finatic

Monster-sized. Like anything over 30lbs.

The other day I was fishing and I thought about my poor old Okuma FINA that was sitting in a bag at home, because I bought a new reel (Pflueger President XT) and have it on my only pole. I thought about getting a pole to put it on and making that my catfish rig, so I went to the store and bought a Ugly Stik GX2 (really nice rod). I got the old FINA filled with 50lb PowerPro. Next came the catfish setup for which I used some BearPaws, 3/0 snelled hooks and diamond shaped 1.5 ounce sinkers (tied on a nice ball bearing snap swivel). First time in the water with this new rig and I caught three catfish in about half an hour. Two were decent sized then the last one was quite a bit bigger. I was using night crawlers, but they're a real pita - always falling off the hook when you cast and smaller fish pick at them on the hook. I was thinking of using cutbait next time. They have some pike minnows at the bait store and the owner said I could let those get a little stinky then cut them up. I suppose I could also catch come small bluegills or sunfish and use those, too. So what kind of catfish setup do you guys use? I have the BearPaws and snelled hooks setup. but I was just curious what other fishermen used.

My personal best this year. Beautiful bass pushing 18 inches. A little over 3 lbs. Oh yeah...

So where can I find that musky leader for pike?

Ok sounds good. Isn't that the same stuff I linked to on Amazon?

JF, thanks for the info, bro. I'll have to get the 12lb, unless does it come in 15lb? I have 15lb Power Pro on my rig so I'd like to have the same in the leader.

I'm well seasoned in tying fishing line so I know knots are good. It's not breaking at the knots anyway, it's further up. Which is why I think the vanish is probably crap.

Yes, that is the one. It either broke or was chewed through. I believe the fish were pike. I may try the Seaguar Blue Label. As a fluoro leader it gets pretty good reviews.

I just did some googling and discovered that what I need to look for is fluorocarbon leader, not fluorocarbon fishing line. Something like Seaguar Blue Label.

Can you elaborate a little more on "leader material"?

Just this year I started tying on a leader to my Power Pro 15lb braid. I went with Berkley Invis, but so far the line has broken 3 times and I've lost three lures and three fish. Enough with Berkley. So now I'm wanting to get some better fluoro to use as a leader. A lot of guys have recommended Seaguar Invizx. How good is this line as a leader and if you use this line how does it hold up? Thanks

The Yellow Hammer Rig. Saw it on the Tackle Warehouse website and looked pretty interesting. Get some good reviews. Throwing a chandelier in the water to catch fish just seems ridiculous to me but hey if it works...

I had to laugh when I read this, because a few weeks ago I had a similar fight with a huge fish that I thought was a bass and it turned out to be a 26lb shovelhead.

Could I tie 50 lb flouro to 15 lb braid? That's what I have on my reel right now is 15 lb Power Pro. Perhaps get the 50 lb Power Pro as well? Can a pike still chew through 50 lb flouro?

Thanks for the link. I'm going to try the 12 pound. Have you used this yourself?

The place where I fish for bass also has some pretty big toothy critters in it. I've lost a few lures (along with quite a bit of line) to these monsters. So I've had to use wire leaders, but there's a lot of different ones out there. I believe that sometimes the wire leader may interfere with strikes, because I feel the fish may see these. Right now I'm using some dark ones with coatshook snaps. Kind of a pain getting some lures on these, but I also have a smaller thinner wire leader that may work better, but I can't seem to find these anywhere. I only have one left, because the other day some big fish took my lure AND the wire leader. What do you guys use for wire leaders when you're fishing?

I got the 3500. Smooth as glass, 10 bearings and really horses the fish in.

Bought a new fishing net this morning, then christened it twenty minutes later by catching this pike. He's a small one compared to the other lunkers I've been catching. Net worked great so I shouldn't be loosing anymore fish.

I still don't have a net. Procrastination or laziness I don't know. There at Pottawatomie Park you fish from a boardwalk and there's a railing so you really need some way to land your fish. I had to lay on the walk and reach down and when I did the pike wasn't having any of it and he thrashed and cut off the line. Thankfully my lure fell out of his mouth and I was able to retrieve it. It's an awesome reel. I would highly recommend it.

First day with my new Pflueger president XT reel and I hooked on to this huge pike. Reel performed flawlessly. Caught him on my new white chatterbait with a white Keitch minnow trailer.

Now to get some U-40 Cork Seal for that handle...

Thanks, but I already bought the Pflueger President XT. See post above yours

Meet my new reel...the Pflueger President XT

I just bought some Eagle Claw reel oil. There are all kinds of brands, but I don't think it really matters. I just put a couple drops under the bail and was good to go. If I was going to get into the gears I would use reel grease.

Senko!