Abu Garcia 1003LP questions

[Mike-in-WV]

Hi Folks, I'm new here but not new to fishing. I'm 62 and fished and hunted most of my life. Fishing for Trout with a fly rod every year with my Dad on vacation is great memories from the time I was knee high.

Bass and Walleye fishing for years also.

My problem is that I never mastered the baitcasting reels and tried several times when I was younger. Now that I'm older and have much more patients and time I'm about to tackle that birds nest maker again. I will be using a Abu Garcia 1003LP and was hoping some of you may know about this reel and tell me what you think of it or maybe give me some pointers about the reel. Also do you know if it can be changed from right or left handed? I'm right handed and never cared much for switching hands all the time or fighting fish with my left hand. Thanks for any info or suggestions you may have. Mike

[.dsaavedra.]

heres an article i found on the reel http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/Ambassador.html

it looks like a pretty sweet reel. has some really good features and its not expensive at all. is this reel new or old?

baitcast reels can not be switched from left to right. if you dont like switching hands then you need to get yourself a left handed reel.

[Mike-in-WV]

Thank you for your reply. This reel is a freebe from a friend of my wife. Her husband died awhile back of cancer and this reel was sitting on a shelf in the garage. She said it's still in the box and doesn't look like he ever used it and she asked me if I wanted it. I have to go to Akron to get it but our kids live up there and we will go see them next week-end. She sold most of the other stuff but she said there was some lures there too.

Guess I can get used to fighting fish with my left hand when the reel is

free   That price is hard to beat when your retired and on a budget!, Mike

[cart7t]

That's a good reel for learning on.

Tie your practice plug on, reel it to the tip and then push the spool release  thumbar.  Adjust the spool release knob on the handle side under the star drag until the lure drops to the ground and then stops.  You might want to turn it a slight bit more when you're first starting out.  I'd also suggest turning the mag brake control to maximum when you're starting out.  

Then start practice casting.  You'll increase you're distance as you become more familiar with the reel and as you start to back the mag brake control off.  

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks Mr. Carp7. Little tips like that can make a big difference . Mike

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you do any muskie fishing in your area?

[Mike-in-WV]

Bass-Brat,Most of my fishing has been for Largemouth, Smallmouth , Walleye and Cats and Trout. They do catch some really big Muskies down here. We have a couple of big lakes within 30 miles of me that has some of the best Muskie fishing in the eastern, USA.

The Elk River runs right through my town of Clay, WV and we have a couple of small lakes and Trout streams. The Elk has Muskie, Cats, Bass , Blue Gill, Trout and Crappie. The biggest problem this year is the really muddy water from all the rain. Last summer was a big drought and you could fish the holes in the river.

I see your in Ohio. I was born and raised in Copley just 5 miles west of Akron.Moved to the mountains here in Wild and Wonderful WV about 20-25 years ago. Mike

[Grey Wolf]

Now that's a switch , moving from Akron Ohio to WV. I moved from WV to Akron 41 years ago.

[.RM.]

Mike-in-WV,

Check out this little ditty......

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!  

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks Reelmechanic! Thats a great site you have and first class info. Now I have a question for you. What line do you recommend for this reel for Bass, Walleye and cats from a river or I should say river pools with lots of rocks and brush to contend with.Mike

[Mike-in-WV]

Now that's a switch , moving from Akron Ohio to WV. I moved from WV to Akron 41 years ago.

Yea, I still remember the old days when Akron rubber plants were over run with people from WV who learned Reading, Writing and Rt. 21 to Akron. ;D If you offered me $100,000 to move back to Akron or Copley I would turn you down. That area is the arm pit of the nation!

When I was a kid Copley was just a farm town. Now it's all high rises and Condos. Have you been to Montrose lately! That's almost scary to me now.   Mike