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I like high end rods now.For years and years you could hand me a Zebco and I would be good to go.Then I ordered a Grandts rod and that was all she wrote.Those things feel like they are an extension of you.I love them as long as I can afford them I will not own another.
Abu Garcia, Lews and Shimano are very popular brands. My best baitcast reel right now is the Abu Garcia SX. I really like it and notice a big difference compared to my other reels.berndog said:
I did this when I went pier fishing in Naples. Went to the local ACE Hardware and spent like $40 on a spinning rod and reel. Then maybe another $20 on some basic tackle. Worked fine.
Flying - I live in NJ. Also traveling with wife and 2 small kids, so anything that would require an extra item to carry is basically impossible. Anything I bring has to fit in my suitcase.
Fish. j/k...I have no idea. Whatever lives in that bay. From what I've seen (and caught last year in a totally different spot), some small bluefish, Sheepshead, looks like some folks catch red drum...I've never fished the bay side of Captiva. Only the inlet up near South Seas Island Resort. I'm guessing there could be some big stuff there, but since I'm limited to the shore from the dock, I wouldn't hold hope for huge fish. I'm just catch-and-release, so whatever is fun.
I drive to Sanibel so I have the luxury of bringing my own gear but there is a good shop on Sanibel (Bait Box or something like that) were you can buy bait and tackle. I think last time I was there they were selling 2 piece poles all rigged and ready to go for $40-50. I would think it would cheaper to buy one rather than shipping a rod tube on a plane.
I think I'd just buy a cheap combo at Walmart or some fishing outlet. You can get all the gear you need for the week for $100. When you're done maybe donate it to some place or give it to a kid.
I frequently travel with rods. Here's what I'd recommend on a shoestring budget...
Thanks @E-Z Glider. Great info. For $23, I couldn't NOT try the Mako Telescopic. It's cheaper than the Sougalyilang sets, and I considered just bringing my current reels anyway, so I don't really need the reels with the sets. Even if I decide to not pack it and bring it, at that price, I'll keep it as a car rod or something.
I looked at these heavily - reviews on Amazon were good - reviews on youtube were hit-or-miss. A lot of folks described it as a "noodle on a stick" because it only flexed on the top section. How have your experiences been? What length is your pole?
If I were only buying/taking one rod, I'd go with the 4-piece rather than the Mako. The Mako casts like #### (pretty much all telescoping rods do), but its fine for bait and wait and has the backbone to handle a bigger fish. The 4-piece will be much better for casting (but not heavy enough for big fish). I always figure if Im taking the case anyway, I might as well bring a couple of options. I usually put 3-4 rods in mine.
OK. Good to know - question re. the case you linked...what are the dimensions? Diameter and length? Also, is it a hard tube case or soft? I'm hoping it'll fit in my checked bag. If it does, I may just buy your exact combo.
Good luck and check back in and let us know how you make out!
Honestly, I don't fish with enough finesse to tell the difference. Most of my "real" fishing is bottom fishing the reefs or trolling with much bigger tackle. All I use this one for is dicking around on the dock with the nieces and nephews. It has hauled up plenty of Mangrove Snappers and Redfish.I looked at these heavily - reviews on Amazon were good - reviews on youtube were hit-or-miss. A lot of folks described it as a "noodle on a stick" because it only flexed on the top section. How have your experiences been? What length is your pole?
hard case, 27"... strap it to your carry-on if not... I have used both of these rods and can vouch for them, the case is just the first one I saw on Amazon, so no first hand experience with it.
I got the 4-piece rod from Amazon yesterday. Really nice rod. Feels not too far off from what I use for 95% of my fishing here in NJ. A little stiffer, but really well made. Guides seem sturdy. Connections are tight.
What kind of kayak did you get? If you are fishing shallow water I suggest using a stake out pole to stay in place instead of a traditional anchor.
Emotion Stealth 11 Angler. Water depth varies from about a foot to 20 feet or so. I've added an anchor trolley and it makes anchoring way easier than I thought it would be. I may check out a pole at some point but for now anchoring is a breeze.
I use an anchor trolley and have a stake out pole. I know this shows it's not available anymore but this stake pole what I bought last year and was really cheap. I run through the ring on my anchor trolley. I'll also recommend a fish gripper, not only for hanging on to fish but you can clip on to a branch or something and hold your kayak in place if there happens to be something around. I was fishing a flooded valley that was deep but still had trees sticking out of the water in the middle. It was too deep to use my anchor usefully so I just clipped on to one of the branches to hold in place. Wind is such a pain on a kayak.
I actually have that exact gripper...fishing tackle/gear isnt something Im lacking in, although I still never think I have enough lol. I also take along a 40 or so foot length of paracord with carabiners on either end for tying off, tethering, or towing.
Time is always a big problem. Deciding on locations is a great problem to have. If I want to fish for big bass I have to drive to the Mississippi River, which isn't far, or over two hours to the good lakes. Everything else around me is private or doesn't have big bass. NE Iowa isn't really known for great bass fishing but it does have great trout streams.I actually have that exact gripper...fishing tackle/gear isnt something Im lacking in, although I still never think I have enough lol. I also take along a 40 or so foot length of paracord with caribiners on either end for tying off, tethering, or towing.
Ive been finding a ton of spots lately to launch and fish all over Tampa Bay...Ive got a list of about 6 spots/areas right now that Im dying to fish, my biggest problem right now is I can only get out about one day a week, and deciding if I wanna fish canal docks, grass flats, or mangroves. The struggle is real.
That Is one nice sea trout.Crystal river is my favorite.We go several times a year I use Don Chance as a guide he is great.We stay at MacRae's sometimes when we want to make a weekend out of it. MacRae's is on the water where we put in. Nice atmosphere and plenty of drinking possibilities so if you do have a bad day fishing you can always catch a buzz.
Oh man, that's an awesome fish. Especially with that tackle. Wow.Buddy and I went kayak fishing for smallies on a local (Central PA) creek Saturday. It was the first nice day of the year and the water was still pretty cold, so we had modest expectations. My buddy was using a 5.5' ultralight rod with 6lb test and was throwing a 1/16 jig with a twister. Now, this is a creek that I have fished hundreds of times in my life, so I know it pretty well. I knew there were some big fish in this creek, but its not like fishing up North where people are catching muskie on a regular basis. Around here, they are truly a "fish of 10,000 casts" and most guys consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to land one. I've only ever caught one (not in this creek) and my buddy had never landed a muskie before. Anyway, we're just floating along enjoying the day when he uttered those 8 magical words that are the start to every good fishing story.... "Hey, I think I've got something big here...." He thought for sure he was going to lose it the entire time and the hook literally fell out of its mouth the second I grabbed it. What a start to the season!
I love stories like that. It's one of the things that makes fishing so great. I haven't been on my kayak yet this year and was going to Friday since it was suppose to be in the 50s. It ended up being in the low 40's with 30 mph winds then it snowed the last two days. I hate this Spring. I think I had been out on my kayak about 5 times at this point last year.Buddy and I went kayak fishing for smallies on a local (Central PA) creek Saturday. It was the first nice day of the year and the water was still pretty cold, so we had modest expectations. My buddy was using a 5.5' ultralight rod with 6lb test and was throwing a 1/16 jig with a twister. Now, this is a creek that I have fished hundreds of times in my life, so I know it pretty well. I knew there were some big fish in this creek, but its not like fishing up North where people are catching muskie on a regular basis. Around here, they are truly a "fish of 10,000 casts" and most guys consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to land one. I've only ever caught one (not in this creek) and my buddy had never landed a muskie before. Anyway, we're just floating along enjoying the day when he uttered those 8 magical words that are the start to every good fishing story.... "Hey, I think I've got something big here...." He thought for sure he was going to lose it the entire time and the hook literally fell out of its mouth the second I grabbed it. What a start to the season!
My captain buddy up there is Marrio Castello (Tall Tales Charters). Im pretty sure he knows Don.
If you ever get the opportunity to kayak the Haulover canal you should definitely give it a try.So many different species of fish Black drum to Crevalle Jacks.Some huge yachts go through there so that might present a problem but they go through real slow the whole canal is a no wake zone because of the Manatees.It would be worth the drive probably about 3.5 hrs from you.Take the girlfriend you could go to Playlinda beach visit the space center make a weekend out of it.Oh and if you do make it there and visit Playlinda beach if you have delicate sensibilities don't go to far south on the beach lots of skin showing as in all skin lol.I actually have that exact gripper...fishing tackle/gear isnt something Im lacking in, although I still never think I have enough lol. I also take along a 40 or so foot length of paracord with carabiners on either end for tying off, tethering, or towing.
Ive been finding a ton of spots lately to launch and fish all over Tampa Bay...Ive got a list of about 6 spots/areas right now that Im dying to fish, my biggest problem right now is I can only get out about one day a week, and deciding if I wanna fish canal docks, grass flats, or mangroves. The struggle is real.
Just noticed it says youre in Eustis under your avater. I pass through there every month while working, I service a Pizza Hut there on 441 that burned down a few months ago.
Where are you staying?arrow1 said:We'll be on LOTW the third week in June.
We finally got all the lures done yesterday for this year, so I will try and post a pic in the next few days.
Cool, good luck! I've never fished the Whitefish Bay section of the lake, but have heard how cool the clear, deep water is there, if a bit challenging during sunny conditions.
I will probably never make it up there(because its North of Ocala)but it sure looks beautiful.Always wanted to catch some of those monsters that are in those lakes up there.I will have to live vicariously through you.Be sure to post pics.I am one week away from going here.
Been coming here for about 35 years. Same week every year. My son is actually the kid on one of the front slides holding that pike he caught at 4 years old.
Ten quiet days - can't wait.
On a side note, the same son has a fishing tournament up there every year for the family. We have about 30 family members meet us there every year. The tournament lasts 2 hours on a Thursday, and the only bait you can use are the lures that he and I make every year. So far we have made:
1. Small crankbait
2. Large Spinners
3. Spoons
4. Hand carved pike baits (this years creation)
It's a blast and yes, there is money and pride involved.
That’s awesome! Well done. That’s how it begins. The look on your son’s face tells it all. Make sure to take a few pics. Action shots are fun too.
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