• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

2023 Fishing Thread

Just like saddle hunting.. Maybe I should start the Fishing support thread as well..
Like everyone else said. Depends how your gonna fish and where. Certain things are better at things than others. Like everything you want it to be enjoyable. Broken rods or continuous messed up reels shorten the fun. If someone makes a reel line combo that operates flawless all the time please let me know. I'd get one of those. Take some kids fishing and most of my day is baiting hooks and un tangling lines. Which is part of the experience. Better than work.
@DelaWhere_Arrow if your gonna be fishing with your buddy, than you may be fishing how he likes to fish. Which if your catching fish and having fun that's great. If you venture into your own stuff you will probably start leaning towards other stuff.
How and what is he fishing for?

Most in land fish don't require big rods and reels. They are heavier, and fatigue the hands fast. What ever you get if you enjoy it will not be the only rod and reel set up you have.
Like hunting you can get it done with a minimal setup. I have seen old timers come in with a pile of pan fish and a cane pole.
I don't use the same rod tossing spoons and spinners for pike as i do small jig with minnows for other stuff. I also don't use a fancy rod and reel to watch a bobber with bait bounce around.
So there could be some truth to letting you buddy pick something out if you plan to fish with him for a while. But even like hunting. Some days it just doesn't work and you gotta try something else..
 
Horn said:
I'm looking at an UL set up , no plans to catch big fish. How are y'all picking the length out? Like like the last few posts recommend between 5'6" and 7'
Click to expand...
What are you planning to do? And fish from where? Qualify that some more.
 
thedutchtouch said:
Check out the pfleuger president (edit: or daiwa regal like suggested above) reels. Good intersection of cost and quality, and on sale for basically the same price point at the moment at Bass pro.

The medium gx2 is a fine starter rod, I have one, it's a bit dull/stiff feeling for smaller fish, but it will still work, and if they get a lot bigger it can handle pretty much any fish you throw at it. Sorry if I missed it and you said this already, are you going to be mainly bass fishing? Then go for it. If you're going to pan fish I'd get a light or ultralight rod, both because it's more fun, and because it'll be easier to cast the smaller lures. Don't worry about fighting "too big" of a fish on a light action rod, for the gx2 it's super unlikely you'd break the rod itself, it'll just bend over more (and be more fun). Fighting a bigger fish is more about the drag on the reel being matched to the weight of the line, and knowing when to crank the fish in and when to let it run (experience).
Click to expand...
Horn said:
I was wondering what you're after too @DelaWhere_Arrow . Seems we're on parallel paths.

y'all would this guy that grew up on a lake in an area with a ton of lakes would know something about fishing, but you'd be wrong :sweatsmile:
Click to expand...
Lol @Horn I’m with you dog, grew up 5m from a hot fly fishing and surf fishing area, with Italian and New England fishermen in my DNA pool, and still no clue what I’m doing when I go fishing once every 5-10 years lol.

Anyway, to answer @thedutchtouch and you more clearly, I have a 3/4-acre lake on our property that is stocked (by a previous owner) with a ton of bass (I believe largemouth), bluegill, some crappie, and I think he said perch but I can’t confirm that as nobody has pulled one from the lake yet. I know many of the bass are quite big (the one I caught was probably around 16” and the last two I saw from guests who fished were similar in length) and they don’t get fished much at all.

Goals: I would like to take my daughters up there and competently wet a line from the banks or our kayaks, have something to do other than sit on a zero-turn in the spring and summer when I’m drooling over velvet bucks, and maybe have SOMETHING in common interest with my father-in-law for the first time in 14 years. I also live within a short drive of several public fishing locations and some of my wife’s relatives have private ponds and streams on their properties as well.
Long-term goals: take the family river and surf fishing when I visit DE.

I’m not looking to be the next Jimmy Rapala :tonguewink: just looking to expand my horizons outdoors.
 
MattMan81 said:
Just like saddle hunting.. Maybe I should start the Fishing support thread as well..
Like everyone else said. Depends how your gonna fish and where. Certain things are better at things than others. Like everything you want it to be enjoyable. Broken rods or continuous messed up reels shorten the fun. If someone makes a reel line combo that operates flawless all the time please let me know. I'd get one of those. Take some kids fishing and most of my day is baiting hooks and un tangling lines. Which is part of the experience. Better than work.
@DelaWhere_Arrow if your gonna be fishing with your buddy, than you may be fishing how he likes to fish. Which if your catching fish and having fun that's great. If you venture into your own stuff you will probably start leaning towards other stuff.
How and what is he fishing for?

Most in land fish don't require big rods and reels. They are heavier, and fatigue the hands fast. What ever you get if you enjoy it will not be the only rod and reel set up you have.
Like hunting you can get it done with a minimal setup. I have seen old timers come in with a pile of pan fish and a cane pole.
I don't use the same rod tossing spoons and spinners for pike as i do small jig with minnows for other stuff. I also don't use a fancy rod and reel to watch a bobber with bait bounce around.
So there could be some truth to letting you buddy pick something out if you plan to fish with him for a while. But even like hunting. Some days it just doesn't work and you gotta try something else..
Click to expand...
He fishes the lake on my property, for funsies mostly. And some local water holes and streams. So we’d be fishing the same way ANYway, at least to start. But I get your point and I think it warrants contemplating, which is why I haven’t actually bought anything yet.
Also, you wrote at least half a dozen terms I didn’t understand, so I’m REALLY a noob!
 
MattMan81 said:
What are you planning to do? And fish from where? Qualify that some more.
Click to expand...
hokiehunter373 said:
Panfish? Trout? Bass? Budget?
Click to expand...
I'm going to try trout fishing this year, I live near a decent river I hear. Other than that panfish, walleye and perch. I don't think my plan will cover all that, or one set up. I'll either be shore/ bank fishing or in a kayak, probably on small inland lakes for the yak.

Budget is negotiable, haha. I don't want to spend tons but a few hundred isn't unrealistic
 
Horn said:
I'm going to try trout fishing this year, I live near a decent river I hear. Other than that panfish, walleye and perch. I don't think my plan will cover all that, or one set up. I'll either be shore/ bank fishing or in a kayak, probably on small inland lakes for the yak.

Budget is negotiable, haha. I don't want to spend tons but a few hundred isn't unrealistic
Click to expand...
Best trout rods on the lower end I've found is to get one of these rods: https://www.fishusa.com/Okuma-Celil...jw3XGu32Ankgl6B4PCA104uSuec-PyChoCp_YQAvD_BwE with one of these reels (C20): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P1DT3W3/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

I've got 3 of these setups for myself and my kids and they are perfect. Rod is super sensitive. Reel is nice and smooth. I'll keep buying them until I want to spend more but see no reason to for how I fish.

Length of rod you need to decide for yourself based on your style of fishing and what tradeoffs you want. On a yak, you may want them to be shorter, for more maneuverability. On the bank, I prefer to have them longer, so I can cast farther. For the rods I mentioned above I have one that's 5'6" and two that are 6'6". They both get the job done. I'd get 6'6" for my first one if starting over.

You can easily catch panfish and perch on these rods as well. Walleye you'll need to be more patient but could certainly be done. It's all about the drag.
 
The medium rod will be fine, light rod will be better in my opinion. Really anything from 5-7 feet will be fine, longer rod usually gets you a slightly longer cast like @hokiehunter373 said. For on the kayak opinions will vary too, some people like a shorter rod so you can get to the fish/land it easier. I like a longer rod so I can more easily switch sides of the kayak when fighting the fish close to the boat, but I'm 6'2 so have relatively long arms.

Also the gx2 rods are a bit more... Noodle-y in terms of action than they are advertised. Totally fine for your pond (and may be a bit more forgiving with too-aggressive hook sets to be honest) they just won't be as precise to cast. For chucking bait/lures out in a pond and having a good time, they will work great, just don't expect to be expertly casting down a weed line like you see the pros do with their fancy rods. As you get to fish more you'll get a feeling for what you like in terms of the action and power of a rod. Power: how "strong" is the rod, action: how far from the tip does it bend. Don't worry about it too much at this point.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
He fishes the lake on my property, for funsies mostly. And some local water holes and streams. So we’d be fishing the same way ANYway, at least to start. But I get your point and I think it warrants contemplating, which is why I haven’t actually bought anything yet.
Also, you wrote at least half a dozen terms I didn’t understand, so I’m REALLY a noob!
Click to expand...
Ultra light poles are great. They are light and if the fish are just lightly bitting the bait, it is easier to feel. Cons are if you get snagged in weeds or rocks they have less power to get you free. They also can flex to much if your using something heavier and make the lure feel really heavy and dragging feeling.
A longer pole will usually give you ability to cast further. More sensitive. But it is also more to store, and manage. I like fishing a longer pole. But I don't like storing it and managing it.
Opposite kinda goes as you move up in the rod size. A medium action responds better with heavier lures and snags. Less responsive with lighter stuff. But it weighs more and more work to use it. Again I have found length helps with casting and feel. But you gotta store it and manage it.
UL would be a blast to catch most things in the great lake region. I wouldn't personally target salmon, cat fish, big Pike, musky or sturgeon with them. Have boated a few 20" plus bass with them. Takes a little more work. But it's fun.
If your never gonna worry about fitting it in a rod holder and storing it in a boat with a bunch of other stuff. I would go 6' for a fun factor. If your kids use it, I have found it adds some danger to me usually. I have had a rod tip in front of my face a few times. I wouldn't over think it to much. If you go to the store, hold em and get something that feels good in the hand. You can mix and match that way to. Maybe get the better reel. Not be limited to what they have unless you like it. I have never got to surf fish yet. But my understanding is that is a entirely different set up.
 
Get your kids a zebco dock demon or a Shakespeare dock runner. They are basically indestructible and perfect kid sized rods. Reels are meh but are 10000 times better than the kids/action figure/barbie rods, for very similar price.

www.sportsmans.com

Zebco Dock Demon Spinning Combo - 2ft 6in, Medium Power, 1pc

Zebco Dock Demon Spinning Combo - There’s a lot to like about this small but mighty rod and reel combo. The 30-inch solid fiberglass rod is virtually unbreakable and rigid enough to perform.
www.sportsmans.com www.sportsmans.com


I use my kids dock demons as pack rods/taking to the lake to bait fish for stocked trout rods regularly, or bring them along with the kids on the kayak to catfish. they are fun for adults too, just don't expect to cast too far. When catfishing I open the bail and chuck the weight/bait out by hand (mind the circle hook) and it works great.
 
I debated between Light and Medium but now you got me thinking Light or UL. You’re right, I should go actual shopping.
Btw I’m 5’7” and my kayak is a 9’ open-top. Pond has some cattails and weeds are a minor concern but muddy banks are a major concern so I figured 6’ rod would give me the reach I needed without having a damn spear to deal with, and wouldn’t want to go longer than maybe 6’6” unless it was really a great idea for some reason. I’m pretty strong so I don’t really care about doing work to land a fish, but I like efficiency over everything and don’t want to work too hard for something that’s supposed to be fun and generally mired with libations.
 
Last edited:
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
I debated between Light and Medium but now you got me thinking Light or UL. You’re right, I should go actual shopping.
Btw I’m 5’7” and my kayak is a 9’ open-top. Pond has some cattails and weeds are a minor concern but muddy banks are a major concern so I figured 6’ rod would give me the reach I needed without having a damn spear to deal with, and wouldn’t want to go longer than maybe 6’6” unless it was really a great idea for some reason. I’m pretty strong so I don’t really care about doing work to land a fish, but I like efficiency over everything and don’t want to work too hard for something that’s supposed to be fun and generally mired with libations.
Click to expand...
Get you a doodle sockin pole and git to work.
 
Leaning towards the Pfluger president xt that @thedutchtouch recommend. Seems like a good deal at $60 and in stock over at cabelas. Too bad I want to go to Muskegon and need to go to Kentwood and neither of those are anywhere near Grandville lol. Thinking 5.5-6.5 pole
 
Horn said:
I'm looking at an UL set up , no plans to catch big fish. How are y'all picking the length out? Like like the last few posts recommend between 5'6" and 7'
Click to expand...
I have a 5'6" and a 7' UL. I like them both, if I am going out all day with the intent to fish all day I take the 7'. If I am hiking around for trout, biking into this small hike in only lake near work, or just going for a little bit to get out of the office at lunch, I grab the 5'6". The longer rod is definitely useful, it's just kind of a pain in some of the spots I hike into.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top