tips on what to use for tackle/bait

[Andy in NY]

Okay, so I am a total newbie to fishing.

The state DEC lists the type of fish in the waters where I am going to be as smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, lake trout and landlocked atlantic salmon. What should I be using for each type of fish?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Being don't know what lake you will be fishing and the type of cover/forage/weather conditions/time of year/etc....My best advice would be to find a bait/tackle shop near that lake and spend some time there asking questions. They normally carry what works for that lake. Better yet, hire a guide if you can afford it. The knowledge you gain from a guided trip would take you years (literally) to learn by yourself.

 

[jtexas]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

I couldn't agree more, the guide should be your #1 choice. Seriously, could be the best education value for the $$$ -- it can take awhile to learn by trial & error.

Can't begin to tell you how much my fishing improved after I found my local fishing forum, surely there's one in your area?

That said, closed face spincasting reel is generally the starter. Economical & easy to use -- you'll have enough to focus on without worrying about a complicated reel. Biggest disadvantage is that the spool is a "V" shape kinda like a drive belt pully - line isn't wound on evenly. So it will eventually tangle, and since it's hidden, you won't be able to see it. You'll want to have a couple or three extras on board.

You need to "right-size" the rod & reel according to the size potential of the fish you're after, and what bait you're using.

And most important, choose whether to exagerate the number of fish caught, or the size, but never both. And only by a little.

Good luck!

 

[jennis9]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

i agree with all of the above..

my #1 suggestion would be to go to the bait shops that are closest to the waters you want to fish. these guys have been in business a long time and know where the fish are and know what the fish like to strike. these are the guys that deserve the business - and love sharing their stories with. of course - some are cranky old dudes, but they have earned that right too.

find a few shops where you can get information - and buy your tackle and bait there. you would be amazed at some of the great deals you can get from these shops. These guys can also recommend clubs, guides and headboats so you can learn what you need. Some marinas have boat and fishing clubs as well - and you can meet people there - and you don't have to have a boat to join in. they also have social and tournament events.

it's always nice to go into the local B&T - say hello to Mike and find out what the hot colors and what depth the fish are at today. Costs me a few bucks - but I'm not riding around the lake with an empty cooler!

welcome to fishing... you're going to love it when you find your niche!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

I agree with the local bait and tackle shop idea.

Another good idea is to get online and find one of the many local fishing websites for the area. You'll find lots of good tips.

I disagree, however, with the spincasting advice. Open-faced spinning tackle is much more versatile. You can learn to operate a spinning reel in one, easy lesson (although it may take years to master the tackle).

For what you are describing, a medium-light 6 foot rod and reel to match will do what you need. Spool up with 6 or 8 lb. test line and get the bait shop guy to set you up with the basic lures and terminal tackle you'll need for the type of fishing you'll be doing. You don't need to spend a fortune, either. Every place you'll go will have combos of reel and rod, already spooled up with line. Don't buy the cheapest combo, and wait a while before buying the really expensive stuff. About $50 will get you something that is quite nice to use and versatile. The rod should be graphite, and the reel should have "ball bearings" on it somewhere.

That will handle all the smaller species, up to decent sized northern pike, if you have those in your area. Trolling for lake trout will require some different tackle, but you can get into that later on.

Of course, once you fall in love with fishing, you'll have the same dozen rods and reels most of us have, and several tackle boxes of lures, etc. you hardly ever use. It's part of the game.

Start small and reasonably-priced, then expand as your skills and needs expand.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

All good advise. I agree with getting a spinning set up. I do however think as a beginner you might be better off with a medium heavy rather than a medium light. The medium heavy will be way more forgiving on not so solid hooksets, resulting in more hookups. I would get a 6'6" length, one piece.

One thing to think about with the local shops right on the lakes. I find that a whole lot of these shops carry spinning combos that are cheap, I mean really cheap. The type of rod and reel that'll last for maybe half a season. I also strongly disagree with buying a reel already spooled up with line. That is just a disaster waiting to happen. It'll tangle, have tons of memory, and break at the slightest strain. Guaranteed to ruin your first day out. Buy some new line and spool up your own. You need to learn how anyway if your going to fish. You would be better off going to a sporting goods store that carry a big selection of rods and reels in all price ranges.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Oh, I agree about buying a rod/reel combo at a large shop, and you're probably right about the pre-spooled deal. Most decent sporting goods shops that feature fishing will be happy to spool your new purchase, too, anyhow. Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, whatever.

For terminal tackle, though, I still recommend a shop in the area to be fished. The smaller shop will be more likely to spend time helping you get outfitted. The big stores just don't have the time, it always seems, and the variety of stuff is confusing. I mean, my local Gander Mountain has every available Rapala hanging on two rows of shelving. It's even hard for me to decide what I want at times (I don't mind, but my wife's been asking how come I need yet another tackle box full of crankbaits. DT what?, she asks. ).

I'm not so sure about the medium-heavy thing, though. From the species list the guy mentioned, he's going to be hooking up with trout and smallmouths, probably, at first, and medium-light will work well for that, as well as being decent on panfish, too.

The lake trout and landlocked salmon are probably going to be later catches, if my own lack of success with them is any clue.

Either way will work, though, for what he's doing, especially when he's just getting started.

Of course, if there's enough of a budget for tackle, he should buy everything from ultralight to stuff suitable for salmon. That's not practical, though, even though my garage racks are full to overflowing.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

CAT. Just curious as to why a medium light would work well for smallmouth and trout?

 

[rolmops]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Ok,
Chateaugay,just might be Belhurst in Geneva.
So you will either fish Seneca or Cayuga.
Or is it Orwell in which case it is salmon river reservoir.
For the land locked salmon and lake trout,you need sawbellies.Pike also really love them.For the perch near Dresden take spikes,fatheads and worms.That should cover all your bait needs

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

CAT. Just curious as to why a medium light would work well for smallmouth and trout?

Works well for me, although trout aren't on my list much these days. If a guy can't handle a smallie of any size on a medium-light outfit, I don't know what to say. Tons of fun.

It's what I use for largemouth bass and the under 30" northerns in my area, too. Very sporting. I don't fish for walleyes, but it catches them, too, OK.

It's a matter of choice, I suppose. I keep my hooks sharp, and really never miss a hook set.

Now, if I'm going to fish Texas-rigged worms, or other plastics with imbedded hooks, along with fishing in the weeds, I scale up to medium-heavy. Muskies get fished for with my catfish rig, which is a 7' heavy spinning rig. And there's always an ultralight 5' rod in the boat with 2 lb. line. It's my skunk insurance. If nothing else is biting, I can always fish the weeds and catch panfish.

With all of these, I use appropriate terminal tackle, of course, and fish in appropriate places.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Interesting. I would go as light as maybe a medium. But a medium light is a pretty limber stick. I use a medium light on the creek smallmouth around here with jerkbaits and some soft plastics. They average about 10 to 15 inches in the creek. Thats plenty enough for that little rod. For lake fishing I never go out with anything less than a medium. I use the medium strictly for crankbaits.I tend to use some hefty baits and jigs T-rigged and exposed hook and go deep. Thats where the medium heavy with a fast tip shines. My thinking is a newbie would get way better hook penetration with a medium heavy stick, not much give for the fish to feel and spit. I guess I ain't as lucky as you ,,, I miss hooksets at times.

But truly it is a game of matching the technique and baits used to determine the rod of choice.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Well, like you said, it's a matter of matching baits with the rod. I tend to use smaller crankbaits most of the time, and they match well with the medium-light rod. I don't fish with soft plastics much, and use mini spinnerbaits for weedy stuff. The smaller baits seem to get me more fish than most of the other folks fishing on my lakes, for some reason.

All have smaller hooks that set more easily. I've caught too many 3 and 4 lb. largemouths, 24-30" northerns, and other miscellaneous species to feel that it's too light an outfit...at least for me. Plus, it makes the smaller fish that are so common in my area more sporting to catch.

That said, I've been spinfishing since the 50s, and that may play a role in my choice. You may be right that a medium action rod might be more appropriate for a beginner.

I deliberately didn't recommend my 7' ultralight outfit, though. That one's a pike killer, and boy is it fun to play a 5 lb. northern on it. That's a special case outfit, though, and hardly suitable for general fishing, except maybe for crappies.

Then there's the early 50's Fenwick glass rod with the 1951 Swiss Record half-bail reel I fish with sometimes, for nostalgia's sake. Reminds me of being a teenager again. Not for everyone, though. Nice wide spool, though, just like the "latest" stuff on the market.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

I actually have a good pole already that my dad gave to me. It is an open reel, which I feel comfortable with as when I used to fish with my dad and uncle years ago that's what I was taught to use... Im not sure about the size, but it seems a bit on the heavier side.

I'm going to stop into the bait shop right before the boat launch, see what they have to say. You guys are great!

Ok,
Chateaugay,just might be Belhurst in Geneva.
So you will either fish Seneca or Cayuga.
Or is it Orwell in which case it is salmon river reservoir.
For the land locked salmon and lake trout,you need sawbellies.Pike also really love them.For the perch near Dresden take spikes,fatheads and worms.That should cover all your bait needs

Actually, and I just learned this recently, there are 2 Chateaugay's in the state of NY. How messed up is that!?!?!?! I am up on the canadian border near Malone, Plattsburgh, Massena... from what I understand the other is near Pulaski. Who the heck has 2 towns with the same name, and only about 3 1/2 hours from each other?!?! And, there is a Chateaugay in Canada, only about an hour from here.

 

[Expidia]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

I second the vote for going into a small local shop. But make sure you talk only with "owner". Anyone can work in a shop, all store clerks think they know what they are doing, but few are knowledgeable. The worst are in the big box stores. Don't ever bother talking to them for any info.

Pick up a couple of spinning rod and reel combo's at a big box store first. About $35 for a decent setup, you can read a few basics on spinning rod use on the net.

But then go into a local shop for the lures. He can help you "match the hatch" which means what the particular fish in a local lake are biting on currently for the time of the season,

He probably has a map of the lake showing where the best spots are.

A guide would be cool, but I think there is nothing like the thrill of catching a fish after you've done the ground work on your own.

I remember fishing Lake George in NY 30 years ago on a friends rig for days on end without ever a bite. Even in those days he had a downrigger and a fish finder!

I went into Fish301.com's store about a mile from the lake and said to the owner I had never had any luck 30 years ago. I said I just bought a new rig and mounted a downrigger on it and asked what are the Lakers biting on now . . . he said same thing 30 years ago!

He picked out 4 lures for me (2 were Mooselooks 1 in a salmon and 1 in lime green). I spent about $20 I think.

I caught my first Laker (about 8 lbs) in the first 15 minutes, with the first lure he picked out which was the salmon colored Mooselook Wobbler.

I couldn't believe it! I was jumping around the boat like a nut! I know guides could have helped me to catch one too, but it was the thrill of a lifetime to me to land my first ever elusive Lake Trout all by myself

These local store owners want you to be successful, so you will have fun, come back and also tell others!

Definitely go for bass first as they are the easiest to catch. I find bass can't resist a plastic purple worm dragged along the shallows real slow! It's a lot more work having to continually cast and retrieve a lure like the Bass Pros do.

Purple rubber worms are the lazy man's fish catching machine and it's easier to sip that beer during those slow retrieves

Bass will bite anything you throw at them (like the scented Senco rubber baits) if you fish where they hang out and when they are feeding. The store can show you how to hook the worm up (or do a google search for "texas rig")and what colors they like most.

But everyone above has also given you good advice already, but I personally hate a closed faced reel from past experience, because they tend to tangle frequently and you will get frustrated spending fishing time untangling line at some point . . . go fish!

 

[jtexas]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Some a you guys might have forgot what it's like to be a rookie, or haven't fished with one recently.

Requires more mental resources to operate a spinning reel -- get a little twist in the line, you'll have loops on the spool in no time -- the least bit of slack and you'll be cutting line off the spool. Remember what happens when you forget to switch on the anti-reverse and reel a few turns backwards?

Use something simpler to figure out bait presentation. Once you've got the hang of casting and retrieving while operating the trolling motor, avoiding snags, setting the hook, yada yada yada, then upgrade to spinning.

Once you've mastered that, then you step up to baitcasting.

That's my strategy anyway.......sometimes the point of fishing is just to have something to do with your hands while spending time on the water.

Come to think of it, I fished with a cane pole & porcupine quill bobber for about the first 12 years of my life..............

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Andy,

Go fishing! Even if you get skunked, it's a great way to spend the day!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

jtexas,

And closed-face spincasters don't have problems? Don't get me started.

I started using a spinning reel when I was 10 years old, back in 1955. I think my dad spent five minutes showing me how it worked and telling me not to reel when the drag was operating and to use a ball-bearing swivel if I was fishing with an inline spinner. That was it, and I never looked back.

Have I had bird's nests? You betcha. But that's nothing to match a spincaster that is fouled up. And don't even mention baitcasters and backlashes.

Spinning gear is about the simplest, most trouble-proof tackle there is. Have a spare spool or two on hand and clean up problems later. Even if you get a bird's nest, you can just cut it off and re-rig.

But, that's just my opinion.

 

[jtexas]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

yeah CAT, here's a quote from my first post this thread:

Biggest disadvantage is that the spool is a "V" shape kinda like a drive belt pully - line isn't wound on evenly. So it will eventually tangle, and since it's hidden, you won't be able to see it.

I don't use 'em myself -- usually carry 2 or 3 spinning rods & 3 or 4 baitcasters. And one cheap spincaster in case somebody comes along who's never fished.

Life's full of little trade-offs.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

Andy, Just a heads up,, If your plans include Black Lake, get over there, Just got a report from a friend up there and the bite IS ON! Weeds are down and the water is up. They are hammering the bass and pike.

Here is whats working. ZOOM Horny Toads working the gaps in the slop for some decent pike

Also Spinnerbaits, Vibra King Tubes, and T-rigged plastics for most of the other action.

Long shot I know,, But the place is in your back yard so to say. hope this helps.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: tips on what to use for tackle/bait

yeah CAT, here's a quote from my first post this thread:



I don't use 'em myself -- usually carry 2 or 3 spinning rods & 3 or 4 baitcasters. And one cheap spincaster in case somebody comes along who's never fished.

Life's full of little trade-offs.

Oh, for the beginners, I just give 'em the old baitcasting rig with the broken spool brake. That generally cures them of wanting to ever go fishing again. (just kidding)

Speaking of spincasters, though, I was down fishing of a big dock in Saint Paul, MN. Buncha kids showed up to fish, which is cool. This one kid had an old Zebco spincasting combo. Now, nobody was really casting, but this kid just couldn't seem to get his line in the water, so I broke down and asked if I could help.

I took the cover off his reel. The problem was that he had about five feet of line left on the spool. That never works. So I respooled him from one of the rolls of line in my tackle box and got him fishing.