Newbie Rod/Reel advice; am I doing it right?

[LvHish486]

Hi guys, 

 

I’m new here and thought this is the best place to get advice regarding my set up. I’ve been reading a lot of good stuff and decided to ask you guys about my specific set up and for any pointers. I have two set ups I use, a 7’ Mitchell 300 Pro Medium spinning combo and a 6’6” Daiwa Laguana Rod ML/XF paired with a spinning KastKing Sharky III 3000. I use the Mitchell for cranking and worm fishing and the Daiwa for Ned Rig fishing. 

 

I have the Mitchell on 10lb mono Fireline Crystal for both Cranking and Texas Rig and the Daiwa on straight 8lb Power Pro for Ned Rig (no leader... I know, I know).

 

I fish in Pennsylvania on the bank and out of a kayak, mostly in clear to cloudy water with some vegetation.

 

I’m looking for any input on what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong because I’m not having any luck. 

 

And should I be using my Mitchell combo for Texas Rig worm fishing? 

 

Any my advice would be great and much appreciated. 

 

Thanks guys!

[JediAmoeba]

6 minutes ago, LvHish486 said:

Hi guys, 

 

I’m new here and thought this is the best place to get advice regarding my set up. I’ve been reading a lot of good stuff and decided to ask you guys about my specific set up and for any pointers. I have two set ups I use, a 7’ Mitchell 300 Pro Medium spinning combo and a 6’6” Daiwa Laguana Rod ML/XF paired with a spinning KastKing Sharky III 3000. I use the Mitchell for cranking and worm fishing and the Daiwa for Ned Rig fishing. 

 

I have the Mitchell on 10lb mono Fireline Crystal for both Cranking and Texas Rig and the Daiwa on straight 8lb Power Pro for Ned Rig (no leader... I know, I know).

 

I fish in Pennsylvania on the bank and out of a kayak, mostly in clear to cloudy water with some vegetation.

 

I’m looking for any input on what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong because I’m not having any luck. 

 

And should I be using my Mitchell combo for Texas Rig worm fishing? 

 

Any my advice would be great and much appreciated. 

 

Thanks guys!

What part of Pennsylvania?  I grew up in Western Pa and now live in Eastern Pa so I have pretty good insight on the waters

[LvHish486]

Northeastern. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

There's an old adage: when the going's tough, slow down. And when

you think you've slowed down enough, slow down some more.

 

So with regards to TX rig and Ned rigs -- and you may have done this

already -- try different retrieves. Tip down, then hop the TX rig back

nice and slow. Pause and shake the rod tip at some point (or don't).

 

Ned rigs can be fished many ways. Like a jig, dragged across the bottom,

jigged up and down just above the bottom, steadily retrieved, but not

fast, etc. 

 

Hopefully @JediAmoeba will have some great advice for you on those waters.  

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, LvHish486 said:

I have the Mitchell on 10lb mono Fireline Crystal for both Cranking and Texas Rig and the Daiwa on straight 8lb Power Pro for Ned Rig (no leader... I know, I know).

 

 

First of all, Fireline Crystal, is not mono. It’s the same material, more or less, as other Superlines, it’s just not braided. “No leader...I know, I know.” You know? There is nothing wrong with using Power Pro without a leader. 

Next, your lack of success has nothing to do with the set ups you have. Late summer lake fishing isn’t easy. You just have to keep at it, maybe try and find deeper weed edges. 

[JediAmoeba]

Dude, you are right on the backdoor of some of the nation's greatest smallmouth fishing.  Fishing in the summer is tough and without fronts rolling through or going at night the bite is tough.  Take your kayak out and get on the Susquehanna!  

 

The only problem would be your line choice for the river- braid doesn't fare so well in the river.  You could still use braid but go to a 20 foot or more fluoro leader for abrasion resistance on the rocks.  

 

Your set ups are fine.  I don't like cranking with a spinning setup but that's more personal preference - it's very doable for most people.  Your inability to catch fish on a bed rig probably has to do with your confidence, not casting to the right spots and I would guess fishing too fast.   Fishing too fast is most of our problems when finesse fishing!

 

 

 

 

[LvHish486]

21 hours ago, Scott F said:

First of all, Fireline Crystal, is not mono. It’s the same material, more or less, as other Superlines, it’s just not braided. “No leader...I know, I know.” You know? There is nothing wrong with using Power Pro without a leader. 

Next, your lack of success has nothing to do with the set ups you have. Late summer lake fishing isn’t easy. You just have to keep at it, maybe try and find deeper weed edges. 

I’ve just done a lot of reading here and it seems like most angles attach a leader. I’m new to fishing so I’m just glad that my set ups are at least on the right track, haha.