Conference wahoo::fishing

    These things have been covered in other notes but, what the heck... 

    Reels: ABU/Garcia or Quantum, for the lifetime warranty.          
    (I love my Shimano BMP150X, but I sure wish it had the lifetime warranty.)
                                                                      
    Rods: `stick' with the major manufacturers graphite and boron       
                                                                 
    Lures: wide open... but there's nothing like a topwater at night!
                                                            
    Boats: from a canoe to a ranger, it's only a matter of how much you
    want to spend...                             
                                                 
    Don Mac                                      
                                                 

    I took Ron's tip in the 4-sale note and went up to Sapg's and bought
    one of the Shimano TX series graphite spinning reels for $16.50 and the
    graphite and titanium rod to go with it for $22.50.  Unreal prices
    for both items.  The reel has the quick-fire bail,
    programmable/fightin' drag and reverseable handle.  Nice reel. 
    All the rods were the same price from the shorter ones right on
    up to the seven footer.  
    
    I have an Ugly-Stick and love it.  -Very- sensitive and I don't
    see how you could ever break it short of slamming the trunk lid
    on it.  But the ugly stick doesn't come as cheap as the Shimano
    that's on sale at Spag's.   

    Like anyone else, I have my opinion about all the equipment out
    there for sale. Mainly I think its a personnal thing. If YOU like
    it, buy it, if you don't, don't. One thing I feel is true. If you
    are comfortable with your gear, and feel good about the lure you
    are using, you are going to catch more fish than if the oposite
    is true. Sometimes the good feeling comes from anothers success.
    
    Example. I have an Ugly Stick spinning rod. I hardly ever use it
    because its to heavy for me to throw for any length of time. I get
    to tired when I use it, therefore I don't. All my other rods are boron.
    Light, easy to use, and I can toss them all day without getting
    the least bit tired (except normal wearout). I just feel better
    using them. Same thing goes for reels. All my reels are light weight
    so as not to tire me out. Combined, my outfits are about a pound
    or so. That works for me. It might not work for anyone else.
    
    Go with what feels good to you and you have confidence in. I think
    you will catch more fish that way.....

    Of course, opinion/advice is, including this, free. Sometimes that is
    what its worth.
    
    Some new lures I have had some success with include Dances Eel,
    and the rebel crawdad. I have yet to get a fish on a Rapala Shad
    Rap. That was the hot lure two years ago. New ones that I have invested
    in this year, include the +20 Pig from Mann and the Pop-in-R from
    Rebel. The Pop... is really an old lure that has found a great deal
    of favor with the pros this past year and has been re-released.
    They just keep sucking me in and in and in and in.................:^)
    
    ABU reels.....my favorite. Don't agree with Don Mac. I don't like
    the Quantum reels at all. That makes for horse races...........
    Shimano.....great spinning reels, lousy bait casters. Diawa., okay.
    Mitchell...forget it. Poor Quality. Use to be one of best. Penn
    has suffered some in last years, but making a strong comeback. Still
    one of the best saltwater reels around for the price. Never could
    afford a Nor-Fin:^(
    
    Remember, this is FREE. And worth every penny;^)
    
    Tight lines, Ron
    
     

    Well, Ron is right about one thing (for a change... ha ha)...to
    each his own!  I own two baitcasting reels, a Shimano Magnumlite
    GTX2000 (?) and an older ABU 6000.  I used the Shimano very little
    last year because I really didn't know how to use it properly. Now
    that I do, I just need to practice.  I've had the ABU about 8 years
    and almost never used it, however, since Rick Palmer told me how
    to convert it into a flippin reel (by removing a couple of springs),
    I plan on using it this year on a 7.5' rod.
    
    As far as quality...the Shimano baitcaster has worked flawlessly
    and the ABU 6000...well, despite it's age, it's still practically
    brand new.  My spinning reel is a Shakespear 2400-040 with qwik-fire
    bail.  Aside from taking forever to get a replacement bail spring
    last year (I called all over the country for them), I love the reel.
    I also just picked up a new Quantum QMG-20 spinning reel but really
    haven't used it.  It looks nice and the feedback I've had from others
    is that they make a good reel with an excellent drag system.
    
    Rods..
    
    Along with the Quantum reel, I picked up their new Quartz Transmitter
    6.5' rod.  Again, I haven't used it but it's light in weight, has
    a good backbone and appears to have nice action.  My other rods
    are Shimano (6' spinning and 5.5' bait casting).  I really like
    them.  
    
    Well...so much for the gear.  Like Ron said, it's a personal thing.
    I personally don't like the Ugly Stiks...wouldn't use it if you
    gave me one.  Too heavy...don't like the action.  Other gear...I
    dunno...I'd have to try em first.
    
    -HoleShot Joe-  (anyone_seen_open_water_yet?)
                          

    
    
    	Still can't get used to those quik-fire reels, I don't like
    how they back sping 3/4 of a turn when you try and set the hook
    and your not careful, quess I'm just set in my ways, still love
    my Mitchell 301.........................
    
    
    							JjL
    

    re: quick fire/cast reels
    
    	I like the quick cast feature on reels. Once you get used to
    it, it's not bad. About the 3/4 turn snap back when hook setting,
    one thing you may want to try is back reeling instead of using the
    drag. I just started doing it late last year and hope to perfect
    it this year. Once you get used to this, it will not only give you
    more control over playing a fish, it will also eliminate the problem
    you mentioned as your hand is always controling the handle.
    
    	Regarding tackle, I have a 5'6" quantum Q-stick bait casting
    rod on PR35 (I think) Daiwa bait caster. I'm still trying to get
    the hang of it but I'm coming along. I have the Medium action Q-stick
    but would recommend the Medium/light instead. The Medium has more
    backbone than you need and gives up a little sensitivity because
    of it. I also have a Shakespear spinning reel (forgot model #) with
    the quick cast on a six foot Zebco boron pole with cork grips. I
    can't say enough about boron. It's light and sensitive.
    	This year I'm going to get a Daiwa 1355 with a Kunan kevlar
    rod. I've heard nothing but good about kevlar so I figured I'd give
    it a shot. Maybe someone else can elaborate on the Kunan kevlar.
    
    RAYJ 

    On the quick cast... I have 2 Quantum QMD20 spinning reels, one
    with the quick cast and one without.  I used the q/c for the first
    time yesterday [that's right boys and girls, I had the canoe on
    the Merrimack yesterday, didn't catch anything, but it was 50 degrees
    and lots of fun! today it's 30 and snowing 8^(...]  Anyway, I noticed
    very little difference between the 2, and seldom used the q/c feature.
    The one QMD20 that I used last year worked great, `reel' smooth
    and *consistant* drag.
    
    On baitcasters... A year ago today I picked up a Shimano baitcaster,
    worked fine for a few months, then a couple of things started screwing
    up on it, sent it back to get fixed, a month later I got it back
    and it broke a week or so later... I took it back to Service
    Merchandise and demanded a new replacement, they gave me a new one,
    which has worked fine.  But, my next baitcaster will be an ABU or
    Quantum.
    
    rods... One QMD20 spiining reel is on a 6' Fenwick the other's on a 
    6' Shimano, both graphite, both real nice.  My Shimano baitcaster
    is on a Shimano Karate Stick, 6.5', this is my favorite setup.

    I've never tried a Kevlar(sp?) but I have tried one of "Ranger Ron's"
    boron jobs, talk about sensitive! Real nice stuff.
    
    I also have a 7' heavy duty spinning setup that I picked up for last
    year's "Honeymoon Hawg'n" Florida trip, I use it for flip'n in heavy 
    cover around here and for light surfcasting.

    Don Mac

    	I've owned 2 754 cardinals, 752 cardinal, a daiwa and a shakespeare
    all with fast cast bails. The fast cast levers on all the models
    broke down within VERY short periods of time. I've since switched
    back to models without the fast-cast operation. Right now I use
    a 752 cardinal for my light fishing and a quantum qmd40 for the
    heavy fishing. the qmd40 is on a boron rod and the cardinal is on
    a graphite. both rods are 5' 6". I prefer the shorter stiffer rods
    as i find it makes for better casting accuracy. This year i've picked
    up my first baitcaster and hope to start practicing with it soon.
    	Equipment all boils down to what type of fishing you're going
    to be doing, and how comfortable you feel using it.
    
    Denny

    Since this is the lastest note on equipment, I'd thought I'd mention
    that KMART has just about there entire fishing line on sale this
    week.  Lures, reels, rods and tackle boxes can be picked up at
    reasonable prices.  Yesterday, I picked up a nice Plano tackle box 
    for $19.99 marked down from $25.99.
    
    Mike_L

    RE:.9
    I noticed a funny thing about Kmart; even though the spring fishing
    sale is nationwide, each store tends to carry different tackle.
    I made the rounds saturday to 3 Kmarts in a 10 mile radius and saw
    quite a variety.  Ended up buying sundry items (spinners, spinnerbaits
    and a couple more crankbaits).
         
    RE: favorite gear.
    I just got comfortable late last season with an ABU 4000 baitcaster
    on a 5'6 Berkely Cherrywood composite.  The reel is well made and
    operates smoothly, the rod is a good match.  My spinning is done
    with a Ryobi MG series ultralight on a 6' Berkely Lightning Rod.
    This rod is light, flexible and strong.  The reel is probably too
    light for the rod, though.  For Christmas, I got a Daiwa minispin
    system; a 4 piece graphite rod and ultralight reel in a plastic
    case that conveniently fits into my briefcase (oughta keep the wife
    and boss [2 different people ;-)] guessing).  I have a Shimano
    Baitrunner reel on backorder at Fishn Shack.  I'm gonna wait til
    it arrives before I try to match it to a rod.
    
    Steve

                              <cabela's rod>
      I bought a cabela mag touch rod with a exposed blank on your finger
    tips.It seems to be very sensitive and strong.Its a 6 foot medium
    action rod and is very light "11 onces"I think,maybe lighter.A shimano
    bkm201 baitcasting reel.this to me is a excilent setup.price around
    a hundred including tax.to me a good set up should be light,strong
    and most important sensitive.
                                 see you on the water.

                                                      creator of tobacc
    
    

        DOSE ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SHIMANO 6:1 BAIT CASTER ?!!                ///////////////////////////////////////////////
    
    

Since we're discussing rods and reels here, how's about the string that
    holds everything together. (All puns definitely intended)
    
    Mainly I use Ande (clear) in tests ranging from 10# up to ~20#.
    This serves me vry well in the surf and from boats, whether plugging
    or drowning worms. The one draw back with regular Ande is the tendency
    to resemble a coil spring in cold weather. Overall, Ande seems to
    give the best bang for the buck (1/4 lb spool for about $5-6)
    
    In tests lighter than 10# I usually go with Stren (clear/blue).
    What can I say about this stuff that DuPont hasn't?
    
    A major dislike is Trilene - I have found this to hold only slightly
    better than the blue stuff with the K_Mart label.
    
    Tonight I will be filling up a reel with Shakespeare SIGMA 15#.
    This will get a try over the weekend - will report back.
    

    I've used most all the popular lines except some of the more expensive
    lines like Prime, and I've been most satisfied with the Shakespear
    Sigma lines.  I've found that the diameter of Stren is larger which
    makes it tougher to cast.  When fishing with rubber worms, I also
    found that Stren and Trilene had a tendancy to twist much more than
    the Sigma line.  My second choice, however, is Trilene XL.
    
    I've heard both good and bad about Prime.  WHo's used it and what's
    been your experience?  
    
    -Joe-

    Prime has both good and bad qualities, but don't they all? I used
    it all last year and also use Berkley's TriMax. The plus comes in
    the very low stretch when setting a hook. It works....... 
    The bad is in the delamenating of the co-filament. You have to check
    for this and replace the line. Since I replace it often anyways,
    it doesn't bother me as much as it might someone that wants the
    line to last all season (or two weeks, for that matter).
    
    Bottom line, they are better than anything else I have used, and
    I don't use anything else anymore. They do work as advertised, as
    far as my experience can tell.
    
    If I wasn't going to use these, I'd recommend Stren to anyone that
    asked. I used it for years, and have tried all the others. It is
    still the best for "tough" bass fishing. Doesn't nick and has a
    good limpness when you go into the heavy stuff. I lost to many with
    Trilene to keep using it (all world records not with-standing).
    I just think that Stren is tougher. But the low stretch of the Prime
    and TriMax, plus being tough enough is a major plus. Now please
    remember that I'm talking bass fishing in heavy cover. For other
    fish, and different circumstances, the other lines would probably
    work as well.
    
    While I'm talking line, let me mention line 'color'. Clear line
    is almost a must in Spring, along with light weight. Spring fish
    will spook easily, and line will do it, if they can see it. I
    personally hate Trilene 'green.' Unless the water is muddy as all
    get out, it spooks fish more than anyother color I know. Stren in
    the blue/clear flouresent is a good compromise for clear to stained
    water. But in clear spring water, clear is still the best I think.
    
    Tight lines, Ron (two_weeks_and_counting_to_fishing_down_south)

    I read a product review of Prime in a magazine over the winter and
    the reviewer raved about the product in the larger sizes ( > 10 lbs)
    but was dissatisfied with it in the smaller lb test.  I can't recall
    his specific complaint.
    
    Another vote for Stren here.  As much as I like my Berkley rods,
    I can't say I feel the same way about their line.  I have had a
    serious problem with line twist in Trilene that I don't find in
    comparable sizes Stren ( I used 4 lb more than anything else).
                                   
    Steve

    My vote goes to Trilene XL		Don Mac

    	I've had good luck with both Stren and Trilene XL. I also tried
    some cheap K-mart special type line and surprisingly, I had good
    results with that. I caught a 4 lb. smallmouth using K-mart 6 lb.
    test. Granted there wasn't a lot of weeds, but I also pulled lots
    of 2-3 lb. largemouths out of tight spots with it.
    	I went to Zyla's yesterday to pick up an outfit. I was going
    to get a 6' Kunan kevlar rod with a Daiwa GT1355. I wound up with
    neither. Zyla's is dropping the Daiwa line of reels. They claim the 
    Shakespere, Zebco, Quantum, and Shimano are better reels for the
    money. Notice he did not say they were poor quality. At any rate, I
    picked up a Zebco PMG20 for $17. It's in the upper end of the
    ultra-light size range. The quick cast on it felt extremely smooth 
    (smoother than the Shakespere Daiwa, and the Shimano). It also had
    another interesting feature. It has no anti-reverse, silent
    anti-reverse, and traditional anti-reverse. This will eliminate that 
    possibility of the 3/4 spin of the spool when setting the hook, if 
    its on the traditional anti-reverse position.
    	The Kunan rods that they had were graphite, not kevlar. I
    distinctly remember a Kunan kevlar and the action it had. The graphite
    ones were to stiff. I think I may go with a Master C 6' 2-piece
    boron rod. I like a rod that is light, reasonably stiff, and has
    a whippy tip (the last 6-9" of the rod tip). The Master C is like
    this and it is not that expensive (about $20).

    RAYJ_who'll_be_at_K-mart_for_lunch

    I picked up a new Quantum outfit yesterday, the top of the line
    baitcaster QD1610 and a 5'9" med/hev Quantum Transmitter rod. 
    'Reel' ancious to try this one out!  It has the flip'n switch and
    thumbar 'quickcast', two features that I think will be 'reel' handy.
    
    The wife made me sign a paper saying that I would not buy another rod 
    or reel of any kind for at least one year!!!  I guess I shouldn't
    complain, that made 3 new outfits in the last few weeks!  

    Don Mac 	_wait'n_for_his_flashy_new_Quantum_jacket_

    	I have the same rod you just picked up but in a medium action.
    I wish now that I could have found the med/light action. My rod
    is sensitive if you use a 1/2 ounce and up lure, but below that
    weight I've used better rods.
    
    RAYJ
    
    BTW - If anybody has the med/light and they want to trade for a
    medium, let me know. 

    Ray, are you referring to the 5'6" Q-Stick that you mentioned earlier?
    If so, I believe this is a different series.  The one that I got is the
    Quartz Transmitter (2 actual quartz crytsals in the blank above
    the handle to increase sensitvity, I'd guess that they's amplify the 
    vibrations).  Also, this is a 5'9" rod, it doesn't have the pistol
    grip, is has the long grip, like my 6'6" Shimano Karate stick. 
    It's definitley med/heavy, it feels like it'll have more backbone
    than the Karate stick, and also feels more sensitive.

    Don Mac

    I'd like to pursue the subject of line color some more and ask for
anyone's experience with this.  As of now, I am using Trilene XT
clear in the heavier tests on my trolling reels.  On my lighter
spinning reels, I've been using Stren clear.  I often bait fish for
trout from shore using the lighter spinning reels/line.  When the
fishing is sloooowwww, I often leave one line out and start moving
around and tossing out some lures.  After walking a few yards from
my bait line, it becomes very difficult to impossible to see the line
and observe any pickups.  My solution to this is why not use Stren Gold?
That stuff can be seen a mile away (outside the water)!  I'm bothered
though by how visible is it in the water by those sensitive, finicky
trout?  If I recall correctly, Stren says the color changes (don't they
all) underneath the water.  So what does anyone think about this or
has anyone used the gold line and what's their experience with it?
As of now, I'm thinking about trying it only for the ease of my seeing
the line at a distance.
                                                           
A-recovering-angler-Steve

<As of now, I'm thinking about trying it only for the ease of my seeing
<the line at a distance.

	How's 'bout taking a hint from the fly fishers and tie a 9' leader
of the stuff that no one can see to the yellow stuff that Stevie Wonder
and Ronnie Milsap use.  As you replace terminal tackle you'll use up the 
lower footage, but when it get's too short tie on another 9' piece.


				Al

    re:21
    	Yep, your right. I know what rod your talking about now. I picked
    one up to see how it felt at K-mart. I didn't notice if the one
    I picked up was med. or med/hvy. Your also right about mine. I do
    have the Q-stick and my medium feels like other med/hvy's that I've
    tried.
    	As I remember, the Quantum transmitters were fairly expensive,
    but not outragously so.
    
    RAYJ 

    It wasn't too expensive, $38.  That's not bad at all, if it performs
    like I think it will.   The *reel* was expensive, $70.  I could have   
    got the reel for a few bucks less from BassPro, but the shipping     
    charges would have brought it up to just about what I paid at Zyla's.  

    Don Mac	_who'll_be_on_the_Merrimack_tomorrow_trying_the_new_equip_

    Big O -- everything hits it! 
    
    	by Cordel

    Re: .23
    
    Thanks for the suggestion Al.  Leaders certainly aren't foreign
    to me.  I use them trolling as well as with a slip sinker arrangement.
    I was really trying to hear some opinions on line colors and why
    one might believe one might be better than another under certain
    circumstances.  I'll be doing some experimenting with this this
    season.  
    
    Steve

re: .22
	Steve,
	   Just by coincidence in the issue of BASSIN' magazine I got last
	night a guy wrote into the HELP column asking the same question about
	the Stren Gold.  Bearing in mind that this is a Bass magazine and that
	bass are less 'line shy' than trout, the response was two fold.  One
	is that experiments have shown the line color is not a major factor
	to bass and two the line has been around a long time and if it didn't
	work it wouldn't sell and therefore would no longer be offered.

	The bottom line from the columnist was go ahead and use it and don't
	worry bass being scared off by the yaller line.

						Al

    
    Prime is great if you troll...  Isn,t worth a damn if use a baitcaster
    setup..  The line is too stiff and gives many backlashes when you
    cast...  My personal preferences are :
        1- garcia playtel  -  very soft, little twisting, good w/ knots
        2- dupont stren    -  4 to 12 lb test - good casting
        3- ande            -  12 to 40 lb test - v. hi abrasion resistance
                              excellent salt water line
        4- shakesphere sigma - v good all around line
    
    
    Tight whatever,
    
    

    ex
    
    

    
    	I didn't know where to put this information, so I figured this
    	was as good a spot as any.
    	Spag's is having a sale this week on Shakespear trolling motors,
    	specifically the 25 lb. thrust for $99.00. I have a 30lbe I
    	paid 170.00 for and thought I got a good deal. I love the motor
    	which has plenty of go for my little 12 foot. I don't remember
    	when the sale ends, but this is a good deal for anyone buying
    	or thinking of buying an electric.
    
    							Steve