in the river of same name. Supposed to be a cool down/front over the weekend, so hopefully it will help increase the fish migration. Wife is coming with us, so one extra line in the water. Hoping for some success, put them on some fish, and just an overall good, family trip. House of Flavors for ice cream Ol Hamlin for breakfast My uncle lived up there for 30 yrs. Wonderful town. We have not been up there in 15 yrs. It was a great place to visit
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Post by deadeer on Aug 29, 2024 21:28:22 GMT -5
We are all packed and ready to roll north for Ludington, MI. Heading out Saturday morning, as others are off Friday for the long weekend, so this slacker has to pick up the slack. Probably about as supreme of port for salmon there is on Lake Michigan. The main attraction is jigging for kings in Pere Marquette Lake that connects to LM, where they stage before heading upstream in the river of same name. Supposed to be a cool down/front over the weekend, so hopefully it will help increase the fish migration. Wife is coming with us, so one extra line in the water. Hoping for some success, put them on some fish, and just an overall good, family trip. House of Flavors for ice cream Ol Hamlin for breakfast My uncle lived up there for 30 yrs. Wonderful town. We have not been up there in 15 yrs. It was a great place to visit Same info from Featherduster. Thanks fellas. We will attend these and give a full report. ๐
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Post by esshup on Aug 30, 2024 12:03:19 GMT -5
I hope you have a great weekend! Let us know how it goes!!!
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