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anyone here into fishing? (2 Viewers)

Absolute newbie here. I didnt plan on fishing when we decided on a Florida trip this year, but rain and stuff dictated a new adventure. Fished a bit when i was a kid at a neighborhood pond, but never really got into it as an adult. 

30 years later and my son is almost ten. We’re here with my in-laws in the center of Florida with not much going on. Its kinda nice. I got out to golf a couple times and beat the rain. Yesterday we decided to try fishing in the lake behind our little condo. Borrow some poles from the office and my dad had one in his garage that didnt sell at his last garage sale. So, its safe to say we arent using good equipment and i have no idea what I’m doing. 

There is a dock behind the condo, and we just go out to the end and start casting. A couple hours in we havent had so much as a nibble. I go inside to eat a grilled cheese and pull up a couple youtube videos.  We go back out after lunch. Its raining off and on all day, some of it pretty hard. Had to stop a couple times because i saw a little lightning in the distance. Still, it was a lazy day and not much else to do so we are determined. 

We are just using live worms for bait. I dont even know how far to have the cork up the line or how to tie a hook. I’m showing my son the little that i do know, but he keeps tangling up the line. My FIL, dad, and myself take turns getting that mess sorted out. Finally about 3pm or so, i see my cork go under and head the other way.  I hook my little fish and reel him in. Only using 6lb tess, so not expecting anything big. Its a little Crappie about 6 inches or so.  I didnt care, we were so excited to cattch something besides a little clam i had snagged earlier.  Cast again to same spot and almost immediately see the cork go under. Reel in another of the same size. 

Had to stop for a rainfall and then my son and i went back out. I keep casting to the same spot, and finally get one on the line again.  I give the rod to my son so he can reel this one in ( should have done that the second time).  It was the smallest yet, but my son loved it. 

Is this how it starts?  We really had a nice time and my son and FIL are back out there already this morning. So, we only have today and tomorrow left, but I’m thinking about picking up something a little better. 

We do have access to a rowboat if we want to go out on the lake.  Saw some guys come back with some nice fish, but they knew what they were doing. 

TL;DR. First time fishing  in about 30 years.  My son and i really enjoyed it. Thinking this is where addiction begins. Recommendations for inexpensive starter equipment or a good lure for lake fishing in Florida?
Don't know if your still down here but either way father son fishing is a memory your son will have forever.I suggest you buy a couple of Zebco 33s for both you and your son.They are basically indestructible and very good for you to refamiliarize yourself with fishing and your son to learn on.Fish don't know what your fishing with.When your with your son you could use dough balls good for bluegill and cats.Cast toward lilly pads or weeds.I tell you some of my earliest memories are with me and my dad fishing Lake Ivanhoe near downtown Orlando.Watch youtube you can pick up a lot of tips.If vacation is over there is an old saying a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.Take your son when you get home you won't regret it.

 
I acquired a few rods and reels that I may or may not use. I tried to look them up online but it doesn't appear they are still in production so I'm not sure of their value or quality.

Reels:

Penn 8500SS

Penn 114H

Rods:

Off Shore Angler - Gold Cup - GCS71540

Off Shore Angler - Captains Choice - CCB50

2x Penn Mariner MB2050C66

 
Farm pond near my house in Knoxville, TN. 
I knew that looked like a southern bass lol. For some reason I thought you were out in California.

I know down here some of the biggest bass are caught in some of the smaller ponds.

 
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Jupiter FL

HIt the water about 7a Got $40 worth of pilchards from Matt in the inlet and headed offshore to a confused sea, but conditions were good at 2' or less. In 90' there was a pretty thick weedline with activity so I figured I'd at least give it a quick look dead out from the pier. A couple bonita and 1 blue runner later decided to head out to 120.  Dropped down a live pilchard on 5oz weight and within 10 minutes in ~130' up comes a 20" Mutton. Proceeded to make a number of drifts throughout the day from 100'to150' and it is clear the Mutton bite was best from 120 to 140.

Best advice I can give is if you are fishing the same water the commercial boats keep circling the Mutton are hanging below whatever they are catching (I only saw them pull in Bonita). Total keeper count was 3 Muttons (two on llve pilchard) at 20"19.5"18" and one keeper Yellowtail.  Caught at least 10 mutton total with at least 3-4 more over 17 but not 18". I also used frozen sardines and at that depth had no issues with junk fish that I could speak of, it was pretty much straight Muttons, unless a bonita happened to pick it up.  Water temp 79'. 

I tried trolling in the afternoon and ventured out to 700' trolling a cedar plug but didn't really see much of anything that looked good. Drift current ranged from about 3.4 to 5.3 MPH. The 5+MPH current was almost directly in front of the pier in 120.  It was ripping there and made bottom drifting a lot of work.  Went up to 8oz but even with that it would only give you about 3 to 4 minutes before needing to real in and start again.  I did get my **** kicked three times on the bottom and it did not feel like a second bite (ie, easy then sharked). One in particular smoked me.  As always, will never know.  On the way back in I stopped in front of the green roofs.  Water was very dirty and I didn't see anything that looked like there was bait. Headed home after an 18 hour day to clean the boat.
Are bonita fish big?

 
Back from my weekend of whiskey and fishing.

Unbelievable fishing. It definitely spoiled me for life. 7,000 acres and 10 miles of pristine untouched river. There were sections that have NEVER been fished. Every pool had 3-5 native Colorado cutthroats. It was very technical fishing because of the low flows and growth along the river, but satisfying as heck when you stalk a fish for 10 minutes and finally get him to strike. 

AMAZING!

Probably caught 50 of these guys.
That's awesome. Sounds like a dream trip.

 
Absolute newbie here. I didnt plan on fishing when we decided on a Florida trip this year, but rain and stuff dictated a new adventure. Fished a bit when i was a kid at a neighborhood pond, but never really got into it as an adult. 

30 years later and my son is almost ten. We’re here with my in-laws in the center of Florida with not much going on. Its kinda nice. I got out to golf a couple times and beat the rain. Yesterday we decided to try fishing in the lake behind our little condo. Borrow some poles from the office and my dad had one in his garage that didnt sell at his last garage sale. So, its safe to say we arent using good equipment and i have no idea what I’m doing. 

There is a dock behind the condo, and we just go out to the end and start casting. A couple hours in we havent had so much as a nibble. I go inside to eat a grilled cheese and pull up a couple youtube videos.  We go back out after lunch. Its raining off and on all day, some of it pretty hard. Had to stop a couple times because i saw a little lightning in the distance. Still, it was a lazy day and not much else to do so we are determined. 

We are just using live worms for bait. I dont even know how far to have the cork up the line or how to tie a hook. I’m showing my son the little that i do know, but he keeps tangling up the line. My FIL, dad, and myself take turns getting that mess sorted out. Finally about 3pm or so, i see my cork go under and head the other way.  I hook my little fish and reel him in. Only using 6lb tess, so not expecting anything big. Its a little Crappie about 6 inches or so.  I didnt care, we were so excited to cattch something besides a little clam i had snagged earlier.  Cast again to same spot and almost immediately see the cork go under. Reel in another of the same size. 

Had to stop for a rainfall and then my son and i went back out. I keep casting to the same spot, and finally get one on the line again.  I give the rod to my son so he can reel this one in ( should have done that the second time).  It was the smallest yet, but my son loved it. 

Is this how it starts?  We really had a nice time and my son and FIL are back out there already this morning. So, we only have today and tomorrow left, but I’m thinking about picking up something a little better. 

We do have access to a rowboat if we want to go out on the lake.  Saw some guys come back with some nice fish, but they knew what they were doing. 

TL;DR. First time fishing  in about 30 years.  My son and i really enjoyed it. Thinking this is where addiction begins. Recommendations for inexpensive starter equipment or a good lure for lake fishing in Florida?
I wouldn't get any super nice gear at least until you know it's something you will do regularly.  I started with a $25 Shakespeare rod/reel combo that came with a little tackle box with basic gear.  They have different ones for whatever type of fish you plan on fishing for.  I still have that rod and use it, but the reel is pretty rough.  I bought a couple Shimano rod/reel combos for $50 and for a cheap setup I really like the reels.  They have been used heavily and the bearings are still silky smooth and the drag works great.  

 
New moon on Wednesday, gonna take the kayak to Bishop Harbor on South Tampa Bay to try for some Snook and Redfish. Havent caught a Red from my yak yet, hoping to change that. Plan to be on the water just before sunup for some topwater action on the incoming tide, then fish around the mangroves until it gets too hot

. :fishing:

:fishy:

 
New moon on Wednesday, gonna take the kayak to Bishop Harbor on South Tampa Bay to try for some Snook and Redfish. Havent caught a Red from my yak yet, hoping to change that. Plan to be on the water just before sunup for some topwater action on the incoming tide, then fish around the mangroves until it gets too hot

. :fishing:

:fishy:
Consider Ozello, great yak area and lots of reds

 
Consider Ozello, great yak area and lots of reds
Yeah I've heard about it but it's over an hour and a half away...I'd have to leave my house at 4am to be on the water before sunrise, and there are plenty of places within an hour that are just as good...I work overnights so it's tough to completely flip my sleep schedule to fish early morning for a day then back to going to bed at sunrise...Im pushing 50 years old so it takes its toll, lol

Im feeling pretty confident about Wednesday, I've got a solid plan and the wind/weather/tides couldn't be better...I think this could be my breakout week on the kayak. I'd start me in all fantasy fishing formats.  :hophead:

 
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I wouldn't get any super nice gear at least until you know it's something you will do regularly.  I started with a $25 Shakespeare rod/reel combo that came with a little tackle box with basic gear.  They have different ones for whatever type of fish you plan on fishing for.  I still have that rod and use it, but the reel is pretty rough.  I bought a couple Shimano rod/reel combos for $50 and for a cheap setup I really like the reels.  They have been used heavily and the bearings are still silky smooth and the drag works great.  
Thanks for the advice.  I am back to the corporate grind, with every weekend planned for something all summer it seems, but I keep thinking about fishing.  I work with a guy who has a 18' boat, so he offered up a day of me and my son with him and his son out on the water.  Just trying to come up with a plan.

As for the equipment, I haven't picked anything up yet, but I'm definitely not going big money right away.  Zebco is a common recommend and I will look into the Shimano. 

I saw the little tackle boxes for each type of fish, but do you guys recommend those, or should I get the basics stuff and then buy specific stuff later?  I know I've seen stuff specific to catfish and bass, but that's about it.  I don't even care what kind of fish I catch at this point.  I just want to catch a few with the boy.

 
Thanks for the advice.  I am back to the corporate grind, with every weekend planned for something all summer it seems, but I keep thinking about fishing.  I work with a guy who has a 18' boat, so he offered up a day of me and my son with him and his son out on the water.  Just trying to come up with a plan.

As for the equipment, I haven't picked anything up yet, but I'm definitely not going big money right away.  Zebco is a common recommend and I will look into the Shimano. 

I saw the little tackle boxes for each type of fish, but do you guys recommend those, or should I get the basics stuff and then buy specific stuff later?  I know I've seen stuff specific to catfish and bass, but that's about it.  I don't even care what kind of fish I catch at this point.  I just want to catch a few with the boy.
If your main focus is just catching fish with the boy then it's tough to beat just a worm on a hook with bobber.   If you want to step it up just a little I suggest some plastic worms and twister tail grubs.  Those can be great for crappie and bass, even bluegills.  Some small inline spinners can catch a variety of fish and are easy to use.

If you want to start focusing on bigger bass then I recommend the Z-Man Chatterbait in balck/blue with a swimbait trailer in the same color.  I've caught all of my personal best bass on that lure.  It's my go to lure for almost all conditions.

 
Wingnut said:
Im feeling pretty confident about Wednesday, I've got a solid plan and the wind/weather/tides couldn't be better...I think this could be my breakout week on the kayak. I'd start me in all fantasy fishing formats.  :hophead:
Annnnnd I got skunked. Had 3 hits that I failed to set the hook on, and that was it. Couldnt buy a topwater bite even though the conditions were perfect.

Getting skunked when fishing on a boat is one thing, but getting skunked kayak fishing is way worse because of the physical work it takes to paddle around for hours. I come home sore as hell and have nothing to show for it. :rant:

Ill try again in 2 weeks when I get another weekday off. :kicksrock:

 
Caught a really nice 5-6 pound large mouth last Saturday afternoon at Table Rock lake on a spook of all things.  It may have been bigger but was fishing by myself and struggling with it, trying to take a pic without dropping my phone in the lake and the trolling motor.  Almost 100 degrees, water was almost 85,  and about 7 feet of water and was just screwing around drinking beer.  It was a great (lucky) cast into a fallen cedar and worked it right through and even gently snapped a small branch.  Thought to myself "you have to reward me for that" and pissed the big girl off something good.   All of our other fish were in 30-35 feet of water that week.  Crazy. 

 
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Annnnnd I got skunked. Had 3 hits that I failed to set the hook on, and that was it. Couldnt buy a topwater bite even though the conditions were perfect.

Getting skunked when fishing on a boat is one thing, but getting skunked kayak fishing is way worse because of the physical work it takes to paddle around for hours. I come home sore as hell and have nothing to show for it. :rant:

Ill try again in 2 weeks when I get another weekday off. :kicksrock:
:(

 
Hey guys.  Maybe you can help with a dilemma my wife and I have been wrestling with for a few weeks.  I'm going to be 50 this year, as is one of my closest friends, who I went to college with.  A third close friend is also a pal from college.  We have stayed friends all these years.  One guy's family has a house in Montauk and we used to drive from upstate New York to Montauk, just to fish for cod for one day!.  When younger, we spent many a weekend in the surf of Montauk chasing strippers.  Since then, we do 2 off shore trips out of Montauk every year, one shark tourney and one 2 day tuna trip.  My third pal coordinated a trip to Panama for his 50th last year.  It was fun, but a little TOO much fishing for me.  Up at the crack of dawn and fishing all day, literally for 5 straight days.  Caught a ton, but for my 50th and the other guy's, we're looking to do something different. 

I have always dreamed of staying in a cabin in the woods and having a guide take me out fishing in fast rivers in the mountains somewhere.  I was very surprised when I started looking around and while there are tons of guided trips all over the country, they all seem to be fly fishing.  I've been surfcasting with a spinning reel forever and have never picked up a fly reel.  All our offshore fishing is big game.   I have no desire to try and learn to fly fish now, I can barely fish with a spinning reel and I've been doing it for 35 years!

So, I'm looking for a fishing experience in the mountains somewhere where a guide can take us out, fish all day on spinning tackle and then come back to a cabin or whatever and drink beer by a fire before getting up to do again the next few days.  And Alaska or probably even the pacific northwest is probably too expensive.  I want to go into the mountains, kind of like an episode of River Monsters.  Any ideas? 

 
I fly fish, so I can't really help, but I will say that it's not really that difficult and any guide worth one's salt will be able to get you catching no problem.

I do know of a guy that put's on experiences like that if you'd like a number to discuss with him what you're looking for. They're based out of Utah. 

 
I remember catching a goldfish in our retention pond when I was a kid. The thing was huge. It would barely fit in our 5 gallon bucket. We used these little bread balls w vanilla extract. It looked like a basketball swimming in the pond. 

 
Hey guys.  Maybe you can help with a dilemma my wife and I have been wrestling with for a few weeks.  I'm going to be 50 this year, as is one of my closest friends, who I went to college with.  A third close friend is also a pal from college.  We have stayed friends all these years.  One guy's family has a house in Montauk and we used to drive from upstate New York to Montauk, just to fish for cod for one day!.  When younger, we spent many a weekend in the surf of Montauk chasing strippers.  Since then, we do 2 off shore trips out of Montauk every year, one shark tourney and one 2 day tuna trip.  My third pal coordinated a trip to Panama for his 50th last year.  It was fun, but a little TOO much fishing for me.  Up at the crack of dawn and fishing all day, literally for 5 straight days.  Caught a ton, but for my 50th and the other guy's, we're looking to do something different. 

I have always dreamed of staying in a cabin in the woods and having a guide take me out fishing in fast rivers in the mountains somewhere.  I was very surprised when I started looking around and while there are tons of guided trips all over the country, they all seem to be fly fishing.  I've been surfcasting with a spinning reel forever and have never picked up a fly reel.  All our offshore fishing is big game.   I have no desire to try and learn to fly fish now, I can barely fish with a spinning reel and I've been doing it for 35 years!

So, I'm looking for a fishing experience in the mountains somewhere where a guide can take us out, fish all day on spinning tackle and then come back to a cabin or whatever and drink beer by a fire before getting up to do again the next few days.  And Alaska or probably even the pacific northwest is probably too expensive.  I want to go into the mountains, kind of like an episode of River Monsters.  Any ideas? 
I'd look into a Canada trip.  

 
Hey guys.  Maybe you can help with a dilemma my wife and I have been wrestling with for a few weeks.  I'm going to be 50 this year, as is one of my closest friends, who I went to college with.  A third close friend is also a pal from college.  We have stayed friends all these years.  One guy's family has a house in Montauk and we used to drive from upstate New York to Montauk, just to fish for cod for one day!.  When younger, we spent many a weekend in the surf of Montauk chasing strippers.  Since then, we do 2 off shore trips out of Montauk every year, one shark tourney and one 2 day tuna trip.  My third pal coordinated a trip to Panama for his 50th last year.  It was fun, but a little TOO much fishing for me.  Up at the crack of dawn and fishing all day, literally for 5 straight days.  Caught a ton, but for my 50th and the other guy's, we're looking to do something different. 

I have always dreamed of staying in a cabin in the woods and having a guide take me out fishing in fast rivers in the mountains somewhere.  I was very surprised when I started looking around and while there are tons of guided trips all over the country, they all seem to be fly fishing.  I've been surfcasting with a spinning reel forever and have never picked up a fly reel.  All our offshore fishing is big game.   I have no desire to try and learn to fly fish now, I can barely fish with a spinning reel and I've been doing it for 35 years!

So, I'm looking for a fishing experience in the mountains somewhere where a guide can take us out, fish all day on spinning tackle and then come back to a cabin or whatever and drink beer by a fire before getting up to do again the next few days.  And Alaska or probably even the pacific northwest is probably too expensive.  I want to go into the mountains, kind of like an episode of River Monsters.  Any ideas? 
How about Montana, Wyoming, Colorado or something like that?  If you ever consider a trip for monster largemouth bass I recommend going to Mexico to Salt Lake or one of their other big bass lakes.

 
I'd look into a Canada trip.  
A couple things to consider with a trip to Canada.  A passport is required.  If going to a remote location you may be limited on supplies which means no beer and booze unless it's supplied there.  Other than that a Canadian fishing trip is at the tops of my list.

 
Annnnnd I got skunked. Had 3 hits that I failed to set the hook on, and that was it. Couldnt buy a topwater bite even though the conditions were perfect.

Getting skunked when fishing on a boat is one thing, but getting skunked kayak fishing is way worse because of the physical work it takes to paddle around for hours. I come home sore as hell and have nothing to show for it. :rant:

Ill try again in 2 weeks when I get another weekday off. :kicksrock:
Yea to me it sucks anytime,but thats why they call it fishing not catching.

 
How about Montana, Wyoming, Colorado or something like that?  If you ever consider a trip for monster largemouth bass I recommend going to Mexico to Salt Lake or one of their other big bass lakes.
These are places that I looked into right off the bat.  They all look great, except everything I saw was fly fishing.  Canada is certainly doable.  But I'll need that booze, fire and cigars.  Those are deal breakers.

 
These are places that I looked into right off the bat.  They all look great, except everything I saw was fly fishing.  Canada is certainly doable.  But I'll need that booze, fire and cigars.  Those are deal breakers.
I, too, would recommend considering a Canadian fishing trip. Here is some info on what/how much you can cross the border with duty free. Note that what is listed below is not a limit on what you can bring, but a limit on what you can bring duty free.

Duties on Americans Entering Canada

U.S. citizens crossing the border into Canada to visit are allowed to bring the following item quantities into Canada duty free:

1.5 liters of wine, or 1.14 liters (40 ounces) of liquor, or 24 cans or bottles of beer.

1 carton (200 cigarettes), up to 50 cigars, and 200g of loose tobacco

Up to $60 in gifts per recipient. (excluding alcohol and tobacco)

You can bring a “reasonable amount of perfume.

There are no restrictions on cameras

You can bring a “reasonable amount” of film

You can bring gifts duty free so long as none exceed $60

You are not allowed to combine your personal exemptions with someone else or transfer them to another person.

Goods brought in for commercial use, or for another person, do not qualify under the personal exemption and are subject to full duties.

 
These are places that I looked into right off the bat.  They all look great, except everything I saw was fly fishing.  Canada is certainly doable.  But I'll need that booze, fire and cigars.  Those are deal breakers.
I know it's not mountainous but have you considered northern Minnesota or Wisconsin?  Plenty of amazing lakes with great resorts and guides.  I'm heading to the North woods of Wisconsin on a fishing trip this September and can't wait.

 
Son and teammate are playing summer baseball in Spearfish SD.  He texted me this morning that they are heading out to go trout fishing in the creeks around the town.  Got to "borrow" free gear from the local fish hatchery and got lessons yesterday (had to purchase $70 license though). 

He says that he is not fly fishing, as he wasn't good at it during lessons. 

Coming from someone who used to have to call me down to the neighborhood pond to unhook the bass he caught several years ago, we are progressing.  He's supposed to send pics of he catches anything.  If nothing else I told him, he's having fun.

 
Went with my wife's uncle Saturday to look at fishing boats.  He ending up buying a brand new Xpress X19 bass boat.  It's freaking sweet.  Can't wait to go out on it with him.

 
Just landed in Anchorage for my annual salmon/halibut fishing trip. The kings aren’t running well, and the sockeyes look a bit light too, but #### them, we are coming for their asses!

 
Just landed in Anchorage for my annual salmon/halibut fishing trip. The kings aren’t running well, and the sockeyes look a bit light too, but #### them, we are coming for their asses!
Duuude.  I gotta get details from you at some point on what/how you do that.  My wife and I eat salmon like it's going out of style and I've always wanted to go up north and fish for Salmon.  Love fishing, love salmon...filling a fridge up with some fish is a win-win.  

 
Fished in my second kayak bass tourney last weekend.  It was one of their bigger ones, 77 people representing 22 states and lasted two days.  After the first day I was in first place and beating some guys that fishing tourneys for a living.  The second day the fishing completely changed though and I struggled a lot.  I couldn't hold on to first but managed to finished third overall and had the big bass for the tourney which won me a lot of money.  Was an amazing experience.

 
Duuude.  I gotta get details from you at some point on what/how you do that.  My wife and I eat salmon like it's going out of style and I've always wanted to go up north and fish for Salmon.  Love fishing, love salmon...filling a fridge up with some fish is a win-win.  
For sure! It’s a blast. This is our sixth year going. I’ll post details when I get back. PM me if you want more details.

 
Fished in my second kayak bass tourney last weekend.  It was one of their bigger ones, 77 people representing 22 states and lasted two days.  After the first day I was in first place and beating some guys that fishing tourneys for a living.  The second day the fishing completely changed though and I struggled a lot.  I couldn't hold on to first but managed to finished third overall and had the big bass for the tourney which won me a lot of money.  Was an amazing experience.
Is this a photo type tourney or how do you determine who wins?  Inches, weight, etc?

 
Is this a photo type tourney or how do you determine who wins?  Inches, weight, etc?
CPR - Catch Photo Release

Goes by inches. Best five bass on day one and best five fish on day two. Total wins. 

I fish KBF (Kayak Bass Fishing) tourneys. They have all kinds of nationwide tourneys. They would be the kayak fishing equivalent to the Bassmasters Elite Series. 

 
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