Fishing?

Demiurge

Just wondered how many people here fish on a regular basis. I'm thinking about doing a lot more of it this summer sans boat. We've got a lot of good lakes around here for Bass, Northern Pike, Musky, and Perch fishing. How much has technology changed on artificial bait? What are the hot lures these days for those types of fish?

Fishing was pretty much killed for me when I went to Canada about 10 years ago because I was totally spoiled by the size and amount of fish I was catching up there. Now I want to get back into it and I have no gear. We have a Cabelas about 15 mins from here and I want to put together a nice starter shopping list.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Jstas

Actually, just go to the Cabelas and talk to the dudes in the fishing section. They are quite knowledgeable because they are trained to be and they should have a display of your local fish, how to catch them, what bait to use and so on. Besides, Cabela's stores are super awesome!

Ricardo

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63907&highlight=fishing

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67155&highlight=fishing

steveinaz

I love to fish, especially bass. Unfortunately southern Arizona is a terrible place for a fisherman, great for hunting though.

As far as new technologies/lures, it's just new twists on the same basic successful themes. Scented baits are all the rage, as well as noise making lures.

Demiurge

Jstas wrote: »

Actually, just go to the Cabelas and talk to the dudes in the fishing section. They are quite knowledgeable because they are trained to be and they should have a display of your local fish, how to catch them, what bait to use and so on. Besides, Cabela's stores are super awesome!

Probably what I will end up doing ultimately. I'm just hoping to skip the sales pitches. More into getting a list, going in and buying what I need and then getting the hell out.

steveinaz wrote: »

I love to fish, especially bass. Unfortunately southern Arizona is a terrible place for a fisherman, great for hunting though.

As far as new technologies/lures, it's just new twists on the same basic successful themes. Scented baits are all the rage, as well as noise making lures.

I have to do that type of hunting sometime. Obviously the experience is much different up hear. It's a shame you don't have a lot of good lakes and rivers.

Sounds like not much has changed, but things have just gotten more refined. I just remember hooking Northerns like nothing on the old Red Devil spoons.

Jstas

I've never gotten a sales pitch at a Cabela's unless I started asking questions that would lead to a sales pitch. But I've always found everyone there quite helpful and knowledgeable.

The one closest to me in Hamburg, PA has an entire aquarium type deal set up. It's all freshwater and has examples of the fish found in the local areas. You can see what the fish actually looks like. They also describe the habitats they tend to congregate in and what to look for when searching for them. The sport fish had extra info concerning what kind of bait they tended to go for the most. They also have recipes for the local fish too. I don't know if the one near you has that too but going to a Cabela's store is a learning experience in addition to a shopping experience.


But as for what you want to get, it all depends on what kinda fish you are going for. Pikeys like flashy stuff so spoons work great. Bass will go for a bunch of stuff but large flies and bobbing lures work good because they mimic the flies that land on the water to spawn or they mimic small frogs and fish that they like to chew on too. Bass like worms too. So do Sunnies, Perch and other small fish. Trout go for small, light flies. Sunnies and Perch not so much on the flies. Then again, Sunnies are pretty stupid and will go for a stinky wad of paper. Fish eggs are good for any small fish, especially ones that are packaged in oil. Then they stink.

As for larger fish like the walleyes, muskies, pike and steelheads you can find in the Great Lakes, live bait like minnows or flashy spoons work best in my experience. For minnows, you put a hook on the end of a long leader line and clip some shot weights or something equally small near the hook to keep the minnow on the bottom. Put something flashy a few inches in front of it on the leader line and then tie it off to your main line. It makes it look like the minnow is chasing something and the bigger fish will go right for it. For spoons, easy enough, tie one on the end and start casting and dragging. You don't have to coat it with anything, just the spoon attracts enough attention. Either flashy silver that kinda resembles a fish or the red spoons with the white stripe. Just try and get spoons that won't drag too much other stuff like weeds and crap with it too.

As for rods, that depends on the size you are going for too. If you are doing big lake and little lake fishing equally, go for a 6 or 7 foot rod. I like the Shakespeare Ugly Sticks. They are relatively cheap, very durable and will accept most reels. You don't need a real expensive reel either. If you do get some rod jewelery though, take care of it. But honestly, an entry level from Penn Reels or like an Abu Garcia would do fine.

As for line, there is this green stuff that is actually a braided line. I can never remember what it is called but if I see it I know it. It's super light and very strong. Also, it transfers alot more info than typical monofilament. I have it on all my rigs and when I'm sitting and waiting for a flounder to suck up a minnow on me, I just rest my index finger on the line and I can even feel the minnow at the end of the line wiggling around. Awesome stuff and a bit expensive but it takes 6 foot dogfish to break it out here on the Jersey coast.

Hope that helps a bit. See if you can find a local fishing/hunting forum and talk to guys there. Your local bait shops should have a ton of info too. Cabela's is a good place for gear too. Not always the cheapest but they have a very wide selection. Just don't walk in there thinking you need everything you see. Go simple. Gear is only a small part of catching fish. Patience, skill in knowing the environment, sunblock, good friends and beer are much bigger parts of fishing!

ihatethis

ya i like to fish.

i sued go w/ m y step dad but we were poor and has had no boat lol

i don't really go anymore now that i'm older, but i love to play liek tfishing games right? on playstation and o course you know how on RPG's there is always a fishing system, those always are fun to me!!

- IHT

janmike

The season is always late stating here in the North, but when the Big Lake is ice free (another week), the monsters will be there for the taking.

skipf

If you don't use the expensive braided co-polymer line your lures won't work. That would be akin to using lamp cord to connect your speakers.

mule

I had the same expirience going to canada fishing, I came home to PA and lost all interest in fishing.

Jstas is right though, the cabellas in hamburg is ridiculous. They have rv parking for people that make going there into a mini vacation.

ben62670

Pics guys. No fish stories.

Demiurge

mule wrote: »

I had the same expirience going to canada fishing, I came home to PA and lost all interest in fishing.

Jstas is right though, the cabellas in hamburg is ridiculous. They have rv parking for people that make going there into a mini vacation.

I've been to our Cabelas in Hartford. It's brand new and it's spectacular. I'll let you guys know how it goes and what I get.

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Jstas

mule wrote: »

I had the same expirience going to canada fishing, I came home to PA and lost all interest in fishing.

Jstas is right though, the cabellas in hamburg is ridiculous. They have rv parking for people that make going there into a mini vacation.

My favorite part is the Cessna hanging from the ceiling. The building is bigger than it seems. I was standing under it looking up and a Cabela's guy walks up next to me and says "Ahhh, yup." I said "Impressive! Makes the model look bigger than it is!" He says "Ahhh, nope, it's real." I was like "It's a real Cessna?" He says "Ahhh, yup." I said "You got a plane...hanging from the ceiling...over the sales floor?" He says "Ahhhh, yup." I backed out from underneath it and said "Awesome!"

steveinaz

Arizona has a Cabela's now, but it's near Phoenix--I may road trip up there some time in the future. I could spend an entire day in that place. It's Man heaven.

Demiurge

Ooooh....one other thing. There's a GIANT Bass Pro Shop right on the IL/WI (45 min drive) border...would that be a better choice than Cabelas? :cool:

mule

steveinaz

There men, is paradise. This is where we go when we die.

mule

As a side note, I used to wear their cataloges out as a kid. I would drool at all the stuff for backpacking and fishing, but as an adult, I go once a year to get my bro inlaw a gift certificate and I never buy anything for myself. I look at all the gear and I enjoy a couple hours there but I never buy anything.

My bro inlaw on the other hand, I don't know how much money he spends a year there but they send him the catalog in hard cover, and I am not joking.

Jstas

Demiurge wrote: »

Ooooh....one other thing. There's a GIANT Bass Pro Shop right on the IL/WI (45 min drive) border...would that be a better choice than Cabelas? :cool:

Bass Pro Shops are good too but it's been my experience that you get the sales pitch there. It's like going to a Saturn dealer where they give you the perception that they are helpful and non-pushy, they are just passive aggressive about it.

I honestly like Cabela's better. But Bass Pro Shops is just as good I suppose. The stores aren't nearly as cool as a Cabela's though.

Jstas

mule wrote: »

As a side note, I used to wear their cataloges out as a kid. I would drool at all the stuff for backpacking and fishing, but as an adult, I go once a year to get my bro inlaw a gift certificate and I never buy anything for myself. I look at all the gear and I enjoy a couple hours there but I never buy anything.

My bro inlaw on the other hand, I don't know how much money he spends a year there but they send him the catalog in hard cover, and I am not joking.

I get their catalogs too. My dad used to get teh special catalogs when I was still active in the Boy Scouts because we got a ton of stuff for the troop through them and honestly I like alot of stuff they have. Working in IT, the regular "business casual" level of clothes that you get at most of the department stores get beat up and worn out very quickly in dirty, dry server rooms. The Cabela's stuff lasts.

Also, they stand behind everything they sell and they aren't kidding. Anything I ever had a problem with I call up the customer service line, they ask for your customer number and then they have records of everything you ever bought from them. Kinda big brother-ish but invaluable because then they know exactly what you are talking about. Usually they have a new item already in the system and expedited on it's way to you before the call is over. All they ask is that you package the damaged item in the box the new one is coming in, affix the return label and send it back and you're all set. You can also return anything from the catalog to a store. Just bring your packing list with you. They are one of the best companies out there for customer service and I have yet to be dissatisfied with them.

reeltrouble1

I splash the Salt when fishing in Reeltrouble. Nothing like catching stuff that would not mind eating you. I buy all my stuff from a guy named Gene at the Tackle Shack. He is cool.

RT1

nikolas812

ben62670 wrote: »

Pics guys. No fish stories.

Well..... You asked for them..

From top to bottom

4lb 5oz

3lb 15oz

3lb 5oz

I caught a five pounder the other day but I was too excited to take a picture. Plus the bigger they are the quicker we try to get them back in the pond. All these were caught in the pond in my back yard. There are some 8 + pounders in there. My neighbor catches them at other lakes and ponds and puts them in the pond. So I don't have to go very far for good fishing.

http://
http://
http://

steveinaz

Schweeeeeeet.

reeltrouble1

well those are nice bass, these are bass I catch, spot-tailed, when they get this big they are called Red Drum. Our slot for keepers is 14-23 and they are great table fare.

RT1

janmike

Those are some fine looking bass there Ted. They are monsters for sure.

reeltrouble1

well here is some table fare and a sea creature only a momma could love.

RT1

heiney9

I've been bass fishing in Wisconsin since I was a wee little boy. We've always had a family house up near Hayward for vacationing. I have used scented worms both right out of the package and in a set-up called a Texas rig.

I haven't tried too many new lures in a long time only because the scented worms and Texas rig always get us a good mess of fish of above average size.

I've used Rapala's too but not as much. Using the worms and fishing on the edge of the lily pads and weed beds works pretty well. I even get a few Walleye and Northern Pike occasionally. I've found in many instances it's about finding a good fishing spot rather than the correct lure. Of course a combo of both works best. But even the greatest and latest lure is no good if you are fishing in the wrong conditions.

My grandpa (when he was alive) and I have gone Musky fishing several times and I never had any luck.

Small mouth and large moth bass are really what I fish for.

H9

janmike

While trolling and deep water fishing bring out the real big ones (and we have REAL BIG ones here), my true love is fly fishing for Salmon and Arctic Grayling. Now that's a fight.

jdhdiggs

I need to get more time back in PA to go fishing. THe probelm is all the good spots are too hard to get to without planning which makes it all a bit frustrating right now. I was used to driving 20-30 minutes to nice trout lakes and streams while growning up.

ihatethis wrote: »

ya i like to fish.

i sued go w/ m y step dad but we were poor and has had no boat lol

i don't really go anymore now that i'm older, but i love to play liek tfishing games right? on playstation and o course you know how on RPG's there is always a fishing system, those always are fun to me!!

- IHT

You should really look into using an etch-n-sketch until you have a firm grasp of the English language.

skipf

Here's a little trout:


Here's a couple of trout on steroids: