fishing equipment questions

rfuerst911sc · 03-24-2013, 05:21 AM

I have not gone fishing in 30 years but want to get back into it. With my 13 1/2 ' Boston Whaler project nearly complete I want to get on some of the local lakes and do some fishing. Mostly bass and crappies I suppose but who know's what else. In the past I had used closed face reels and open face spinning and enjoyed both. I have never used a bait casting setup. Lack of storage space ( small boat ) is a concern. And not knowing for sure if I'll be using lures or bait or a combo of both what would you suggest I purchase ? Are there specific brands to look for or is anything Wally World or Dick's sporting goods has on sale is good enough ? I just want to have some fun with my son/grandson not win a tournament !

ckelly78z · 03-24-2013, 06:07 AM

I'm sure there are those on here that will spout the virtues of a $500 spinning reel and rod combo that will take your fishing to the next level. If you stay with a good brand and more importantly, use really good fishing line, I think you won't have many headaches as far as equipment. I have always used an open faced spinning reel for all my fishing with lures, bait, or trolling and caught fish, but i'm sure someone will tell me i'm doing it wrong.

mossguy · 03-24-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I'm sure there are those on here that will spout the virtues of a $500 spinning reel and rod combo that will take your fishing to the next level. If you stay with a good brand and more importantly, use really good fishing line, I think you won't have many headaches as far as equipment. I have always used an open faced spinning reel for all my fishing with lures, bait, or trolling and caught fish, but i'm sure someone will tell me i'm doing it wrong.

Not doing it wrong. Just one of many ways to fish, enjoy fishing, and even catch an occasional fish. There is a reason it's called "going fishing" and not "going catching". Having and enjoying expensive gear is similar to how we view our automotive machinery. Don't necessarily need it for the job, but nice to have for other reasons.

I would go with the open face spinning setup, and try fly-fishing as well. Closed face spinning always seemed like a child's setup to me. YMMV.

Assembling your outfit(s) can be as much or more fun than the using of it,

Happy Fishing!

Tom

BeyGon · 03-24-2013, 07:55 AM

I used to deal with Shimano and Daiwa, I think they have what you want, very good quality. I did some fly fishing in the estuaries in Costa Rica when I lived there, it's great, I couldn't go total fly but it is a great alternative. Just be prepared, it costs more than conventional rod and reel. I would get something good in either case, not a wally world name fly set up. Step up and bite it, you well feel better later.

vash · vash's Garage

Closed faced casting has come a long way from the Zebco 202. But I still feel the Zebco is the Huffy bike of the fishing world. I love open faced casting. They have features to help prevent backlash. Even my older stuff is header to "birdsnest". Nothing is as rapid fire as open faced. Great for working worms and short ranged lures. I think they allow the most accurate cast too. Good for dropping lures next to sunken structures. Letting out line with a open face during trolling is best top.

HHI944 · 03-24-2013, 08:59 AM

Yeah, it takes some skill, but once you have it down, you can hit freakin bullseyes at 50yds with a good open face. I got a good deal on a well cared for Penn 113HL on a 6.5ft Sea Striker Rod. It's my go to rig for nearly everything.

drcoastline · 03-24-2013, 10:15 AM

I'm not much of a fresh water fisherman so I can not speak to specifics and certainly not at all to what is good equipment. But Whetehr fresh or salt water fishing you need a wide range of tackle. One minute the fish are bitting on a pink rubber worm the next they will only take live bait then the want a shinny piece of metal. So you need all the colors of the rainbow, poppers, jigs, spinners, etc. Every time you go to Walmart or K-mart or the like pick up a few items. Also watch yard and garage sales lots of good stuff cheap.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

For an open faced spinning reel, check out the pflueger president. I just picked one up and its buttery smooth. Many reviewers say it will perform as well or better than the more $$$ reels. Depending on what size you buy they can be had between 40 and 60$

I've been out quite a few times this year, and we've used spinning reels for everything but the large stripers we were catching on bait casters...

BeyGon · 03-24-2013, 11:36 AM

I had a neighbor once that tried to get me to deep pit BBQ a goat, he said it's cheap and if you do it just right it tastes almost as good as Venison.

Neilk · 03-24-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyGon

I had a neighbor once that tried to get me to deep pit BBQ a goat, he said it's cheap and if you do it just right it tastes almost as good as Venison.

Did he get the goat with a traditional fly fishing rod and reel or open faced spinning setup?

look 171 · 03-24-2013, 01:11 PM

Fishes know what reel you are using so they are more likely bite on the bait that's hooked onto more expensive rod and reel. Sorry I can't offer any tips because I have gone fishing only a few time in my life. I am taking my little kids fishing for the second time during Spring break in a few days. We got nothing last time out, but this time, we are going to a trout farm with our $29 pole and reel combo in our little hands ready to go.

rfuerst911sc · 03-24-2013, 01:32 PM

Some excellent feedback here thank you. Sounds like a good open face spinning is the way to go. I'll have to get out to Dick's and Bass Pro and see what's available.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Check cabelas if you have one nearby. I scored a president for $40 at cabelas in FT worth last month.

Rick V · 03-24-2013, 02:04 PM

I guess I am old school but I still prefer to use a bait casting reel. I usually tie a bobber to the line and "warm up" in the front yard at the beginning of the season. I use last years line for this since I am guaranteed to make some birds nests that the local birds are envious of.
No matter what you use the whole point of going is to relax, enjoy, and maybe come home with some fish, or at least some good fish stories.

72doug2,2S · 72doug2,2S's Garage

Zebco 202 was the bomb as kids. I use an open face most of the time, but I have several closed face reels, mono-filament line on all.

Bright reflective lures for bright sun, mellow colors for overcast days.

The two best days to go fishing on are; one is when it is raining and the second is when it is not raining.

berettafan · 03-25-2013, 06:04 AM

Don't do much freshwater fishing any more but would suggest regular spinning reel. Baitcast reels are great for the purpose of feeding line out to allow the fish to swallow the entire bait.

Like many guys I apply the 'gotta have the best' attitude to fishing equipment. My son showed me how silly that is when he caught his first keeper flounder (18") on a 'Cars' fishing rod within ten minutes of me telling him it was time to move up to the big kids equipment.

Dunno if it's the same in freshwater but in saltwater Berkely Gulp! is nearly as good (or better on some days) as live bait.

HHI944 · 03-25-2013, 06:46 AM

Y'know, I haven't tried Gulp! yet........I usually just figure that if I can't get any live with the cast net, the bigguns aren't around either and I pack it in, go home for a beer

ledhedsymbols · 03-25-2013, 06:47 AM

I use both casting reels and spinning reels depending on what I am fishing for and what tactics I am using. I make most of my own rods now, but when I buy one, I am pretty satisfied with Lamiglass and Berkeley from a cost to performance ratio standpoint. Most of my fishing is salmon and steelhead here in WA, so I don't know how their selection is for bass and crappie rods. With regard to reels, I prefer to use spinning most of the time unless I am specifically fishing with floats or live-lining in the estuaries. Shimano is good, but price for performance is a bit inflated in my opinion. Pfleuger has some really good stuff and they aren't nearly as proud of it as Shimano. Also look at the Okuma Trio line of spinning reels. Serious value there!

HHI944 · 03-25-2013, 06:48 AM

I got a pretty solid baitcaster at WM a while back for one of my rods where the spincaster was dying......ran me $35 or so and has seen some serious salt water abuse with no issues.......just blast it with the hose, come back 2 days later and smear Reel Butter everywhere.

ledhedsymbols · 03-25-2013, 06:52 AM

Oh, I use Izorline exclusively. This line is the business. It's much cheaper than P-Line or Seguar or any of those other big-name brands. It's every bit as tough as the biggest name brands, low memory and VERY abrasion resistant. Their line is so tough I think I could use a spool to tow my car home with!