HeavyDluxe

Just to be clear, anyone categorically stating that "better" equipment doesn't help you catch more fish is being ridiculous. By way of obvious example, using sharper and more well constructed fish hooks is obviously going to lead to "more effective" hooksets and probably to more fish landed if all other things are equal. However, I think there's room to debate how much "better" a better hook really is... If I buy Cap'n McFishstick hooks off the shelf at Walmart, I'm betting there's a clear and marked difference between those and some Mustad or Gammie hooks. The problem is that, by nature, fishing in the real world means that every bite/hookset is likely a little different. So, it's really hard to objectively and quantifiably compare some of these products. But, IMNSHO, the more important fact is that I have to get the fish to strike in the first place before the sharpness of the hook is even an issue. And, broadly speaking, I think you can present baits to fish in a way that entices a strike with equipment at all price levels. Are they equal? No. But I suspect most are adequate.

+1. This. Like the cut of his jib, and all that. Knowing how to read the water and the target fish (whether you call that experience or skill) is far and away more important than equipment. I think it's a sign of how highly marketed-to we are that this is even up for debate. Without the skill to find fish, determine their 'posture' (active, neutral, negative), and then decide what presentations might produce a bite, you are primarily relying on luck/coincidence to catch fish. That's not bad, mind you, but that's what it is. And all that 'thinking' which sets the elite fisherman apart from the scubs like me happens before they even wet a line - that is, before rod/reel/line/lure equipment ever comes into play. Now, I'm willing to accept that a highly sensitive rod will increase hookups for particular presentations... But, I have to be honest, even there I'm skeptical that the difference is as severe as we often seem to think.

We had Zoysia growing up. Looks and cuts great when it's green, but honestly it seemed a little 'sharp' on bare feet (for whatever that's worth). It seemed to brown pretty quickly without watering, so take that into account. Oh, our neighbors had Zoysia, too. Ours spread and took over their lawns.

I'm not a wise enough angler to even begin to tell you whether the C-rig is the right thing to throw from *your* shore or not, but I can tell you two things: First, I've used the Carolina Rig from shore at our local pond (sandy, grassy bottom) with success. Second, I tend to fish soft plastics very slow and leave them on the bottom for 30 seconds or more between hops. Fish will pick them right up off the bottom, even after they've just sat there for a season. So, unless you're trying to get the bait 'up' over vegetation or something I think the C-rig ought to work for you.

The Pro Anglers are amazing boats, but - IMHO - it seems odd to call them a kayak. They're a whole different species.

I had a similar question re: the regulations here in Vermont. So your mileage may vary, but here's what I was told: Unless there is a specific 'closed season' for a given fish species outlined, you can catch and (if you choose) harvest according to the guidelines in the F&W guides. F&W reserves the right to publish catch-and-release only segments to the fishing season such as during the bass spawn, for example. If there is a 'closed season', the fish species should not be targeted. You can pursue other species and release any closed-season fish you target. Since these closed seasons usually correspond to the spawn, I think you'd be ok if were in a different part of the pond from where the spawning beds are but still using your bass rig to catch catfish or whatever. However, if you're around a ton of bedded fish then you're sketchy.

/sarcasm on Bass refuse to bite baits cast at them on spincast reels. You will never catch trophy fish on a spincasting reel, guaranteed. /sarcasm off Ok, seriously. The fish don't care about the rod and reel that present the bait to them. You can catch just as many fish on a spincaster as you can on anything else. That doesn't mean it's the equipment best suited to any particular kind of fishing. For example, you lose casting distance over an open-faced spinning reel. And, most spincasters are geared low - you don't have to reel hard to retrieve against a fish, but you also don't get a lot of line back per crank. Assuming you're willing to accept its limitations or work around them, I think you'll find that you can catch plenty of fish (and, yes, bass) on a spincast setup.

I find myself sitting here, as the sleet and ice fall (again!) in New England, staring droolingly at the Plano box of Siebert jigs that I can't wait to try. But, I have to wait to try them. :-/

I went trout fishing for the first time(s) in my life last year... It's *very* different than any fishing I have done before and a ton of fun. The rainbow in my profile pic was my first 'bow and an absolute thrill. I agree with Klubba's post... You can use just about anything, but you'll have the most fun with a UL spinning combo and light line (2-4lb test). So far, I've used two main 'rigs' for catching trout: Very small in-line spinners or cranks cast across pools and reeled across at a quick pace... Small aberdeen or baitholder hooks (size 6 and smaller) with bits of worm and a split-shot sinker somewhere between 8 and 10 inches above the hook. Cast the worm and sinker above a pool and allow the current to wash it back into the still water naturally. If you get into this, you're guaranteed to see some of the prettiest waters you can imagine. I find fishing incredibly peaceful, but there is a strange kinda invigoration that comes from fishing around a river as it's riffles and runs fill your ears. EDIT: I should add that getting into fly fishing, 'matching the hatch', and all that is sure to make trouting even more fun. But the last thing I need is another addiction.

If fishing live bait is lazy, then so is fishing any tactic with artificials that closely mimic things happening in nature. So, put away your Alabama Rigs, craws, top-water hollowbody frogs, and swimbaits. Fish only neon, wild-colored senkos with no salt/scent and embrace the challenge.

I fished mono exclusively on my only two combos last year (UL/M and M/F spinning). This year, I'm adding a MH/F spinning combo also spooled with heavier mono. I find mono to be a good 'jack of all trades'... It works for me because: I fish a lot of very clear water, and so the visibility of braid makes me squirm. I can't tie leaders for a darn (though I'm going to work on learning), so I would just be tying onto my mainline. I fish spinning gear exclusively, and so I'm frightened a bit by potential handling issues (and price) re: fluorocarbon. I've never had problems with feeling a bit or setting the hook with any amount of line out. It's comfortable... grew up fishing it and it feels like home to me. I did experiment with braid last year, but that experiment went poorly. I will try again, though, just give braid a fair shot. I'm working on jig fishing as a technique this year, so I figure I'll start the year with mono and then switch to braid. The difference there ought to be really clear/definitive.

If the rules are being violated (and you feel strongly about that), you should report them. That said, creel limits are another tool that the fish and game agencies can use to help manage a body of water and keep it healthy. If all we did was catch and release, in some cases we would actually come back every year to a body of water in decline. So, if people are within their legal limits and rights on a particular body of water, they should be allowed to 'do as they please'. Talk to your game warden...

My son's rig for the last two years was one of the Daiwa Samurai rigs mentioned here... He's gotten a lot of fun and use out of it. Nice rig. If you buy one of the Abu or Berkely rods mentioned, the Pflueger Trion reel is a great buy in my opinion. Good enough, in fact, that I think you'd be happy with it on a much nicer rod if you decide to upgrade the next year or something like that. Food for your (parent's) thoughts.

If your current rod/reel is only casting twenty-one feet, I think you'd see an improvement from any of the budget spinning combos at your local StuffMart. Your folks wouldn't need to lay out more than $25, tops. But, more importantly... ... what he said. Like. +1. Fishing with live bait will get you some hook ups, which will help you learn to detect strikes, time the hookset, and the like. And, trust me, you can learn to fish and develop as an angler without a ton of high-dollar gear. Last thing re: the fishing shows: Remember, they film a whole day (and sometimes more than a whole day) to get a show's worth of material. Those guys can get skunked, too. But they edit that out... I look like a way better angler on my youtube channel, too. (Ok, I suck there, too, but you get the idea) Enjoy it, take your time, read, ask questions, take your time, enjoy.

Is fishing a stocked private pond cheating? No. Is it apt to represent the same challenge as consistently pulling 'big' fish out of a heavily pressured lake under adverse conditions? No, of course not. Would someone impress me as an angler with the the DD fish they winched out of a private, stocked pond? Dunno, but I'm likely to be more impressed with someone who does it from waters that pit them (after a fashion) with other anglers. What makes this such a great sport/hobby is that there are so many different ways to have fun... Anyone giving you lip about fun-fishing a private pond is just jealous or so hyper-elitest/competitive that I probably don't want to be on the water with them.

Sounds sorta, kinda, a teeny bit like a pond I fish here in VT... While there may not be topo maps, try looking at the body of water or Google Maps/Earth. You might be able to discern where the original 'channel' was before the pond was dammed up. That will give you some idea as to the contours of the bottom (where the 'deeper' water lies closer to the bank, etc). I'm assuming you're bank fishing. If so, I would try to guess where the deep part of the pond lies and where you can cast to hit that close to some of the flat, shallow areas. I also agree with Nashua re: targeting the inlet and outlet.

People will poo-poo the idea until someone tries it and, wonder of wonders, it works. Then people will still poo-poo the idea until there is a witness or witnesses who also start fishing it. And so it spreads. The supposed cognoscenti will still hate it 'til someone wins a tournament with it. Can't hurt to try it... I honestly have no idea/opinion about whether or not it will work.

Why ponds first? Water temp, I'd wager. The smaller, shallower bodies of water are going to warm up faster than deeper, larger ones (lakes) or moving water (rivers).

Best tip I've gotten from these forums is the Fat Ika. Rigged 'backwards' (hook-eye in the frilly end) and slowly fished weightless along the bottom. Absolute killer. Green Pumpkin w/ Black Flake and Black w/ Blue Flake should be all you really need for colors. Watermelon is also good. This year, I'm stripping all my soft plastics down to three colors: The two I mentioned before and Dark Pumpkin w/ Black Flake. Added the dark pumpkin as it's basically a dead ringer for craws up here. Be interesting to see how it works. Good luck!

Spinnerbaits have not really produced for me, so I left 'em. I used War Eagle and Strike King, though. Jigs are this year's goal lure to learn... Starting with some jigs from Siebert Outdoors, a site sponsor. Mike will hook you up. And, from what I've seen, his product is absolutely top-notch! Soft plastics... What I fished 99% of the time last year. I learned a ton, and got a lot of confidence in a few presentations. I started with a couple packs of Yamamoto Senkos and immediately was catching fish. I wound up, on sale, buying some Strike King copies of Senko (Shim-E-Sticks, I think) in similar colors. Though I loved the cost savings, I just never saw the same hookups. Coincidence or lack of confidence, probably... But, since I want to catch fish it's worth it to pay up a little. So, I've stuck with GYCB for all my soft plastic trick and finesse worms. The Fat Ika is a killer bait!! This year I'm hoping to play some with flukes (Zoom) and soft swimbaits (BPS). I also bought several bags of BPS's stick bait (Sink-o?) and will be giving them a chance to unseat the senko.

The Rutland B.A.S.S. group has a Facebook page... They're the closest to me, though I'm a little leery of competitive angling. I'm sure someone there can point you towards other clubs in the area (in addition to the web resources mentioned in an earlier reply).

I just bought my first jigs from Siebert, and I am thrilled (though it will be a little while before ice-out and a real test). They are *very* well constructed with great colors and sharp hooks. As I told Mike, I'm looking forward to fishing them, losing them, and buying more. Shipping time was as advertised, and you can't rush handcrafting and quality. Enjoy!

Congrats! That is a *great* looking boat - especially that color. I'm joining the kayak angler ranks this year with a Ride 115, and I would've loved it in an orange like that (but no-go). Can't wait.

I'm new to jig fishing this year, so take this with an appropriately-sized grain of salt. I would think there's no reason to discard the plastic assuming it's still holding together. However, since many trailers have salt and scents in them, you may find they prematurely rust your hook if left on there (especially the more salt there is). So, you can re-use the plastic, but you probably should take it off the hook for storage. With softer plastics, that on/off might lead to more tearing and the need to be replaced more frequently. My $.02, and I expect change.

x2 We usually put a small chunk of worm on a small baitholder or aberdeen hook. About 6" up from that, put on a small split shot. Experiment with the size of the split shot to get a slow, but not boringly so, fall. My kids and I cast this out on UL spinning gear and, as it hits the water, close the bail and hook the line with our rod-hand fingers. You'll feel them pulling, so just give a pull and have fun. When you get into a bunch of big 'gills on light tackle, that's high livin'.