popular beliefs you don't follow

[oelgnal1]

Kcritch, may I suggest a white willow leaf SB when it's windy but on a wind blown shore. It may not work every time but it can be effective. Confidence is a key in whether a bait or a technique works.IMHO

PS: I'm new to the site but not new to fresh water fishing. Since retiring, we fish almost daily for the last seven seasons from March through December as long as it's not too windy and it's not raining or snowing too hard.

[Chrisper4694]

Thanks for mentioning the lure size thing. My experience absolutely has to make me disagree with the whole big lure big fish theory. My biggest musky at 47" came on what would be considered a kind of big bass lure a seedless frog but small for a musky lure biggest walleyes 2, 28" and biggest bass a few 21-22" all on regular sized lures 4" or so.

And with the musky it was not an accident, I was not fishing for bass. I target musky at certain times on certain lakes with smaller lures. I say it all depends on what the fish are eating. If what is predominantly available on a water body for even big predators is smaller fish then that's what they'll be used to eating. Visa versa if they're used to eating bigger meals.

Now that I have enough daylight to fish after work I can get out fishing with more favorable weather on my side. I was fishing weekends good or bad fishing forecasts. I'm sure some consistent pressure patterns will do wonders, that's what I believe is the most important factor.

If I could pick the dream time to fish it would be after 3 or more stable pressure days with a front coming in! I'm probably stuck at work most of the times that pattern happens haha

[thyer]

I'll add one more thing I don't subscribe to, especially for fresh water fishing. Expensive rods and reels. My ultra light, medium and noodle rod are all Bass pro micro lite rods at around $40 each. They don't make a heavy so I have an ugly stick for that. Shimano reels, low-mid range because when you compare them to the expensive models there isn't much gained. I've had the rods bent end to end with no issues. If I break the rod no great loss. The reels are solid with a nice smooth drag. For fly fishing I buy Echo rods (100-120 range) which for the price you can't beat them and Lamson Konic reels that come with the same drag as their top of the line models.

The funny thing for me is that by keeping the cost down per rod/reel I end up buying more LOL.

[GetANet]

Lots of good advice guys!!! i DEF AGREE WITH THE LAST TWO.
STABLE WEATHER AND MED PRICED TACKLE!!!

I'm am hard on my gear so buying top of the line stuff seems like a waste for me. Most sporting good stores have shied away from the mid grade stuff and now offer 25.00 combo's or 800,00 VS's I just don't get it??? I really don't think it makes a big difference as long as your rod has the proper action and the reel has a decent drag and fresh line!!!

The fish ain't saying I'm gonna eat that shiner cause he has a St. Croix!!!!

[Chrisper4694]

I agree but I will say the trevalla s jigging Rod is really really sensitive and lighter than light, plus I've had it bent in half with a 20 lbs cow nosed Ray landed it and also use it to detect the most subtle nibble on a wacky worm for bass. Would I buy another one? This one was a gift so I'd probably replace it if it got lost. It's better than a 40-60 dollar Rod but not by enough to spend an extra hundo on it I'd say. Nice to have though for sure! Most of my rods are bps or off of old combos haha.

[Jigman13]

Hey! I love my $800+ VS and my st croix rods! Lol...

And Chrisper, those trevalas are pretty sick. I landed a 110-120lb bluefin on the jig on one paired with an older 2 speed accurate boss magnum spooled with 65 lb braid. Had the rod bent like a pretzel for like 45 minutes!

[Capt. Lou]

The need for 2 spd reels ! & Roberts wrapped inshore rods

[Chrisper4694]

If you want two speeds...reel faster! Haha