Florida Bragging Rights, Take 3, July 1St - 31St

[fstr385]

New pond, no luck. looks like a future spot, buddy managed one 12 incher.

On a brightside my buddy let me throw with a older version of the biatcaster I picked up.

Not bad, was getting the thumbing down, he had it tuned just right though. no major backlashes

I was nervous about learning. Switching the hands was the hardest part.

Once I got the baitcaster down, I couldnt use a spinner. Like you, i didnt like switching hands, all my reels are left handed, so I can use my right hand on the rod cast, retrieve, and hookset, n reel with my left like I was used to.

[BassinLou]

Mike, researching rods will be fun. When your time comes to pull the trigger on a new rod, especially toward the end of the year, look up St. Croix bargain room. They mark down some of their high end rods to make room for new ones. You might be able to find what you are looking for. That's what I did and its one of my favorite rods.

[MCS]

Once I got the baitcaster down, I couldnt use a spinner. Like you, i didnt like switching hands, all my reels are left handed, so I can use my right hand on the rod cast, retrieve, and hookset, n reel with my left like I was used to.

 

Yeah the only ones they had were right, just like the model I used today. I considered looking for a lefty but figured it was a good deal and would try it the "traditional" way. If I can't get the hand switch down I will sell it and go left.

[fstr385]

Yeah the only ones they had were right, just like the model I used today. I considered looking for a lefty but figured it was a good deal and would try it the "traditional" way. If I can't get the hand switch down I will sell it and go left.

Yea, i dont know why more retailers dont carry a larger stock of left hand reels. I made a thread on here asking how many right handed guys use left hand reels, and it seemed at least 50% or more used leftys. I started goin to bps to find ones I like, then find them on ebay and get em left hand for less lol. I like the abu garcia silver max. They have the flip switch on them too, easy to take apart, and can be found on ebay for $50 shipped. Pretty versitile for most common types of fishing. Once you get them down, the control over a spinner is much better.

[BassinLou]

Here is a funny thought that just hit me Mike while reading your posts. I can relate with you right now actually. I am going through a learning curve with a spinners actually. I have been battling with fisherman elbow for over 1 1/2 now. I self taught myself to fish when I was a kid, and I am naturally left handed. When my dad bought me my first rod and reel, me being a kid, I did not know the reel handles could be reversed so I learned how to fish righty. Fast forward to present day. I have had to switch the handles to the other side now due to my elbow and learn how to fish my natural side. It's taken me a while to get used it. Go figure.

[AK-Jax86]

I have an abu Garcia revo but I never use it cuz I can't get the hang of the baitcast. I need someone to show me the ropes all my buddies I fish with use spinning.

I don't understand the whole setting your braking system. I saw a video where he told me to flip every other switch, so I did that. But I don't understand how to adjust it to each lure

[MCS]

I have an abu Garcia revo but I never use it cuz I can't get the hang of the baitcast. I need someone to show me the ropes all my buddies I fish with use spinning.

I don't understand the whole setting your braking system. I saw a video where he told me to flip every other switch, so I did that. But I don't understand how to adjust it to each lure

 

Well my buddy gave me a quick show on the knobs. Adjusting to the bait is done with the little knob(spool tension I think) next to the drag. The brake is different and has to do with over spinning the spool on cast. I dunno dude, it seems pretty easy if you talk to someone that knows what there doing.

He showed me how to let the bait free fall etc.

[AK-Jax86]

Well my buddy gave me a quick show on the knobs. Adjusting to the bait is done with the little knob(spool tension I think) next to the drag. The brake is different and has to do with over spinning the spool on cast. I dunno dude, it seems pretty easy if you talk to someone that knows what there doing.

He showed me how to let the bait free fall etc.

I'm going to keep it in my car with my othe rods and practice from time to time. It's a lot easier like you said when someone is with you and shows you. When you get the hang if it we can hit up a few ponds and you can show me if I don't get it down by then

[MCS]

Mike, researching rods will be fun. When your time comes to pull the trigger on a new rod, especially toward the end of the year, look up St. Croix bargain room. They mark down some of their high end rods to make room for new ones. You might be able to find what you are looking for. That's what I did and its one of my favorite rods.

 

THANKS! I see some bargins already....This is what I do! I am much more patient than when I fish. I snagged a $90 spinning reel in Feb for $44 bucks(I trolled for like 4 months until I found the right deal) and a $60 spinning reel for $30 a few years ago. This baitcaster I just paid $99 for was $189. All new in box. Just have to wait for the good deals.

 

I'm going to keep it in my car with my othe rods and practice from time to time. It's a lot easier like you said when someone is with you and shows you. When you get the hang if it we can hit up a few ponds and you can show me if I don't get it down by then

 

 Yeah man no problem. I hope I pick it up pretty quick.

[CountBassula]

I remember when I got my first baitcaster last year and went out to this spot where a neighbor sometimes watches me fish. I swear he must have thought I was on drugs or something. It took me about 30 minutes and 10 professional overruns before I got basic hang of it. Biggest problem for me was figuring out when to release the spool when casting, how to slow it down with my thumb, and finally stop it once it lands. Also the hand switching was awkward. fast forward to few weeks ago when I tried a spinning rod and I put it down after one cast. i just couldn't do it, it felt so unnatural. also, i've invested in good quality casting reels and with proper adjustment of the spool tension, i don't even have to touch the spool during the cast, only at the end to stop it once the bait lands. the cast control is incredible, i can control the distance by slowing down the spool, this way i can place a bait inches from bank's edge, either on the grass or in the water, depending what i need it to do. and amazingly i can also steer it left or right in flight using the rod. it's like your reel and rod are a joystick and you have a direct control of the bait's trajectory. but that took few more months to get a hang of. i can't imagine not fishing bait casters...

[BassinLou]

AK-NJ, send me a PM on your questions in regards to your revo reel. I have an S and STX and I know them pretty well. Don't leave a sweet reel in your car like that. I can walk you thru on how to set it up and with what baits to use them on. When you come down and we fish the Glades you are going to wish you knew how to handle a b/c.

[BassinLou]

AK-NJ, PM sent.

[fstr385]

Went to my bank spots this am and had no luck. The place is already cramped with only a few places to hit by foot, but the water was up in the trees and I couldnt get a good cast out. Went to a corner with a little more room and hook about a 4lber, but it broke off at the shore under some floating salad. Other than that, just 2 dinks. Time to break out the boat!

[Diggy]

No bass but did catch 3 snakes on my spinning rod. It was alot of fun because the drag was screaming even when locked down tight. I usually use baitcasting gear and my revo doesnt even blink when locked all the way. The not fun part was trying to get the fish out of the weeds it buried itself into because the canal was so narrow. I saw 2 pairs with fry, one set were about 9lbs a piece but no luck. Its crazy when you see one come out of cover and see the red eyes looking at the bait. 

 

[AK-Jax86]

Here in Jacksonville the past two mornings from 6:30 to 8:30 they have been killing my Black Ribbit Frog. Yesterday I managed 9 and this morning I pulled in another 7 including a nice 4lb not long enough to replace my lowest 19". Both days I hooked a big one the one today was in the range of 6 but I didn't hook it right and lost it about 10 feet in front of me

Between the two days I can't even count the amount of hook sets I have missed, like I said I have been exclusively using my top water frog.

Lou still not havin luck with the baitcast lol all this fishing was done with my spinning while my baitcast lay next to me in a birds nest lol. I hope to get the hang of it eventually

[MCS]

Here in Jacksonville the past two mornings from 6:30 to 8:30 they have been killing my Black Ribbit Frog. Yesterday I managed 9 and this morning I pulled in another 7 including a nice 4lb not long enough to replace my lowest 19". Both days I hooked a big one the one today was in the range of 6 but I didn't hook it right and lost it about 10 feet in front of me

Between the two days I can't even count the amount of hook sets I have missed, like I said I have been exclusively using my top water frog.

Lou still not havin luck with the baitcast lol all this fishing was done with my spinning while my baitcast lay next to me in a birds nest lol. I hope to get the hang of it eventually

 

What type of bait are you trying to throw on it?

[AK-Jax86]

What type of bait are you trying to throw on it?

At first I was throwing a frog and gt backlashes few times so I tried a tsunami swim shad (the name of the bait I used to hook the Double digit) since it has a little more weight got a few nice casts then backlashes so I went back to spinning. I don't think my break was set up right for the heavier shad

[AK-Jax86]

And it feels different holding and reeling going to have to really get use to that now

[BassinLou]

Andrew, sounds like you have to engage more brakes and tighten the dial a little more. The frog has plenty of weight to cast, it sounds like you have to dial it in more and remember your thumb. Other than that you are on a roll in Jacksonville. I come back into town tomorrow so I will see how I finish in July.

[bass Czar]

hey guys went today after work for about an hour to the pond AK lost that huge bass, miss 2 got this one on a buzz bait dark blue 19in.. that fish hit it super hard!!! lol....my new total: 16,17,18,19,21=91

wassup guys! AK and I went out this evening for about 2hrs bits were slow im a worm man but had to use a crankbait (2)fish and a spinnerbait (1) fish biggest was 19in so I will be replacing my lowest fish ... new total:17,18,19,19,21=94

[bass Czar]

went early in the AM with Ak we got a lot of fish and had a lot of misses too...here are my biggest 2 on a crank and buzzbait got another 19in to replace my lowest 17in ...new total:18,19,19,19,21=96

[AK-Jax86]

went early in the AM with Ak we got a lot of fish and had a lot of misses too...here are my biggest 2 on a crank and buzzbait got another 19in to replace my lowest 17in ...new total:18,19,19,19,21=96

Yea man we were killin em today! Lots of fish and lots of misses!

BUT TONIGHT it's going down!!!! 12am fishing at the 30+ year old ponds hopefully we pull in some monsters tonight and make fishing at night worth it!

[BassinLou]

Nice, especially with a buzzbait. I just came back in, after being out for week. Bass were no where in site. I also missed to nice peacocks. Weather starting to look pretty ugly so called it early.

[CountBassula]

went out with my brother today, he got 15 bass!!! and one snakehead on a SENKO!!! i clocked in at 7 bass on lizards, and in the evening i switched to jigs and pulled two more. over all a great day of fishing for the two of us, but all were small i told him next time he has to visit in march-april, we'll be killing them bass!!!!

[BassinLou]

Andrew did you catch any pigs last night with Bass Czar at midnight??