islandbass

I'm like JF and Raul and I love all of my combos. My favorite one is the one in my hands when I'm fishing. Doesn't matter if I'm UL fishing with my Okuma/Abu Cardinal or my Lamiglas/Certified Pro Drop shot special/Rapala S6xi, or my Crucial like Catt's with a curado 101D. If it's in my hands I am happiest, because it's the only one in the line up that is going to catch my fish.

Right on, Matt! I have a 5 year old too who also likes to fish. Whether we catch fish or not, it's usually a good time. Congrats to you and her. 8-)

I am stoked to the bone about finally catching a bass on a jig technique. For those who don't know, jigs, despite being a bass catching lure, whose effectiveness in catching bass is well renowned and legendary has been a tool that has eluded me since my fishing journey began. My first and only jig caught fish was on a football head and smallie beaver last season. I have yet to catch a bass on the bread and butter jig (with a rubber skirt) and trailer combination. I wanted to improve that statistic this season and decided to start with the Shaky head. I could no longer contain the urge to get out there to not only fish but to get this monkey off my back so I sacrificed my lunchtime to get it done. I broke out my 7' M Mag-Touch trunk rod and Curado 101D spooled with a top layer of 8# Spider wire Red Mono and tied on a Spot Remover Jig and slapped on a 4 Robo worm. I pitched the lure out just passed an area of rip rap and did my best to give life to the worm in a way that was similar to how I work a drop shot. Sight unseen, I visualized in my mind working the line while keeping the jig head in place. About 15 minutes into it, I felt feedback through the line. Since I know I wasn't moving the jig, I knew it had to be a fish. So I set the hook as I do the line moved madly away from me. I don't know why, but I pulled what I call an Iaconelli, or my take on expressing sheer joy and excitement that follows a hook set, and I am not going to ask for forgiveness. Every shout and fist pump felt great and I cherished every second. 1st Shakey Head Bass I quickly took a photo and released her to fight another day. Unfortunately, I lost the jig that caught her and two more jigs in the last 10 minutes I had left. Slowly, steadily and hopefully, I am going to crack this puzzle of jig fishing this season. Bass Fishing in Downtown Seattle on a lunch break from the shore and catching your first Shaky Head bass? It doesn't get any better than this. Conditions: Partially Cloudy Date: Monday 06-07-10 Location: Lake Union, Seattle, WA

We went to our home lake on Saturday, 05-29 so that my son could try his new fishing rod, the newest addition to the family arsenal of Weapons of Bass Destruction. This is gear not for the faint of heart fly fisherman or pursuer of pan fish (please note I am only teasing). We were hoping he would catch his first bass. Weapons of Bass Destruction -- Forget the Curado 101D casting reel mated to a 7' Mag-Touch graphite handled rod, or a Rapala S6xi matched to a 6'6 Compre rod. Who needs such weapons if you have Batman on your team? My son with his new rod Despite the overcast skies, my son thoroughly enjoyed and seemed to only care about making long casts, chuckling and giggling as his bait went from launch to landing on the water a country mile away. Unfortunately we didn't catch anything during his 40-minute attention span, which is pretty good for a 5-year-old, especially when there is a playground close by. We headed to the playground for a little jungle gym fun and did other father and son things all day long.

Do you mean a casting reel for light weight baits, or a casting reel that is light in weight for plastics, or a casting reel that is made of plastic and light in weight? ;D Joking aside, casting reels in the $119 - $179 should be fine. This is inexpensive to me with regard to casting reels or better yet, this is the range you can expect great performance and longevity. For 5" senkos, the citica will get it done and you will learn very quickly with it. Note - Not a member of the Shimano possee.

Man, that was good! I have arrived at the same conclusion for hook size. The gammies are excellent hooks that I use, but I also use mosquitos in the same size. It usually comes down to which is available at the local shop.

Very decent rods. I have a 2-piece casting clarus that is one of my trunk rods. It is 6'6" and medium powered, fast action. sqhertz pretty much summed it up.

They are alright and work well. I use primarily owner mosquitos and gammies, but sometimes I will employ my standouts because for a slight change in presentation. The stand outs do a pretty good job of keeping the baits upright with respect to the line.

It happened to me twice. I caught a smallie on a small french fry plastic and when I freed it from my hook, it spat out a beat up looking (as if it could have been partially digested?) 3" orange colored senko. Definitely not my senko! I caught another bass with a robo worm that fell off of the hook and floated off as I brought in the fish. Later that day, my fishing partner who was fishing with earthworms caught a bass that before releasing, spat out my roboworm. :-?

That must be a sweet combo! My daughter has been using my 101D Curado with a 6' daiwa rod but lately has been on a drop shot fix. She told me I could have the Curado back. : I think it's amazing how fast they can learn to use either casting or spinning reels.

She is definitely ready for a spinning outfit. I agree with the given recommendations for rod length and reel models. I have seen decent spinning rods (like the Daiwa strike force) for kids her age for about $12 or something like a berkley cherrywood for about $20. Combine that with a $30 Abu G Cardinal reel and you're both in business. There is a cardinal 101a that is only 6.95 oz that I think is perfect. My daughter is 10 and she loves this reel so much that she stopped using casting reels. :. Well, for drop shotting, anyway. ;D

Neither. It means that the thumb button has been depressed and your spool is now unrestricted. It is now "free" to make your cast.

how much are you willing to spend? cheap is relative.

Of your choices, I'd take the Compre. All while completely subjective, the mojo just didn't feel right or good in my hands. Can't comment on the buccoo. However, if they are available in your area, take a look at the Lamiglas Excels. You just might be surprised. I would take it over the compre, only because I already have a compre.

Do a search on your inquiry with the search function. There is a wealth of information on this forum. Also, check out this place: http://pages.videotron.com/fishing/bait101.htm

For many "Bass" class spinning reels which are typically 2500 or smaller, 12# mono might be a bit unruly. 3000 sized reels probably won't fare much better but the 4000 sized reel should be okay. It is at about this point where the use of a casting reel becomes more practical and convenient but it's your prerogative. I would choose a 4000 sized reel if I were forced to use 12# mono. Many salmon guys in my area use 4000 sized reels with 12 and higher. I know that there are a few reels in shimano's line up that are 4000 size. I would go with them given your other choices because I have only used shimano out of your 3 choices.

Right on! Way to represent WA state! ;D I know about selective gear rules. They kind of make you a better angler. I think the scale's short changing you a bit. She seems closer to 6 lbs.

Man, does that sound excellent! Thanks, Pinnacle1! Can't wait.

Today was a gloomy, miserable looking day, for fishing or not. Neither my lingering cold nor the blustery gusts and the wind-scattered rain were going to stop me from going fishing today. I had a feeling that no one else would be hard-core or foolish (depending on your perspective) enough to fish today and I was right! It is hard to see, but it was very windy and the rain came down non-stop pelting jacket, jeans, gear, and sanity. As you can see, there is not an angler in site on the dock. That is rare on this lake. Target: Largemouth Bass Location: Steel Lake (My "home" lake has been stingy for Largemouth this season, 0 for 2 to date, excluding this outing) Allotted Time: Forty Minutes I worked the boat launch area with my spinning rod first, which was rigged with the drop shot. I moved on to the dock after about twenty-five minutes of no luck and no takers. I pitched the bait to my intended target, next to the first swimming ladder and initiated the retrieval of the bait. It was a combination of working a semi-slack line, pausing, dangling and dragging to the next spot. Then, right after I broke the weight free from some entangling grass, I sensed a small, assertive tug. A small bass for certain, but I'll take it because this little cutie is my first Largemouth of the season. I made a cast to the same spot and picked up bass number two. He was just as feisty, but much smaller! I changed the lure to a pink bodied and chartreuse tipped Robo worm and pitched it on the other side of the dock. I got a little impatient on this retrieve and cost me. Right as I made my final yank to pull the rig out of the water, a nice 2.5 to 3 lb Largemouth darted out from under the dock toward the worm but made an instant about face as soon as it saw me. Oh well! You win some, and you lose some. I had to pick up my daughter from school. Sometimes, even a soggy, rain-soaked day can yield fish. Gear: Shimano Compre Spinning Rod, Rapala 6sxi reel, 6# Cajun FC line, Sniper Snub, Roboworm Date: Friday 05-28-10

6.87 oz... Not to shabby.

I think that I would keep some of the rods that won some of the major tournies like the classic and make a glass case for it in my trophy room. I also think it is a smart and practical idea to sell the rest because he can't use this gear anyway any more without negative repercussions. I'd probably give the earnings to charities and the like if I were well enough off to not need the $$. Go Mike! 8-)

That's cool, but my dad got that one beat. I think it's smaller than the lure you were using. This little guy took down his rod like a lunker. We both thought he had a bruiser on the way it slammed his rod tip down. I couldn't stop laughing after I saw it, because he kept saying, "Get the camera!!! I got a big one on!!"

I believe SeaGuar makes Cabela's FC line as toray does for BPS.

x4. Use snap swivels at your own risk. They can (and have on me) pop open and you could lose the lure. However duos I do use when I get too lazy or when certain lures call for them.

It would probably be an excellent fight (largies ain't got nothing on a smallie's fight) but as RW said, you would be underpowered. I cannot put into words how to describe a smallie's fight, but if you wish to keep it light, choose a medium light powered rod, the length of your choice (6'3" to 7 is a good start). You will still get a great fight but this would give you a fair shot. Go spinning too since you want to throw lighter things. Look into the drop shot technique in addition to the tubes.