fishing

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by 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 ?

While there isn't the amount of metal in the newer ones, I think the build quality is pretty solid. No backlash on the crank handle and silky smooth drag are two things I look for in a reel. I think they're still a solid built reel.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by KC911

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

I didn't catch fish with my bait cast rig until I bough my Bill Dance rod. The fish knew I meant business then... Oh yeah... they know...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I didn't catch fish with my bait cast rig until I bough my Bill Dance rod. The fish knew I meant business then... Oh yeah... they know...

I DO stand corrected....yer right

I catch the dumb ones...they don't know.

[hughc]

had a Mitchell 300 more then 50 years ago
are they still the same ?[/QUOTE]

It's odd that you should mention the Mitchell as I was in France 50 yrs ago and I bought a Mitchell 300. I eventually lost track of it due to several relocations and completely forgot about it.

Several summers ago, while spending time at my son's summer place, I found it again amongst his fishing gear. The finish was a little scruffy with chipped paint but It still works perfectly. They truly were/are well made reels.

What with everything on my plate these days I don't get out fishing like I once did except for our yearly father/son/grandson father's day outing.

Maybe it's time to start cutting back on these time consuming project cars and re-evaluate what is important.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by KC911

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

No doubt. My point was that they are available. I personally still fish Penn Z series reels. In many ways the older reels are better. That's not to say some of the newer reels aren't silky smooth but a Penn Z is just so reliable and repairs are quick and easy. The instrument don't catch the finish but a good instrument helps ensure the catch gets in the bag.

There is a guy here that does a fishing show during the summer months geared to the tourists. A few years back he did a show on what you need to catch fish. I am in New Jersey along the coast so we have off shore, bay and back bay fishing. He started flounder fishing in the back bay. He used a K-Mart/Walmart pink Disney Princess bait caster combo that cost about $10.00 to start. It had maybe thirty yards of 4lb mono. Rigged it with a top and bottom rig. One hook fresh squid strips the other a clam chunk. He boated a few dozen fish several were keepers with two or three over five pounds. His point was just get something and go fishing.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

.... His point was just get something and go fishing.

And there you are . I've got a dozen rods/reels, tons of old lures, all types, colors, etc. several tackle boxes full....damn you Bill Dance et al. Now I keep one light spinner in the truck, a handful of plastic worms, and some needle nose pliers...haven't used anything else in years. I also saw the Shimano stuff online yesterday when looking at the Mitchells....dang...the sky is the limit .

I did pay about 150 or so for a nice Shimano...'cause I wanted one ....certainly not necessary.

[911 Rod]

Yesterday's rods and reels do not compare to the new ones. If you think so then I guess you feel an aircooled 911 is a better car than today's 911.
Just saying .....

[ckelly78z]

For simplicity, it's hard to beat a Zebco 202 with a few choice lures, and live bait. It's like the small block chevy of fishing, cheap, it just works easily, and is reliable without all the knots/birdsnests.

I just need to get out there and fish, and just to MAKE the time to do it.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Yesterday's rods and reels do not compare to the new ones. If you think so then I guess you feel an aircooled 911 is a better car than today's 911.
Just saying .....

That's not a very good comparison. A better comparison might be golf clubs. That being said I don't think new reels are better than some of the old reels. Materials maybe superior in some cases, lighter, stronger. But the design and workings aren't necessarily better. Many of the old designs are still being made Mitchell 300 and Penn Z's but with the new materials. Rod technology that's different. I agree hard to compare a bamboo stick to a graphite rod.

[VincentVega]

I have a few old rods and like to catch perch off my pier. I really know next to nothing about fishing, but its relaxing and gives me bait for the crabpots. I went to basspro to pickup some new line and was blown away at the options. I really have no idea there were so many kinds of fishing line, lures... talk about naive.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

That's not a very good comparison. A better comparison might be golf clubs. That being said I don't think new reels are better than some of the old reels. Materials maybe superior in some cases, lighter, stronger. But the design and workings aren't necessarily better. Many of the old designs are still being made Mitchell 300 and Penn Z's but with the new materials. Rod technology that's different. I agree hard to compare a bamboo stick to a graphite rod.

I respectfully disagree. The old inexpensive reels were crap. I still have 3 Mitchell 300's that I guess were considered mid range. Use it side by side with one of my new $200 (yes that is what they cost) mid range reels and there isn't a comparison.
The weight, the drags, the retrieve. Everything.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by KC911

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

There is an old saying "fancy fishing equipment isn't designed to catch fish... it is designed to catch fishermen".

This thread is taking me waaaaaaay back to when as kids we would fish off the rocks near our house, I remember the fishing shop we would stop by had a barrel full of cane poles.

Fast forward to today, I don't fish but my friend is crazy about deep sea fishing, 25 foot boat with diesel inboard, all the electronic gadgets, online apps showing water temps. and where the fish are running.

He has a custom made rod and laughs that for the price of a high end rod at a store you can have one built to your exact specifications.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

There is an old saying "fancy fishing equipment isn't designed to catch fish... it is designed to catch fishermen".

I saw a $1,600 Shimano online yesterday....

I don't know where you heard such nonsense