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

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

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

I'm right handed and about to try bait casting reels again after staying away from the bird nest makers for years. It was always strange feeling to me to fight a fish with the Pole in my left hand and reeling him in with my right. It just ain't natural! :-/ But I will be using a right handed bait caster because it was a gift from a lady who lost her husband to cancer and she found it on a shelf in the garage still in the box,Mike

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

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