Fishing Question

saturnine138

saturnine138

Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Messages
241
I've recently decided to start fishing(I'm in the Adirondacks all summer with plenty of free time) and I've got a few questions. I've got a cheap($30) Ugly Stick rod with a Shakespeare reel, and so far I've only got a couple pike. The last one I caught was maybe 16-20 inches(didnt have anything to measure with) and I was fishing from a rocky shore. I tried to get him up out of the water as soon a possible so he wouldnt thrash on the rocks too bad, but the more I tried to lift him, the more my rod bent and the fish didnt move(it bent enough I thought it might break). Is that normal? Do I need a stronger rod? I know I should probably use a net, but I didnt have one with me at the time. Also, what test string is usually good for Bass and Pike fishing? I have no idea what's on my pole, I left whatever came with it on there, but I have some 12 lb line lying around. Should I use that or would something else be better? Thanks guys.
 
12 lb. will work. The lighter line you use the more bites you get. Ugly sticks come in many different variations, so it is hard to tell without looking at it. Try and look on the side of the rod near the handle, it should say what test lb. to use. Like 2-6 lb or 4-8 or 8-12. Try to match your rod to the pound test you plan on using. If I was using 12 lb I would want a rod that you could use up to 14 lb on it, giving me a little extra backbone. And get a net.
Good luck.
 
Also, If you are going to be fishing for pike on a regular basis I would suggest investing in some steel leaders - They are cheaper than the lures you are using and will prevent the toothy critters from breaking your line.
 
Ugly Sticks usually bend but don't break. That said, they can sometimes bend too much.

I too would want something with a little more backbone for larger pike or bass. Like magneto said, check the rod ratings. Also, use line test within the specs on the rod, and get a reel to match the line tests you're most likely to use.

Good rod brands include Shimano, Falcon, All Star, Castaway, and many others. Look for a good graphite blank rather than fiberglass. Graphite just has better "memory" than other materials.

In reels, I like Shimano, Abu-Garcia, Penn, and Daiwa. Hard to go wrong with a good reel from any of these companies.
 
I sometimes use a small handeheld net to assist the pole...this works best when wading or wearing waders
 
Your walking a dangerous path! Fishing is as addictive as knives are.:)

For larger fish (bass, walleye, steelhead, pike) I use a 6'6" fenwick GT rod. It is a medium action and good for 6-15 pound test. The action is good for smaller fish, pike you usually feel no matter what. You can also use this rod for trout, but the sensitivity isn't that great. I second the use of leaders for pike.:thumbup: Get a net too, pike have some sharp teeth! I've usually caught them while ice fishing but they can tear up your hand pretty good if you let them. Good luck, and post some pics of your catches.

"Behold the fisherman
He riseth early in the morning and disturbeth the whole household
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He returneth late smelling of strong drink
and the truth is not in him
 
The Adirondack mountains are home to some beautiful brook trout, so don't forget to try for some while your there.
 
Don't lift the fish out of the water with your rod! That is a guaranteed way to brake a pole or brake your line and lose the fish. Ugly sticks have a seven year warranty so even if you break it you can send it in and get it replaced.

To land a fish:
1)Use a net.

2)Use your hand. For toothy fish like pike, pull them out of the water with your hand by putting your hand in there gills. For hand landing bass, grab there lower lip with your thumb and fore finger with your thumb in the mouth and finger out.


Yes fishing is very addicting, so good luck and don't be surprised if you end up spending hundreds of dollars on gear. Not that you need it, but you will buy it, lol. If you do go for trout, my favorite, and you plan on releasing them, make sure your hands are wet and be gentle handling them cause you can take off there protective slime coat and they will die. Have fun and good luck with your new hobby. If I was limited to one hobby in my life, it would be fishing:)
 
stingray4540 said:
Don't lift the fish out of the water with your rod!
Click to expand...

But it's so FLW tour to be lifting fish in!!

You can also tail a pike, or grab the back of their neck, compressing their gill plate.

If you are fishing from shore, I would recommend looking into a 9-10 ft steelhead rod rated up to around 12-14lbs lines. They give you extra casting distance, as well as good backbone to steer fishing away from obsticales.
 
I have to agree, get the fish to shore and lift it out by the lure / leader or get a net. I use a 4 1/2 ft pack rod with 4 pound test for all my spincast fishing, and have bagged quite a few pike and loads of big bass, plus with lighter tackle you can go after trout and panfish that taste better anyway.

Good luck anyway you go!
 
Grab by the leader. Using the pole your begging for it to break. If your using thin line and are worried it may cut in, keep a glove in your back pocket or rag, grab that and grab the line with a quick once around. Or work the fish away from the rocks to an easier land spot.
I fish alot on jetties, if it's big I'll work my way off the jetty and land the fish on the sand or find a smooth rock I can slide it onto.

And like ilbruche said...careful of the addiction..especially with the gear.
 
sherlockbonez said:
But it's so FLW tour to be lifting fish in!!

You can also tail a pike, or grab the back of their neck, compressing their gill plate.

If you are fishing from shore, I would recommend looking into a 9-10 ft steelhead rod rated up to around 12-14lbs lines. They give you extra casting distance, as well as good backbone to steer fishing away from obsticales.
Click to expand...


Yes, landing them by the tail or back of the neck are good techniques to try, can't believe I forgot about those. I mainly fish for trout though so...:rolleyes:

Also, a nice rod suggestion. In most cases the longer your rod the longer you can fling your lure or bait out there.

And yes, you see the pros pulling fish in with there rods all the time, but it's usually because the bass guys use rods that are very strong and heavy duty to pull the fish out of the weeds and they catch fish that are much smaller than the pound test of there line and the strength of there rods. Plus they are on a time crunch so unless it's a big fish they just want to get it into the boat ASAP and get there line back out in the water, and they have sponsors and money so if they break a rod they'll just buy a new one, a luxury that some of us don't have. So please take everyones advice here and don't use your rod as a crane.
 
stingray4540 said:
I mainly fish for trout though so...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I just spend over 20 hours last weekend fishing for bass and pike, so my mind is very fresh on this!

Pack rods are excellent ideas as well. I don't fish much from shore (usually a canoe), so i don't have one. However, I looked at some Loomis pack rods, and they are fantastic, a little pricy, but well worth the money.
 
Then I'm glad you offered your 2cents, 'cause it's been a few years since I've had the chance to take on a pike or muskie. In California, if you catch a pike you are supposed to kill it and report it to the DFG.
 
Around here pickerel are ruining much of the lakes. I either catch pickerel or sunfish, and the occasional bass. I would love to try pike sometime in the adirondacks. That sounds like fun. :thumbup:
 
I fish for pike all the time and I use a 6'6" medium action Ugly stick. You can almost bend the tip to the reel without worrying if it will break. If you are getting to the point that you are worrying about breaking your rod it sounds like you have way to much tension on your reel. Loosen the tension so your line will pay out if the fish tries to make a swim for it rather than having your rod take all the force. I have landed 38 lbs pike using the Ugly Stick so you should be able to handle most of the pike you come across.
 
Leaving the fish in the water at your feet, turn sideways, rod arm extended away from the water's edge.
Reach over with your empty hand, grab the line and lift the fish.
Prop the rod against your body unhook and release the fish.
Easy :D
Well except for those teeth ;)

Edited to add:
Start with the rod at the 11 o'clock position, so you have enough line between the rod tip and fish to grab.
Never reel a fish up to the rod tip...that's an accident waiting to happen.
Another accident waiting to happen is lifting the fish with your rod.
If the fish slips the hook while the rod is bent (loaded) the rod will fling your lure/hook back at you similar to your best cast.
That can be a real problem when using sinkers or treble hooked plugs.
 
ghostguy6 said:
I have landed 38 lbs pike using the Ugly Stick so you should be able to handle most of the pike you come across.
Click to expand...

Good work man, that fish was pretty damn close to the Canadian record for a pike. :eek: Where'd you catch her, I need to go there! :thumbup: (After the salmon run of course)
 
Good job landing that pike. I have owned ugly sticks and I swear by them. They will not break so you have a good rod. I got a pike about 20 inches on 4lb line and it did not get away. I was fishing for trout at the time. When they get heavy on you, try either letting your drag a little lose to play them a bit or do like I did once, back up if you can away from the water and real him in, let your pole tip down a little say like 45 degrees and just gradually reel him in. He will get shallower up to shore then you can grab him by the back of the neck if you do not have a net. Pike are toothy and they may chew your line before you unhook him so move quickly. Really though all the tips given by the others sounds like good options just as well. Good luck next time and land that big ol guy! I use rapala forceps, which are a little longer all the time and these worked just fine...but for a lunker watch out!
 
White_Spring50lb said:
Good work man, that fish was pretty damn close to the Canadian record for a pike. :eek: Where'd you catch her, I need to go there! :thumbup: (After the salmon run of course)
Click to expand...

About 3 hours north of Ft McMurray, I cant really say for sure where it was. I was on a service trip, ended up spending 2 days waiting for parts so went fishing at some remote lake off a logging road. I wish I knew where it was but then again the bugs were brutal :(
 
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