Whatever

Does anyone know which solvent might work for brush clean up with U 40 Perma Gloss rod finish? The bottle specifies U 40 brush cleaning, which is $5 for 4 oz. I am guessing it is just alcohol, as it works on epoxy according to the label.

The Gods are smiling this week! While digging through a box of extra gear, I found an old Ambassadeur Mag ll that I had long since forgotten about. And it fits the new rod! It is not a "round reel", but it is not a modern teardrop nacelle either. I have no idea how to categorize it. I have no idea on the inherent quality of this reel, but the rod itself is definitely second rate, so it seems a good match. I don't know what size line it is designed for either. I am guessing both the rod and reel are circa late 70's, so it appeals to my enjoyment of fishing with archaic junk!

Fish Tank, yes that appears to be the type of rod I have. They used a large "block" to clamp the reel foot to the reel seat, I am not sure why. a slender piece of steel would have worked just as well. Tom, yes it seems I never reach the point where I don't need more gear. My sister gave me the rod, as she had gotten it from a friend. I am guessing getting one for free is a very remote chance. Can anyone recommend a "round reel" of decent quality that is a reasonable price? Preferably Garcia. I might consider E-bay, but it is always hit or miss on whether you are getting a good deal, or a piece of junk. But I am determined to learn bait casting. And thanks for the info, gents!

JimmyJoe, in reference to your "tightline" comment, I understand the issue. But with Live bait (technically it has to be dead), the local technique is to give the fish a slackline when he hits. As a Pike cannot swallow a perch or sunfish tail first (due to dorsal spines), they usually mouth the bait, until it is head first in their mouth before swallowing. I have witnessed this with the only good fish I have actually caught on "live" bait. As soon as you feel a fish, flip the bail, and wait until the fish starts taking line (I am using a slip bobber). Then set the hook. Where I am unsure of this is which hook, how to hook the baitfish, how deep to fish. Or any other aspects I may be missing. We have some very good fish here. I just have to figure out how to catch them.

I just got a good deal (free is a very good price!) on an old Garcia fiberglass bait cast rod, with a pistol grip . I am guessing it is a relic from the seventies, but in reasonably good shape. But when I go to fit my current reels (mostly Pfleuger's), the low reel profile does not allow them to mount on the reel seat. The forward portion of the reel is too low to clear the large "locking block" which retains the reel foot to the reel seat. Does anyone have experience with this issue? I am wondering if I might need a "round reel" to actually fit this older rod?

Have you considered installing a metal ferrule? They are still available, and worked well for a lot of years.

Montana has that same situation--winter, and construction. Winter driving varies between driving on Powder, Packed Powder, and Machine groomed slopes.

No, the question is legit. It seems easier to take a half dozen jig heads, in several sizes, and two dozen interchangeable skirts, versus buying 2 dozen jig heads, in various weights. I am given to understand that the color of the skirts can make a big difference in success. Skirts are fairly cheap, compared to buying several dozen completed jigs.

A-Jay, I just returned from a 6 week trip to a local res (about 40 miles in length), which has a good Pike population. In NW Montana, the damned things are everywhere now. I have no idea how many thousands of casts I made, and produced only one fish, barely into the decent range. I did catch 4 "hammer handles" as well. Spoons, spinners, plugs (large and small), plastics,, fly's (large streamer's) and rubber frogs. And several dozen smelt, from 4" to 8". I fished early (5am) to late, sometimes throwing bait and plugs until midnight. I made some big wooden floating plugs this past winter, 5" to 8" monsters, and would troll, or cast early and late. I also fished spin gear, baitcasters, and fly rods. There are widespread shallows (to 10 or 15") with mud bottom, and lots of milfoil. I eventually came home when it hit 100 degrees, and stayed there. Which is bizarre in Montana. Starting in mid- May, the weather slowly warmed, and the snowmelt was raging, until mid June, when the water warmed substantially. I know there are good fish there, but cannot figure a strategy for getting into them. I have caught a few good Pike over the years, but have no consistency with the bigger fish. I am planning another month or longer back there this fall, so appreciate any advice.

With your info in mind, I actually read the package (Duh!), Yes, it says Punching Skirt! Thank you , Ditch, for illuminating that issue. Now I need some swim jig heads that accommodate regular skirts, and the appropriate skirts. I have been using the ones with the stiff bristle "weed guard", and they work very well in the local milfoil. Thank you, Sir!

I just spent a considerable amount of time attempting to catch a big Pike by dragging a bait through the weeds on a local reservoir. I would put a slipbobber three feet above a large hook, cast into the weed beds and slowly retrieve it. No luck. Everybody locally recommends smelt as bait. I used to use Perch, as they are free, and seem much tougher. Smelt frequently fall off the hook pulling through the weeds. Do any of you have experience with this method? What set up is preferred, and what are preferred baits? Is there a better method for Pike? I caught one decent fish last week, about 6 pounds, by casting a 2" Krocodile. I have caught one good fish so far on bait, a 16 pounder, and that was a long time back. A 17 and a 27 pounder were caught a month ago on the water I was fishing, with smelt. Advice is appreciated.

I am attempting to learn jig fishing, and encountering problems. When using a swim jig, and attempting to change skirts, the Dirty Jigs skirts I am using have a metal collar that will not remotely slide onto the hook on the jig head. What am I missing here? (This has probably been answered before, but I cannot find it. And Useless Tube, as usual, is no help).

Well, at 4 or 5 feet, there usually wasn't much of the snakes head left. I imagine it works out to 10 feet if the pattern is tight enough. I killed three of four dozen with a various handguns, then switched over to a 4 foot pole with a noose on the end. It was very effective, and didn't spook the horses.

I used to load 6 or #8 shot in a .38 or .357, using the CCI capsules. At 4 or 5 feet, it was lethal. I am not sure why the inability to re-chamber a round in a .45 would matter, it only takes one shot to take one out. A Taurus Judge works, but the .410 is really way more than you need. And a .44 with a load of #6 shot is a very good grouse load, even the Blues.

The primary "safety mechanism" for every firearm, vehicle or machine ever invented, is located in the exact same place---between your ears!