Bream Master

Not too sure about CA but around my parts, I'm catching most of them on 1/16 and 1/12 oz. gold Kastmaster spoons. I have also caught a few on small, small crankbaits and jerk baits. On fly gear, I'm using a San Juan Worm in pink and red.

Hey guys, Any of you guys into eating game birds? I had my first guinea fowl (farm raised). It was kinda tough but I guess it tasted like chicken. My uncle prepared it, kind of a soup style, and the broth was excellent. Is the meat supposed to be tough on guinea fowl? What game birds do you guys like? How do you prepare them? How about pheasents, they any good eating? Cheers!

I HATE to say this, but when I went Musky fishing in WI, the in-line spinners worked the best. I used the Maribou brand (spelling might be off) in black, orange and yellow. I think it was a 10" model. Some guys swear by Suicks and Bulldawgs. I've never caught anything on them but it would be a whole lot more fun than catching them on in-line spinners. Suicks are sometimes hard to tune so use at your own risk. Cheers!

I have not fished for large smallmouth on the fly, but for smaller ones (creek trout size) I use woolly buggers in brown, green and black. Sizes 6 and 8. I know, small. I'm only using a 5 wt. though and it's pretty hard to throw buggers that size on a 5 wt. If you have a heavier wt. rod, maybe you should upsize your flies. From your post though, I think you're throwing a lighter rod though. Cheers!

I caught my first gar, ever, about a month ago at a dam. I caught him with a Bandit 300, Rootbeer color. It might of been a fluke catching him with the bass crank because I wasn't expecting him. I don't know where you fish, but in the warmer waters near dams around here, gar break the surface almost all day. You'll rarely get a bite using cranks though. Some of the guys I fish with use live shiners and large minnows for gar. Cheers!

I too fish from the shore most of the time and I'm still fishing with pretty good success. I fish the dams mainly this time of year. Today, I caught 7 bass, one good size one, using a Kastmaster spoon, 3/8 and 1/2 oz. I'm also still catching them on white flukes and occasionally, on a Bomber or Bandit crank. I suggust using streamlined lures, like spoons, or use bucktail jigs to maximize distance. I caught two small stripers, 22 and 19 inches, with spoons as well. The fish are still there, it's not like they stop eating during winter. They're just a little deeper. Try to hit the water early or later in the evening. Yes, I'm fishing before the sun comes up to melt the frost on the cars and roofs. Cheers!

My most productive Bandit is the Rootbeer color in the 300 series. I caught my first gar with it not too long ago. They are very sturdy and do run true out of the box. You will definately like bandits. Cheers.

What happens if you floor your gas and mash the brakes at the same time? How come women wake up, put on make-up, fix their hair, match their outfit....and then go jogging. :-? Cheers!

Get an ultra-light rod, try to get something sensitve, and line it with 4 lb. test. I use Sufix Elite for trout. Go buy a Mepps in-line spinner bait, I use sizes 1-3, with the gold blade with that little peice of pinkish plastic in the middle. Killer for trout on spinning gear. You cannot go wrong with a Panther Martin either. I stick with something greenish but I've seen people catch trout on every color in the rainbow. Maybe for a particular area a certain color might work better, but in general, they'll all catch fish for you. I would suggest you use a small barrel swivel to reduce line twist or bend the spinner a bit. To avoid the swivel getting into your rod guides, use a bead. If you're getting into the water, fish and walk against the current. By nature, when trout lay around, they face the current so approaching them from behind and casting up-stream is like shooting them in the achilles heel. Look for "pockets" or "holes." Basically, it's an area of the water where the current is calmer. But don't hesistate to throw into the ripples every now and then. Now, if you wanna get into fly fishing for trout, I'll gladly help you out. PM me. Cheers.

What about bank fishermen? What are we supposed to do...go into depression and wait for spring? Cheers!

What artificials are you guys using for perch? I hate to kill a perch just for the belly meat to put on a jig head. About a week ago, I caught my PB perch (11 inches) on a deep diver crankbait but have not been successful since. I'm thinking most of the perch aren't that big in this body of water and I was lucky to catch the grand daddy of 'em all. Thanks and Cheers!

Seaguar does make very good flouro. though a little expensive, in my opinion. Go that route if you're gonna use flouro. Personally, I never use flouro. as my main line. My c-rig is 50 lb. sufix braid and I use flouro. or Yo Zuri in 12-15 lb test (original formula) as leader. For cranks, I would use a good mono. I like Sufix Seige and Elite. I don't know about your clear lake issue because I have never fished a clear lake in NC but I'm sure if you down-size your line size a bit and use a good flouro. leader, you'll be fine. Good luck. Cheers.

Welcome New River, I must have been in the wrong place of the river because I fished there once and didn't catch a thing. Got two bites and did see the fish but they were no larger than your average stream trout so no hook set. I was fishing the streatch between New River State Park all the way back towards where that canoe rental place is (right after the bridge). Don't know if you're familiar with that area or not. What part of the river are you fishing from? Cheers.

I saw a guy this past weekend fish a walk the dog bait with rod tip high. From what I've learned on the site and have read, walk the dog is supposed to be done with the rod tip low. Walking with the rod tip low hurts my wrist after about 7 retrieves. I tried it with the tip high and the lure seemed to have the same action and a little less stressful on the wrist. Any of you guys walk with the tip high? Any disadvantages of walking with the tiop high instead of low? Cheers.

I've been killin' em' lately with a Bomber Pearl/White Fat Free Guppy. My fishing has never been this productive and I'm fishing off the banks. The chrome and blue rat-l-traps are working good for me too. Occasionally, I pause on the retrieve and have caught a few during the pause. I don't know, it gives the bass a chance to catch their breath. ;D

Avid, That is hilarious!! ;D ;D

Hey Mech, Do you recommend WD-40 for any cleaning on gears, etc? How about leaving it on as lub? Thanks.

I don't wanna waste my astroglide! Hahahahahaa.

I've just been trying to find a closer place to home for trout fishing and didn't find anything useful on search engines about trout streams in Alexander county (NC). Anyone else on here from around the same area that is willing to help? I'm near Caldwell county too if there is anything up that way. Thanks to all that reply. Cheers.

I'm thinking about getting Abu Garcia Reel Oil and Quantum Hot Sauce lube for my reels. You guys have any experiene with either? Do any of these seem to collect residue and small dirt particules? Like/Dislike? Also, on a side note, I was at a local tackle shop and the guy said I should OIL the worm gear (the peice of metal that the line guide eye moves across to lay your line across that spool on BCs). I've read some posts and some of you guys say LUBE, not oil. So, which is it? Lube or oil? This will be my first time oiling and lubing my reels and I've read some articles and went to ReelMech's page but some of the terminology is different and I just didn't want to mess anything up. Thanks for your help. Cheers.

I agree with you fivebasslimit that the last few pay-per-views have not been so hot overall. I've stopped watching the events lately but the Silva/Liddell fight should be good. But then again, I've seen some slumber party style fights featuring big names. You guys wanna put some LC on the line? ;D

Shakespeare Ugly Stick, 6'6", Medium, Mod. action spooled with 8 lb. cheap mono ;D. I remember it down to the details. It is now a nasty catfish rod.

Redlinerobert, You don't like the Shimano Cardiff or Calcutta? Well, you wouldn't like these if you're into LP reels. I have the cardiff 300 and I love it. The Calcutta is even smooooooother. My next reel is going to be a Calcutta. Then I'll be eating grass for breakfast for the next week. Maybe if I had a higher end Daiwa, I could better compare the two but I only have a Procaster, which really is a good bang for the bucks. Cheers!

I use #50 Sufix braid with #12 flouro. leader. I do fish them on a jig head.

Smallfry, You're using an 8 wt. for smallmouth? Huh and WOW! Never heard of such a large rod and line for smallmouth. The ones you catch must be huge then. If you're fishing for smallies with an 8 wt. I want to be fishing your waters. ;D Cortland 555 sucks. Don't get it. The line retains a lot of residue from the water and feels more sticky than slick. Cheers.