Disney World Fishing Update

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Well, trip went well. Father in law and I had a good two hour expedition getting some bass. The guide was a woman who fishes tournaments here in FL. She was ok as a guide. She gave a lot of input to my fishing style; I think most of it was her opinion though. Here are my two questions. When I do hook sets at my home waters, I almost always side hook set. She told me it was a bad idea because I would lose a lot of fish. Second ahe said I shouldn't cast side arm. It is a bad habit she said that I had to break. I tried both ways she said on the two and did fine. However there were times when she kept insisting that I use a worm in spots that were slow. I asked for a swim bait and she said nope. Lol! So I guess she wanted me to break the habit of my "usual" lures. So it worked with a worm. Took a while though. In my home NC, I can catch bass on a swim bait all year round. I can sink them, fast, slow, suspended, etc. And it works for me. Just wondering what you all think? I don't mind learning and I understand this is her job and familiarity with the body of water, but the two things I'm unsure of whether fact or opinion is the casting and hook set stuff.

Joe

[A-Jay]

Glad you had a good time.

 

   As for listening to your guide; I've only fished with a guide a few times.  Initially, I was somewhat hesitant to listen to the advice / ideas being offered.  I still caught some fish.  However once I got over myself, the success rate went Way Up.  

 

   If your guide feels / believes that you are working with them and not on your own agenda - There's a decent chance you'll both have a good experience - especially when you are fishing water you have never been on.

 

A-Jay

 

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

That was the thing that made it more "believable" to me. The fact that she knew the waters. Heck, if she came to NC I could probably show her a thing or toe about swim baits. Lol.

I will say that the over head hook set feels very different, but I missed 0 fish doing it that way.

I was still impressed to ride in my first ever bass boat. New Nitro Z9 it was.

[Felix77]

IMO I would trust them on lure and presentation. I'm not sold on the casting or hookset advice.

Those vary based on what you are doing. As a rule of thumb ...

If I am concerned about a quiet entry or wind I go sidearm otherwise its overhead.

For hooksets the heavier the hook the higher up I go. So with light wire hook I am OK with side hook sets.

[Shane Procell]

Sounds like she was trying to help you. I know that as the client it can be frustrating when someone tells you that your technique could be improved. I believe the side swipe hook set (which I often do) is the cause of many missed fish. At least she did not say you cast like a girl

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Lol

[Uncle Leo]

As far bait presentations I would definitely go with the advice. I have been proven wrong everytime I second guessed a guide. She was on the money with the hook set I experienced the same between the two technics. As far as casting there are times both ways are needed. She did her job, hopefully she also put you on some good fish. I always hired a guide with the perception that they are going to teach me.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I really enjoyed it! Learned a lot and actually might add I am a decent straight up "hook setter" now. Lol

[topwaterrob]

The side arm casting vs overhead advice I'm not sold on....  I do believe that a straight upward hook-set is imperative especially when you fish water with grass and cover.  You gotta get that up moving upwards rather that further into the slop....

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Makes sense. Especially with the grass stuff. Seemed awkward at first, but I like it now.

[Chris at Tech]

I've fished with guides many times -- in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, freshwater, saltwater... and sometimes, you just have no idea what to expect from the guide (and similarly, the guide has no idea who he'll be stuck on the boat with).  Some guides are just good fisherman, some are good businessmen, but a truly good guide is both a good fisherman and a good businessman.

 

With that said, when you're paying for a guide you're paying for their expertise on that body of water so I would strongly recommend listening to them since they fish that area much more than you do.  Some guides are more effective at conveying their "suggestions" in a friendly but effective way, and unfortunately there are those who forget that they're in the customer service industry.  I've generally been fortunate with the guides I've fished with, but there is one guy in Florida who gave me a good idea of what NOT to do as a guide.

 

Another guide I've fished with quite a few times told a funny story about a trip he had.  The customer insisted on throwing his Rebel crawdad crank all day, in every spot.  The guide recommended fishing a worm, and showed the customer that the bass were biting the worm, but the customer didn't listen. At the end of the day, the customer complained to the guide that he didn't catch any fish.  What is the guide to do?

 

To sum up, here's what I'd say...

 

-- casting and hook setting -- while on the trip, do what's comfortable for you.  You're there to fish, not waste time learning a new motion.  But remember the input she provided and try it at home when you're not paying by the hour

 

-- lure selection -- listen to the guide.  You're not on your home water, so there's a high probability the guide knows more than you do about that water

[Sam]

Setting hooks:

 

Treble Hook Baits - Swing rod from left to right or right to left to set the hook.

 

All Other Baits - Over the head hard to cross their eyes and throw yourself out of the boat.

 

Just a suggestion based on what the pros say.

 

As for casting, cast anyway you want as long as you are accurate.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I'd learn the overhead hookset and keep the casting to whatever feels comfortable for you.

 

I know exactly why you are doing the side arm casting since you mention fishing swimbaits. It's probably the least tiring way to cast big baits all day and lets the rod load properly. I feel ya.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Thanks all! A lot to take in but I gathered it from the guide and will use it in NC next week when we get home. :-)