Garry2Rs

When I let my dog, Buck, out at about 6:30 on Saturday morning it was cold and rainy. I made some breakfast, turned on the TV, and started to write a shopping list. At 9:30 my neighbour, Mike, and his eight year old daughter, Natalie, showed up. I'm retired and Mike works from home, so during the summer, the three of us fish together 3 or 4 times a week. They pointed out that the sky was showing some large blue patches, there was sunshine, and they claimed, the rain was finished for the day. Their truck was going "shoe shopping" with his wife and older daughter, so if I didn't want to go fishing, they had to go shoe shopping too...a fate worse than death!!! I was a little suspicious of their weather predictions, but figured what the heck, riding in the boat is always better than riding the couch. We decided to try Lake Chandos, 20 minutes east of my place. With the cooler weather of these past few days, we hoped that some of the big Pike might have returned to the shoals. The public launch is into a creek off #620. We hit the water around 11 o'clock and headed toward West Bay. By one o'clock, we needed to get out of the wind for awhile. The sun was gone, we had seen a couple of sprinkles of rain and the breeze had picked up to a strong north wind that was making it feel colder. By now we had worked a couple of shoals, a point, and some docks and rocks. We had found no Pike, only a couple of Smallmouth. The docks and rocks, produced nothing...not even a Rock Bass!?!? In the open, the wind was shoving us around and it was getting pretty miserable. The little kid had stowed her rod and pulled her hands inside her sleeves, she didn't complain, but that has to be a clue than you need to find some shelter for awhile, Right? Okay, okay, my fingers were wet and pretty cold too! GRIN. The north shore of West Bay has many small coves and inlets so we pulled into one of these, to give ourselves a break. Casting from the calmer water back to the wind blown edges of the opening produced a couple of SM. Bass, and we found two Large Mouth and some Rock Bass tucked in tight to the shoreline cover. We worked the cover over with 4 inch Wacky worms and a curly-tail Shaky worm on a Crappie jig...assuming that with the cold front the bait would have to land right on their noses to get a hit. I might note here, that I had lost two or three bass that had gone air-born and thrown the little hook on my jig...More to the point, I had no fish in the boat and the little girl was riding me pretty good...grin. Now that we had defrosted, we were still interested in Pike and figured we needed to fish the windy side of the lake to find them. Leaving the sheltered area we crossed West Bay. I finally broke my skunk with a 30 something Pike on a crankbait cast parallel to a wind swept point, that came off a rockpile in open water. Before the rain drove us off the water at around 3:30, we had a one more heavy bass in the boat ( three pounds?) and a couple that came off the finesse worm close to the boat. I seemed to be suffering from what you might call "premature-release"...HAHAHA Sunday looked like a better day. The sun was shinning and the winds were calm. Over night they had swung around to blow out of the south. Mike and Natalie came over at 8:30. Stony was today's destination and the objective was to jig the shoals for Smallies and hopefully some Walleye. It took us 20 minutes to reach the public launch at Mt. Julian on the north shore. Once at the launch, we found the breeze had become stronger, but we were dressed warmly and with the sun shinning, the day felt quite pleasant. Although we intended to fish shoals, we started shallow, working some docks and rocks near the launch. The weeds are covered with moss, and we didn't find any fish until we tried a couple of rocks. Following that pattern, and returning to our game-plan, we moved off shore to check-out a group of rocks and the saddles between them. These mid-lake rocks were barren today. First thing this morning I had two premature releases...again...grin. When we moved westward, toward a big island that had a small island beside it, I replaced my Crappie jig with a slightly heavier one with a larger hook. On the edge of the saddle, between the two islands, I landed a nice Smallmouth of about two pounds. It came from between the weeds and rocks. This was on the wind-blown side, so we moved into the wind, to a location infront of the small island and dropped anchor. From this point we could cast the whole windward side effectively. We caught one more Bass and missed a couple of hits that might have been dinks. There was another Bass boat in the area, that had come from the lea-side of the large island. Rather than circle the island, possibly fishing the waters they had just left, we opted to head toward the middle of the lake, where there was another rock pile, with a saddle to a small island with a single cottage. Again I dropped the anchor. We found four Smallies, one small LM. Bass, and a couple of good size Perch that took our baits at this location. Mike also had a premature release on a Walleye, so we stayed on that spot for quite awhile hoping he had friends... Today it was Natalie's turn to be skunked...Aw, Sweet Revenge!...grin. Around 2:30 we weighed anchor and let the wind push us back to the big island. On the west side, we found a sheltered area and Natalie pulled a three pounder out from beside a rock in shallow water using a watermelon/chartreuse tail Wacky worm. We caught a couple more small ones before calling it a day at 3:30. They had strict orders to be home for supper at 4PM. Sum-up the weekend it feels like this: The fishing was slow, but we all caught a few...so that's a positive. The Cold Front definitely had the fish in a passive state and holding tight to cover. Finesse techniques may have saved both days, since only two bass and the Pike hit anything else we offered. Fall is here, some of the shallow weeds are dead... And more Philosophically: The moss in Stony will keep me off that lake until I hear it's gone. It was 100 degrees in Yuma Arizona yesterday and I have a trailer there...that's still too warm, but with a 97 cent dollar and this cooler than normal weather...well, it's got me thinking...GRIN...Garry2R's

On the rocks: Option # 1 Buy a bobber and some worms or minnows. Adjust the bobber so the bait is off the bottom...sit and wait. Option #2 1: Go to Fishing World on Barton Street or Pro Gear on Upper Gage or Upper Ottawa (I can never remember which one it is) and buy a bag of Senko type worms...ask the guy at the store, he'll know what you want. You might like to start with 4 inch worms, but 6 inch are fine too. Try Carolina Pumpkin with a Chartreuse tail, or Watermelon with Red Flecks, or something that the store recommends. Binbrook used to be pretty muddy, if it still is, a bright colour wouldn't be out of place. 2: Buy a package of quality 3/0 wide gap hooks...If your not sure what that is, ask the guy at the store. 3: Get the guy at the store to show you how to hook the worms weedless. (AKA Tex-exposed) 4: Get him to show you how to hook them through the middle, Wacky-Worm style. 5: Cut off all swivels, split-shot etc. from your line...You don't want anything on the line except the hook and the worm. 6: Cast out and let it sink...and sink... and sink. 7: Watch your line...If it starts to move on it's own...set the hook! 8: If nothing happens, and you think you're on the bottom, lift the rod tip, twitch and crank, slowly until the bait is retrieved. Don't be afraid to stop and let the Wacky style worm sink again after a couple of twitches. On the retrieve you want the Tex-exposed worm to walk-the-dog...If your not sure what that is, ask the guy in the store to explain. Garry2R's

Congrats on the win and on a very nice fish! Garry2R's

Here's a test photo, it's an oldie but goodie...grin

Thanks Guys 2R's

Is there an easy way to post pictures on this site? The computer that I'm using is older that DIRT...It was assembled from other peoples junk...grin. I'm not set-up with my provider anymore I no longer have the software. In other words I'm in no shape to post pictures unless there's a spot on the site that I can put then. Garry2R's

I don't use down riggers or Dipsy Divers I don't fish the Great Lakes, so I wasn't aware of those applications for Mono. I'm in the Kawarthas were there are no Spiny Water Fleas and we don't have Steelhead or Salmon runs, so no centre pin reels live at my house...I believe in using the right tool for the job and I can see that for those jobs mono would be better. Thanks for the info. Back to the topic, I still think that my basic outfit would include two rods, one spinning in medium or medium light for plastics and live bait and one bait casting rod in Medium-heavy to handle larger baits in the 1/2 and 3/8 ounce size etc. If your worried about learning to cast, put something like a Shimano Curado baitcasting reel on the rod and you can teach yourself to cast in 20 minutes. If I was stuck with just one rod, then I guess the medium spinning rod is the logical choice. I would still use PowerPro as my day to day line but it's still a free country so you can do what ever pleases you. Garry2R's

Sorry about that one...grin...I was bottling wine last night, perhaps I did too much testing... What I meant to say was, lower and mid-priced rods aren't generally made by the companies who's name is on the label, they are built in China or Korea, where labour is cheaper. It's probably safe to say that any rod under about $100.00 was built in the third world. Therefore whether it says Bass Pro, Browning, Rapala or even Shimano there's a chance that any two lower priced rods started out in the same plant in Asia. When shopping for an inexpensive rod I would look more at the hardware rather than who's brand it is. If your getting Fuji guides and reel seat that's a fairly good indication that your looking at a good quality rod. -The recommended line weight on most rods is for mono, so if your using braid you'll need to think in terms of equivalent diameters. -Lure weight is the range of weights that will "work" the rod without under or over loading it. I remember buying a Musky rod off of Lew a few years ago. The rod was rated for 1-4 ounces...It was early in the season and I was using a lot of 3/8 ounce spinnerbaits at the time. I wore myself out trying to throw them with that stiff rod and soon put it away. Later in the season I tried it again using a Sledge. Now the rod was a joy to cast, because the heavy bait worked the rod. -The "action" component of the label is pretty vague...Each brand seems to have their own ideas about what medium, medium-heavy and heavy is and what Fast, Medium and Slow action means. I like the suggestion about flexing the rod to get an idea what the action is. Traditionally, spinning rods have a fast action, all the bend is in the tip area. This makes it easy to throw small baits like a Mepp's etc. What I call Steelhead rods have a slower more parabolic action, like a fly rod, because they're designed to fish roe bags or yarn flies on very light leaders. A fast tip might snap the bait right off. The slow action also shock absorbs the light leader against the gyrations of a heavy fish. The problem with using them as an all around rod is they tend to lob the bait out there, so they don't cast as far as the fast action rods do. Garry2r's

Feathering the spool on a spinning rod is like dragging the anchor...It's not art full and it's not accurate It's a quick grab at a slippery rope. On the other hand, with a bait caster you can thumb a bait into a hole the size of an napkin... Garry2r's

WOW! It's great to see so many of the original "names and handles"... Thank you all for your salutations. Yes it was me and Buck at Big Cedar, but we will never mention that name again...E-mail me about hooking up. Now let's get down to it... This is a place for opinions and advice... I have lots and lots on every subject... If you don't like them, that's fine... But, in your heart you know that I'm right... HAHAHA 2R's

What you're looking for is a Beckman's Fish Pen Landing Net. This sucker is big enough to land a steer! The bottom is flat, so it forms a pen. You can take your time finding your tools and unhook your toothy critter in the water and release it with minimum stress.. Garry2r's

I have taken a cable steer to Aickman's and an electric steer to Rocky's and blame it on good looks or charm, I have never paid for service on a Minn Kota. Garry2r's

Let's cut through the crap here. The brand means nothing...most of these rods come out of a couple of plants in China or Korea. I think these could be called Steelhead rods. They are soft in the tip and sturdy in the butt. My first question is, "Do you want a steelhead rod?" In my opinion they don't cast very well. I can help you with the answers to your other questions, but first I need to know how much you know about what your talking about. If you don't want to talk on the open board, e-mail me. Garry2r's

In my opinion, Stony/Stoney is the toughest lake in the east Kawarthas. I would choose Lower Buckhorn over anything else . Send me an e-mail and I will give you my personal game plan for a day of Musky fishing. Garry2r's

Congratulations on your first. Now tell us about the who, what, when, why and how...enquiring minds want to know!!! Garry2r's

Aickman's in Toronto is the service centre. Their number is 905-277-3595. Garry2r's

I find Fireline and/or Powerpro are very easy to untangle because the loops don't pull into knots like loops in mono does. If you mean that mono is easier to break off if your hooked to a hard bottom, that's a questionable virtue! In the case where you need to pull the hook free or break off, the easiest way is to point the rod at the snag and reel up tight, jam the spool with your fingers, and pull straight back. The non-stretch line will either straighted the hook, pull the snag free or the line will break. The line will not come flying back at you like that stretchy old mono does. By the way this is the meathod that rod manufactures recomend...your looking to break the rod if you haul back, bending it into a arch. I not sure what your thinking of, but I honestly can't think of anywhere that Mono is better than braid. When I was in sales we used to say; "If you have a problem, BRAG about it!" I'm sure that this whole mythology about the stretch in mono being good for you was made up by the mono line manufactures and I think it's total bull crap. The non-stretch lines don't pull the hooks out of fishes mouths! They set the hook for you and your rod acts as the shock absorber...that's it's job, not the lines. What are all the new monos advertising? Low Stretch! As far as newbies are concerned, they don't know how to tie any knots yet. If they learn the Palomar, they have a knot that is stronger than the original line whether it's tied in braid or mono. The negative stories about braid started with guys who had only ever used Mono, and with some Pros who are sponsored by the mono-line makers! Real old guys like me...grin...remembered fishing with cotton and Dacron lines in the 50's before spinning was invented. There's not much difference between using those lines and the new super lines, except that the new Spectra lines are smaller in diameter and stronger etc. Yes, for mono guys, there is a learning curve with the new lines, but it has mostly to do with selecting line based on diameter instead of pounds test. For someone starting fresh it's much easier, there's nothing to unlearn...GRIN.

I don't know much about Berkley rods. I owned a couple, way back when everything was made of fiberglass, and dinosaurs ruled the earth, but that was then, this is now. I like Shimano Compre's, they have good hardware on them, offer a lifetime warranty and they are well priced. There is a new line of rods above the Compre that is even nicer. The Stradic reel is a personal favourite of mine. I think it represents "the point of diminishing returns"...You have to spend a lot more to buy something that is only a little nicer. About reel size, don't take something because it's what the store has in stock...try the reel on the rod, if it balances in your hand, it's a good match, if it feels butt heavy, try the lighter 2000, or 1000. I don't like Mono or Fluorocarbon period! I always have some four pound Fluoro for leaders when Crappy fishing in the spring or if I'm trying to be super stealthy, but I won't spool up with it. By the way, you don't need mono under braid if you tape the braid to the spool's arbour. Tie the braid to the spool just as you would Mono. Put a tiny piece of tape on the line so it can't slip, then wind your line on as normal. On reels with fluted spools (the ones with fancy hole drilled in them to catch fishermen...grin) just tie through a couple of holes. I use Mono as Backing on most of my reels...but that's because I only spool about 150 feet of Powerpro. For my musky reels, I buy the 300 yard spool and can re-spool six times instead of just getting one fill-up on the big reels. I sometimes do the same thing with a 125 yard spool on my small reels. Lets face it, if I put 1/2 of the spool on the reel that's 187.5 feet...that's much farther than I can cast...GRIN. The only problem with ten pound Power Pro is it's the same diameter as two or four pound test mono, and it cuts off just as easily as two or four pound mono. I use it, but it's not as forgiving as twenty pound test, which is only slightly thicker. About Fireline...Don't pay to-much attention to the frayed look. The strength is still there. The line isn't braided, it is passed though a pair of hot "irons" to fuse the thousands of little fibers together. When the line has been used for awhile, the ends of the fibers get a little frizzy, but the line is still just as good as ever. They're working to get a smoother more durable finish right now. I think the new and improved is already out in the States... As I said, I prefer PowerPro or any of the other braids, but I use a lot of Fireline because I often find it on sale for the price of Mono when I'm down south. I don't understand why Sport's Store guys try to talk people out of buying superline's. Perhaps it's because they don't really understand them...or maybe it's because they can sell you more Mono, next week when this weeks purchase is all twisted and useless...HAHAHA. Garry2r's

Well I have to say that it's great hearing from all you-guys...I just can't beleave that so many of you are still alive and not in jail!HAHAHA

Okay Folks; Remember that he said price was no object...within reason. I don't want to step on anybodies toes, but...this is my opinion about buying fishing tackle: FIRST: Cheap fishing tackle is a lot like dollar-bin tools...The stuff might look okay, but it just don't work that well or for very long. I think it's a sin when people give there kids Spounge Bob crap to fish with. I take the neighbour and his 8 year old daughter fishing every few days all summer long. She uses my $180.00 St.Croix Avid rod and a $175.00 Shimano Stradic 1000 spinning reel...why? Because they are light weight and balanced, that makes them light in the hands and easy for a little person (50 pounds) to cast. She doesn't get tired or bored or frustrated because the crappy cheap mono is always tangling etc. Get the best you can afford and you will have something that is easy to use right out of the box. SECOND: There is no market for used, cheap, fishing tackle...We all have lots of it already!...hahaha. BUT, if you have high end stuff and want to get out of fishing, there are lots of people who will take it off your hands. The leader question has been answered. As far as line goes, I am a braided line guy. I use Fireline, Tuff Line Plus and Power Pro, but prefer PowerPro. Ten pound test PP is the diameter of 4 pound test Mono, 20 is about like 6 or 8, so you gain all that line strength without a lot of extra visibility. I fish unweighted Senko worms in super clear water around dock, rocks and boats. The fish have plenty of time to look the bait over and they have no problem gobbling it down tied to even 20 pound Power Pro. Baitcasters are not hard to learn, IF YOU BUY A GOOD ONE. I'm using Shimano Calcutta's and Chronarch's, but you could drop down one or two grades and not lose much. Top of the line rods are worth the money, but you won't know until you try them. Get the ones with the lifetime guarantee. The guides and reel seat are much better quality and the rods are lighter and more sensitive. Garry2r's

If you can get to the Kawarthas, I'd be pleased to show you how to catch Bass on plastics etc. Garry2rs

Thanks All; I'm feeling really good now. I cut out beer and smokes and generally cleaned up my act. Recently I started a new diet. I've lost a few pounds, but it remains to be seen if I can keep it off...grin. Anyway I'm fishing more now than I have for the last couple of years, so I think I have more energy than before. 2R's

Thanks Lew! Ít has been awhile! I haven't been active on any off the boards for a long time...I guess I had lost interest, but then Chemong Rick was looking for info on Julian Lake, and asked me to bump his thread...that got me started reading some posts...and you know me...I have an oppinion on everything...HAHAHA. How was your Summer? I hope you caught lots of big toothy critters...grin. I haven't been out for Musky in a long time. In fact I've pretty well hung-up the Musky gear and switched to lighter Bass tackle. This time last year I had a heart attack and, with the medication that I'm on, the heavy tackle wears me out too fast...that and being OLD!...grin. I did get two or three on Jacks by accident, but that was it for me this year. Maybe we could hook-up with Rick sometime and do a little late season fishing... Garry

If I were starting over, I'd buy two outfits. One Shimano medium spinning rod and reel and one med-heavy Shimano bait casting rod and reel. I'd buy the best rods and reels I could afford and I would put Power Pro on both of them. On the spinning outfit I'd use ten or twenty pound test and on the bait caster I'd use 30 or 50 pound test. When fishing in big Pike or Musky waters I'd use a steel leader. I like Shimano because they make good products and stand behind them. I live near Peterbourgh so service is available locally. There warranty is as good as Loomis and St.Croix but the prices are lower. The spinning outfit would be for plastic worms, Mepp's spinners grubs and small jigs for Bass, Panfish and Walleye. The bait caster would be for heavy Jigs, Jig and Pig, large tubes, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other plugs etc. I landed 45 Musky in the Kawarthas on year on a medium heavy Loomis Bass rod and 50 lb PowerPro. The biggest was 43 inches, so I'm not saying this was the ideal Musky outfit, but for average fish it did the job.

I use 80 pound PowerPro or Tuff Line Plus. I started with 50lb. and then tried 65lb, but both lighter lines would snap if I threw a birdsnest with a heavy lure, like a Sledge etc. Eighty pound PowerPro is the diameter of 20 pound Mono, and the best all around weight in my opinion. 2R's