Whatever

" Remember....the Bait Monkey is your friend. Learn to work with him" I have to confess, I am unsure on what exactly a "bait monkey" is---Do they eat much? Can they adapt to cold weather? Dee

That is a fair proposition, Sir! I will put up a half dozen salmon flies on my end. I have access to a RH retrieve reel to try out, but it might be a while before I can locate a LH reel (without having to buy one). Regardless, I appreciate your input!

You are correct, but I usually take 4 rods in the boat, 2 for fly, and two for spinning. Times are certainly changing, as a kid, we utilized the traditional "Tenkara" Fishing rod (a 12' bamboo pole with 10' of cheap mono tied on the end).I see it's back in vogue now, but somewhat more expensive.

Since birth, I am all but blind in my left eye (lazy eye). I have poor depth perception as a result, and am incredibly clumsy doing anything left handed. (please don't tell the Army- they might call me back to punish me for lying)

There is a lot of wisdom in your observations. I am stubborn, and hesitate to try new gear or techniques. I find my self purchasing lures based on the fact I have used them for thirty or forty years, and they usually produce. Newer lures always have that question mark, so I hesitate to try them. When I do, and they don't produce, they sit in the tackle box forever. But If I catch one good fish on a given lure, I am faithful forever. I tie flies the same way. I frequently tie a pattern, and think "this will be lethal". than I tie two dozen more, even when it hasn't proven itself. Frequently, we are our own worst enemies.

We have all heard the comment "there is no such thing as a stupid question", and we all know that is nonsense--so, here goes--- I got my first spinning rod in 1965. I got my first fly rod in 1969. Consequently, my right hand is my "rod hand" (as I am right handed). I have fished extensively since then, using a variety of gear, but 99% of my fishing has been spin or fly gear. Now I am considering my first bait casting reel, and am skeptical of "reeling" with my right hand, and using my left for rod control. Have any of you "righties" bought a left hand bait castling reel to confront this problem? After 55 years of primarily doing using my right hand to control my rod, it just seems completely foreign to reverse that concept of ingrained muscle memory. If nothing else, it would eliminate switching the rod from right hand to left to begin the retrieve. Do you guys have any valid thoughts on this?

In NW MT it is the Northern Pike that get the hate. They are non-native here, and did not exist here 50 years ago when I was young. And admittedly, they are voracious predators. I enjoy fishing them, but still recognize the huge complications they create. And Lake Trout have mostly been legally marked for extermination by local Fishery Managers, due to impact on Native Cutts and Bull Trout (which were considered as "trash fish" by many locals when I was a kid). Now Walleyes are popping up locally as well. Out state and Federal Fishery Managers are attempting to restore a "Native" fish ecosystem, and dramatically losing. After 150 years of ceaseless, blundering human intervention in fisheries, I don't think we can ever revert to stable management. Biology is driven by politics, and lawyers outnumber biologists by a significant factor.

Ditchpanda, locally, a 5 0r 6 pound LMB is huge. The smallies approach that on occasion, The smallmouths are new here, over the past twenty years. We got pike here about 50 years ago, and they are a nightmare for the fisheries. Big perch used to run 8 - 10", now they average 5 or 6. The only actual native sport species we have are West slope Cutthroat (20" is BIG), Rocky Mtn Whitefish (generally to about 12"), and Dolly Varden (aka Bull trout-the 20 pounders are gone, 12 - 15# are rare now)). The bulls are mostly off limits for fishing. Everything else is introduced (there are no native Rainbows in Montana, excepting a very small area on the ID/BC.MT border).Between Endangered species and introduced/invasive species, fisheries management is a nightmare. For the rest of you, please do not thank me for "service". I did no more or less than so many of you. My whole family has served, going back to the first war (and beyond). And A-Jay, you have a great day, Boats! I am rereading "Monsarrat's "The Cruel Sea"(for the third time), regarding duty in the North Atlantic. Between the Navy and commercial boats (AK) I spent 14 year's at sea. but always in the North Pacific. And I have no love for the "Beaufort Scale". You gents have a good day! (and go fishing)

Thank you, A-Jay! What rating in the USCG? (I served 4 yrs as an EN in the USN, before coming to my senses and joining the Army) Dee

A big hello from Northern Montana! Only 60 miles to the Canadian border (but it is closed)! I fish Trout (6 species). And Bass (2 species). And Pike. And Whitefish. Grayling on occasion. And Perch. And we have Crappie locally now also (but I haven't caught one). Primarily I fly fish, but have no problems with spinning gear or bait casting, as well. I have been fishing for 60 years, primarily Western North America, the Pacific Ocean, SE Alaska and Prince William Sound, with occasional trips to various other parts of this vast world. My favorite for bass is Noxon Res, about 2 hours south of me. If you get up this way, give a shout out, and we can share info.

What is the strangest thing you have ever caught on rod and reel? (other than fish) In the late 60's, I was casting for stripers with a large floating Rapala, and had a large Gull grab my plug, and proceed to hook himself. There was a brief aerial battle before I prevailed. My father was most disgusted, as the Gull would not cooperate in the release, repeatedly grabbing his fingers with his beak. I was disgusted, as I was not allowed to kill it in hopes of attracting a shark. A few years ago, I had a similar battle with a Coot in a local lake. Again casting plugs (a diver this time). He fought to the rod tip, before being subdued and released. On light tackle, it was a spirited fight. But the record that still stands was the immense Green Sea Turtle I hooked on bait, and fought for two hours before he broke off. (on 80# test). This was the Central Pacific, and I am guessing at his size (but I believe 40" and approx 200 pounds), as he was substantially larger than the 22 incher I had caught while diving the previous month. That one weighed 69 pounds, and as it was 2" too small to be legally kept, it was tagged, and released. Shortly after, the Feds raised the minimum length to 36", and now they are completely illegal. A mate in Alaska one year had a hooked salmon grabbed by a large Sea Lion (400 pounds?), while being played. The Sea Lion spit out the fish, but gave a brief, one sided battle before breaking off. I am guessing some of you have similar tales?

I checked my closet, and realized that the "Cabela's" Tournament ZX 4000 I have had for 5 years is actually a Diawa (confirmed via sticker under reel foot). As an added bonus, it was made in China (that is sarcasm). Evidently these are no longer made, but the Diawa BG series looks almost identical. I have never especially liked this reel, but in all honesty, it might just be the line I have on it (12# of unknown lineage). I am tempted to switch from mono to a braided superline for pike. It is a medium large reel, with the "air rotor", but I don't recall ever testing it by actually catching a good fish on it. I looked at the Daiwa SS series, and am thinking to order one and try it (Yes, I am "old school"). It seems funny, I don't hesitate to spend $100 (or more) on a good fly line, but always agonize over the same price for a reel. Thanks for all the input.

The primary reason I like anti reverse is casting. If you reel the lure to close to the rod tip, I can easily back off a few revolutions. Mono is a dynamic filament (which means it stretches), Floro has very little stretch, and spectra, Kevlar, etc. has none. With 30 yds of mono out, a fish can run, and the mono will take up some of the pressure by stretching. When you get it alongside the boat, and have only a yard of line, the fish will go frantic, and with very little line to absorb the increased pressure, the line will break, or the hook will pull. At this point, back reeling is great. I set the drag for a prescribed limit, and never touch it again while playing the fish. If he try's a heavy run, I simply give him more line. And a great many fish are lost at the boat. Canoes fell out of favor a hundred years ago, and I still use one of those. In all honesty I am surprised they still make them, as well.

I am in MT, where a 5 lb bass is probably pushing 10 years old. Do the Daiwa's rate with Shimano and Penn for quality and longevity? Are there any decent ones between the $50 Revros and the $200 Tatula?

Okay, I am a newby here, but have been fishing for 60 years. I need several (3) new spinning reels, and need input on which good quality reels still offer the choice of an anti reverse switch. I am looking in the $75 to $150 range, for freshwater fishing for pike, trout, bass, etc. Being 50 miles below British Columbia, a huge bass here will go 5#, but I catch pike and trout up to 20 pounds. I boat fish with plugs, spoons, spinners and plastics, with 8 to 12# mono, and 6 to 7 foot rods. Lures won't top out above 3/4 ounce. I love Penn reels, but they are not (Battle ll) including the anti reverse feature on most of them anymore. The same with Shimano. Can anyone recommend some good spinning reels that still offer this feature?