TheBig1

I've heard that about Beltzville, that's a shame. I've never been there before either but have heard that it once was a nice fishery. If you ever want to I'd be willing to get together and do some fishing sometime. Not that I know the lake or am good, but Harvey's lake is another one if you'd be interested in coming up and we'll go fish it together.

Really? I've heard decent things about the lake. Of course as with any other boating lake it has it's off days due to boat traffic but everyone around here talks about "The Pak" as if it's an amazing lake. I'm definitely sure I want to try it someday, and probably fairly soon, but as I pointed out earlier and as you pointed out now, I'd rather learn the science of things before I head up there on my own without any guidance.

I was on there looking a week or two ago, I thought it was pretty cool that I was able to do so. I might just do this but I think I'll wait for the fall bite to come on so that I can't lose no matter what. Of course I'll end up putting that statement to the test but I'll give the old bass fishing try. To be honest, I don't know what I'm really looking for. I know all the terminology and how to read a map but I don't know how to put it together. I'm guessing just time on the water will get that accomplished along with learning some other quality fishing techniques such as jig fishing and dropshotting. I'll tell you what, I'll come up to Rochester sometime, I'll even sleep in the back of my Jeep, and you teach me how to fish for a weekend. I'll buy the beers after we're done for the day.

You're absolutely right and I appreciate the push to do something new, become better and have more fun in the process. The problem is right now I am so new at this I'm completely lost, can't barely read my electronics let alone catch fish. So I think before I do so perhaps I need to learn such things locally to apply to something as big as that lake. I've also been talking so someone else and telling them that not only do I have SO much to learn, I need to find that technique I am good at and can gain confidence in fishing anywhere at anytime to catch fish and have fun. To me it's all about fun and that means putting as many fish in the boat as I can in the limited amount of time that I have on the water due to outside responsibilities. I don't want to be a pro, I just want to have fun.

No I never have. I would like to but given the fact that I've never been there, never fished it, and wouldn't know where to begin, I just don't think it'd be prudent to drive an hour away to get skunked. I get that just fine here. Don't get me wrong, I would love to but just don't have any experience in doing so.

Thanks Persico, I'll definitely keep plugging away. Even when I'm frustrated about it I still can't wait for the next time. They can run but they can't hide, I will find them. Hawg, that's rough! I know that feeling of"Man this is going to be so much fun!" and turns into work, frustration and ultimate disgust. Thanks again guys!

Well Joe, I can assure you something along these lines as well as a fluke and the other suggestions will also be attempted next time. lol

Thanks! That's my baby too!

Tom, you and I are in the same boat. I too took about 10 years off and finally bought another boat this past spring. I feel completely lost and like the new guy trying to figure everything out again. Lots of great reads, videos and threads on here as well as the help you get from the members. It's not like other forums, this is a nice place.

1999 Lowe 180EE 70hp Johnson Minn Kota 80lb Maxxum Pro Picked this up in April 2014 after being a land lubber for the past 8yrs. It's good to be back on the water. I'm thinking about, looking into, and seeking, any information/advice about possibly putting a jack plate on for river fishing. I don't fish the river now because I'm too scared, but I know that the river is where it's at.

LOL I don't know what to think but I need to start stepping out of my box as others have suggested with flukes, grubs and such. Throw the darn tacklebox at them I guess. Either that or I just need to reenter my comfort zone and pound the bank with a worm.

Well, I went and looked at them yesterday and unfortunately they did not have the "Houston TX" on them, but like you said, they're a decent rod regardless and the price is unbeatable to boot. So thanks again. Fishes, obviously this is a thread that I created and will be keeping in mind when it comes to information on the new rods/reels that I am purchasing and some great ideas on techniques to use with them. Of course at this time my level of imagination is limited so I thank you for giving me this idea. I would have never thought to use a flipping stick as a drop shot rig. And now that you've brought this to my attention, I know EXACTLY where to employ my first try of this new Bubba technique. A few weeks ago we were fishing deep in the pads using my 2 paddles to move the floating root balls. I never knew this but there was still 4-5 fow underneath those roots. I always thought they were grouned so when my buddy showed me that I was blown away and could not figure out how to get to the fish underneath them. He rolled about a 5-7 pounder up onto one of those root balls. Now I won't be trying to punch through those things, but now I feel more comfortable using something like this right next to it. So for that, thank you very much. Hopefully it won't be long that I'll be recording a recordable personal best. That's why that section is blank in my bio, it's nothing to speak about. Skeeter, from all of the interest that I've received in these reels it's quite apparent that they are decent reels and that they are still widely used for a plethora of reasons. It's good to hear. I wish I could learn to use them, but with all I've already got to learn about fishing in and of itself, and given the fact that I taught myself how to use a low profile, left handed baitcaster 10 years ago, I just don't think I have the energy to do so in this case. That's going to be my loss and someone else's gain. Thanks for your input. Tight lines to all!!!

Well I went and looked at them yesterday and you were right, the Flipping rod was the telescopic one. It was pretty cool, I had never seen one like that before and just couldn't fathom in my head how it would be telescopic. I kept envisioning that rod that used to be on infomercials that you'd keep behind you truck seat or in your tool box. But I was gladly wrong.

Thanks BassinLou & A-Jay, I'll be sure and give that a try the next time.

I hear you! Although I'm being dramatic about selling my stuff, it's really getting old.

So I bless this world with my presence yesterday at 0430. I already had the boat hooked up, parked out front and ready to go. So I headed to the lake. Get on and it's just absolutely beautiful with a slight mist rising above water. Even better there was only myself and one other person there for the first few hours of daylight. So I head to one end of the lake where the ledge rises and you can start to see fish jumping. Now I'm excited because I had tied on my new Cavitron buzzbait and have been dying to give it a go. Buzz, buzz, buzz! Several fish are tearing it up about 30 yards away. Troll to within 10 yards of them, buzz, buzz, buzz. Nothing! Ok, so now I tie on a popper and after about 15 minutes of continuing to watch these fish eject themselves and slam down as if they were great whites hunting for seals I tie on a Zara Spook. I was walking it so beautiful that I amazed myself. It had been 8 years since I fished it and thought to myself that I'd never be able to walk it, but I did and it looked good. And yet, nothing!!! Head down to the dam portion of the lake where the rip rap or boulders are. It's about 23 fow and my fish finder is showing literally hundreds of fish suspened between 7' and 18'. Well the only way I know how to get to them is with a crankbait so I grab my rod and start to tying. Well I though I had one on my black Bandit 300 but then I realized later in the day that I probably just snagged it. Anyway, after several different crankbaits and nothing to show for it, it was time to go. So I say to my buddy, lets get the heck out of here and it the trolling motor. We moved 5' and when we did a big bass jumped 5' off of the transom as my buddy sat there and saw it. This fall better pick up or I'll have a lot of gear to sell over the winter. I've never had a season such as this. Even I have always been able to simply throw a worm to show and catch several dinks a day in the brightest, hottest sun. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong this year.

I will add you to the list, thank you for your interest. I was wondering what all of the interest was in these reels. Unfortunately for me I prefer left handed reels and I've only ever used the low profile platform so I'm not sure how I would like the round, right handed reels. The only thing that's killing me about this is that I would have to sell all 5 reels to be able to afford, or at least have a decent down payment on a new decent reel in today's world.

As always thank you very much guys, the help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Even if they're not are they still decent rods and worth the price?

This is great information to have and walk in there knowing. Thank you gentlemen!

Good, the WR-1, TWS and FRH all look like that. The BCM-6 and GT2 have a red "A", a blue "S" and an all blue "All Star" label on them.

If I'm not mistaken that looks like a burgundy colored blank to me right?

Thanks fellas, love the input. Just an affirmation on why I love coming here and asking questions, one can get great responses. I have to go look at everything but I pretty much know in my mind that the deal is all but done on my end. If there's anyone else who has any input, keep it coming. When I talked to the man he did say that he believes the rods were bought in the late 90's early 00's but you know how that goes. That was 14 years ago, who can really remember. I'm thinking, as well as hoping, that they were made during the good period. I honestly don't know, I guess this is something I'm going to have to look for when I go see everything. I'm fairly new and learning about everything myself. So you used the flipping rod as a drop shot rod?

I appreciate your input fellas. I understand that the reels aren't the most ideal but at the same time aren't anything to scoff at either. They're just not for me. I'm a low profile and left handed model guy. As for the rods themselves, I appreciate that knowledge. The funny thing is Papajoe, I've never really taken notice to the weight of a rod. That probably means I'm using heavy rods now as it is. I probably wouldn't know what to do with a high end rod in my hand. I do appreciate the info.

Might have an opportunity to purchase a line of All Star rods and Abu Garcia reels. Not really interested in the reels as I think they're more on the vintage side but maybe someone can offer me some info on them as well as an opinion on the rods themselves. Rods: BCM-6 (Bait Cast Medium 6') Line Wt: 10-20lb WR-1 (Worm Rod 1) Lure Wt: 1/4-1 1/4 oz, Line Wt: 10-20lb TWS (Top Water Special) Line Wt: 8-17lb GT2 Composite Graphic/Glass for Medium to Deep Running Crankbaits, Lure Wt: 1/4-1 1/2 oz, Line Wt: 8-17lb FRH (Flipping Rod Heavy) Lure Wt: 3/8-2 oz, Line Wt: 12-30lb Reels: AG 4600-CL3 AG 4600-C AG 5500-C3 AG 6500-C3 AG 6500-C3 Now I have been thinking of upgrading my upper echelon Wal-Mart gear with more specialized, quality gear such as what I am perceiving this to be, so please correct me if I'm wrong. Again, I may be wrong, but I'm really not caring too much for the reels, I'll probably either sell them or do something with them but I'll get my own reels for the rods. This person tried switching to baitcasters from spinning gear and spent more time picking birds nests so he's just selling it all. Everything is $225. Any input would be appreciated. What do you folks think?