Yuddzy

This is part of what has drawn me to the ambassadeurs in general: availability of parts. It's pretty cool that the more recent models have that upgrade potential for the future as well, I can see myself getting into that. I considered old Bantams (80s) awhile back, but knowing you're SOL if a part breaks isn't something I want to worry about when I'm using a reel.

Currently considering picking up an ambassadeur reel, albeit not a new one. There's so many models and years of them out there, and I'm not entirely sure as to which ones are "good." (search turned up some useful info, but I feel that a new thread will be more productive) First Question: Which years were better, if any? I've read that pre-2000s were higher quality, albeit I'm not entirely sure on this. Second Question: What's the difference between the models? 5000, 5000c, 5500d, 5600al, 4000c Tournament Choice, 5000 Five Star, 5500 C3, etc.... Thank you, as always

Which Abu? I know they make some lower quality stuff from China nowadays. I haven't heard much bad about the ones still made in Sweden or the vintage reels.

Musky were just an example in this case. I don't care as much if a lake has been stocked at some point, as most have in the first place, but I care when the status of the fishery is relying heavily on stocking like you see in incredibly popular lakes. For example, when was the last time some random lake in the middle of rural nowhere was stocked vs the last time Lake Minnetonka was stocked? I'm not saying my feelings are logically justified, but I innately find unpressured areas that are mostly managed by nature itself to be more interesting. I fish medium to small lakes that see very few people for this reason. (which usually means no walleye)

This echoes how I feel about it all. I live in Rural Minnesota, and I'm almost positive there's more untouched/low pressure lakes than there are of any other type. I like it that way, it's nice to make a small drive to find a place that's been left to it's own "natural progression," so to speak. There is a lot of these bodies of water, out of the way in low population density areas. Vermilion isn't fun to fish on because there is way too many people and excessive stocking. It feels more like a game than an interaction with nature because of it. If someone put that musky in there for me to catch, it feels like less of an accomplishment. If it is the result of a natural population sustaining itself, much more interesting for me.

Following up on this, I have recently developed the urge to answer the age old question that every angler is curious about: That is, do catfish like Arby's? My plan is to someday utilize a large bait hook and careful rigging of a classic roast beef sandwich upon said hook to catch a catfish. I believe it will be quite successful. Cheerio Good Fellas.

The Daiwa Regal 1500XI I have (lower quality, Chinese made to my knowledge) tips the scale at 10 ball bearings. It's a very good reel for what it is, but there's far better reels with about half as many bearings from what I know.

Why has it been junk? Mine seems to be like usual. Kast King maybe as an alternative?

I don't believe I've ever caught anything on a frog, mostly due to not enough use + wrong time/wrong place use. I can't remember ever catching anything on a lipless crankbait, probably also due to lack of use. Both are tried and true lure types, it's just me and the local fish that aren't cooperating on this one. ?

https://youtu.be/3Yskxh0MC80

Reviving an old thread, I'm thinking any smaller soft plastic (1.5-2ish") Texas Rigged like normal with an appropriate weight would be one of the most effective and simple ways to target panfish? Hoping to catch some bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, and rock bass this summer. ?

This is somewhat common in Minnesota it seems. A lot of people don't like pike and musky, claiming things like "they overpopulate" and "they kill all the good fish" and "you don't want them in your lakes." Where I live, they're a native species and a necessary part of the ecosystem. If all of those things were true, there wouldn't be bag limits and protections for them. I've had friends suggest throwing pike on the shoreline even, like you might be required to do with some invasive species with mandatory kill orders. (In some areas, pike may be an issue, but not here in my experience)*

Is that right? Interesting. I'm not worried about the age, just the cold aspect, so that's good news. It's two separate spools of forest green mono, so I'm hoping to get some good use out of it. I figured the cold would make it brittle. I guess I'll break test a strand of it to make sure it's still strong.

Lots of good ones here. I've had several, but I think my absolute moronic peak was when I was 17. I was fishing at 5am off the shore at a small, local lake using a new rod/reel that my dad had bought. I hooked up a Northern pretty good, and didn't have any of those fancy jaw spreaders with. I spent 4-5 minutes trying to unhook two barbed trebles from a fish that absolutely refuses to unstiffen it's jaw. I eventually gave up and figured it would have a better chance shaking that lure out on it's own in the water. Cut the line quickly, pick this very disgruntled Snot Rocket of a fish back up, step toward the shore and give him a gentle underhand pitch back into the water. You can imagine the look on my face when the rod went with it. I think I stood there for about a minute with a thousand yard stare before I realized I had to wade into the water and find it. I eventually recovered the rod and called it quits for about a week after that. If you catch a pike with a hot-pink jerkbait in it's mouth, there's probably a story behind it. That's all I'm saying, fellas. Also make sure you cut line completely. ?

Straight to the point on this one, I have about 1800 yards of monofilament that I bought less than a year ago. It's been stored in a garage out of heat, UV, and moisture since I've bought it. The only problem is that I live in Minnesota, so it's been sitting in some very cold temperatures for around 5 months. Is it likely that this line is still good to use, or should I chuck it and start from fresh?

I went on a fishing/camping trip with a few friends for several days. We were swimming in a lake with a large beaver presence, one of my friends got a stomach bug and permanently ruined a pair of his orange undies. I don't know if he caught a milder case of giardia from the beaver water or if it was because he was cooking raw sausages with his fingers while eating. Anyway, that's all I got.

You've told me all I need to know, I'm from Minnesota myself. I love the Northern fishing up here I have to say, haven't caught too many Crappies though.

Is this a legitimate technique? I don't know why, but the mental image of someone sinking old family Christmas Trees into the local lake with cinder blocks is a bit funny. Sounds like something I'd see a guy doing in my town. I can see why setting up cover where an area is lacking might be a good idea though. If it works, it works.

Thanks Bulldog, I appreciate it.

What years are the Chronarchs from? I've only seen a handful of them so far. Also, what distinguishes them from the other Bantams? Thanks Phil ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ

I've been looking at some of the old baitcasters and I'm interested in picking up a Shimano Bantam. My only hold up is that I don't know the value of one, so I don't know what to look for as a good price. What would some of you guys that are familiar with the older reels value one of these at? I attached a picture of an example, this one happens to be a 200SG. There's quite a few other Bantam models from what I've seen.

If I could get any new baitcaster, I'd get a new old-stock Shimano Bantam 200sg from the 80s. The one with the nice stainless frame and wooden reel handle knobs.

I have a similar situation: small town, small lake near my house with a somewhat slow bite. I think that for lakes like these, it's best to just focus on fishing it for fun. I use it to work on my casts, retrieve styles, etc. If I catch something, it's just a bonus. I fish it at night when I can find quiet spots to go pitch a few casts and be alone for a bit. You might find eventually that certain lures, colors, or times of day actually produce better results in that lake as well. I would casually fish your local lake when you have spare time for practice, if you feel like that's beneficial to you. Some trips will be good, some will be very quiet. When you're just casually fishing, either result feels fine. If you want to do more serious fishing, find nice lakes that are out of town and more into the countryside if possible. They are likely to have more fish and a better bite as a result because they aren't likely to be overfished such as lakes near cities/towns. DEFINITELY find more lakes to visit. There's a lot more fun to be had out there. My local lake has few returns, I've caught one pike and two crappie in the last week. On a two day trip to a lake in the countryside, I hooked 4 pike and 3 bass. Your lake choices definitely make a big difference in how well you do out there. Cheers, just my 2 pennies on this as I have a similar situation to you.

It's the same for bikes nowadays, Finding a groupset that's actually bad is very difficult. All of the budget options are totally functional in every way and can go head to head with the stuff 2-3x the price. Despite how much nicer the modern reels are, I can't help but want an old baitcaster. I've been eyeing some of the alloy body Shimano Bantams on eBay. There's just something alluring about the "vintage" gear, and I grew up using the newer stuff myself.