islandbass

Folks will disagree with me on line and that’s okay. Trilene xl or suffix siege are very affordable and so is trilene big game. You can find a large spool if I think 600 yards for a darn tootin’ good price. Monofilament. It’s the most practical and economical line. I’m an absolute big no for fluorocarbon. Braid can cut fingers so I’d refrain from using it for now. Line twist is an inevitable and unavoidable reality with spinning reels. That is a fact. Even a Stradic would eventually succumb to line twist. You can’t get around it, but you can minimize it by teaching him to close the bail manually and to make sure he has tension in the BEFORE he begins his retrieve. Another thing he can do when using lures that have high potential to twist the line is to every once in awhile let the lure dangle about the rod’s length of line and let the line “rest”. You will see the Line untwist itself in an undulating motion. He can do this when using line twisting lures once every 20 casts or so and it only takes a few seconds. If you start him off this way with what I mentioned, problems with line twist will be a thing of the past. A Size 30 reel could handle 10# line very well. Hopefully it won’t be too heavy.

The only thing that gets my with the uni knot I have it memorized at home and then when I’m on the water I get mixed up with it and can’t remember how to tie it... every ding dang time. ? I also second 1000% what lionheart recommends. I do the exact same thing. I remove my rod and reel completely from the snag freeing equation. The other thing is when I pull and yank on the line I situate my body out of the project r cool path. That way if it come flyong back at me and I like a deer caught in bright lights and can’t move, it has near zero chance of hitting me.

What issues are you having? I’m really curious. I’d like to know to see if it can be resolved. One of the pluses of using a spinning rig to me for cranks and jerks imho, is because the reel rests below the rod, it just seems a more comfortable, easy feeling when ripping and jerking the lure. It just fine with a casting reel, but there is something that I can quite describe. Perhaps it’s the lopsided balance casting inherently possess, being that they’re handle side heavy so to speak.

If you need the convenience of a 2-piece rod, then get one. If not, then get one. Not much performance difference imho and I am one who uses both and in whose hands an ugly stik is sensitive. Today’s 2-piece rods are crafted so much better that the old belief sensitivity is lost significantly is not true any longer for a well built 2-piece. I can’t give a rod recommendation by way of brand because I haven’t bought a rod in a very long time. But for what you want to do generally a medium powered rod is probably decent for fishing senko style baits if the weight of the bait and weight fall within the lure weight range if the rod. I would also also try to get about a 7’ rod for ease of casting and line control if possible. Also, as a minimum requirement, the guides on those rods must be made of at least aluminum oxide. I don’t compromise here. I also don’t care for the look of micro guides so standard looking guides. Line choice is up to you. I use primarily mono or some type of copolymer line that is economical. I do like power pro if I had to go with braid. Last thing to point out. A 5” senko weighs 3/8 oz all by itself so I get amused when people tell me they can cast a “weightless” senko a country mile. They had better, the darned thing is so heavy, lol. So if you add a 3/16 oz weight to a 5” senko, that is a just about but not quite 1/2 oz. You will probably want to make sure your rod’s upper limit is at least 5/8 oz or a little more like 3/4oz.

Preferably, I’d go straight line when possible. But since you want to go with a leader, this is what I do for a “leader.” First, let me just say I hate when the joining knot gets caught or slowed down on a guide or on the spool. It can and will especially with a shorter leader. This is where I have thought out of the box. I approximate what my max cast is and at the very least triple, if not quadruple or even quintuple that length. This is what length my leader will be. Why? Because it eliminates the possibility of the joining knot to affect casting and your temper. Also, this will keep you into the fishing until your leader is so short that it is better to cut it off and tie on a new leader. Another plus is that the braid is so far back in the spool it will be as if you’re fishing pure flouro. One last recommendation. If the cover and current allows it, try to step down to 6# test. 8-pound/schmate pound. Get the experience of boldly finessing and testing your fish battling mettle. If not, then go with 8# line.

There isn’t much a spinning reel can’t do that a casting reel can. Get her a 2500 sized and step up to 10# test. The 10# test is just added insurance and 2500 reels easily handle it. Trilene xl or other relatively thinner mono will do (in other refrain from thicker mono like XT) I fish cranks with spinning reels without hesitation. The other advantage she’ll be able to cast into the wind without fear. May she outfish you every time. ?

Sorry to hear he passed. Cancer is a terrible thing. It claimed my mom when I was a teen. Prayers to his family sent.

Welcome! Glad to have you have you here.

Yup, that sentiment exists in WA State too. All warm water fish like Bass and blue gills are considered trash fish. @The Dread Pirate Fisherman: I would have hit him in the head with my peg leg, lol. I would have made that call to the game department. Nothing probably would have been done, but at least I did what I could.

Could be the arbor knot then. I don’t prefer to use tape to secure the knot. It works, but it’s not my cup of tea. I also don’t prefer to tie through the holes. It’s just tacky to me. I prefer a pure mono backing when I use braid even in your case where you want to put on all braid. You only need 30 ft. of mono to prevent the braid from slipping. The other plus is you only need to do this once. Keep that 30’ or so of mono on, even when you replace the braid. You won’t have to tie that arbor knot again for a very long time.

Which knot? The knot joining your mono and braid, or the arbor knot to tie your braid to the spool?

Gotcha. Unless they change spools to grab braid, I will always use a mono backing as opposed to using tape or tying through the holes. Tape - don’t want to mess with sticky situations let alone adding unnecessary weight to the spool Tying through holes - too time consuming with bad eyes and fingers, lol. As as for the backing, you’ll only need about 30’ of mono. I try to use a mono of a near equivalent diameter if possible but it isn’t necessary.

So true about taking photos! Results in almost all my photos are pics of me holding the fish with an extended arm. I refrain from taking selfies but because I think taking them is just plain odd if not stupid... and I am too photogenic for my own good. ? I’m just not vain like that.

I fish alone 99.9999999999% percent of the time. Not by choice. Kids really don't fish with me any more as they have their own lives at 18 and 13, lol, and none of my friends care to fish. That won't stop me from fishing and I never feel bad fishing alone. No doubt, company is usually better, but just is not the case for me.

Well, you already have gained half the battle when you figured out that the feedback you felt was not done by you and there it must be a fish. This is a critical and crucial skill to learn and acquire. Why? Because in situations when the line is not taut enough to feel the bite or pressure, you have to use other means like the logic you employed. Then you just build upon this and future catches of this type. I dont use jigs much because for some reason, many of the fish I catch want other presentations. I can say that my jig proficiency, lol as a result isn’t as up there as with other baits. Just a couple days ago, I tried the ned rig, which I had been meaning try so because I had a gut feeling this technique will suit my preferences and by golly, I need to get better with using jigs of any kind. On the first cast with the intent of catch a fish, I felt the jig hit the bottom. I hopped it was and noted the time it took to land (which wasn’t much time) and hopped it again. When the feedback of the lure hitting the ground didn’t come, I quickly reeled up the slack and set the hook. Lo and behold, fish on. BAM!! First time using a using a technique and getting the first hook up and landing in the first 15 seconds is fist pumping awesome. Papajoe is definitely right that it is ideal to keep tension on the line when possible. I subscribe wholeheartedly to that philosophy and I try to keep line tension. However, during the retrieve, there will be times when there will not be tension in the line. Just like in my case. I’m not telling you this to brag, but rather to share with you another example of an indirect method of fish detection, similar to that which you figured out on your own. I think you’re definitely on the right track. With each fish you catch, try to make mental notes on how each one felt, what you did and store it. As your memory/experience bank fills, your proficiency will increase and soon you’ll be the offering your advice to future newbies. -ib the nerdy bass angler, lol.

Same here. Shakespeare and uglystiks here. You other guys are so lucky!

Yup, it’s the braid. Don’t go any lighter than normal 10# mono, period, unless you feel like blowing your money, lol. After you get proficient and still want to go with braid, stick with at least 30# braid as the minimum, but you’d be much happier from 40# up. Two other things: 1) don’t practice with anything lighter than 1/2 oz — use just lead; no need to waste a lure. If you have to use a lure, refrain from using lures, less aerodynamic for practice. 2) learn to properly load the rod with your weight and make sure you stop the spool from spinning with your thumb before the end of the line hits anything. That is it. ?

Just so I get this straight, there simply wasn't enough backing? Don't keep my in suspense too long, lol.

Congrats! It gets easier after getting the first catch monkey of your back. Then the bait monkey jumps on, lol.?

Vanish is a mixed bag with two faces. Some have no problems with it, but others like me won’t trust it to catch a 3” dink. I’m not saying this to scare you but at least to be mindful of it. If it breaks on on you but not on account of you, you won’t feel so bad, lol. I suppose losing a senko is easier to swallow than say a lucky craft pointer or a $50 swimbait. The running joke is that it’s called vanish because that’s exactly what the fish or your lure will do after the line breaks. Ironically, Berkeley make trilene big game, xl and xt lines and they work very well. Go figure. Keep us posted on your experiences. I noted an increase in catches fc line, with seaguar invisx and this Cajun red fc but that was in 6# test. It it good that you bought it to find out for yourself. I can respect that because I’m like that too.

I’m with WRB. Hope you have something lined or get something lined up soon. There is a BPS about 20 miles away and I’ve been meaning to check it out. I honestly don’t know why they expanded to this part of the Pac NW where salmonids rule, but they did.

Glad nothing worse happened.

If I were drinking coffee, I would have spit it out laughing so hard. Love the parallel.

Probably the reel for me. However sometimes rods can be too good to pass up. Back when the crucials first came out the were about $129.99 msrp. I saw three in a local shop for $59. I learned they were used as demos hence the lowered price so I snatched one without a thought and was so excited. However, I was an idiot. I should have bought the other two also! I could have easily sold the other 2 for $100 each, still making a profit and giving some one a darn tootin’ good deal. Went back upon realizing that and they were GONE!

I am like you, but I am sad to say that we who do this, are in the minority. It got so bad at the dock that they not only added a large trash bin, but also installed receptacles to dispose of line. Garbage still finds its way to the dock floor and sometimes even the water. The line bins are also load with garbage such as soda cans, fast food to go things yet there is a freakin' trash can strategically and conveniently placed for everyone. It's more the stupid adults than the kids too! I'm too sick and tired of being a goodie two-shoes nerd to politely talk to them anymore. Tempers are short on people these days. I'd hate for any of them to pull out a knife or gun on me too, because they might regret it. Forget sleepless, they're clueless in Seattle.