Author Topic: Went out today (Read 26739 times)

Savage .250 · « **Reply #180 on:** April 18, 2010, 05:43:53 AM »

Zulu:

   Comments on the subject are certainly welcomed.

   I started out like most using spinning gear. Back when I started, the only type(baitcasters) they had were "knuckle
   busters." Guys that have been around a while know what I`m talking about. (ie, the old Pflueger Supreme type.) No wonder folks stayed with spinning.
   I tried a baitcaster in the early 60`s. The new ones with a thumb bar. For the life of me I could not get the hang of it. Took it back to the store and got my money back. Back to spinning I went. Then a friend of mind got on my case for being a chump. As relating to fishing of course.

So I bought
  one of them new fangled Ambassador 5000`s. That was in the mid 60`s. You should have seen
   my casting efforts! Bad. Lousy. Flustrating. All that and then some. Trip after trip I kept at it.
   Slowly my technique got better. Then my casting ability came around and after much practice, did I mention ......practice ? The shots(casts) that used to go all over the place started to drop on the spot.
   Jump ahead many years and I`ll tell you the truth. That was the best thing I ever did as far as a major up grade in my fishing ability went. No more being satisfied with being close. It`s either on the dime
   or my son calls me a has-been.

He, by the way, can really work a baitcaster.
   The reels they have today are so superior to the old days it`s un-real! Plus you can toss a tiny little
   "what-ever" all over the place. How sweet it is!!
   I`m not knocking you in any way for using S/G just suggesting you give a baitcaster a try. Main thing from the get go is the adjustment. You can choke(adjust) that puppy down so no matter how or what you do you`ll get no back-lash. Course it won`t cast more than a little either. That way as you get better with your mechanics, all you have to do is re-adjust your set up and the casts get longer and you get beter and off you go!! Did I mention.....practice?
   Hope I didn`t bore you but your missing out on something that will no doubt elevate your game to the next level. IMO. Or put another way, If you don`t your going to be one dimensional. Happy, but one
dimensional.
   For the folks that just use spinning reels and have no desire to go the baitcaster route for what ever reason, my comments are my own and not ment to offend anyone. That means you to,Zulu.

btmidwest · « **Reply #181 on:** April 18, 2010, 06:41:16 AM »

Zulu, I have a well respected semi - pro friend (he has some sponsorships from tackle companies) who uses both. 3/8 0z and below he uses spinning gear; above that he uses baitcasters. Early on it was said spinning gear was not accurate but people who are good have shown they can be accurate. I used a baitcaster and fly fishing stuff when younger and in an ironic twist on what Savage mentioned I don't cast spinning gear that well. I've cast baitcasters so long my rhythm with spinning gear is off. It is quite humbling to watch a ten year old cast one of those things with ease or see someone casting small light stuff a country mile. There is the issue of line twist which builds up over time with spinning gear and has to be accounted for but I've lost line to bird nests (no not professional overruns) when I'm not careful so... There is control with thumbing that you can't do with spinning gear but people slingshot with spinning gear in a way a baitcaster can't. IMO it is hard to beat the pure straight pull/torque under load of a baitcaster but much bigger salt water stuff has been caught on spinning gear. I think you get the idea, there are always pluses and minuses with both. Many people have gotten into fishing with spinning gear who were uncomfortable with baitcasters because of the learning curve. If you get into baitcasters I would not go much cheaper than a revo sx or a curado because they are much more versatile than the cheaper reels, that is unless you are only going to throw heavier stuff. Having said all that, I throw weighless trick worms all the time and they work fine for me. Hope this helps. BT

Savage .250 · « **Reply #182 on:** April 18, 2010, 07:03:00 AM »

bt:
Nice to see your out of bed.

Thanks for your comments.

So you use a baitcaster. Funny, I had you pegged as a Zebco 202 man,,,,,,,,,,,,

Oldshooter · « **Reply #183 on:** April 18, 2010, 07:39:56 AM »

I use baitcasters for saltwater when fishing with line over 10lb test. Freshwater I use baitcasters for most bass fishing, except wacky worms and white perch, There I use open face spinners. For the White perch I use 6 lb test and ultralight rods

But I keep my sponge bob rod and reel handy at all times!

btmidwest · « **Reply #184 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:58:42 AM »

Savage, I have 12 or 13 setups right now with plastics, cranks, spinners, buzzbaits and plugs. When I was a child I used the ole 202
for 'gills with the family and loved it - I never could figure out why the line got so messed up when we went out as we fished infrequently. Now I can only imagine how mangled that line was - sitting there all twisted up with me trying to use it again on the next family vacation. We'd usually just end up replacing the line in frustration. I remember always wanting to step up to a Z 33 which I never got. I bought my neighbor an zebco omega for Christmas a while back which he promptly threw into the lake - he's lost part of his index finger in an accident and lost his grip casting. I thought he was going to jump in the lake he was so mad!! Zebco's were my start and what Dad was willing to spend, back in the day. Regards, BT

Zulu · « **Reply #185 on:** April 18, 2010, 10:52:52 AM »

Sounds like everyone uses baitcasters.

What would I do with way too many dollars worth of spinning gear?

I'll think about it.
Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #186 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:07:18 AM »

bt:
I may kid about Zebco`s but in fact they are like the old 22 cal rifle. Seems like everybody had one at one time or another. Like they say, you`ve got to start somewhere.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #187 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:12:15 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on April 18, 2010, 10:52:52 AM

Sounds like everyone uses baitcasters. What would I do with way too many dollars worth of spinning gear? I'll think about it.
Zulu

Zulu:
Good! The wheels are turning.

You still use your spinning stuff but the idea here is for you to buy(1) setup. Reel/rod. The rest is up
to you.

btmidwest · « **Reply #188 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:42:41 AM »

Zulu, Your spinning gear is as good as good as it ever was and is. And if you have good setups they will continue to serve you for many years to come. I wish I could cast spinning gear well but I'm not there yet. It won't hurt for you to get a baitcasting setup if you decide to and you may find it does somethings your spinning can't but that will not diminish one whit how much your present equipment has served you. I know dedicated bass fisherman who are far better than I will ever be (which admittedly isn't very hard) who have many spinning setups they use all the time. It's not an either or situation at all. They are just another tool. I've got a $200.00 spinning setup I wish I could use effectively but struggle with every time I try. Regards, BT

Zulu · « **Reply #189 on:** April 22, 2010, 04:19:23 PM »

Went out today.
Just for catfish for the freezer.
Brought home 39 1/2 lbs of catfish which yeilded 12 lbs. of fillets.

I know they are not bass but eating them is fun.
Caught them all on shad fresh out of the castnet.
Won't bore you with pictures of catfish.

Biggest was just under 5 lbs.

Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #190 on:** April 22, 2010, 05:29:05 PM »

Let me know when I can come down!!!!!

Zulu · « **Reply #191 on:** April 25, 2010, 01:34:43 PM »

Hey BT, Savage, Old Shooter,
When are you guys going out next? I need to hear some fish stories
Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #192 on:** April 25, 2010, 01:58:22 PM »

I was out last Sunday evening for a couple of hours and caught a couple of small ones on a zoom trick worm - that's why your big mess of cats sounded so good to me. Weather and work have conspired against me but this coming Tues thru Thursday I will go after work if at all possible. In May I have 2 three day slots set aside during the week to mostly fish. I did this last year and it worked out OK for me. It has rained all weekend here so hopefully it will clear off for a bit this coming week. Zulu for now your the Man. How are those cats eating? Regards, BT

Oldshooter · « **Reply #193 on:** April 25, 2010, 05:21:48 PM »

Quote from: Zulu on April 25, 2010, 01:34:43 PM

Hey BT, Savage, Old Shooter,
When are you guys going out next? I need to hear some fish stories
Zulu

Man I dunno! Going to west Texas next week for some pig and Axis shootin. When i get back i have to replace the deck on the PToon. for the season opener in June. If i get a chance I'll go to the lake and fish witha buddy in his boat but that will be next month. I'm still in hunt mode. Youd think it was fall or sumpn!

Savage .250 · « **Reply #194 on:** April 26, 2010, 01:34:43 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on April 25, 2010, 01:34:43 PM

Hey BT, Savage, Old Shooter,
When are you guys going out next? I need to hear some fish stories
Zulu

Zulu:

Nothing like living vicariously through true stories from real fishermen !

Savage .250 · « **Reply #195 on:** April 26, 2010, 01:59:50 AM »

bt:
You said," Zulu,you are the man," Such adulation for a cat-fishermen. That leads me to only one conclusion and that is you are delusional. Sad, but true.
On the bright side though, a good day of bass fishing and you should be good as new. One other thing. When bassing, don`t use a ..........cork!

Savage .250 · « **Reply #196 on:** April 26, 2010, 02:14:22 AM »

oldshooter:

A hunter you say. Now we have something to talk about......

" ...................replace the deck on the PToon." After a second look at your craft, It looks like an early model Ranger bass boat. Zulu might might be able to give you some pointers.
The only real difference between boats ( yours and Zulu`s) is yours has a 50 gallon ice chest, up grade in that Chrysler out-board and the deluxe captains chair.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #197 on:** April 26, 2010, 02:49:39 AM »

Went out last tuesday to test my new depth-fish finder. Got to the ramp and there was only one other trailer in the lot. That ment I got a good parking spot. Nice way to start the day.
Cranked up the Merk and idled across the river where there is a huge pad field. Dropped the T/M down
and started with my Pop-R. The puppy has put a lot of bass in the boat. Anyway, worked it for a bit and got nothing. Next up, my trusty spinner bait. A couple of casts in and I got hammered! It was either a Toad or a big mud fish. I guess "it" was telling me to get out a here cause I got .....nothing. Hey, stuff happens.
As I was standing on the rear deck I heard a very faint sound. Like water running. Picked up the read deck lid and sure enough, water. When I removed the old transducer I had to make new holes and didn`t fill the old ones. Course I didn`t think they went all the way through either.
Was going to keep on fishing but thought better of it and came back to the ramp, put the boat on the trailer and came home. did I mention the D/F finder did not light up?
Caulked the holes in the transom. Water tight now!
Upon inspection, I found the fuse for the D/F finder was making on/off contact in the fuse block. Cleaned it up and it`s good to go.
Was going out today but after last nights storm they are calling for 20-30 MPH winds.
Thought about tomorrow but I have to take the wife to the airport.
Wednesday looks like it.

Zulu · « **Reply #198 on:** April 26, 2010, 04:51:40 AM »

Savage,
Man, nothing worse that a hole in your boat. Glad you were able to make it back in.
Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #199 on:** April 26, 2010, 06:24:32 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on April 26, 2010, 04:51:40 AM

Savage,
Man, nothing worse that a hole in your boat. Glad you were able to make it back in.
Zulu

Good one Zulu! LOL

Oldshooter · « **Reply #200 on:** April 26, 2010, 08:30:20 AM »

btmidwest · « **Reply #201 on:** April 26, 2010, 05:17:29 PM »

Savage, A couple of years ago I was taking a row boat w/ a trolling motor out and when I put in at the ramp I forgot to put the drain plug in - getting the boat back on the trailer so it could drain was a major pain.

39 pounds is 39 pounds and right now Zulu is the MAN. They swim, he caught'em, they're good eating - nuf said. Bass trump cats - Cats trump no bass.

On a tackle update I just got rid of one brand of flourocarbon on a bunch of reels and went back to good ole mono. That highly recommended brand of flouro kept breaking with the slightest kink on the reel. It was so frustrating at the last - if the line broke I laid the rod down till re-spooled. Line breaks with mono have been almost non-existant - I had six this spring alone with the new stuff. For now I'll keep some P-line on two reels to see how it holds up but.....

I hope to go out tomorrow. I'll see if I can heal up Savage!!! Come on water temps be a little higher.

Regards, BT

Zulu · « **Reply #202 on:** April 28, 2010, 01:48:28 PM »

BT,
How did you do?
Pictures?
Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #203 on:** April 28, 2010, 05:19:20 PM »

Zulu , I was only out for a couple of hours 7-9. Air 58 deg sunny; water 63-64 deg. mild wind. I tried shallow in pads first w/ buzzbait, then trick worm, then zoom toad. Moved out to 5-6 ft and buzzed the submerged stuff shallow and fan cast the deep side with spinnerbait nothing. Went to a 5 acre flat 3ft deep buzzed it a while switched to trick worm and caught a dink almost immediately and may should have stayed there but I went to the slope/transition area off that flat (it was 30 deg last night and I thought they might have used it) and fished it to sundown - buzzbait, spinnerbait, chatterbait. Two hours is like getting baited to do something but no time to explore. No pic - to be honest I've never posted pic's and still need to learn the process. So only one - but with a warm front things should pick up - hoping. Thanks for asking. What are you trying these days? Regards, BT

Zulu · « **Reply #204 on:** April 29, 2010, 09:30:18 AM »

Bt,
Warmer weather is coming to you soon. Everything will pick up then.
Don't know when I'm going out next. A paying job came up and I have to pay the Piper. $:-\$
I'll squeeze a trip in somehow.

Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #205 on:** May 01, 2010, 10:19:50 AM »

Hey Savage,
Looks like you need to go fishing real bad!!

When are you going out next?
Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #206 on:** May 01, 2010, 10:56:56 AM »

Hey BT,
Did the water temp warm up yet? Don't give up.

Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #207 on:** May 01, 2010, 10:59:23 AM »

Old Shooter,
Thought I saw you on the water the other day. Did you upgrade?

Tell us a fishing story.
Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #208 on:** May 01, 2010, 01:47:22 PM »

Zulu, I'm planning on going out just before night fall tonight for a couple hours - watching the K derby right now - it's rained off and on all day today. My tournament friend caught 31 the other day on a suspending crankbait. I talk with him every chance I get - he knows his stuff. Catch you later Gang. Regards, BT

Savage .250 · « **Reply #209 on:** May 02, 2010, 01:18:18 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on May 01, 2010, 10:19:50 AM

Hey Savage,
Looks like you need to go fishing real bad!!
When are you going out next?
Zulu

Zulu:
What happens in central Fla ..........stays in central Fla!

Going out the early part of the week.

By the way, I`m glad you got yourself a paying job. I know it takes a lot of money (for gas) in that barge. Oops, I mean Ranger of yours.
Here`s a thought. Have you tried kerosene in that Chrysler outboard of yours? I`m thinking yours (boat) must look exactly like the one in the movie.......The African Queen. You being Humphrey Bogart of course......