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Post by YodaFisherman on Jul 9, 2017 18:27:05 GMT -5
I always knew that the only reason we have so many rods is that each is set up for a specific use. Depending on the target species and the type of area we fish we need different gear. But I purchased two new rods last year, a 7' medium Penn Battle II 5000 combo and a 7' medium heavy Penn Spinfisher 6500LL combo. I have found that I want to use these most of the time and go for them skipping over the ones I've used for years. After my trip to Tampa in June I decided to buy two extra spools for each rod. I now have three for each;
One with Light mono - for surface lures that need to be twitched and jerked or for jigging, braid always knots on me when I fish these lures.
One with heavy mono - for fishing around jetties, rocks and other structure that cuts braid easily
One with braid for fishing with lures that are cast and retrieved steadily or for bottom fishing where there is no structure that can cut braid.
These are now the only two spinning rods I use. Everything else is conventional stuff that you can't switch spools. Sure it may be a hassle some times to switch and re-tie, but I find it's worth the bit of extra trouble to use these two rods and I now use then more than 50% of the time.
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Post by detroitd on Jul 9, 2017 19:38:21 GMT -5
Funny you should mention that, Yoda.
In a similar way, I discovered I have 2 or 3 poles I hardly use, and a MESS of tackle I've accumated! This is what I come up with when it's garage cleaning time!
An earlier thread mentioned setups to buy. I first started with 2 Shakespeare Bigwater 9ft combos. Cheap. Had some fun fishing and instead of stepping up my game, bought 2 more!
Then as months went by I started buying better rods/reels. The 4 Bigwaters don't really use anymore. Stuff accumulates! I gave 3 of them away to someone starting out.
So it all comes down with what type of fishing you've settled into and what gear gives you most confidence. The rest I guess can either be sold or handed down to a newbie starting out.
D
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Post by YodaFisherman on Jul 9, 2017 20:01:17 GMT -5
Funny you should mention that, Yoda. In a similar way, I discovered I have 2 or 3 poles I hardly use, and a MESS of tackle I've accumated! This is what I come up with when it's garage cleaning time! An earlier thread mentioned setups to buy. I first started with 2 Shakespeare Bigwater 9ft combos. Cheap. Had some fun fishing and instead of stepping up my game, bought 2 more! Then as months went by I started buying better rods/reels. The 4 Bigwaters don't really use anymore. Stuff accumulates! I gave 3 of them away to someone starting out. So it all comes down with what type of fishing you've settled into and what gear gives you most confidence. The rest I guess can either be sold or handed down to a newbie starting out. D Since I fish so many places, with so many different gear requirements, I've acuminated tones of rods and reels. Now that I have started using some of the new equipment I have fallen in love with it. Especially the spinning reels with bait keeper settings. These were not available years ago. My rod holder on my basement ceiling holds 24 rods. It has been full for a very long time and the wife would get too upset f I started adding more. She thinks I have way too many already. So I would only buy something new if I got rid of one of the older rods. Since my heart attack last fall, my priorities have changed. My desire to stick with the sentimental stuff that belonged to my grandfather has diminished. Especially in the Spinning reel department. So I've started to buy some new rods and reels and get rid of the old stuff. I have realized that it only meant something to me and no one else, so saving it to pass down was only important to me. But don't get me wrong. Much of the older conventional stuff is still as good and in many cases better than the new stuff. I would never give up his old Penn Jiggmasters, Peers and Senators. Those I still use heavily. |
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Post by snookninja on Jul 9, 2017 20:31:48 GMT -5
I tend to use my conventional's more in the summer and switch to light tackle in the winter, where I use lighter line. I also look a quality gear too, at least mid tier and up(shimano Straics and saragosa's, avets and Sigler conventionals), smoother drags, rods with certain actions, some custom, with better quality terminal tackle. I fish every other day and my gear gets worked.
It really depends what fishing I'm doing. I'll typically will always take a light long fast action spinner for bait.
Tarpon/big snook means bigger setups, but if I'm on a boat then I can get away with heavy spinners and shorter rods.
If fishing from higher bridges/piers I favor the longer rods to keep the line from the structure.
If I fish for sharks, the heavy conventional or larger spinners (8000+).
I can take one rod, a medium or medium heavy 7ft 6inch, and 3000 reel with and pretty much be ok for 80% of most fishing situations.
I'll go back to a shoe analogy, you wouldn't play soccer in tap shoes, but a good all round trainer will be ok for most situations, maybe not tap dancing.......
DD is right on, Finding what you are comfortable with, if your sitting and soaking a bait you can get away with heavier gear, if you spend a lot of time cast lures and jigs then lighter is the way to go.
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Post by YodaFisherman on Jul 9, 2017 20:54:41 GMT -5
I'll go back to a shoe analogy, you wouldn't play soccer in tap shoes, but a good all round trainer will be ok for most situations, maybe not tap dancing....... I like that analogy. I'll have to remember that one. |
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Post by Mackerelman on Jul 9, 2017 22:12:49 GMT -5
I have never heard of anyone having too many Fishing Rods. Like YodaFisherman & Snookninja has said: With all of the different types of Fish in Florida, You basically need a Rod for every type of Fish unless You want to keep changing Your setup on Your Rods. For example, Why would You need a Conventional Rod & Reel for Macks, Inshore Pompano, and Trout ? There is 2 Rods now. I don't think that I need to explain any further. I, personally have 5 now. Buy them Rods & Reels & Fish On !   |
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Post by shadowxmas on Jul 10, 2017 2:31:31 GMT -5
Funny you should mention that, Yoda. In a similar way, I discovered I have 2 or 3 poles I hardly use, and a MESS of tackle I've accumated! This is what I come up with when it's garage cleaning time! An earlier thread mentioned setups to buy. I first started with 2 Shakespeare Bigwater 9ft combos. Cheap. Had some fun fishing and instead of stepping up my game, bought 2 more! Then as months went by I started buying better rods/reels. The 4 Bigwaters don't really use anymore. Stuff accumulates! I gave 3 of them away to someone starting out. So it all comes down with what type of fishing you've settled into and what gear gives you most confidence. The rest I guess can either be sold or handed down to a newbie starting out. D Since I fish so many places, with so many different gear requirements, I've acuminated tones of rods and reels. Now that I have started using some of the new equipment I have fallen in love with it. Especially the spinning reels with bait keeper settings. These were not available years ago. My rod holder on my basement ceiling holds 24 rods. It has been full for a very long time and the wife would get too upset f I started adding more. She thinks I have way too many already. So I would only buy something new if I got rid of one of the older rods. Since my heart attack last fall, my priorities have changed. My desire to stick with the sentimental stuff that belonged to my grandfather has diminished. Especially in the Spinning reel department. So I've started to buy some new rods and reels and get rid of the old stuff. I have realized that it only meant something to me and no one else, so saving it to pass down was only important to me. But don't get me wrong. Much of the older conventional stuff is still as good and in many cases better than the new stuff. I would never give up his old Penn Jiggmasters, Peers and Senators. Those I still use heavily. Yodafisherman,
If you are looking to get rid of some fishing poles and tackle check out the local area for groups that take kids fishing. I think they would appreciate donating the rods/reels and tackle. If the group is a 501C3 group you can deduct your donation. There are also groups that support developmentally disabled and blind and deaf people and they may be able to use some of your equipment and you would get a tax write off. Check out your local VFW and or American Legion post as they may find a use for your discarded fishing equipment.
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Post by YodaFisherman on Jul 10, 2017 6:48:28 GMT -5
shadowxmas
Unfortunately the rods and reels I'm replacing are from the 1960s and 70s. They have near zero value and only operate correctly for the owner that knows them. They have been repaired, repainted, and many parts replaced and some not with manufacturers parts. Macgyver would be proud of some of the repairs and they function properly.
My previous desire was to do everything I could to continue fishing with his stuff and I guess in effect continue fishing with him. But my heat attack made me realize that life is too short to spend time trying to live in the past and that material possessions mean very little.
I actually took the worst of them to the landfill and tossed it in. This one was by far the worst one that was rarely used and it only went out when I had several friends with me. The spool was pitted enough that even my epoxy filling of the pits didn't smooth out enough to not effect casting distance. It truly was dumpster fodder. There was a bit of hesitation when I tossed it in and even a few tears shed, but after a long quite solitary drive home I felt much better about it and moved on. I have made kind of a shrine to the family fisherman of the past with a few specific pieces. Even a rod and reel from my great grandfather made in the 1800s. A few other choice pieces from my dad have also been added. This is more a tribute to them than using stuff beyond their serviceability.
I have no plans of doing away with all my grandfathers stuff. All of the old Penn reels are still working and in good shape, even two greenies, albeit these are stored away, more for value than anything else. But the conventional reels are some of my favorite. Mackerelman can tell you, I used his old Chesapeake boat rod with Penn Jiggmaster reel on the 27 hour Two Georges fishing trip few weeks ago. It had no trouble bringing up the grouper and snapper.
As I see it, life is good and I'm going to enjoy fishing as long as I can and as often as I can. And now with some nice new equipment.
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Post by detroitd on Jul 10, 2017 8:10:26 GMT -5
Well put and rather touching tribute, Yoda!
D
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Post by Mackerelman on Jul 10, 2017 21:45:38 GMT -5
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