joeyfishes

Do I tie the mono straight to the braid or just tie it off then put on the braid?

Do I use tape or mono as backing? I heard electrical tape works but it seems too slippery.

Thanks everyone. I will probably go with Power Pro or SpiderWire EZ Braid in 50# or 65#. I wasn't sure if the rod guide cutting was true since I read an article on Bass Resource that said it was. Ha. For backing, should I use tape or mono?

I have a Shimano Caenan 100 6.5:1 baitcasting reel paired up with a Abu Garcia 7'0 Vengeance. I have to change my line and cannot choose between braid or mono. I have been using mono. In my area, soft plastics, topwater (poppers and frogs) and jigs are primarily used. I know there are cons to braid such as messing up the rod guides, cutting, visibility, so on. But I have heard some pros such as strength. I don't want to spend my time on the water fixing birds nests, fixing tangles so on. Which should I choose. Oh and this rod is the only bass rod I have. Thanks.

Academy's brand X20 or H20 or whatever.

50

We tied up at an island right on the shore. There were a few MASSIVE carp and a blue catfish. I threw some bread and caught the blue catfish (2 pounds) then a huge carp (5 pounds). Threw some cheeto balls and caught the biggest carp there (8 pounds). Stopped fishing for a bit and then threw some more bread. The whole time since we got there, there had been a huge school of perch hanging around. I wanted to catch one so I waited till one ate most of the bread then hooked it right as it bit the last piece. Brought it in. (1 pound). Added a lot of confidence

Going out on a pontoon boat today. Its on a group party boat. They allow fishing. I'm not sure if we will be in the middle of the lake or anchored near an island. Any tips for both scenarios? Lures, tactics?

I also participate on a local online forum. I am going out with my class for a graduation party in a week. We are going out on a double decker pontoon boat. We will be staying in the middle of the lake. I'm not sure of the depth. As I'm not much of a swimmer and do not enjoy my classmates, I figure why not try to wet a line? I asked on my local forum and one guy said spoon jigging. I never heard of this before and looked around for videos. Does the hook have to have a artificial of live bait or can it be just the spoon and the hook? Is there even a chance I could catch fish? Thanks

I don't have a Zebco I meant I had my heart set on one. I researched the Black Max Combo and that is most likely what I will get

I haven't had a chance to get on much recently because of finals, music etc. I am in the market for a new rod and reel. I had my heart set on a Shimano baitcasting reel but as I haven't caught a fish yet, I decided on a Zebco 33 reel. I was wondering on rods however. Some guys say Berkley Cherry Wood. Some say Berkley Lightning. Others say Daiwa Samurai, Abu Garcia Cardinal. I have a Shakespeare Ugly Stik and if you have read my Pond Fishing thread, you would know that my reel casts 7 yards max. I want at least a 6' rod. Medium action would be preferred. Any help? And I would rather buy the rod at Dicks or Walmart instead of online. Thanks!

1. Catch a bass 2. Learn how to fish every type of bait 3. Learn how to locate bass 4. Be confident in my gear and my ability to fish 5. Have fun and enjoy the fishing experience

If he actually shows serious interest, do not go with the Shakespeare. I am using one right now and I spend 3/4 of my fishing time walking line out and cutting about 25-50 yards of line to fix tangles and knots. I can't stand my rig anymore! Right now my maximum casting distance is 7 yards no joke. I'm lucky if I can get it to the little sunfish.

I know I have to get a better rod and reel but the parentals need convincing because at my age, $70 for a rod and then another $70 for a reel is NOT in my price range lol.

Went to the local pond today and being the horrible fisherman I am, caught nothing. I used crankbaits and soft plastic worms wacky rigged. It was clear water so I walked around quietly and only saw small sunfish. Of course my piece of junk rod and reel could only cast about 7 yards so THAT did't help. I swear, I'm never gonna catch a fish

Anyone have any tips and tactics for pond fishing? I'm going out to a local one tomorrow.

I will change it when I catch a fish

I could not see what they were throwing and it was a steady retrieve. The water was stained. I always get confused on what type to bait use when and where. Plus my pole is shorter than me and I'm 5'9". I probably had a few bites but I wouldn't have had a single clue. I'm a rookie lets just put it that way. I really need to find someone in my area that I can go fishing with.

I went out on the boat today to the local lake for about 5 hours. I caught NOTHING. I first went to a heavily wooded area that had a lot of dead submerged trees. I threw every type of soft plastic T-rigged. I also threw floating crankbaits. Nothing. I moved to a channel and threw more plastics. Nothing. I then moved back to the wooded area where there were two guys in a boat catching fish left and right. I threw a spinnerbait and my only jig which came untied and I lost it. NOTHING. It was cloudy all day, about 40-50 degrees. The water was a little warmer than the air temp but not by much. Everytime I go out to fish, it rains, its cold, its miserable even when the forecast says it will not be bad, it is. Any ideas on what I was doing wrong? The water was about 10-15 feet deep.

I am also unsure if my bait is working correctly. What I mean by this is I am not sure if my craws are floating correctly or if my rigs are correct. I was thinking about throwing them in the pool but the hook would tear the vinyl.

It's just a Shakespeare that I got at Ace Hardware. I really need to get a better rod but I don't have the moolah right now. I am using Trilene 17# test in low-vis green.

What are some of yalls favorite baits to put on a Carolina Rig? I only got to fish for about an hour today because of rain and did not catch anything. I was using a Ribbit floating frog. I am also having a tough time feeling bites.

I am going out tomorrow to a local lake that has great results. I want to throw the jig out a bit but I'm confused on how they work. I have watched people on videos throw the jig out and get an instant hit. Do the fish strike on initial impact of the jig on the water? I have also heard people swim jig and I'm confused on what swim jigging is...Is it when you reel and make it hop or just plain reel? And when do I know when to use the jig? Thanks

I got a pack of yum craws, some Strike King worms, and two of the same crankbait for only a couple bucks.

Well my grandfather and I went today. The water has been down for a couple years now and it was ALL rock no vegetation ANYWHERE. We were considering going to a local pond but then some major rain storms came through. We only got to fish for about a hour and a half. I only threw floating plastics because of the rocks with no luck. Just a bad weather, bad luck fishing day.