Bazoo

A while back I posted a thread about how my only spinning reel was being contrary. I didn't get any advice about curing the issue I was having, but I got a huge blessing from @Dan N. He messaged me and said he would gift me a better reel, and I gladly accepted. He asked me if I used baitcasting gear, and I told him yes, that I in fact had a decent baitcasting combo, an Abu Garcia Black Max. Well, the box came after a few days, but to my surprise, it was 2 boxes. I knew right away he had sent me not only a reel, but a rod too, when I saw the tube that the UPS man was toting. I opened the packages and I about fell over when I saw not 1 rod and reel, but 3; two complete spinning rigs and a casting rig. I was pretty surprised by that act of generosity and kindness as I really only expected a decent reel. The baitcasting rod is a Basspro Crankin' Stick, and the reel is a Basspro Pro Qualifier 2, which compliments my Abu Garcia Black Max combo. The spinning rods consist of a Basspro Pro qualifier 2 rod with Basspro Pro Qualifer 2 reel, and a Berkley Lightening Rod with a Quantum Drive 30 Reel. I've never used Bass Pro reels or rods and have been wanting to give them a try, as well, I've also been eyeing the Lightening Rod and Quantum Reels. He also threw in some odds and ends soft plastics with the reels, in some varieties and colors I'd likely not buy to try. Not to mention, both of the spinning reels are spooled with braid, which I've never tried before. Talk about sensitive, I feel every nibble! I've taken the rigs fishing 4 or 5 times and caught a couple of bass on the Basspro spinning rig. I caught one of the bass on one of the worms he sent too. So, I just wanted to say thanks again to Dan for the generosity and the morale boost. Bazoo

Seconds seem like minutes when the hooks are not cooperating. I can't imagine going fishing without pliers, but I see others doing so all the time. One guy was catfishing, without pliers, caught a turtle, and wasn't having any success. I offered my assistance via the Leatherman Tool, and bent the barb down. The turtle thanks Mr. Leatherman.

I was unaware of that product. It seems it'd be just the ticket for tag ends and scrap. Thanks for sharing.

Like many, I often take trash from my local lake, and always line that I find. I try to get the tag ends, if I'm able to with reasonable effort when I retie, If not, I don't fret it.

Interesting replies, thanks all for sharing.

I lost what I estimate to be a PB largemouth by horsing him. I was used to catching 2-3 pounders, and this one came in just like the others... but when I went to lift him out with my rod the line broke, at the same time I saw how large he was. Probably 6 pounds, which I know there are fish at least that large in this pond. Fishing with 10 pound mono, I should have known better, but I wasn't thinking.

I appreciate everyones input. I never would have guessed bluegill, but I was hung up on the coloration more than anything. I appreciate the reminder to count spines and look for other physical characteristics and not just rely on the coloring.

Interesting replies. I think I'd like to learn the technique as I've had a lot of instances when then hook is in the corner and its a hard spot to get. Anyone got a known good youtube reference for how its done correctly?

I was watching some Roland Marin again, and I noticed several times he "pops" the hook when it's in the corner of the fish's mouth. What is this popping and when should it be used? Is it just a Roland Martin thing or does everyone do it? I know that it can be difficult to get the hook out when it's in the corner of the mouth like that, but I have always been concerned I'd damage the hinge portion of the mouth if I wasn't careful. Thanks for everyone's insight. Start at 11:50 to see it. I believe he does it once before but I didn't note the time.

I generally use a trilene knot.

Dunno how you get your knot snug with 1/4" to pull on. I generally have about 2" left after snugging up.

I was watching some youtube videos with Roland Martin and I noticed he cut the line and then spit that little piece of tag out on the ground. Now, I'm not admonishing Mr Martin, or others for this, as I've done it myself. But I do try now not to leave those tag ends when I'm out, even if they are small. I've found that if I carry a small plastic bag (that bobbers for my boy came in) in my pocket, it takes minuscule time to put that piece in the open top of the bag, thus not leaving that little bit there. What does everyone else do with their tag pieces? Start at 5:40 to see the tag end example. He does pocket a longer piece at around 6:20 btw, which I'm glad to see.

Not really, but I have an aversion to rust on guns and knives. I don't particularly have to have clean guns, but I keep them oiled. Knives have to be oiled and sharp.

I ain't ever caught a huge bass, like 8 pounds or more. I've caught a couple solid 4-5 pounders. I have eyes for some DD bass, as well as the state record largemouth. That said, I always am excited even for a 1 pounder. I just enjoy fishing, particularly for bass. I also ain't ever caught a bass with a lure in it's mouth, which is something I think would be awesome. Especially if the lure was something I would use, and then do well with.

You must of ain't tried enough... from the looks of the trees around where I frequent, there are plenty of attempts. I surpmise the bass roost at night, and it's the early birds that leave their evidence behind.

Here we are with one such bass caught by the boy.

Thanks @A-Jay for the chatterbait tips. I too, have never been successful with one, though I just started with them this year. I have never been very successful with Carolina rigs, though I've tried them off and on for years. I have caught at least one bass on one that I recall. I've never caught anything on a whopper plopper, though I do fish one semi regularly since finding a handful of them. Topwater for me has aways worked pretty good with frogs, poppers, jitterbugs, spit'n images. I never had any luck with a Devils Horse, but it's on my radar to get another and give it a go some more.

I weightless texas rig them sometimes. I do it often for my boy, who is 4, and he has caught bass on them. All of the sudden we hear this splashing and commotion right at the bank.. yep he's got an angry bass on the line. He holds on tight and I help him land it. I don't know exactly how he does it, flogging the bushes and brush and water, but then gets a fish to bite. Relentless determination, all while I can't buy a bite with a senko.

Is it possible that you stripped the threads? If so, if it's a good quality reel, you may be able to get replacement parts. If it's cheap, assemble it with some epoxy on the threads and don't worry about it.

Cool idea. I hope it works to perfection for you. I bet it'll be super stable with those outriggers.

Thanks bass302. The pic clearly shows 3 anal fin spins. So it would appear to be a bluegill. I've been researching it some and I find pictures that support it being a bluegill as well. I'm still uncertain, but I am leaning bluegill now.

Wow that's a nice haul. I don't use a lot of rooster tail type lures, but a mepps would draw my attention pretty quick. That whole lot is right up my alley. I especially like the black popper. I've never seen one with a chartreuse dressed hook. I once caught back to back 6+ pound catfish on a jointed minnow, not in firetiger however. I was fishing a pond for bass, using a 5.5" jointed minnow in silver. I caught a heck of a channel cat, and had a deliar with me and weighed him it was 6-6.5 pounds. I threw him back and then fished a few minutes and got another just like him. I always wondered if it was the same fish, but I didn't think so as it weighed just a touch different. The last one however mangled my lure beyond repair. It ripped the rear wire clear out of the body halfway up that section, mangled the line attachment in a similar fashion but less badly, and chewed it extensively. I mean that lure was scratched to the wood in some spots from that cats lips. I took the hooks out of the lure and kept it for a trophy for years until I lost it when my house burnt.

I'm not the best and IDing them yet. I know crappie when its fresh. Bluegill and the other bream are a bit harder for me to distinguish. I haven't been around them that much.

Thanks for the idea. That will help me learn some new areas too. Yeah, I'm a bank fisherman most of the time.

After looking at pictures of bluegill a while, I can see it, so I'm not so sure now. What throws me off though I guess is the eye. Looks like a crappie eye to me.