N.Y. Yankee

The Comet Minnow was always a fish catcher. A friend of mine only ever owned a spincasting rod, a small metal tackle box and about 3 dozen Mepps Minnows of all sizes and that was all, the only lure he used. He caught all kinds of fish with them. I figure the Comet Combo ought to be popular too. Yep! Its a great lure!

Probably already been threads on this but do you use the Mepps Comet Combo with a Mr Twister Curlytail? What are you fav size and colors? Thanks.

When the water is warm enough, do you ever just walk into the water and fish? What do you like for lower body clothing and footwear? How deep do you get?

I've ordered some of both. Lets see what happens!

NEAT-OH!

Is there a line keeper I can buy that fits the 150-330 yd spools to keep the line from coming off individual filler spools? I'm familiar with the Plano line boxes and rubber bands and tape leave me wanting better.

It sounds to me like the reel is overfilled or improperly filled. If it is, as said above, the line will jump off the spool and can tangle up. When the reel is "full", the line should not be even with the lip of the spool or passed it. It should be 1/16 to 1/8 inch below the top lip of the spool. A spinning reel is a good reel to fish with but like anything else, if you do not get shown the little tricks to using one, it can be confusing and/or problematic. As said, If you are pulling line off to string the guides, leave the bail closed and loosen the drag to let the spool turn and pull the line out against a bit of tension. Any time you open the bail, you should have your finger on the spool to hold the line until you cast. Once you get used to working one the right way, you will be able to cast without thinking about it. but you just need to learn how. I teach kids how to use a spinning reel and they get it pretty quickly but that is with me there, showing them how. It might be tough over a message board.

I wouldn't go as light as 2 pound and even 4 can be a bit light and I'll tell you why I say that. 1. He has is sight-challenged. Light lines can be very difficult to see tying on terminal tackle. 2. Any water that has an abundant population of panfish probably has a population of predators close by. Hook a bluegill on 2 pound test and it is quite a bit of fun but have a decent bass engulf that 'gill and the whole thing is gone. been there, done that. I'd step up to 6 or even 8 pound test for a beginner getting used to fishing. I've taught my niece to fish with a 5 foot casting rod and a Zebco 202 reel which I spooled with 8 pound Stren Original. She has pulled in some nice bass on that rig and countless bluegill and sunfish.

Two casting rods, same brand and action. For what reason would you choose one over the other?

Yes, Trilene Big Game definitely has it's fans too.

I don't really know how you could go wrong with Trilene. I've spent a lot of years fishing a lot of things with it and had no problems with it. Cost effective, available at every department store and it's a good serviceable line. I use XL and XT in green. No reason to change. JMHO

What is you favorite pattern and technique?

Until recently, I used nothing but Berkley XL and Original Stren. Caught lots of fish and did not have line problems unless I overfilled the reel. Mono works on everything and you don't need to worry about knots slipping if you tie them right. I always liked XL the most but was surprised at the durability of Stren 8 pound when I tried to break some off once. Either is good, affordable and is in every store you would look in. Now, I'm only using mono for leaders, but still the same stuff.

I tend to go low-vis as I can still pick it up on the water unless it is getting pretty dark. I would use clear mono too and have used blue mono but I don't have any of that any more. I just like the idea of trying to camouflage the line if that is even possible. Don't know.

I have used snap swivels on my lines for most of my life, for just about everything I have fished for. I try to use the smallest one appropriate for the line/lure/fish and have used the best quality ones I can get. I use nickel finish when using spinner type lures and black ones for the rest. I catch fish just fine and never really seem to have problems with line twist. I often see comments like "I would never use those things" and "they impede the lure's action", "they get hung up a lot", "waste of money, just learn how to tie a good knot" etc, on and on. This really intrigues me because my experience has been positive. My opinion is they let a lure swing as it needs to because of the loop and they save a lot of time switching lures. Tie one good knot and you are done. I'm hoping someone will explain "they impeded the lure's action" and "they get hung up a lot". Thats another one that makes me scratch my head. To each his own, but I wonder why fishermen ignore this piece of tackle which has helped me for a long time.

When you are using a mono or flouro leader, what do you do if you break off the leader? do you carry small spools of leader material or just cut a few feet off a spool of line and re-tie? Do you carry extra line with you or just change rods?

I really like the "Double Uni" knot for braid to mono. It's easy for me to remember how to tie. 1, give yourself plenty of line to work with. If you think you have enough, take a couple more inches. 2, I like to always tie the mono knot first. Why? Dunno. Start tying the second knot several inches away from the first, it avoids tangles and confusion from the other tag end. 3, I like to wrap 6 or 7 turns of the mono and 12 or more braid. 4, always lube everything well, especially when pulling both knots together, and pull slowly. 5, do not reef on the two lines to make the Uni's tight, just good and snug is good enough. If "I" can do it, so can you.

In general, guys HATE using snap swivels but I have used them my whole life. I wont fish a spinning rig without one. There are some very good ball bearing snap swivels available in black. Makes changing lure out fast and does not use up line. I just don't ever remember having line twist problems. I catch fish right along with my friends so I just don't see the problem. Get some good snap swivels, the kind that lock, not the ones that close like a safety pin. They can pull open.

Really rather just buy what I want.

Well, you got your guys who put their whole life into fishing and fishing IS their whole life. The only reason they are out there is to take the lunkers. They are not going to do anything to jeopardize that, I get it. It's a free country. Many guys are not that way. You got their reasons already and I agree with them. We get to do what we want for the most part, like I said, it's a free country. Listen to everybody and do as you mind to.

Fish like bass and muskies that will engulf a lure usually always get hooked. You just use a couple sizes bigger single hook and make sure it's good and sharp. Fish will hook themselves or all you need is a flip of the rod tip. I even debarb a lot or all of my lures. Usually tie on and pinch the barbs. Keep your line tight and you won't lose many at all, if any. I do all this to be able to release a fish easier and faster and help keep hooks out of my hands. One trip to the hospital will make you a believer. Trust me.

Hank jr Country Boy Can Survive, Toby Keith How Do You Like Me Now, Bobby Gentry Ballad of Billy Joe, Buck Owens Buckaroo and Act Naturally, Charlie Daniels Devil. Best ones I can think of right now.

I dislike trebles for most things. I like to switch them to singles but the only way I know is to cut off the treble and use a split ring to attach a single. The problem I find is getting a hook in the right size with an eye that will fit on a split ring. Do you have any better way of doing it or an idea where I can get hooks with bigger eyes?

Ever catch a nice muskie on a 10wt fly rod? WHEE BOY!

Cool, thank you!