fishing

[stevej37]

Thinking of doing some fishing this spring. Around here, there are lakes everywhere, and lots of fish.
My gear (rod and spinning reel) are in bad shape, so thinking of replacing.
When I was a young kid, my brother and I, (after digging worms) would load-up our 15 ft cane poles on the side of the car and would always return with a good mess of fish.
Not that I want one, but I wonder if cane poles are still used? Never see them in the sport shops.
They were super handy and cheap.

[ckelly78z]

I used to have small speed boats that my wife and I would fish from before having children. I would like to get another open 14-16' row boat style boat with a strong electric trolling motor for going out on small lakes, and resevoirs around my area. Some really good crappie fishing in the Spring, and Fall, Catfish in the Summer.

My rod and reel are probably 20 years old now, but still usable, just go with low test weight line, and hope for the best. Haven't used a cane pole for 45 years since when I was a kid.

[911 Rod]

For the most part cane poles were replaced by flipping sticks.

[vash]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

For the most part cane poles were replaced by flipping sticks.

they call it Tenkara now, and they charge more.

me, i love the advancement of fishing gear. i wish i fished more. hell, i should. i live closer to all types of water.

[craigster59]

Maybe try fly fishing or Tenkara?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenkara_fishing

[stevej37]

I'm not looking to replace with a cane pole...just remembering childhood times with them.
Mostly lakes here with lots of panfish...blue-gills, perch, bass, pike.
I never fish on the big lake (Michigan)...need a bigger boat for that one.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'm not looking to replace with a cane pole...just remembering childhood times with them.
Mostly lakes here with lots of panfish...blue-gills, perch, bass, pike.
I never fish on the big lake (Michigan)...need a bigger boat for that one.

I just returned from my ponds....other than some grass carp moving a bit, everything has gone back dormant. Did catch a couple of small bass a few weeks ago...

If you'll pay shipping..I'll send you all the cane poles you can use.....I just used a few taped together (probably 25') to unclog one of my drainage pipes...but that's all I use 'em for.

I use a lightweight spinner w/ 6# test line and rubber worms....hooking a 10# bass is a hoot and a half....I release 'em all back. Some of them biggins and I have been eyeball-to-eyeball more than once .

[cabmandone]

I got into ultra light many years ago on my dad's quarry. Nothing like playing a 1 pound bluegill on 4 pound line thinking you have a 5 pound bass because the the pole is pretty much doubled over. I'd toss Berkley Power Worms for bass and would have a ball with that as well.

BTW, I bought my son a nice Mitchell combo setup at Bass Pro last year. If you're not all that into fishing you can buy some pretty nice rod/reel combos fairly reasonably.

[stevej37]

Looked this afternoon for my lightweight pole and Ryobi open-face reel...no luck!
Might visit Dick's Sporting tomorrow. My stuff was old anyways.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Looked this afternoon for my lightweight pole and Ryobi open-face reel...no luck!
Might visit Dick's Sporting tomorrow. My stuff was old anyways.

If you want to buy a decent reel look at Mitchell 300's. The build quality is pretty solid.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

If you want to buy a decent reel look at Mitchell 300's. The build quality is pretty solid.

You're gonna make me go look now. I'm a lefty, back when the handles weren't reversable, dad bought me a left-handed Mitchell salt water rig when I was about 10....I think it was 310....don't know whatever happened to it....wah!

When I had my bass boat (27 yrs), I primarily used Diawa baitcasting reels and had some high $ rods...most eventually got broken by the lids on the boat flopping on them.

All of my spinners are Shimano....I like the Ugly Stick rods for value. All are light years ahead of the old stuff...

Get you a rig and go fishin'....it'll make a better liar out of ya !

[OldSpool87]

We use bamboo cane poles (no reels) with the kids. They are great fun when snapper are in the water (Eastern Long Island).

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by OldSpool87

We use bamboo cane poles (no reels) with the kids. They are great fun when snapper are in the water (Eastern Long Island).

Snapper fish or Snapper turtles?

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Snapper fish or Snapper turtles?

Juvenile blue fish

[GWN7]

Match your gear to what your prey is and how your going after them. For example you wouldn't use a bait caster loaded with 50 pound Dacron on a Musky pole for fishing from shore for crappie.

What do you want to catch and how are the first two questions needed to be answered.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by GWN7

Match your gear to what your prey is and how your going after them. For example you wouldn't use a bait caster loaded with 50 pound Dacron on a Musky pole for fishing from shore for crappie.

What do you want to catch and how are the first two questions needed to be answered.

A light spinner, 6# line, and a medium rod....is pretty versatile imo. As posted earlier....a biggun is a hoot, and I occasionaly catch a nice crappie on a plastic worm too while going after bass. Tons of panfish are there for the other fish to eat...that's when the ol' fashioned cane pole or an ultralite with 4# like Cab mentioned would be better. I've lost a big one a few times with light line when they go deep and get into the grasses and I break the line....no biggie....that's where the fun is....the lighter the better imo. I haven't used my baitcasters loaded with 10-12# in years...

[nota]

in fla a cain pole was legal no license needed in fresh water
but then the state went license nuts and started to require a salt water license

had a Mitchell 300 more then 50 years ago
are they still the same ?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by nota

...
had a Mitchell 300 more then 50 years ago
are they still the same ?

My 310 was of that era too...I'd forgotten about the brand until this thread...looked em up online....honestly can't remember what my old one was like....dunno, but don't think so...metal vs plastic.

I do remember a lefty had to get a different model back then...now the handles swap sides...I'd say no..just like most everything.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Thinking of doing some fishing this spring. Around here, there are lakes everywhere, and lots of fish.
My gear (rod and spinning reel) are in bad shape, so thinking of replacing.
When I was a young kid, my brother and I, (after digging worms) would load-up our 15 ft cane poles on the side of the car and would always return with a good mess of fish.
Not that I want one, but I wonder if cane poles are still used? Never see them in the sport shops.
They were super handy and cheap.

You can still find cane poles at Bass pro or Cabellas. Those are generally low end poles. I don't think they even have a reel. Most rods are now FRG or graphite and machine made in China.

That being said there are really nice hand split hand built cane/bamboo poles available at places such as Orvis. They are very high end and works of art. You tube bamboo fishing rod.

Two things on my build bucket list are to make a bamboo rod and a balsa surfboard.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

You can still find cane poles at Bass pro or Cabellas. Those are generally low end poles. I don't think they even have a reel. Most rods are now FRG or graphite and machine made in China.

That being said there are really nice hand split hand built cane/bamboo poles available at places such as Orvis. They are very high end and works of art. .

Tis like a guitar though....it don't matter with a master, it ain't the instrument that catches fish. I know better fishermen than I that still use an old Zebco 202 outfit