Clumsy fisherman

Just call me paranoid, but I do not trust Pay Pal and I do not trust ebay with my credit card. Also, if it's not brand new, I want to see it before I buy. I don't want the hassle of trying to return it, assuming I that is possible. We have several pawnshops in my area, but 95% of everything there is stolen. I do not support thieves. There is a used sports store. I don't know whether their stuff has been stolen, but I suspect everything but the big exercise eqipment may have been, So what that means is I usually by new. Amazon does have some used stuff. I do trust Amazon.

I bought a BG3500 with the idea of using it inshore. But, I haven't done that, so I put it on a 7' MH St. Croix. It casts very well, considering, but it is too heavy for that rod. That is the reason I am thinking about another reel, but I am a little over my head in my spending, so I may have to wait awhile and get the best bang, for my buck.

What are the advantages of the Fuego over the Regal? I have spent my you know what on fishing stuff this year. A good spinning reel for $60 is tempting.

Yes

Opinions? Recommendations? Yes, I am a cheapskate.

I have a 6' 10" Mach 2 spinning rod, rated medium with a fast action. It is rated for lures 1/8 - 1/2. I seem to have trouble getting much distance on my casts with light lures. It seems my casts are no better, if as good, as my casts with my MH 7' St. Croix Triumph. I am beginning to suspect that, despite its rating, the Mach 2 actually is closer to a MH than an M. Is that possible or is my problem because I just am not very good at casting (which I'm not)?

Yes or no?

I really doubt that the weight of the line and weight of the lure makes that much difference to the function of the rod as manufacturers want us to believe. So, you can use 12lb, but not 151b for line or 3/8, but not 1/2 for lures? I refuse to believe that the rod tolerances are that precise unless, maybe, you are talking about a $600 rod. For that matter, I bet there is some variation of line weight among brands and even within brands. Does anyone think that different spools of fishing line that is, for example,12lb test, is always the same weight, test, and diameter? Think there isn't any variation between the actual weight of a lure and the weight shown on the package when you buy it? I wouldn't bet my house on that. Sure, between extremes, it does matter. You're not going to use a heavy action rod to cast a 1/8 spinnerbait. Just call me a skeptic on this different rod for every kind of fish or lure idea. I also doubt the fish really know what kind of rod or reel you are using.

Thank you, this is quite helpful. Now I just have to figure out how to get a hooked fish up to a pier that is about 4 feet above the water.

One of the tips says, "Avoid 'high sticking' your rod when fighting or landing fish." What does "high sticking" mean?

Does anyone use spray scent on soft baits? What scent and brand has worked best for you?

What lures do you throw when the water is muddy, real muddy?

I have 7' St. Croix triumph with a 3500 Daiwa BG mounted on it. The rod is a freshwater version and is rated for lures up to 3/4 of an ounce. Despite the rating, could I use a heavier lure sinker combination, i.e., about 11/2 ounces? Is this rod and reel combination suitable for inshore fishing in lagoons, creeks, bays or do I need a heavier rod that is specifically for inshore?

Thank you!

Thank you. I will check those out.

My younger brother has bone cancer that invaded his back and probably other places. He has at least 2 broken vertabrae, likely due to the cancer. He has gone through chemo and radiation. I think the cancer is in remission now, but my thought is that eventually it will be terminal. He hasn't fished in years, but when he was in bad shape a few months ago I told him that when he got better we should go fishing. So now he has gotten better and wants to go fishing. I don't have a boat and am land based. I offered to rent a boat, but he doesn't think he could get in and out. He can walk some, but not a lot. Inclines and stairs are not possible. He will have to use a chair to sit in while he fishes. So, here is what I need help with. I need ideas about a place I can take him to fish where it will not be too hard for him to walk to the shore, bank or pier and are suitable for him to set up a chair and fish from the chair. It would be great to go somewhere where he could catch a fish, but I think he would just have fun fishing anyway. We live on opposite ends of Knox County, so several lakes are possibilities. Ideas?

Good point. I have started crossing the rings while they are still on the wacky tool screw and sliding the hook under them then. I can't have but 4 rings on the screw at one time to do that, but it is easier than trying to cross the rings or slide the hook under them once they ae on the worm.

Thanks, but at a buck apiece Yamato senkos should be better. Yes, if I caught a fish with each one, it would be worth it, but, note my screen name, I actually lose more lures than I catch fish.

I use the rings. I cross one over the other and run the hook underneath the middle of the "X" where the rings cross so the hook is perpendicular to the lure. The ads I see claim that the Gary Yamato senkos have some kind of unique action that other similar baits, e.g., Yum dingers, do not have. Is this true? Does it make a big difference?

Has anyone in the forum used or tried these? What do you think about them?

good heavens! Where do you fish?

What is the weirdest thing you have reeled in that wasn't a fish?

I use Fluorocarbon line as a leader. Does the color make a difference?

In September my cellphone popped of my belt into the lake. Does that count?

Maybe it depends on the brand? I have KastKing super power on a couple of reels that I spooled last summer. I don't fish a lot compared to most of the people on this board.