siwash Posted September 20 Author Report Posted September 20 Guys, what are you thoughts on "hi-vis' lines
CrowMan Posted September 20 Report Posted September 20 51 minutes ago, siwash said: Guys, what are you thoughts on "hi-vis' lines For what application/presentation ? They have very limited use in my opinion. Some guys like them for finesse Bass presentations like a Ned rig...you sometimes can see the line "twitch" before you feel the bite (strike detection)...but in that situation you're always using a 5 to 10ft leader of fluorocarbon between the mainline and bait anyway. I would never tie hi-vis directly to the bait. They can also be useful if you're floatfishing for Steelhead in a crowd....easier to track your line...but then again you're using a fc leader between mainline and leader. And personally, I avoid crowds like the plague. So, to answer your question...I never use them. I'm all about stealth, even for Musky/Pike leader I mostly use 100lb+ fc rather than steel or titanium wire. The only exception is I'll sometimes use a stiff single strand wire leader on jerkbaits for Musky...helps prevent tangles when casting and provides better action on the retrieve. Just a confidence thing for me.
siwash Posted September 20 Author Report Posted September 20 (edited) the Lexa 400 reel/combo I am considering is already spooled with hi vis Powerpro.. I thought it was odd too. I can remove it I suppose... Edited September 20 by siwash
siwash Posted September 20 Author Report Posted September 20 18 hours ago, CrowMan said: " Considering a Lexa 400WN paired with an Okuma EVX telescopic rod (8.5) for $350. Not bad for a starting rod/reel combo." My buddy has that combo. If it's in good shape, that's not a bad deal, and it will serve you well with a variety of presentations. If it's the rod rated for 2 to 8 oz and 30 to 65lb line, you don't need anything heavier for the Kawarthas. Just got the specs on it - it's rated for 4 to 12 oz and 50lbs to 100lbs so a bit heavier that what you posted above.. Is this to beefy for Kawartha skis?
AKRISONER Posted September 21 Report Posted September 21 (edited) Just an fyi to expand your options for a used rod, an extra heavy bass flipping rod will get you by in a pinch. They are typically 8 feet long and have enough power for kawarthas musky. and yes, the Komodo does what it needs to do just fine. I can’t speak a ton regarding the longevity because I haven’t done a ton of musky fishing lately but I’ve been using it to throw A rigs in the fall on a MH st croix musky rod and it hasn’t caused me any issues yet. Edited September 21 by AKRISONER 1
siwash Posted September 21 Author Report Posted September 21 I got my rod! Lexa HD 400 with an Okuma 8.6 EVX (1 to 8 oz) Gonna get out there tomorrow and catch the Ontario record 🤣 1
siwash Posted September 22 Author Report Posted September 22 Shopping for leaders. AnyOne familiar with Mars Lures? The guy makes and ships flouro leaders
CrowMan Posted September 22 Report Posted September 22 (edited) My "go to" for off the shelf leaders are the "Huskie Muskie" brand fluorocarbon. However, I usually just make them myself...a spool of 100 or 130lb Seaguar Abrazx FC, double barrel crimps, ball bearing swivels, and coast lock snaps...18" long for casting, 36" for trolling. Very easy to do. Edited September 22 by CrowMan 3
12 Volt Man Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 On 9/19/2024 at 4:26 PM, BillM said: I wouldn't touch a Tranx 400 with a 10ft pole after reading some of the horror stories. Which horror stories have you read? they seem to get glowing reviews from what I have seen and mine has been flawless. the only thing I recall seeing was when they first came out they had some where the drag would loosen on its own for some reason, but I believe this was fixed by Shimano.
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 Got out to Balsam lake yesterday afternoon. Tried out my gear. Will post report.
BillM Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 2 hours ago, siwash said: Got out to Balsam lake yesterday afternoon. Tried out my gear. Will post report. Find a different lake to fish muskies on.. 2
BillM Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 2 hours ago, 12 Volt Man said: Which horror stories have you read? they seem to get glowing reviews from what I have seen and mine has been flawless. the only thing I recall seeing was when they first came out they had some where the drag would loosen on its own for some reason, but I believe this was fixed by Shimano. Pinion gears, drag being inconsistent, etc. I know quite a few guys that have got rid of them for either the 500s or a different brand completely.
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 11 minutes ago, BillM said: Find a different lake to fish muskies on.. 😂😂 why would you say that!?
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 (edited) It's good for pike! Caught a nice 37" Edited September 23 by siwash 1
CrowMan Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 10 minutes ago, BillM said: Pinion gears, drag being inconsistent, etc. I know quite a few guys that have got rid of them for either the 500s or a different brand completely. I've had a Tranx 400 for over 5 years...it's been flawless. If there is one negative, I do find my Lexa 400 has a slightly smoother drag...not a real issue, just an observation. But that's been the case for 30 years, Daiwa's have always had better drags than Shimano's imo...going back to the Whisker Tournament SS1300 which was the gold standard spinning reel back in the day. The Tranx 500 is just too big and heavy for casting all day...maybe for trolling....but I run a Tekota 600 for that. Not that it's necessary, but I like looking at the line counter.
CrowMan Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 6 minutes ago, siwash said: It's good for pike! Caught a nice 37" Exactly...the Pike have taken that lake over from the Muskies. 1 1
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 (edited) Here's a couple... did not see a musky. My Lexa 400 got its first workout. I was exhausted after 3 hours if casting so trolled up a couple of pike. Edited September 23 by siwash 2
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 57 minutes ago, CrowMan said: Exactly...the Pike have taken that lake over from the Muskies. But aren't all these lakes connected? Aren't they all overrun?
lew Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 Atta boy siwash, not the musky you were hoping for but nice fish just the same. 2
BillM Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 2 hours ago, siwash said: But aren't all these lakes connected? Aren't they all overrun? They definitely aren't, which is why I commented what I did. If you want a musky, Balsam isn't the lake to do it on. That's a beauty pike though! I hope you ate it! LOL 2
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 (edited) 12 minutes ago, BillM said: They definitely aren't, which is why I commented what I did. If you want a musky, Balsam isn't the lake to do it on. That's a beauty pike though! I hope you ate it! LOL Curious.. how are they staying out of the other lakes? Do the locks prevent passage? i released it! As well as the other one i caught! Shoot! Edited September 23 by siwash
siwash Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 out of curiosity I did a few searches. On one Facebook chat, multiple people said that pike have "invaded" lake like sturgeon, Cameron, pigeon and throughout the Trent system. Zoe said they'd never seen a like on said lakes
Weeds Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 Nice Fish! Never seen a pike in the Otonabee in the 17 years I’ve lived here. They are in some lakes but by no means over running the Kawarthas. Drives me nuts when I see guys “pike fishing” pre musky or bass season in waters you know aren’t holding pike. 2
BillM Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 3 hours ago, siwash said: Curious.. how are they staying out of the other lakes? Do the locks prevent passage? i released it! As well as the other one i caught! Shoot! Locks keeping them out for the most part.. Any pike you catch in Balsam you'll wanna keep 1
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