Hi folks. I'm in the Bloomfield, CT area and am just getting back to fishing after almost twenty years. I'm focused on freshwater, so primarily trout and bass. My plan is to wait until things warm up a bit (ironic since it was 68 degrees this weekend) and then start trying things out. I'm just starting my google maps and driving/hiking exploration to find spots but I'm sure once things start defrosting more and water goes up I'll have to adjust.

 

Right now I've got light and light medium for spinning setups since that's what I grew up with, but I got a medium/heavy casting setup that I'm learning on and will use for heavier stuff and learning casting rig specific techniques. So far so good learning to cast it without bird nesting every time, I just can't hit the broad side of the barn from the inside yet.

 

Anyway, glad to be here, I had been lurking for a bit soaking up knowledge but figured I should actually join and say hello.

Welcome aboard!

welcome, from a fellow CT angler!

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Nice Intro

A-Jay

Greetings from N. Central Bassachusetts! Welcome to BR and congrats on getting back into fishing.

 

7 hours ago, RemyL said:

So far so good learning to cast it without bird nesting every time, I just can't hit the broad side of the barn from the inside yet.

I figure most of us have been in your shoes at one time, it absolutely gets better and easier as you go. I swore off baitcasters for 50 years, didn't want the hassle of all those back lashes, but the new reels make the learning curve so much easier. Bought my first baitcaster four years ago, and now I hardly use spinning gear, even with finesse techniques.

 

If you haven't tried it yet (practice in your yard or an empty lot) put out a bunch of different size bowls/containers at various distances and cast into them. It's okay to start with bigger targets, and as you gain skill and confidence go to smaller targets. You'll probably be happily surprised at how fast you improve.

 

 

 

I've been picking spots in the yard, no actual target set out, but I have put that on pause. The grass is a bit long since I leave it with a bit extra for the winter, and most days it's chilly enough to basically be semi frozen. I found out real fast that you can stick the weight real well and have to walk out there or off to the side to get unstuck. I will get back to that once things are thawed a bit. 

Targets in the yard are how I learned to fly cast too. mostly old tractor tires my grandmother had out as planters. Half buried with little flowers in them. I had a small but bright fly with no "hook" on the hook that I kept tossing in there. I don't remember doing anything for spinning rigs as a kid, but I assume I just organically got better over time.

 

Right now it's almost comical. I actually ordered some orange mono so I could more quickly see what was happening. I need to get a bright colored weight too, or just spray paint what I have. A little grey blob vanishes real fast. I can kinda keep it in about a 20 degree arc with a regular cast (side arm mostly since I'm not going to long distance right now). Practice practice practice. No substitute. I've probably only got 100 casts in since coming back, between spinning and casting rigs.

 

I'm thinking I may practice a little flipping in the basement, I've got a room filled with those padded puzzle tile pieces and may setup some targets for that. If I can get the casting reel setup down well I'll definitely add another. The one I have is a Cabela's Fish Eagle medium heavy / fast 7', so pretty general purpose casting setup, but if I'm using a casting setup for most of my non trout jig fishing I'll want something better. I didn't wanna spend much on something I may not even be good enough to use reliably this year. I did spent a bit more on the BP Pro Qualifier 2 reel. Good value for the money on sale. If I get another setup I'll probably go with something a bit nicer but it seems to work well from a casting reel newbie's perspective.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum!  Northern CT ... hhhhmmm ... Yankees or Mets?

9 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

Welcome to the forum!  Northern CT ... hhhhmmm ... Yankees or Mets?

If I had to pick? Pirates. But I haven't paid attention in ages.

Welcome home! We're glad you're here.

Welcome to the forums! You are maybe two hours from me, although I don't fish out that way much. I will likely try the Oxbow this year.

 

If you need a spot with some shore access and a couple of docks and a pier you can fish and get them early in the year before they move to the deeper side, check out DAR state forest in Goshen MA. I never get any big ones there, but my youngest usually gets quite a few on a crankbait. My profile picture was taken on one of the docks there actually! They have grills and picnic tables so you can make yourself dinner too, it's became a tradition for us to start the year there and it's halfway between myself and a friend who lives in W. Springfield. Heck, if you want to join us this year I will offer to give you some tips on using the baitcaster.

Welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome.

 

Dean, I'll check that out. I was looking at the rules for Mass, the lead rules specifically. There are some spots right across the border from me that are supposed to be good for bank fishing as well and I wanted to be ready. It's so weird to me that a lead spinnerbait is fine but a lead jig with the same amount of lead is not. I need to pick out a couple tungsten jigs so I'm good to go up there.

On 1/25/2020 at 6:39 PM, RemyL said:

Thanks for the welcome.

 

Dean, I'll check that out. I was looking at the rules for Mass, the lead rules specifically. There are some spots right across the border from me that are supposed to be good for bank fishing as well and I wanted to be ready. It's so weird to me that a lead spinnerbait is fine but a lead jig with the same amount of lead is not. I need to pick out a couple tungsten jigs so I'm good to go up there.

Yeah, you can only use lead weights that are above a certain weight, I believe that is 1oz

I ordered a small set of tungsten jigs to cover me for Mass. My worm weights were already tungsten. When you only buy a couple sizes the cost difference doesn't really matter. lol  We'll see how I feel about it once I start losing them.

 

I got my 2020 license and got lines wet last weekend. One bite I whiffed on, but a lot of practice and a relaxing couple hours. The water was just too cold for the spot I was at. I had planned to go somewhere deeper but the access was locked off. Still fun.

On 2/2/2020 at 1:40 PM, RemyL said:

I ordered a small set of tungsten jigs to cover me for Mass. My worm weights were already tungsten. When you only buy a couple sizes the cost difference doesn't really matter. lol  We'll see how I feel about it once I start losing them.

 

I got my 2020 license and got lines wet last weekend. One bite I whiffed on, but a lot of practice and a relaxing couple hours. The water was just too cold for the spot I was at. I had planned to go somewhere deeper but the access was locked off. Still fun.

Fishing a river I take it? Most of our lakes are frozen -- not too thick, but still frozen solid.

 

We've had some decent weather at least

Yeah, hit up the Farmington. The whole thing was a bunch of fail once my initial spot wasn't an option, but I just wanted to at least get some lines wet. I'm hoping that our mild weather leads to the waters warming up nice and early.