[LancerReiNi]

I braved the weather today, even as it started snowing really bad to fish at Hempstead Lake. It was the biggest mistake I ever made Caught nothing, except maybe a cold. I found comfort that I wasn't the only lunatic there, I encounted a couple fishing for carp. I figured since winter has struck so suddenly, I'm left with no other option than to sit through winter and try and make the best of it. And learn a thing or two.

Here's the thing, I'd like some input or advice on what rigs to use and techniques, etc...

My arsenal:
a)2 rods both Ugly Stick; 1 is 6 ft and one is 9ft(I usually use this for Saltwater fishing)
b)2 reels; Shimano Spheros 6000FA & Shimano Spheros 4000FA
c)Lures: 1 Spin bait, 1 Spoon lure, 1 mid-dive lure

The fishing line I'm currently using is Fireline 6lbs.

I'll post later about what I've learned so far in the first 3/4 yr fishing. Now, I have to go shovel the snow out of my driveway.

 

[Lpbassman]

Lancer,
You have just opened up a HUGE (no not you John) can of worms.
You are going to get an opinion from EVERYONE on this site as to what rods, reels, lures and line to use. LOL
Personally, I think your 9 footer should be kept for your saltwater adventures as its a bit too much rod for bass fishing. What equipment you should have depends a lot on your budget and how much money you have or want to spend. I am a firm believer that you dont have to fish with a $250 or higher rod and reel combo to catch fish. For some one like yourself who is first starting out there are many good combos you can purchase, (Check out Bass Pro Shops) that will give you some decent equipment for well under $100.

You are going to need A LOT MORE THAN
1 spoon, 1 spiner bait and a med diving lure in your arsenel.
If you send me your full name and address (send me a private message on the board or email me at work, [email protected])
I will send you a good selection of assorted plastic worms that will help you get started. I might also have a rod and reel or two that I would sell cheap.

Now---get ready, cause you're gonna get a lot of replies for your request for advice.
And you thought bass fishing was going to be fun? LOL

 

[Wandy]

fishing question and spelling

Lancer,

There is a wealth of information available on the internet regarding bass fishing tackle and tactics. If you asked 'As a beginner how do I use crankbaits or what is a good place to start with plastics' would probably get you a great response. Try to narrow your focus.

Different times of year require different tactics and tackle. There are skills you will acquire as you fish more and more but you need a base from which to build on.

There are many fishing videos and books available that deal with general bass fishing to specific techniques such as dropshotting or flipping.

Try going out some days to learn one technique only. You may not catch any fish but you will learn some great lessons. I've heard that on certain days some techniques will not work. That is the day I will go out to try that specific technique. Every time you go out you should learn something new. It is a good rule for life as well.

 

[mjdel17]

Wandy....could not agree with you more!!

Jabass....as an actual bass fishing professional - 20 year Bassmaster trail competitor and Bassmaster University instructor, the very first thing I read from your post was "I am a bass Pro" followed by not really.

Unless your full time job after school is fishing tournaments, working with sponsors, making public appearances and other duties associated with this profession - please do not claim to be a "bass pro". Far too often is this term thrown around and sometimes it bothers me, having spent my entire life in this industry.

Please do not take this as a bashing, but rather some advise and guidence from someone who knows the industry. In traveling around the country, I meet many young anglers like yourself who aspire to become professional anglers. We need more like you, but not in the way you have demonstrated. Try to learn as much as you can from your bass club, read as much as you can about bass fishing, attend seminars if possible and do good in school. the business side of this sport is just as inportant if not more important than catching fish. There are several succesful tour anglers who make hardly any money because they do not have the sponsor support financially.

With all the new rule changes, payout increases and non-industry (non-indemic) sponsors coming into the game, it has never been a better time to be in this business. Your timing is good...take my advise and follow your dream.

Mikeyd

 

[Guest]

There are several succesful tour anglers who make hardly any money because they do not have the sponsor support financially.

Mike, how can one be successful in the sport w/o making money? Do you mean "successful" in the "satisfaction" of your profession? I do understand the concept that, $$$ is not the only thing to measure success. I am just curious, how many anglers "hardly make any money", make it as a bass angler? Is it the same situation as "career" minor league players? Your profession is one that I admire tremendously and it is one that I (we) really don't know the "real" behind the scenes stuff. W/O getting to personal, where would you say most of your income is derived from? Tx's, Seminars, sponsers, other job, ect., ???. I have read on here before that you ONLY are a competitive bass fisherman. I admittingly do not follow the bass tours, so I am not sure how you rank amongst your peers. If you would and care to, please come on here and let me (us) know how difficult it is to do what you do and more importantly explain how very difficult it really is! Continued success in all your endeavers!

 

[mjdel17]

Great point AKO...

This is certainly a unique business to be in. Many pros, myself included make an income from multiple options. Seminars, endorsement contracts from sponsors, tournament winnings etc. In my case much of my yearly income comes from seminars, endorsements and videos etc. I think this is the case with many other pro anglers as well.

Here is an example - to compete on the Bassmaster Tour for one year an angler can expect to incure expences including entry fees of about $30,000-$40.000. That meens that you have to make that much to be at a break even status before turning a profit. A savy pro can make that much in sponsor contracts, but you are still at a break even point - you better make some checks at tournaments. There are not many pros that constantly make a check. So they have to rely on sponsor income.

Aditionally the fishing industry has been blasted with new anglers and sponsorship dolars are harder to come by than when I got involved. I have been very fortunate that I have good sponsor support and also have a title non industry sponsor. Certainly the new additions to the sport are allowing organizations to increase payouts and offer incentives for more anglers to make more money in tournament winnings.

When I refered to successful I meant anglers who have had good seasons in terms of cashing checks but after expenses really did not make a whole lot of money. This is sometimes due to lack of sponsor financial support.

Thanks for the question
Mikeyd

 

[earthworm77]

Mike, I give you credit, it is a tough business.

 

[JOHN G]

Mike basically has to hustle....all the time! not an easy job for sure..... the downside, is that you may just hover in that "plane" or level forever....the upside, is , a day at work is going fishing many times! LOL.....

you have to REALLY love, I mean , really.......

 

[earthworm77]

John, agreed! Mike should where a Zuit suit and smoke a big Havana at his next seminar.

 

[mjdel17]

Your right about that John! For example I leave home on December 27 and do not come back until April!!! Not to mention all of the other travel involved.

Your also right that you can just hover in one place - I realized may years ago that it was very hard to make a living strictly from fishing tournaments. This is why I have so many things that revolve around the business. I still love the competition and if I have a good tournament or even win one some day that would be a huge bonus!

Still I would not trade doing this for anything.

Mikeyd

 

[Wild Bill]

Lancer,


Yup, I bet you froze when you went out.
During this coming winter, I suggest that you try to do as much fishing technique & tactic research that you can, and then try to apply and hone that info once the season opens again.
Read the archives of this site, as they are loaded with great info, especially the "Tackle and Fishng Tactics" section.
Many other sites offer a wealth of info too, such as the Yamamoto site www.insideline.net, which has a huge amount of past articles of fishing softbaits and others too, and MUCH can be learned by doing so.

Yup, I agree, the nine footer should be relegated to saltwater uses. Personally, and I'll probably get slammed for this, I find the UglySticks to be too 'whippy', absorbing the strikes necessary to be fealt when fishing softplastics. I would go to a graphite pole, and there are MANY available. Like in anything, we all have budgets to try to keep within, so try to figure out what you can afford, then buy the best you can in that range. I personally feel, the Bass pro Shop poles offer a great value, ESPECIALLY when bought during one of their many sales annually. I have used them for almost two decades now, and am pleased with them.
Currently BPS is offering two poles on sale at least...the Tourney Specials for $29, and the Bionic Blades for $50. I have several of each of these models, as well as many poles more too. You are welcome to meet me at Hempstead Lake St. Park to try any once the water/season opens again .
One tactic to hone and read up on is wieghtless soft jerkbaits/Senko fishing. I say this as much of the waters in LI are very shallow and weedy, places these baits excel. I fish them heavily at Hempstead Lake St Park

 

[LancerReiNi]

Wild Bill, I may take you up on that offer about fishing at Hempstead Lake. Thank you so much for the useful information.
I checked and the Ugly Stick rods that I use are indeed graphite. I originally listed only 3 lures because for the most part I fished in Oakland Lake with real bait(i.e Bread, Carp Bait, Doughballs, I've even gotten desperate enough to use some recipes that require cooking ingredients)

I am very much interested in learning new techniques to harness better fishing for myself. And I totally acknowledge the fact that every lake or location requires different methods to fish, My original plan was to try each of the three lures and test them out to see which is most effective. I want to thank everyone for their contribution of tips and ideas. I am learning everyday and reading through some archived material is really helping me grasp a better understanding of the many different techniques. Please continue contributing ideas as I am still learning and I welcome any information.

I'm currently undergoing an application for a Reservoir Access Permit and than I make try some shore fishing there. Hopefully by the time the weather is better I will be able to rent a boat.

I also want to thank everyone who has PM'ed me or advised me to share my address and get direct contact with them. I apologize but I don't really feel the internet is secure enough to give any personal information away. It's nothing personal. If you'd like to help please PM me an appropriate contact information so I may get in touch with you. Thank you once again for all your help.

P.S I personally find fishing to be fun without all the electronic mumbo jumbo, but I understand the importance of knowing where the fish are!
Has anyone had any experience with this device?

It's called "Humminbird Smartcast RF30 Wrist Sonar " and it's $89.99 Just wondering if this could prove to be a useful device in my arsenal?

 

[Gregg]

LancerReiNi

Sonar is one of the best tools you can use to help your fishing, but have no faith in that "Smartcast" thingy. Yes a better sonar unit will cost you more but it will be money well spent. Most sonar are designed to be used on a boat, portable units that can be moved (or removed) from boat to boat are available. Eagle use to make a floating transducer that can be used from shore.

 

[Sea Jack]

I'm very interested in hearing some reports on the "Smartcast" it looks like a great tool for shoreline fishing. That is, if it works. Granted, it won't show you a "grey line", but being able to find depth changesis very important.

I wish they would have came out with that six or seven years ago when most of my fishing was from shore.

That being said, I would say your most effective technique to learn is a slow soft plastic lure. This will catch fish if they are agressive or more reserved. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits have a tendency to only catch the fish willing to chase a fast moving bait. When I was fishing a lot of ponds, a few years back, my most effective technique was fishing a weightless texas rigged tube. The bait could be worked quickly near the surface for the active fish, or it could be allowed to sink slowly for the lazier bass. Most of the fish hit on the second retrieve. This is a good starting point and after your confidence grows you can move on to other techniques.

Good luck. There's a lot to learn, but it's fun learning . . . not like Oragnic Chemistry . . . sorry just a little venting during finals week.

 

[Wild Bill]

Lancer...
You need NO depthfinder for McDonald Pond...it is all shallow, gradually going to about five feet deep at best. My foot has covered evry foot of that pond over many years when it used to be able to be waded{NO MORE WAING ALLOWED}. No joke about that...It is a gradual sloping weedy pond. Now, with my 7 foot pole, I can cast from points along the bank there and cover the entire water completely.


South Pond has a small inlet[the brick building at north end] which is water that comes from Hempstead Lake, bypassing McDonald Pond via a pipeline. Fish that cove area. Then work the eastern bank, going all the way down to lakeview Ave[by the spillway]...That Penninsula Blvd side has always been far more productive for me.Wading is allowed in South Pond. There are also Pickerel in South Pond[not in Mc Donald]. The deepest spot in South pond is in that southeastern corner of South pond, ut it is not extremely deeep at all.


You will see a distinct difference in my BPS poles action than your UglyStick if your's is anything like my Uglystick. There are so many names and classes of graphites it is nearly amazing. Then there are graphite composites, and combination type poles[part fiberglass, part graphites}. Some types are better suited to specific uses. I found when fishing real weedy lakes, I needed something with enough backbone in my fishing pole to bring em out of the grass with. Now, I am NOT fishing with a broomstick, but when I lean into my stick, Mr BigHead comes up to see who's got him....lol...
Now some who have fished with me will also say that on my hooksets they have seen "Polaris Bass" dinks come 'rocketing' out of the water at them, and some even almost got "kissed" by them too. Gotta let the fish know who's in control......lol


Save your money on that depth finder till reports come in on it...it is brand new.

Get some proven stuff...some five inch Yamamoto Senkos in watermelon/black flakes[color#194] and some 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu hooks to rig them weightless on. Get a ChugBug. Get a #11 Rapala Floating Minnow in gold foil, and get a snagproof Frog......and you'll still have much of that money left over, and be catchong Bass there. Been doing that there for almost 20 years now.

Guide trips free......LOL

 

[LancerReiNi]

Wild Bill,

As usual I found your post to be most informative! Very detailed even down to the number and color of the lures I should get:

Get some proven stuff...some five inch Yamamoto Senkos in watermelon/black flakes[color#194] and some 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu hooks to rig them weightless on. Get a ChugBug. Get a #11 Rapala Floating Minnow in gold foil, and get a snagproof Frog......and you'll still have much of that money left over, and be catchong Bass there. Been doing that there for almost 20 years now.

Thanks a lot that was very helpful. I currently own 3 Rapala lures 1 got taken by a tree and while they cost a tad more than a generic brand lure I find their product quality is always premium. I will definitely look into getting that Rapala you suggested! thanks!

On another note:
Fishing: Hacked!
A friend of mine and I were smoking and talking after a class and he was telling me that he seasonally visits Lake George for some fishing. He told me that he and his friend cheated by having a diver swim to the bottom of the lake so that all the crayfish would scatter under their boat thus attracting some bass and they would just drop their lures down into the water and they'd catch something every 3 or 4th cast. Is this an unethical fishing practice?

From what I understand Bass are not a schooling type of fish, they usually find a spot and becomes very territorial and guards the spot. So realisticly would anyone be able to catch more than 1 bass in the same location?

 

[Wild Bill]

Lancer,
I suggest those lures to you because not only have they caught numerous fish for me t the Hempstead Lake "chain of ponds", but all acrross the USA. I have tremendous confidence in all of them. Yes, Rapalas may be more pricey than other minow-type baits, but they work very well and are productive. Quality has it's costs.

I find it extremely difficult to beleive your friend's talk of diving to stimulate bass bites d\ue to increased craw activity from the diving. Craws generally hide immeadiately under rocks or logs trying to escape from any movement, be it a fish or a diver. I think your leg was being pulled, personally.

Some bass are 'homebodies' , some are schoolers....yes, Bass do school. Often bass often do set up ambush points, be it as a school. or as individual bass. Yes, you can oten find the same bass positioned near a piece of cover over and over again, and catch them on repeated visits to it. Been there, done that...
Certain types of cover or structure will indeeed hold numerous bass too...and yes, numerous bass can be caught off of one piece of cover, or in a small area. Once, while fishing upstate, I caught 27 bass on consectutive casts at the mouth of a tiny creek where it entered a small river, and obviously there was something holding them there, be it a school of minnows that they had cornered there, or a slight temperauture/oxygen level/water clarity difference in examples of what might have congregated the fish at that spot...other times bass can indeed be loners. If fish stop biting in an area, try something else to stimulate the bite again, or move to another area for a while to let that area 'rest'...come back after a few hours, and often they'll bite again. Some bass have very distinguishable markings or scars, so I know for fact that I have indeed caught the very same fish numerous times, some which I even 'name'.
I feel very blessed to have had the fishing opportunities that I have enjoyed all over America, and to have fished with as many anglers that I have; some real famous touring Pros or a Fishing Hall of Famer, some just local guys....but I have learned much from many, and I am always willing to share what I have learned. Certain things I do hold back though, so my friends honey holes are not swarmed, or their tourney tactics and successes are not jeopardized. Basic info though is yours or anyones for the asking.

 

[Lpbassman]

Lancer,
Some bass have very distinguishable markings or scars, so I know for fact that I have indeed caught the very same fish numerous times, some which I even 'name'.
.

Bill,
I am begining to worry about you!

 

[Wild Bill]

Leigh....
I fish many tiny little waters, like MCDonald pond that are truly small. Often, fish have a peculiar scar that are real noteable. like 'scarface's', or 'snagglejaw'...or often bass will have a big odd shaped black mark on them sometimes....suely many of you will concur with this. Since they are in a small 'aquarium' the chance of catching the same fish are great. Now, if I could just get some ina barrel it would make it even easier....LOL....or maybe I should stock my bathtub for winter....LOL

 

[Lpbassman]

SNAGGLEJAW???? LMAO

Remind me to tell you about "********* BASS" from Lake Lillanonah! LOL I think he's related to Snagglejaw.