Freshwater Gear Nightmare

[Further North]

Kingsley lake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsley_Lake

 

That's completely bizarre...

 

1 hour ago, newmanme said:

Howdy Howdy,

 

That sounds a lot more economical than what I had  

 

The main gas usage is getting to the offshore spots like reefs or my favorite spot being the Red Snapper Sink about 30 NM SE of St Augustine  pair the distance with about 2 MPG I/O's and it was no longer economical or enjoyable for me. 

When I take the boat to Canada, we'll accumulate 150 - 170 miles in a week...and still have gas left in the tank.

Suzuki DF140 for the win...

[heyitskirby]

On 3/30/2022 at 11:18 AM, newmanme said:

Bass fishing is very popular, as long as you have a boat here in Florida. Did you know that Florida's fourth largest lake in size and deepest at over 100' is 100% private even though tax payers cover 100% of the cost to stock and maintain it? Of course you can hire one of the locals that live in the lake front HOA's to take you out for 4 hours at $500

 

 

Thanks for this info.  Another reason for me to hate this state and the way it caters to rich folks, corporations, and the margaritaville crowd.  But they also need me to build highways, so I shouldn't complain.

 

Anyways, I think plenty have answered, but as someone who gave up bass for bottom fishing in my last days in freshwater, all of my catfish gear is saltwater based.  Check out the ugly stick spinning rods for striper and catfish.  If I remember correctly they are basically the same and they are definitely cheap.  I use the catfish rod with a Penn Fierce 5000 for both catfish and bottom fishing in salt.

Edited April 4, 2022 by heyitskirby
accidentally posted several times - oops.

[newmanme]

18 hours ago, heyitskirby said:

 

Thanks for this info.  Another reason for me to hate this state and the way it caters to rich folks, corporations, and the margaritaville crowd.  But they also need me to build highways, so I shouldn't complain.

 

Anyways, I think plenty have answered, but as someone who gave up bass for bottom fishing in my last days in freshwater, all of my catfish gear is saltwater based.  Check out the ugly stick spinning rods for striper and catfish.  If I remember correctly they are basically the same and they are definitely cheap.  I use the catfish rod with a Penn Fierce 5000 for both catfish and bottom fishing in salt.

I am sorry you are not happy with Florida. I grew up here as a kid and returned to live permanently about 23 years ago. 

 

A lot have things have changed over the years, but none more impacting than the influx of those that have changed way too much. 

 

It is odd that people retire to vacation places that they love and change it into the S#!T40!es they ran away from. Makes no sense to me to destroy what you love  

[newmanme]

Does anyone use Lews gear out there?

 

I was looking at two reels, then after the DC decided against, but now I am looking again:

 

1. Team Lew's Pro Skipping and Pitching SLP

2. Team Lew's Pro TI SLP 

 

Since frogging and skipping seem to be the only reason that I (me personally) would need special gear, any thoughts on these reels?

[heyitskirby]

2 hours ago, newmanme said:

I am sorry you are not happy with Florida. I grew up here as a kid and returned to live permanently about 23 years ago. 

 

A lot have things have changed over the years, but none more impacting than the influx of those that have changed way too much. 

 

It is odd that people retire to vacation places that they love and change it into the S#!T40!es they ran away from. Makes no sense to me to destroy what you love  

 

I guess I failed to mention that the state is absolutely beautiful, some of my best friends in the world live here (including near you in St. Augustine with super secret backwoods fishing spots off the intercoastal), and I will never hate on the weather (unless it gets below 70 here in Tampa). 

 

We moved here about 4 years ago for my wife to attend a PhD program at USF and have no intention on leaving after she graduates in a few weeks.

 

Some positivity to counter my negativity.

[newmanme]

17 minutes ago, heyitskirby said:

Some positivity to counter my negativity.

All good  

I know how you feel about the way money, greed and the lack of respect for nature has changed the entire state. I can remember St. Augustine from when I was 5, the changes are many, none of which to preserve history or to protect the natural beauty.

 

Yes, the weather is great, tons to do year round to keep me out of trouble, and I do live in the one place I have always wanted to, St. Augustine. 

 

Oh, and if you want to make a lifetime friend, please do share some of those hidden gems in the area. The locals here share NOTHING, and if they do share a spot, go the other direction  

(Locals - those that have lived their entire lives here since birth  I do not qualify by their terms because I was not born here  )

[Deephaven]

Lord.  Making something easy hard guys.  The question first is what baits are going to be thrown.  After that rod/reel selection.  

[heyitskirby]

24 minutes ago, newmanme said:

All good  

I know how you feel about the way money, greed and the lack of respect for nature has changed the entire state. I can remember St. Augustine from when I was 5, the changes are many, none of which to preserve history or to protect the natural beauty.

 

Yes, the weather is great, tons to do year round to keep me out of trouble, and I do live in the one place I have always wanted to, St. Augustine. 

 

Oh, and if you want to make a lifetime friend, please do share some of those hidden gems in the area. The locals here share NOTHING, and if they do share a spot, go the other direction  

(Locals - those that have lived their entire lives here since birth  I do not qualify by their terms because I was not born here  )

 

PM'd.

 

My wife graduated from Flagler in 2006 and I've got a lot of close friends from a music scene I used to be involved in, so we spend a lot of time there (even before we moved to FL from VA).  St. Augustine has changed a lot just in the last 10 years, but I'm with you - it would be my top pick if we ever relocated in state.

[newmanme]

39 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Lord.  Making something easy hard guys.  The question first is what baits are going to be thrown.  After that rod/reel selection.  

I didn't make this hard, most of the gear catering to one freshwater species is the issue. 

 

I am mostly a bottom/Bank fishermen these days so my requirements differ from fishing from a boat. 

I have to cast farther, and that means I need to sling 1 to 3 ounce sinkers depending on the distance and type of bait (I am presuming that the lure rating can also be applied to sinkers?) I use minnows, shiners, crickets, liver, beef, cut bait, crayfish, grass shrimp, whatever the fish in the area like. I prefer live and cut bait.

 

I spent years playing the species game on the ocean. High Tide, Low Tide, moon position, what bait is running, barometric pressure, red tide, time of the year, water temp and on and on. All to target one species. But the gear is designed to catch them all with some minor large game fish exceptions, like tuna or billed fish. Imagine only being able to buy a rod for redfish because they are so popular and try and land a 6' 150# Tarpon with that gear.

 

I always take 3 rod and reel combos with me to fish freshwater; all spinning gear, 3000 series, 5000 series and a 4000 series Baitrunner D on a Talus Bluewater blue water rod for catfishing. 

 

I plan on different species when I fish. If the crappie aren't biting, on to something else so to speak. I always catch something. I am not going to drive over an hour, and not have some reeling in fish. 

 

Back to the Rods:

 

The closest rod I have found is the St Croix PREMIER® MUSKY SPINNING RODS ($225)

- PMS80MHF 

- PMS80HF

 

Both have a 30 - 65 lb. line rating so I am going to need to see these in person due to the price is over $200 and I need two.  

 

I am only considering these, 8' or larger one piece rods are a pain to transport. My preference is to keep my rod under 8' so it fits in my 8' bed comfortably. So I am looking for 7' to 7'8" in length.

 

I am worse than the date that takes two hours to get ready, LOL   

Thank you all for putting up with me  

[Deephaven]

Again.  Baits first.  Unless your answer is you ONLY throw 1-3oz sinkers...

 

You will HATE those muskie sticks.  They are pool cues.  Not made at all for what you want to do.  Don't even bother looking at them.

 

I was out red fishing yesterday and amusingly was using bass tackle.  Had a great day doing it.  Goal was to put the kids on fish.  

 

...larger reels, but bass rods.

[Further North]

On 4/5/2022 at 6:34 PM, Deephaven said:

You will HATE those muskie sticks.  They are pool cues.

Not all of them.

Rods are built to load to a specific weight range.

What I do is talk to my rod builder (Tom Schenk at Chippewa River Custom Rods) tell him how much weight I want to throw, what kind of reel I want on the rod, and how I want to fish it.

...then he finds a blank, builds a rod, and I have a rod for exactly how I fish...usually for less than I can buy a top quality mass produced rod from a sporting goods store...and many of those rods are "musky sticks".

 

[newmanme]

On 4/5/2022 at 7:34 PM, Deephaven said:

You will HATE those muskie sticks.  They are pool cues.

I wouldn't bank on that until I give one of them a try or someone shows me a better option under $200. 

 

I bought two Shimano Clarus 7' MHF and they are flimsy to me. Put a 2 ounce sinker on and my rod felt like I had a turtle on the end of the line trying to be casted.

 

Maybe I should have stayed saltwater  if I need saltwater rods to fit my freshwater reels  

[newmanme]

On 4/5/2022 at 7:34 PM, Deephaven said:

Baits first.

Freshwater:

Minnows, Shiners, worms, cut bait, beef chunks, corn, stinkbait, crickets, crayfish, etc. ( no lures)

 

Saltwater:

Shrimp (live and dead fresh), mud minnows, fiddler crabs, mullet (live and frozen), bluecrab (pieces), sand fleas, cut bait, pin fish, ballyhoo, squid, etc.

 

I use floats and bottom fish. Bottom fishing is when I need the casting power, but I will also use the rod to toss floats. 

 

I carry three reel models with me freshwater fishing, Vanford C3000XG, Vanford C5000XG and my trustee Baitrunner-D 4000 for casting distance. My Vanford C5000XG holds more line, has a beefier drag and is lighter. I want to find the right pan to catfish rod for it and retire my Baitrunners to saltwater only. I need to find a rod similiar but just a little less backbone than the Talus's I have. 

 

Onward march my journey goes  

[Chris at Tech]

Take a look into St Croix inshore fishing rods like the Mojo or the Avid

[newmanme]

Thanks,

 

The inshore rods I think will suit my needs. I have found a few Heavy Rods in freshwater, but the prices are a bit high and the colors do not come close to matching the Vanfords.

 

It will be a journey finding the right rods, but thank goodness I only go through getting new gear once every 10 or so years.

[SWVABass]

I’ve read through your post and a little confused still. I understand you want to fish live and/or cut bait. Got that down, now which species are you targeting? Is it a free for all anything that jerks will fill your need or are you looking to target only specific species?

 

if your not wanting to go down all the rabbit holes on different lure types and fish species I would honestly recommend and ugly stick. I have two, use them in waters where I could have anything bite when using bait. They are tough, inexpensive and you can buy a decent spinning reel to team it up with. Folks might want to snub their nose at it but those rods have caught tons of fish and are built like a rock. 
 

so I would say don’t worry about how many different rods and why or what for if it’s not in your playbook to start fishing that way. But I would recommend downsizing somewhat but do it cheaply since it’s more of the social spect and being outdoors that your there for. And if you want to open up to more water, cheap kayak. The only fuel required is what you put into your body and in turn pump out through your arms or legs.

[newmanme]

On 4/12/2022 at 5:59 AM, SWVABass said:

I’ve read through your post and a little confused still.

For freshwater, if I throw Live Shiners where I like to fish, that will attract Largemouth, Striper, and Catfish. If I throw minnows that will attract Bass, Crappie and other panfish. 

 

It it is not a free for all when I fish  I have to travel an hour and 10 min to get to my freshwater fishing spot. I am prepared to fish for what is biting. The first time I traveled to this location all I took was worms thinking there was a bait shack nearby. No bait shack, no bites and a long empty handed journey back home. One day the Crappie are biting, the next Bass, then the Tilapia, and the next catfish. I go fishing for the relaxing enjoyment, and my day isn't ruined if one species isn't biting  

 

If you read some of my other posts you would note my frustrations on the lack of fresh water access here in Florida for boatless anglers. Coming from someone who grew up 50 yards from a major river, it is disgusting to see the privation of all the great fishing waters.

 

I have decided to move to inshore rods, as freshwater spinning rods (under $200) are either too flimsy or way too expensive. I'll pay $300 for a salt rod I can use in fresh and salt water because the the gear will outlast a freshwater rod 10 to 1. Better reel seats, salt and corrosion resistance, more backbone, better guides, better all around for an inshore and catfish angler.

 

It is just a matter of frustration that the freshwater fishing gear is almost exclusively for Bass and I have to buy a salt rod for freshwater catfish. There are a couple small niches for Crappie and a few other sport species, but a very small collection of items compared to Bass. 

 

I am now looking into custom rods, but even there the lack of heavy (spinning) rods is amazing..................

[VolFan]

Depending on what action you are looking for, I have some Okuma Battle Cat rods in the spinning model. Great rods for fishing big baits. Slower action as well.Definitely not feathers though.

[newmanme]

5' Bass Rods and bottom fishing not possible

 

So I discovered why I do not hear any techniques related to bottom fishing. The drop shot! That sounds so cool doesn't it? 

 

I was dropshotting 50 years ago! Only it was called bottom fishing! This is just like the "Super Bomb" storms we get now. Change the name to make it sound cool? All you needed was a sinker, hook, bait and it was a cheap way to rig. And it caught just about every species in my river. But I guess it is not COOL to call it bottom fishing

 

Next, for everyone that does not seem to understand why I am looking for stiffer rods, it is because the original bass rods were 5' Heavy Moderate (fiberglass) rods in the 60's and ear;ly 70's. They did not start increasing the rod lengths for bass fishing until the end of the 70's.  OH YES! LOOK IT UP!

 

I am signing off for now, this thread had a lot of good people chime in, good ideas all of which I very much appreciated. I never expected to find a million different changes to freshwater fishing gear since I was a kid. To be honest, all this new hyped up gear really takes away the fun and relaxation of the sport.

 

AND - I'm still trying to find that FRESHWATER HEAVY SPINNING ROD after months of frustration.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

6 minutes ago, newmanme said:

To be honest, all this new hyped up gear really takes away the fun and relaxation of the sport.

 

I don't get it.  More choices are a bad thing?

[BrianMDTX]

6 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

 

I don't get it.  More choices are a bad thing?

I agree with you 100%. I’d rather have numerous choices than only a few. 

[VolFan]

I thought I gave you a great rod for what you’re proposing in the 7’6” or 8’ Battlecat spinning. It’s even a two piece where the handle comes off.

[cyclops2]

I ALWAYS have had a HEAVY duty freshwater setup for using baits of any type.  It is always a old Mitchell  300 series spinning reel & a LIGHT DUTY  salt water rod. Length is only required if I want to REACH way out in deeper waters.

 

At 84 I do not wade alone !!  Death is always beside me now.  

Go with  a long STIFF light duty saltwater  rod.  Your fish are big & powerful in rivers.  Also go to about at least 60# test Braided line. Mandatory to keep Line stretch to minimum when fish mouths bait.  I would go with a saltwater reel that can EASILY horse in a big Bluefish. 

I  pound in a sand spike & tie it to the rod also in big river  fishing. 

 

Bassers have no idea of what waits to drag away a unattended rod. I bought & use a rod bell for when I fall asleep.     Enjoy your fishing.

 

Almost forgot about the weight & 3 way SALTWATER  swivel. I tie the 2 to 4 ounce sliding weight shaped weight onto the 3rd eye of the swivel with MUCH WEAKER cheap Monofilament line.  I WANT it to snap off if snagged. I really use scrap rusty weights on the big rig. Lead is not cheap on snaggy bottoms. 

 

Almost forgot 1 more important thing.  THE  HOOK !!!

40 to 80 pound cats can & do break off many older freshwater rusty hooks. The rust ALSO chews away the line tied to the eye of it.  So I bought 6 S S saltwater hooks.  3X rated strength.  I crushed & ground the barb to be smooth .  That prevents the barb ripping open a huge hook hole. I never relaxed the line enough to have lost a recent big Blue Cat.

   ?

[newmanme]

It's been over a year and I am still having issues finding the right rods for catfishing. I am baffled with all the different Bass rods out there, that catfishing is so neglected.

 

Yes, there are rods out there like from Whisker Seekers, but all these freshwater cat rods are stainless steel parts. I live in Florida, whether I fish fresh or salt, I am always exposed to salt in the air. Stainless steel does not rust, but it corrodes and looks terrible after a while. 

 

Oh, I use spinning gear. Not paying $1000 for a finesse bait caster when I have $60 spinners that do it better and never a bird's nest. The problem is that for some reason beyond me, all spinning rods are lighter than bait casters rods. I just bought 4 ea. Daiwa Fuego C4000D-C reels. 26 lb drag, make great reals for 20 to 30 lb braid catfishing. But, finding a matching spinning rod with a line rating of 10-40 lb is next to impossible. Then when I do find a possibility it is some dang yuppy neon color you can see a mile away, you glow in the dark, and then they still have stainless guides and such. 

 

While a lot of cats are going to under 5 to 10 lb. I want my gear ready to handle a trophy if ever needed to be. I want reasonably quality gear. My Dobsyn Maverick Panfish rods are awesome, but nothing close to 20lb or higher line ratings.

 

I have found a lot of rods I like, but nothing in the correct range of 10-40lb (I like to use 20 & 30 lb braid), 1 to 6oz lure or live bait,  Medium Heavy to heavy, moderate to fast, 7' to 8', black, to black & red, must have better than stainless parts.

 

I was told once before that I need to look at inshore spinning rods. Still not finding anything there either. I know they say color does not matter, but it does to me. I have four Shimano Vanfords, and four Daiwa Fuegos, that I just can't find rods for. Please don't send me a picture of a $400  Shimano Poison Adrena where the max line is 6-12lb. It matches the reels, but I need four of them and I am not paying over $120 ea.

 

I am so tired of looking for rods that I am asking for any ideas here.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/top-10-catfish-rods/153533