edfitzvb

Are we fishing from the bank, from a boat, a kayak,,,,? That could change some answers. There are many options here

If I ever get to go, it will be a KVD square bill, a chatterbait, or a red eye shad in a red craw pattern

1. Jitterbug 2. Zara Spook 3. Prop bait, either Devil's Horse or Torpedo 4. Popper (either Pop-R or L&S Jointed Popper) 5. Frog In that order

Tidewater, VA (757) Hmmmmm Besides the brackish areas like the North Landing and West Landing, try the Suffolk Lakes. My personal favorite is Lake Prince. Beautiful place to fish. I understand the Lone Star Lakes in Suffolk are also pretty good, but can't speak from experience there. I also fish all of the drainage ponds that I can. Most of them are good places to hone your craft.

I like small Mepps, Rooster Tails, Small Red/White Dardevles, Little Cleos, Trout Magnets, Rapalas, and Yo-zuri Pin's minnows in the smallest size. I won't use power bait, worms, salmon eggs, etc, It's more fun to fool them than to feed them

Thanks to all for the replies. The general feeling is that Pflueger reels are good quality and will last. I see a lot of people here selling stuff after a couple of years. I have reels that date back to the middle of the last century that are still in service. I will keep my eyes open for a Supreme or a Patriarch at a good (ridiculously good) price

I am impressed with the bang for the buck that I got with my Pflueger President spinning reel, and I have read many posts by members here who agree with me when it comes to Pflueger spinning reels. Does anybody here have experience with their baitcasters? I would think I would be interested in a President level or above. Currently I use mostly Lew's and Shimanos with a few Quantums and Daiwas.

Let me know if you don't have enough space for those new rods. I am offering to "help."

Hard to give this one an accurate answer... Until I started clearing things out I used on a fairly regular basis 1) SEVERAL Garcia Mitchell 300 2.) A Garcia Mitchell 308 3.) A DAM Quick Microlite 4.) Shakespeare Maroon 2052 and 2062 reel 5.) Lew's Speed Spool that would have to be over 25 years old 6.) Abu Garcia 5500C All were used on a regular basis. I recently retired the Lew's and the two Shakespeare to places of honor. The rest have been sold or are in line for sale. Still, I have over 20 newer reels in addition. I don't even want t TALK about lures, tackle, line, etc. Hmmmmm

A Jitterbug is one of my favorite baits. I have several in a box (at least a dozen) that I keep at home. They don't all sound the same. I have an old black Jitterbug that has a deeper sound than the others and it produces better than the others. As an "old timer" I fish a ot of baits that have been around. I would say that my most productive baits day in and day out are Rapalas, Jelly Worms, and Jitterbugs. There's a reason they have been around for so long.

In Virginia Beach, I get a ticket if I park my boat in front of my house. Because there IS no other place at my home, I keep my boat at my daughter;s house. The first time I did it I took my son, who was about 12 or 13, with me. In one pass I backed the trailer down a one lane gravel drive about 70-80 feet and into a single car garage with a minimal opening. My son's words were, "Whoa, Dad, you've got skills." I can still remember when I was nervous about backing up a trailer, but those days are gone This is how to do it:

What a great thread. 1. I need to get better at jig fishing. I rarely throw them and so have not caught many fish on them. 2. Skipping a bait with a bait caster. This is the year that I learn that technique' 3. Fishing a Ned rig. I have never done that at all, I will try it this year, especially once the lakes heat up in summer. 4. Reading my electronics. I probably only understand about 25% of what is displayed. It's time I really learned. I think that will be enough for one summer. See me again next year and I will let you know if I got these and moved on to others.

My sons are both grown. Now I supply the grandchildren. My 9 year old granddaughter has a spinning reel that stays here. When we go to the lake on vacation, she will spend every moment she can find at the edge of the lake throwing out a bobber. She probably spends more time throwing and winding than catching, but catching will come later. As long as she looks forward to it, the rest will come.

If you are patient you can get a good deal on a used reel on eBay. I have a Pflueger President rod and reel that I picked up for $50.00 that is brand new. I also have a Shimano Saros (Retail around 140.00 that I got for less than $60.00 including shipping from eBay.) With your budget it;s do-able. That being said, I have NO ISSUES with Pflueger spinning reels.

I think that will be fine. I am a huge Lew's fan, but like others have said, the Lazer reels are a step below what i want on my rods. The Promax is an excellent reel to start on.

In order: (cheap baits that catch fish) SK 1.5 Bomber Square A Bandit

For the baitcasting reel, I like Lew's but the Abu Garcia 5500C is a reel that lasts FOREVER. I no longer have one but retain good memories. For the spinning reel, I have a Shimano Saros that I like if you want to spend the money. I don't know that I would say it is TWICE as nice as the Pflueger President reel that I also own. For bang for the buck, Pflueger makes a nice product.

First, allow me to say how refreshing it is to see so many members say that both companies make an excellent product and stand behind their products. I have several Abus and several Lew's. My favorite reel is the Lew's Tournament Pro. It was purchased new last spring. I also have several Abu round reels, an STX that I absolutely have NO issues with, a new BB1 Pro, and several Lew's from 15-20 years ago. Either decision you make will be a good one, as long as you are looking at reels $150 and up. I don't have any over the $200 price point, because I don't fish for a living. Pick one and enjoy yourself. Tight lines

What I did was, I looked on eBay for a skin mount the same size as the fish I released. Then once I found one the same size, I won the auction. The mount is not perfect, but it was CHEAP, the fish it commemorates is still swimming, and it looks NICE on my wall.

I have a Revo STX that I bought used from a non-fisherman that I use a lot. It's that good. I set it and don't think about it. Usually, the only thing I adjust is the cast control knob. I prefer Revo over the Daiwa. My faves are; 1.) Lew's, 2.) Shimano 3.) Abu Garcia. Can't go wrong with those companies. That being said, my son has an old Daiwa reel that I gave him. Probably 15-20 years old. He uses it a lot and REALLY likes it.

My experience was that a charge lasted much better with a 55 lb thrust motor than a 30. I will never go back. It was worth the extra money. (This applies to stern mount motors, I can't afford a bow mounted motor right now.)

Are we foolin' them or feedin' them? I know which is more sporting. However, I also know which way gets the bigger bite most times. Hmmm..... what tournaments allow live bait? (And no, I don't fish tournaments. When I go fishing, I am looking to enjoy myself.)

Yep... all three. All the same day? Where did you go?

I have NUMEROUS reels that I use. I have reels made by 7 or 8 makers, all in the ~$200.00 price point. In that range you can buy a reel that will last for many years and give excellent and faithful service. MY choice in that price range, based on experience, would be either the Curado or a Lew's Tournament Pro. The Curado is a nice, simple, serviceable reel made by people who KNOW reels and is smooth as silk. Ditto for the Tournament Pro, and I prefer it by quite a bit over the Shimano. If I only had one reel, the TP would be it. That being said, Shimano is an excellent reel maker. If you have eliminated Lew's for some reason, BUY THE CURADO. Done

My first bowfin was caught on a spinnerbait several years ago. It was about 16-18 inches long and it completely ruined the spinner bait. It was twisted like it had been caught in metal gears. Gave me a real respect for the strength of the fish.