Fishin Dad

If you can fish with someone who catches fish on artificial baits, it will move you in leaps and bounds forward. It is all about confidence. Seeing someone catch fish and knowing you are doing it correctly significantly shortens the learning curve. Even watching someone you don’t know where you fish who is catching some. I agree that you can’t catch a fish with anything if they are not there. Watch people around you, if they are catching fish there, you at least know you are in the a spot with fish potential.

Darn it. I was looking around and see it is a little difficult to find in Japan as well. I was just struggling to figure out some of the models, but most of them are sold out as well. I may just have to keep looking around and see if something pops up. I have always been curious about trying a Japanese reel. Thanks for the info everyone!

I would like to grab another spinning reel around that $100-200 mark. I have been looking at ordering from Japan since I can’t find much in stock here and have heard good things about ordering from over seas. The problem I am having is trying to figure out all the reels they have (different names and hard to figure out the features and reputation)and which would work best for me. For reference, I would like a quality 3000 size reel. I really like my Tatula LT3000 shallow spool. Something similar would great. Any suggestions?

Not yet. I have caught 6 lb bass and snagged and no problems yet. Yes. I have fished some heavy cover, no issues. I am not sure I would use 65 lb. braid with and extra heavy 7’10” flipping rod. There are better jigs for that in my mind. They are not super heavy duty, but no problems skipping docks.

Both Siebert and BOSS make great jigs. I really like the Siebert Dredge Dock Rocker. I find the bend in the hook holds plastics better and you can order them in a like 50 colors. Quality jigs. I actually like 1/4 oz. for shallow skipping and 3/8 oz. for a little deeper. I only move to 1/2 oz. when I put a larger trailer on that will slow or I want a faster reaction bite fall rate.

It is definitely a more refined feel. I have many Tatula SV reels and the Zillion is a step above for sure. I am thinking of grabbing another one if I can find a deal, but the new Zillion, even though speedy, is getting rave reviews.

Strictly fishing market, I think BPS had more product. Overall products, I think Cabelas was awesome. I saved receipts from my hunting and fishing purchases for like 15 years in my man room. I was doing some cleaning and purged most of those receipts. I decided to add up some of the Cabelas purchases. I was going strong adding, then started getting sick to my stomach. I stopped adding. Every time they used to offer $150 off of $500, I bit. Guns, archery, clothes, fishing, home stuff. It was crazy. The number I was seeing. I really liked the quality, selection, and prices you could get with those discounts and online in the “bargain cave”. I was very sad to see it go. Cabela’s is not the same. Rarely hit the store or even browse online. Really not sure how that conglomerate is making it anymore.

Hey ryguy, I picked up a couple for $99 early last year. Used them enough last year to have an opinion. I really like them. I am not sure I would have paid $300, but for $150, it is a solid reel. They are smooth, cast a mile, and seem solid. They are a little more temperamental, but with a little adjusting, they are a great reel for distance casting. I have mostly Daiwa, a few Lews, and a couple of these Abu's. The reel will handle those weights easily. As far as line, you would have to be more specific on where, what, and how you are fishing.

Yep. My Keen sandals give me Tiger stripes. I do protect myself with pants and a sun hoody. With a bald head and my wife having too many skin cancer surgeries, I am way more careful now. Feet still get hit sometimes.

Iowa has taken some of my money this year. I couldn’t wait to set the hook. Travelled south a couple times for some green fish! 20 minute drive makes it easy!!

^^^^That is well said!!!

Power pro is loud. Suffix 832 is very quiet in my experience. Power pro or other 4 carrier braids are loud, but cut vegetation better than an 8 or more carrier braid like 832. I use some of both, but mostly 832.

MILF! By that I mean milfoil. I really got into pitching into milfoil last year and had a blast. Isolated milfoil or irregularities in a weed stretch can get you bit............a lot!

I agree. I think too often I struggle with patience and wanting to move to get on fish and probably leave fish that I didn’t give time to bite. I am going to work on soaking my bait a little longer when I am in a fishy spot. That’s my goal at least.

Turn it and pull your line to test it. Line should take a firm steady pull to activate the drag. Not a hard pull or an easy pull. Keep turning it until you get that.

Brian is correct above. Don’t set the hook hard with a wacky rig and correct hook. Reel up and lean into them. Meaning don’t jerk the hook set hard. With the correct hook, line, drag, and hook set, wacky rigs are very easy.

Is Junebug purple enough to be considered purple? Seems like everyone and everything comes in that color?

Catt, How long do you usually keep a bait in the same spot and shake it there before you move it? I know different circumstances dictate movement, but in general?

Do you drift with your boat and drag the float rig? I thought about casting it and reeling or popping it back in.

I have always wanted to try this. I thought about the Thill wobble bobber to add some action to the worm. Might give this a try here soon.

Has anyone used these enough to give a good opinion on them? I have tried a ton of methods to wacky rig and may just go back to hooking through the worm and being done with it. I have tried heat shrink, single and double o-rings, orthodontic bands, etc. If someone says these work really well, I would maybe give them a try. Thanks

I am going to use it more this year after I saw what it could do. I took my daughter (14 years old)to a Wednesday night derby. She does not fish much, but has caught a few fish. I thought I would just give her a ned rig from the back of the boat and just have her cast it out, count to 6, lift, drop, lift, drop, and reel up. She caught a couple northerns and some small largies, she then caught a 13" crappie. It was getting towards to the end of the tourney and we moved to a spot that can be really good when its on. She catches a 3.5 pound bass, then hooks into a 5-6 and forced it a little bit, and it jumped and spit the hook. Really nothing she probably could have done. If we landed that fish, we get 1st or 2nd. I saw the power of a ned that night.

I struggle with the LURE to the lakes of everyone during COVID. It has made fishing much more difficult!!

Wow, tell that to the mass of touring pros who win on it weekly!!

When I laid them all out to take the picture, I wondered if I went a little overboard?