Linewinder

One my current faves is Berkley Flicker Shad.

Local fishing reports will tell you some hints, if not downright "go here". E.g. Drop-shot working according to the reports? Probably not going to be hanging out on shoreline cover -- look for stumps, rocks, submerged stuff near points and channels. That's what we did first and only time we fished Table Rock. We caught smallmouth, largemouth and spotted basses, from shore and from boat (one-day rental).

I just replaced the one bearing in my old Penn 716Z ultralight spinning reel. So are there new(er) model spinning reels using worm drive systems that require fewer bearings (not counting possible bearings in the handle knob or AR)?

I use mine for small worms (4-6"), smaller jigs (1/4 - 3/8), but like it for spoons and jerking Rapala's and long Bombers. Mine is an old Berkley Stinger graphite rod from the early '80s. Monofilament.

Personally, I really like the Blackmax and think it is a quality reel that is very affordable. Underrated. I have one, and BTW have been fishing with baitcasters 40+ years -- I don't go fancy. Take care of it and it will last many decades but you may need to replace some parts along the way like any other reel. I still have my Ryobi AD5000v in service and my son has his grandfather's Speed Spool BB1. Anyway. Birdnests, backlash, overruns. Whatever you want to call it, you should learn how to get them out. Cheap line for learning -- your pick is fine. Some of the Zebco lines seem slick and easy to cast, and to get the messes out. Here's a video about removing the mess (the guy is a little loud to me), but there are many out there: Remember the comment above about leaving 1/8" below spool rim? Use that exposed edge of the spool to provide a little tension when gently pulling out the backlash in freespool. You have a thumb? So use it. Slow the spool, or if you hear/see a backlash coming, just stop it hard. Don't try to feather it down to a stop because that makes it worse -- the line on the outside of the spool is slowed by the thumb but the spool is still going full steam. Just stop it, but not by engaging the gears. Use your thumb. Despite all the magnets, centrifugal weights, pins, knobs, artificial intelligence, whatever the reel has, don't forget to use your thumb. Always have a little tension on the line as it goes back onto the spool. Always. If you need to, as you are winding in, reach over with your fingers to pinch it a little as you reel it back in. Cuts down on backlash chances on the next cast. As backlashes cause your line to get kinked up some (assuming mono as you have) you can extend the day a little by stretching the line in your hands -- not directly from the spool but between your hands. Just pull it, feel it stretch a little and put it back. No tugging, just gentle pulling. Go home and decide if you need to replace the line then. Also, look into casting backhand or underhand. Practice long casts (e.g. for crankbaits and spinnerbaits) and short casts (e.g. jigs, worms). Geez. I talk too much. Good luck.

Does it shrink by length also?

I came across another bunch. Zebco and Abu Garcia made the Cardinal series with the worm drives.

Amazon puts its name on the box. It's all Amazon at that point.

I have purchased 3 rods over the years through Amazon, because the local shops don't carry what I wanted (Eagle Claw Featherlight). All come in a long square box, and unpadded. One rod tip was in fact broken on arrival -- the box was perfectly fine. The tip was broken inside the manufacturer's bag, still sealed. But, Amazon replaced it without any hassle, EXCEPT that I had to expend time to ship it back for their mistake. Reading the above shows that they didn't heed my advice. On the other hand, I purchased from Sportsman's Guide without any complaints.

Thanks. Nice catch. Beautiful markings on it. Still want to know if there are others like these. I just replaced the bearing in my 716Z because I found the old was making a loud almost scraping noise. It still didn't feel rough but the bearing did catch a little when spinning it after cleaning. Any way, lubed up and waiting for the next chance to get the 40 year old (?) out again. Maybe a larger brother or cousin like yours would be nice.

Are there other reels with a gear train like Shakespeare 2052, 2062, and Penn 716, 716Z? This design uses a large gear with teeth on edge -- like a circular saw blade -- that meshes with a gear that drives the rotor. Looks like this @ 2:29 https://youtu.be/I8jsY2HoEfg?t=149

Generally what is said above. We still go because it is a nice small quiet lake nearby. Creel limit says keep nothing over 12”, probably to help with quality. Great fun using flyrod, or small spinnerbaits or worms and jigs. Light tackle. Low stress. Crappie are small too. When you find them they’re in a bunch. Even small spinners will entice them. Catfish? Yes. Seen up to few pounds but we kept a couple only, pan-size just once using chicken livers (what else?).

Hey, thanks. That's right around the corner from my job.

There is an entrance fee. Not sure if there is a yearly pass rate.

I may not understand this, but I don't see the banner. Has this changed? Thanks.

Looking for recommendations for a small engine outboard motor mechanic in Northern Virginia, perhaps near Manassas. Who did you use? Thanks. Need to get Evinrude 9.9 started and continue.

Manassas area. My boat is too small except for my kids (maybe just one at a time -- nuts). Anyway, get into the streams. Rapidan, Hazel, Rappahannock, etc. that way. Use a canoe. Canoe = partner. Kayak = self.

Hi. I was just down at Lake Sherando a few weeks ago. What's the fishing like there? Been? Thanks.

Wow. I forgot I made this post. Made some interesting comments and suggestions folks. Thank you very much. Interestingly, we made a trip last summer to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia during a period when it was slow fishing for stripers. The guide service was recommended (Spike's Prime Time), we showed up and were taken out by his wife Cap'n Kathy. Well, my daughter loved it, caught the largest (10 lbs) of our limit. Kathy did us well because the other boats out didn't do as good. She spent time with the kids to explain how to find fish and when. So my daughter saw good no-glitz fishing, learned some stuff and that women can do it if they enjoy it. This is the type of fishing my daughter says she likes to do now (she's did striper fishing on Chesapeake Bay also). Better than a show. And she likes the little lakes and ponds in the area -- but may not always fish .

Bill Dance

I already tried that, and unknowingly messed up by watching the fishing shows during the cold off-season. Now they just want to use plastic worms and spinner baits -- and girls don't go fishing.

OK, so the ladies are out there to a limited extent (read: not enough for my daughter), but then kids must be non-existent? Jerry, come back!

Jerry McKinnis doesn't have a show any longer, where he would have kids on, so I watch Bill Dance and others, including the ESPN BASS shows, but they are always hosted by men. I want my kids (boy and girl) to know that girls like to fish too, but if the image is that only men fish I believe it sends the wrong message to my daughter. On another note, because of watching the current shows, my kids now believe that the only way to catch fish is with plastic worms and not real worms or minnows. :-/ We need a show like Jerry's again, with live bait, and add a woman too.

JVM, Sorry to butt in here... I was out on the Res this past Monday evening out of Fountainhead. A day after the rain; debris floating down from Bull Run was on its way. Anyway, I went to the old dam, where I hadn't fished in many years, hoping to duplicate a spectacular day worm fishing the deep side. Too many boats there already! Some shad and small fish on the finder but no hits. Saw one boat lose a small catfish and another bringing in small somethings. Heard of one guy caught a 3 lb bass and nothing more. At this time of year, was I off-base with worms and shad crankbaits on the dam? Summer was always good to me, but maybe that was because I mostly fished the lower end. What do you think? Thanks.

definately an extreme...a quality reel at a great price As an old-time here -- I still use my Ryobi reels which are mostly identical to the Lew's reels but without all the ballbearings (for the younguns here, that means 25+ years) -- I have to say that for a beginner, price should be a component into choice. Worst thing to happen is that you don't get your technique down and had spent $120 or $220 on a reel that now you hate. Now you hate yourself and go kick the dog. I haven't found a baitcaster that I can't cast (of course not, I haven't tried them all), but having said that I know there are good ones and bad ones -- just can't get the bad ones to cast as far, or need more thumb control, or like my old Ryobi's are rough when reeling, or break easily (no, not the Ryobi's -- that's why I still use them -- they just work). For instance, my father was given a Pinnacle as a retirement gift (with rod). Generally it is a good setup for Florida fishing (bass; light salt) with enough bearings for smoothness, and instant anti-reverse. I generally like it, and it casts easily and far, and with its friction brakes. But the dang plastic gear that makes the wormgear run the line oscillator (I have no idea what it is called) broke. So now it is good with low amount of line or shorter casts as the line bunches in retrieve. It is more prone to backlashing now and when it does, that ends the fishing for a while and possibly the line. No parts available. Also, I have noticed that the $40 reels at BPS, Gander and Cabela's sometimes appear to be the same. I know that there are manufacturers out there that will put any label on their reels, possibly putting several store-brand names on the same reel? So, long story finished, are there reels out there in the $40-60 range for extreme budget-necessary fishers who do not need a reel to carry them but need a dependable reel without plastic gears? Some plastic parts seem to be OK, but not in gears. What is today's equivalent of yesteryear's Ryobi? Thanks for reading and thanks for discussing.