2023 Fishing Thread

[casts_by_fly]

I don't think you can. I just checked mine (early 80's era and looks just like the one above except its stren and not trilene) and there is no cutout for a handle. That said, for the purposes you're talking (new fishers who don't have engrained habits) I wouldn't pay a premium for ambidextrous. Make them learn it the proper way.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I don't think you can. I just checked mine (early 80's era and looks just like the one above except its stren and not trilene) and there is no cutout for a handle. That said, for the purposes you're talking (new fishers who don't have engrained habits) I wouldn't pay a premium for ambidextrous. Make them learn it the proper way.

Confession time...

I grew up with a spinning rod inshore and surf fishing the gulf coast, and didn't learn to throw a baitcaster until a couple of years ago. I now own 3 swedish ambassadeurs and a tatula...and they're all left handed models. I can't understand for the life of me why you'd cast and then swap hands to reel, especially if you're actively fishing and are gonna do it thousands of times in a day.

Sucks they're not reversable. That changes my whole outlook. How good/bad are the new upper-end zebcos? The omegas and the bullets and the platinum model 33?

 

[arrow30]

i dont think the ones i started on when i was a kid were. my dad used them, they were the best of the best back in those days. every bank fisherman used them. the old ones had a big screw that locked the caps on. then they went to twist on caps. the drags were never very good. and a oversized handle was always better i thought, (after market). you could cast a blob of chicken livers with no sinkers pretty good with them , untill you caught a big one and the line would cut into the spool and hangup on the next cast.

 

[arrow30]

il add the old ones were all metal .

 

[casts_by_fly]

il add the old ones were all metal .

Yep. Much like the old ambassadeurs, the all metal zebcos are infinitely repairable and durable. I have two downstairs and they will outlive me. I started fishing on these two when I was 6 or so and we'd go to the ponds. I picked up a baitcaster a few years later and never went back for bass. When our friend's daughter got interested in fishing I asked my dad to dig these two out so I had an easy setup. The first time I took her and her sister, I had to grab my two spinning reels, one of which was a shimano stella. You can imagine how I felt about a 7 year old fishing a stella on an ultralight near a busy walking path in a park.

 

[casts_by_fly]

Confession time...

I grew up with a spinning rod inshore and surf fishing the gulf coast, and didn't learn to throw a baitcaster until a couple of years ago. I now own 3 swedish ambassadeurs and a tatula...and they're all left handed models. I can't understand for the life of me why you'd cast and then swap hands to reel, especially if you're actively fishing and are gonna do it thousands of times in a day.

Sucks they're not reversable. That changes my whole outlook. How good/bad are the new upper-end zebcos? The omegas and the bullets and the platinum model 33?

I'm best casting with my right hand. I'm best reeling with my right hand. I could probably swap to a left hand baitcaster, but its so engrained since that's how I started. I cast right and reel left with a spinning rod. I think the more odd bit would be holding the baitcaster in my right hand. That's just wrong to me... Then again, I've been doing it this way for 30+ years now so I think its engrained habit.

 

[BTaylor]

I'm best casting with my right hand. I'm best reeling with my right hand. I could probably swap to a left hand baitcaster, but its so engrained since that's how I started. I cast right and reel left with a spinning rod. I think the more odd bit would be holding the baitcaster in my right hand. That's just wrong to me... Then again, I've been doing it this way for 30+ years now so I think its engrained habit.

I completely get where you and @Nutterbuster are both coming from re: baitcasters. I muddy it up one more step...I pitch, flip and short roll cast with my left hand and always reel right. Move the target out to casting distance though and it is cast right/reel right, lol. Guess I'm kindadextrous.

 

[BTaylor]

@Nutterbuster next time I am over to see Mother, I will check to see if we have any of the old zebco's over there. Dad had a pile of old rods and reels and I am guessing there are 1 or 2. You are welcome to them if they are still there.

 

[casts_by_fly]

I completely get where you and @Nutterbuster are both coming from re: baitcasters. I muddy it up one more step...I pitch, flip and short roll cast with my left hand and always reel right. Move the target out to casting distance though and it is cast right/reel right, lol. Guess I'm kindadextrous.

I’ve been practicing pitching with my left hand in the rod. I can do it a little. Mostly it’s for speed purposes. If I’m pitching a spot and need to get back in quickly, not swapping hands will be quicker. It mostly doesn’t matter but every now and then…

 

[thedutchtouch]

The heck with changing hands! Lefty here, grew up on spinning reels, so bought a few righty baitcasters. Not too fond of them, likely because I just don't have as much experience and birds nests suck lol. I'm a penn and an uglystik fan

 

[Andrew920]

Anyone fish from a kayak? My buddies have been trying to talk me into one. If I’m honest seems like the saddle of the fishing
World. This is what they’ve got me looking at.

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[kyler1945]

I cast and reel with my right hand. I’ve caught more fish than most fisherman will in their lifetime. Still had time to drink beer, run trolling motor, and point out to you I’ve caught more fish than you that day.

It may have something to do with growing up places with more fish than water for em to swim in.

But still. I do it and I’m proud of it.

I also bat left handed and throw right handed. Deal with it.

 

[thedutchtouch]

Anyone fish from a kayak? My buddies have been trying to talk me into one. If I’m honest seems like the saddle of the fishing
World. This is what they’ve got me looking at.

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I do, I have an older hobie outback, 2013ish, so I have reverse but not the fancy 360 drive. Whatever brand you get, pedal kayaks are more expensive and heavier but hands down (see what I did there?) It's the best way to kayak fish. I prefer the outbacks because you can feather the paddles up forward the hull and still go into skinnier water, some of the prop driven varieties (which I believe the old town is) are constant depth so just a slight different to watch out for. Either way I still pull the drive out before beaching.

 

[Andrew920]

I do, I have an older hobie outback, 2013ish, so I have reverse but not the fancy 360 drive. Whatever brand you get, pedal kayaks are more expensive and heavier but hands down (see what I did there?) It's the best way to kayak fish. I prefer the outbacks because you can feather the paddles up forward the hull and still go into skinnier water, some of the prop driven varieties (which I believe the old town is) are constant depth so just a slight different to watch out for. Either way I still pull the drive out before beaching.

My thought is that it’s better to buy a kayak than a boat. I haven’t fished much since I was a kid. Seems like this has less maintenance, costs less, and is easier to bounce around to different spots than a boat.
I’m probably just trying to justify another expensive hobby, but seems like I might enjoy it.
Plus I could use it to access places to hunt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk hi

 

[Nutterbuster]

My thought is that it’s better to buy a kayak than a boat. I haven’t fished much since I was a kid. Seems like this has less maintenance, costs less, and is easier to bounce around to different spots than a boat.
I’m probably just trying to justify another expensive hobby, but seems like I might enjoy it.


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A kayak is much less fishable than a boat. Maintenance for my 1436 with a 9.9hp merc this year cost me $200. I can run 15-20mph in it and stand or sit to cast. Can fish solo or with the dog or wife.

The only way a kayak is practical is if you don't have money for a boat, don't have a place to store a boat, or want to fish somewhere you can't back a trailer.

 

[thedutchtouch]

My thought is that it’s better to buy a kayak than a boat. I haven’t fished much since I was a kid. Seems like this has less maintenance, costs less, and is easier to bounce around to different spots than a boat.
I’m probably just trying to justify another expensive hobby, but seems like I might enjoy it.


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If it's about ease of use, I've been told (and found to be true) that the easier to use the craft, the more you use it. If you have a vehicle that makes moving the kayak efficient, you'll probably use it more than a boat. That hinges on the loading/unloading though, these kayaks can be 80+ lbs, so not the most fun to cartop.

If you have easy access to a boat ramp and a tow vehicle, the boat may be a better choice.

Consider your water conditions as well. A kayak gets you into skinnier water than a boat if that matters to your type(s) of fishing/fishing access

 

[thedutchtouch]

A kayak is much less fishable than a boat. Maintenance for my 1436 with a 9.9hp merc this year cost me $200. I can run 15-20mph in it and stand or sit to cast. Can fish solo or with the dog or wife.

The only way a kayak is practical is if you don't have money for a boat, don't have a place to store a boat, or want to fish somewhere you can't back a trailer.

but I have all 3 of those (well technically I have a boat, my 12' Jon boat has spent the last few years under the porch), still prefer the kayak/believe it to be more practical. It depends, they excel in different and only ever so slightly overlapping areas

 

[Nutterbuster]

but I have all 3 of those (well technically I have a boat, my 12' Jon boat has spent the last few years under the porch), still prefer the kayak/believe it to be more practical. It depends, they excel in different and only ever so slightly overlapping areas

Just to clarify, you've owned and used a boat, motor, and trailer combo, and prefer a kayak?

My fishing time went up exponentially after I bought my first "real" boat. I still own kayaks and canoes. But the only way I fish out of one is for kicks, because I'm canoeing and brought a rod to kill time, or to fish somewhere I can't trailer

 

[Andrew920]

A kayak is much less fishable than a boat. Maintenance for my 1436 with a 9.9hp merc this year cost me $200. I can run 15-20mph in it and stand or sit to cast. Can fish solo or with the dog or wife.

The only way a kayak is practical is if you don't have money for a boat, don't have a place to store a boat, or want to fish somewhere you can't back a trailer.

Where I live, is small lakes(for Michigan), and rivers. I have access to two larger bodies of water because of family owned properties.

I was looking at the kayak as something to use on my days off around my house instead of having to drive an hour to drop a boat in the water. My truck would pull a boat or a kayak.

I think you brought up some good points though and that’s why I brought it up here. Gives me some things to consider before buying either.


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[Gator]

Just to clarify, you've owned and used a boat, motor, and trailer combo, and prefer a kayaktrailer

Absolutely yes! Not to mention all the ponds I fish that don’t have boat ramps.

Still own my boat. 1548 with 20hp outboard


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