Time to go fishing!

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Feb 2, 2005
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Even though I consider fishing to be an almost year round sport (I've never tried ice fishing), and have gone several times this year already, I stepped outside this morning and decided it was a beautiful day to go fishing. Sadly I'm still at work.

So I ask you, what gear do you take with you when fishing? I used to keep a cheap fishing rod and my tackle box in my truck, but not anymore. I've got a couple good old fishing rods, couldn't even tell you the name. I have a couple Moras, two Rapalas and one Spyderco Pacific Salt that I use for fishing, the Moras for the dirty work, the Pac Salt for cutting line, rope etc. Lures, tackle etc, basically whatever the farm store has, or the local bait and tackle shop. I've got an old pair of anglers scissors in my tackle box, they were my go to before I got the Moras. I usually fish on ten to fifteen pound test line, even though I'm wrong when I do this, I usually use whatever is on the rod I have with me, or what is in the tackle box.

I'm on the lookout for a good fishing rod for Bay fishing, basically rockfish. I am planning to spend good money on this. Do I want to even look at Walmart?

The areas I frequent are the Susquehanna River, from above the Conowingo Dam in PA to Havre de Grace and Perryville, both banks. Baltimore County, mainly the Back River, but any tributary from Edgewood Proving Grounds to the Back River. Anywhere in the Bay itself from the C and D canal down to the Bay Bridge. The Ocean City MD inlet, went about 5 miles out on the headboat out of Bahia Marina several times.

I used to be just a casual fisherman, basically I put my line in the water, and sat back and enjoyed the scenery. Whether that meant sitting on the bank and watching the river, or sitting on the back of the boat, beer in one hand, line in the other, being gently rocked by the water, it didn't really matter if I caught anything or not. Of course, if I was paying to go out and fish, I'd want to catch something. Now, I've been fishing with a buddy of mine, and have caught more fish than I know what to do with! My family, they're really pleasure boaters. This guy is there to fish!

So, now, after being here only a year, and already selling or trading my collection to buy CRK and Strider and Busse:D :thumbup: :) , what fishing gear would you guys recommend? Do you get by with just a bamboo rod and worms? Do you prefer fishing on the bank, wading in the stream? On a boat? If so, a small center console? Big sportfisherman? Canoe? Jon boat? Sailboat or powerboat?
 
Before moving to the desert I did quite a bit of Striper fishing in NJ. For what you're talking I would look at St Croix rods. They build a "Tidewater" series which should be perfect. You have to decide if you want spinning or revolving spool. I'd think for river you'd go spinning and I fell in love with the new Shimanos. I think you're in the $200.00 range for a pretty good outfit.

I've always had a sweet spot for the Penn 940, these have been made forever and they've never failed me. A nice little revolving spool.

Good luck, I miss this time of year.

Win
 
8' MH Bass Pro Bioflex and stradic 6000. I haven't had a chance to go after the kings yet, but will hopefully this weekend!!!
 
Lamiglass 9' one piece is the one that I want. The 2 piece 10'-ers have done me well, but are over kill for all but the ocean beaches.
I do alot of East River striper fishing and that is mainly with 1oz bucktails, Abu 5500C casting reels and Musky rods or 'Flippin' rods.

Spinnin' for distance, casting for control.
Oh and FWIW & IMNSHO you can do way better than Ugly Sticks. They are soft, slow and heavy. At least the ones I've tried and the 2 I own.
 
At least the ones I've tried and the 2 I own.
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They have 3 or 4 different grades of ugly stiks and not just the ones you see in stores. The Tiger Rod is a pretty nice rod and they make a dedicated tuna rod and some shore fishing models.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I've read a lot recently about the ugly sticks.
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And?

For bait fishing, sure.
For throwing plugs and tins, yes but the rod is heavy.
For fishing by feel like plastic worms, jigs and spinnerbaits, not at all.

My favorite striper spot is a seawall with jetty like rocks piled along it.
You have to hop a bucktail jig along the bottom. If the hook lays down it'll catch on the rocks and other crap down there.
Feel is paramount. Hi-vis line helps alot, but feel is #1.
Also when the bass comes up behind the jig, hits it and follows along with the current. It is a small tap, hardly visible and hard to feel with a soft, slow action rod.

If unbreakable is most important on your list of fishing rod attributes, go for it. Otherwise I think one can do better. Like the Berkley Lightning Rods. I think they are discontinued and now very affordable. I have at least 3 of them.
Again, JMHO
:D
 
If unbreakable is most important on your list of fishing rod attributes
Click to expand...

They do melt though!!! Friend pulled his into a fire once trying to untangle it. Took approx 2.3 seconds. That was after his drunk @$$ through his maglite in the fire thinking it was a stick. Berkley Lightning's are good. You don't so much fish for feel with spinnerbaits, especially if using a buzzbait. Sometimes bait fishing you need to be able to feel light strikes just as with plastics. I've never been Striper fishing but it can't be that much different than Wiper fishing. On a side note, I wish the salmon would stop being so lazy and start running!!
 
If you want a Zen experience, nothing beats wading in a stream with a fly rod :cool: Although a small inflatable pontoon boat comes close. Being a gadget freak like the rest of you makes fly fishing even more interesting. Just check out an Orvis catalog:) I tend to exagerate, as my loaded Tac-L-Pac vest weighs in a 9 pounds:rolleyes: My rod is pretty average (9 foot 8-weight Scientific Angler).

I also use a Daiwa Heartland 7 foot spinning rod for walleye and any occasion where the fly rod isn't the best choice.

Guy
 
hey Silent, I like my Ugly stick in a medium weight and it would do real well in your area with 10-15 lb test, mine is a spinning rod 8'6" long, I use it for Salmon and steel head (live 6 hours from the ocean so not a lot of rock fishing for me) and definately stay away from Wal-Mart the rods they have are second rate. find a good outlet that guarantees the rods for normal use so if you have an oversized fish snap your rod you don't have to buy a replacement. The Berkley rods I have used and seen are a dream, the Lamiglas rods are very nice, it all depends on how much $$$$ you want to spend, me I have little money for fishing gear so I try to buy what is practical and not the "BEST" name brands... heck I have seen rods go for over $300.00 for the name brands and I get as much performance out of my $60.00 rod. Good luck to ya and tight lines.;)
 
SHS, never take a girl fishing with you.

bitchstolemyfish8vd.jpg
 
imho the most important thing to take with ya when fishing (in the summer anyway) is plenty of ice cold budweiser lol.

in the winter hennesy, that 100 proof schnapps cant think of the name, or a good scotch is also a must have.........

i might go to port o'connor this weekend, a bud has a fishing boat and he's been bugging me to go, i like salt water fishing myself, last time we went out 50 miles and caught a lot of king fish. its almost like work though lol, and thats when ya dont get sick.
 
What to take for bass fishing for us has always been spinner baits, shad, earthworms and tiny crappie caught on crickets. For crappie fishing it's always crickets. Bag of Cheetos for me and I still like a Zebco 33 , not like my fishing buddy who has to have all the new fishing rods and reels.:rolleyes: :D
 
A good rule of thumb...
If you are moving your lure with your reel (spnbt, bzzbt, crankbt) use a softer, more flexible rod.
If you are moving your lure with the rod, use a stiffer, faster rod for add'l feel and hooksetting power (plastic worm, jigs with weedguards).

My spinnerbait rod is a BassPro ProComp. I think it is a graphite/glass composite, could be all glass. It is alot more forgiving than the Shimano & Lightning rod worm and sluggo sticks.
 
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