ericw55anddogrufie

You have been helpful in the past, so I ask for advice. Trout season is open but it's getting hot. I want to store my and my nephews trout rods and reels until next year. What is a good method for cleaning and storing the rods and reels that we have used? What types of liquids should I use and avoid? Thanks for your assistance.

I know this is a bass fishing forum. Trout season is still (ok) in central PA but the water temperature is rising. I am fishing with a 10 year old nephew and we are about to go to Walker Lake in Snyder County due to the temperature changes. Alot of crappie, bass, walleye, catfish, pike populate the lake. I am going to use minnows for him as the primary bait. Fatheads or Rosey Reds rigged to a slip bobber rig on four pound test. The hook is a size 6 Eagle Claw Rotating Hook. I am going to use a slip bobber so we are able to adjust depth. I think this setup will allow him to catch alot of different species. What is the best way to rig this setup? Should I use a ball swivel and a leader line after the bobber so if we experience a snag or line break we don't use the bobber? And if we use a ball swivel, what type of leader line and test should we use? Currently he is using four pound co-polymer line. This will be a primary rig for the younger guy to learn with this year and I think by using minnows, it gives him the opportunity to catch many species.

Today I purchased a Shimano Vanford 2500HGF 6.0:1 Spinning Reel | VF2500HGF yes i copied and pasted the information. Thanks to you for your help and recommendations. Keep fishing and enjoy life.

I'd like to ask for advice. There's a private pond near my home that the owners have allowed me access to fish. Before fishing in the pond I walked around it and noticed that it is full of hydrilla and other vegetation immensely. While walking along the bank of the pond I noticed a huge amount of bass along the bank and they were large in size. The following day I just took a dozen night crawlers to the pond and used a slip bobber to experiment. I caught 20 bluegills in three hours and except for one, they were all four inches or less in size. Unfortunate, because if larger I would have kept them and eaten them. The day after I went out with senko bait and Texas rigged it to avoid the vegetation. I had something hooked and a few strikes on the bait in three hours time. Not a huge success but the bass appear to be not interested. I'm no expert but are these bass along the shore being picky and not interested because they are pre-spawning or spawning? It's been a while since I fished fresh water bass but I believe this time of the year in Central PA is spawning season for bass. I also heard alot of bull frogs around dusk at the pond. It's funny, a Blue Heron avoided the pond for an evening meal but went to the trout stream 100 yards nearby. Regardless, I would like to go to this pond again in the future. I think maybe using minnows on a slip bobber would be good for the child and me and possibly continue trying the senko weedless rig. I'm still learning at my old age and would appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

I'm new to this forum but have been fishing for ..............a while. This is the first time in 15 years I've fished. Previously it was Cape Coral/Ft.Myers Florida. I have been taking my nephews 10 year old son out to fish. It's his first time fishing this year. We live in Central PA...Sunbury...about one half mile mile from the Susquehanna River. Presently we are taking advantage of trout season in PA and have fished Halfway Lake, Little Shamokin Creek, Roaring Creek, Mahantongo Creek and Mahoning Creek. In six weeks we have caught over 100 stocked trout (and yes, they are delicious). We are just using two and four pound test with size 14 hooks. We attach a small split shot about 10-16 inches above the hook to allow the bait to float. For bait, Berkley yellow Power Bait with garlic scent has worked well for us. When the fish don't want the power bait we will cast a butter worm weightless into the water in these locations and continue to have success. Now it is getting warmer so it is time to move onto Walker Lake, Penns Creek, Middle Creek and Faylors Lake for bass, crappie, pickerel, walleye and hopefully large bluegills/pumpkinseeds. It will be fun and I am looking forward to it.

Thanks for the feedback and comments. I appreciate it.

I actually went fishing on the bridge at Matlacha for sheepshead often I lived in SE cape . I didn't go to Roys but did go to the Bait Station in North Ft. Myers. I worked in Ft Myers at the time and it was on my way home

and yes I apologize the rod length is 6'9"

Yes I am using spinning tackle. I have only used a spin casting rod/rig from a boat in the Gulf years ago. All I wan to know is this: Do I need a degree to use braided line, casting from the shore using Senko, Ned Rigs or live minnows? I wanted to try a new type of line because I have been told it is sensitive. And yes I have tied leader line many times. I have even used steel leaders when target fishing in the Susquehanna River for Muskellelunge, Pike and Walleye. evos2s917 thanks:) I apologize the rod length is 6'9".

Yes I understand sir. It's like it makes him feel good to talk to me and make me feel inferior. He was about 30 I'm glad I walked and I will not go back again. Cape Coral Canal fishing in my from yard was fun! I even used tinned cat food for bait and had success

Recently I was gifted a St. Croix 6'10" Avid spin casting rod. I'm still looking for a good reel for this rod. I went to the local tackle shop today and spoke to the salesperson regarding what they had available and line type i.e. monofilament, braid, flourocarbon etc. Well I opened up a can of worms that left me feeling like I am an idiot and need to learn how to fish and tie knots after 40 years. I'm 53 years old. I fished salt water in Cape Coral, Fl. I fished salt water in Corpus Cristi, TX, fresh water in Rio Grande, Jamaica, Susquehanna fresh water in PA etc! I asked a simple question.....I was gifted this St. Croix Avid 6'10" rod, I need a reel for it I think 2500 - 300 and I would like to consider using braid. Immediately I was asked....what type of knots can you tie to a leader? I responded that I can tie a uni knot, and a slip knot. The reply I received was that is not good enough so I said...................I'm willing to learn. I've seen videos of how to tie polymer knot. Is that sufficient? and the salesperson talked to another customer and left his assistant ring me out with two packs of split shots that I purchased for slip bobber rigs. So apparently I need a minimum of an Associates Degree in fishing 101, $500 in camoflauge garments, a Bachelors Degree in knot tying and 14 different style of hats in order to be successful at using braided line for the first time. I just thought it would be a new style, technique and offer a new experience but apparently I am not smart enough to accomplish this because I am a customer that entered a shop wearing a collared shirt upon leaving my place of employment. My apology I guess? Can you make some reccomendations? I am willing to learn. I don't know everything. Technology even in fishing changes over time just like automobiles.

Yes sir, he is a great life long friend and family member. I never had a brother but ....I do now and it's awesome.

I'm an uncle sir! Not a grandpa hahaha

You all have been nice and informative, I appreciate it! I still have not purchased a reel for this St Croix 6'10" Avid rod. I did purchase my great nephew a new reel today. Shimano Sienna 500. It's a nice step up from the Zebco rod/reel combo that his parent purchased. And I get it. He is ten years old and it is his first year to fish. To invest $100 plus dollars in a setup for a child that has no patience or interest is.........yeah. We're having a great time. We have caught over 100 PA stocked trout in the past five weeks. He caught a 19" rainbow on 4lb test and done well during the retrieval. Now we are going to Walker Lake for Crappie. I will be setting up with minnows (Rosey Reds or Fatheads) with a slip bobber. I figure he is young, so let the live bait do the work. Actually, I am getting older so I am going with the same set up initially. Unfortunately he is taking the short route regarding school work and not putting forth the effort he should in order to spend more time fishing with me. So his parents have told me he can't go fishing until Friday with me...booooo. Thanks again everyoneand. new2bc4bass....how has fishing been in the Lehigh River? I'm over in Northumberland County.

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate it! I will be using Senko and Ned rigs with the rod. I also plan to just use minnows such as fatheads with an adjustable/slip bobber rig using bobber stops. It's odd how we use artificial lures and tackle to imitate natural live bait such as minnows. I remember fishing Penns Creek many years ago....I would just toss a worm out and catch Crappie and Rock Bass. While doing so, I'd overturn small rocks to look for crayfish and hellgrammites. Once I would find one, I would attach it to the hook in place of the nightcrawler. In no time I would have a bass. Thanks again for your time and information.

Hello and thanks for your time. It's been many years since fishing when I lived in Cape Coral, FL. I'm now in central Pennsylvania and started fishing with my 10 year old great nephew (yes I went fishing with his father long ago). I am so glad to be outside and enjoying creation. We have caught many stocked trout and the little guy has seen Bald Eagles catching fish in R.B. Winter state park and Blue Heron on the Susquehanna River and Little Shamokin Creek. It's getting warmer and now I want he and I to get into Bass, Walleye and Crappie fishing. I was given a rod for a birthday gift this week. It is a St. Croix 6'9" medium light extra fast rod. It appears to be a very nice, well made rod and I like how it feels. Now I need to get a reel for it. I know it is great to receive advice and recommendations but it's also important to feel the rod/reel balance in my hands before I make a purchase. This is why I am wary of buying a reel online and not being able to physically hold it. Regardless I would appreciate advice on reel type and whether I should go with braid, mono, etc. Thanks for your time and have fun!