FS Digest

I’m gonna start out by saying I’m embarrassed to be asking this stuff, but I’m feeling pretty defeated and have absolutely nothing to lose, so to hell with it. And be forewarned, this may get fairly long.

Now that’s out of the way, I’m a guy in my late 20s who never really fished as a kid. My dad was into it but he had little patience and I had similar issues to I’m about to describe, so we didn’t go together. I mean, we did a couple times, but id usually just sit there, watch, and stick some bait on his hook from time to time. It’s not a sob story or anything, I just feel like it’s sorta necessary to explain why a guy who grew up in Florida can’t fish. Anyway, now I’m having a kid of my own, and I want fishing to be an option for my him if he decides he’s interested in it later down the line. I think it builds character and teaches several invaluable life skills. I really hope he likes it and that it’s something I can share with him. So to avoid looking like a jackass later, I’m doing it now.

I bought an Abu Garcia Vengeance combo at the sporting goods store and put #10 mono on it. The reel says that’s the highest it’s rated for, so I guess that’s what I should probably use. I live on a lake in Central Florida (as stated earlier) with a lot of largemouth bass, crappie, channel cats and some panfish. Today I took my pup and found a pretty secluded area under a bridge and I tied a bass hook (sorry I can’t really be any more specific) to my line with a uni knot, and did that Texas rig deal with an artificial worm. I cast out and lost my hook and bait as it hit the water. So maybe uni wasn’t it, I tried a Palomar Knot (which everyone seems to be real fond of) and the same thing happened. It kinda looked like my line was snapping from pressure, but I found out I need to wet the knot with saliva, so I started doing that and things started looking up. I quit losing my hooks, it was great! I moved to a spot with some light vegetation as the sun went down and I got a bite. I waited until I felt the second nip and lowered my rod closer to water level, brought in my slack, and gave it a(n admittedly hard) tug. Lost my hook and my bait again. Re-tied and went through the whole thing again, got a bite and lost it on hookset. Overall I spent about 6 hours on the water, but most of it was honestly spent troubleshooting.

I came home pretty pissed off, I’ve been reading articles and watching videos for several weeks and I’m still pretty much in the dark, there are so many variables and things to know. It’s proving to be a tough thing to get into this late in life. I came to find out I needed to adjust my drag, so I loosened that a bit tonight, but I haven’t been back out to the lake yet because the heroin dealers and cockroaches are out in droves this time of night, but I’m thinking it could be that. And those are just the issues I ran into today, who knows what’ll happen tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll catch a fish, but who knows.

As disappointing as today was, I did make progress and I’m not going to discount that. I didn’t catch anything, but it felt good being on the lake. It was exciting when I got those bites. I am certain they were bites and I wasn’t snagged on anything. I think I’ll really enjoy it when it stops being so damn frustrating and I can catch fish instead of losing all of my stuff in the water.

Given the information provided, do any of you skilled folks have any advice for a jackass who can barely tie a knot that holds? I’ll gladly take any and all of it. Knots, bait, how to maybe not rip some poor fish’s lips off when trying to set the hook, whatever. Is a leader necessary? Is #10 too weak for what I’m trying to do? What’s a good sized sinker to throw on it? Let’s say you saw some nearly 30 year old guy down the bank who clearly had no idea what he was doing, what would you say to try to help him out? I don’t know anyone who fishes and I’m a pretty antisocial guy. I know I’m all over the place here and I apologize for that. Issue specific advice is great, but any general words of wisdom would be equally appreciated. I wanna thank y’all for taking the time.

--
by soberintoxicologist

FS Digest

I use no less than 14 lbs test but u can go way higher with braid. Try 30 lbs braid with a Palomar knot. I like dragging a 1/2 ounce jig across the bottom with a Berkley max scent creature hawg in the heat of summer

--
by jasonclem20

FS Digest

It sounds like you may not be tying the knots correctly. It would be a good idea to practice tying the knot at home and test the strength by hooking it into a tree or something solid and pull on the line. The line shouldn’t snap at the knot. I would also try using an improved clinch knot instead of the Palomar at first. They’re very easy to tie. You will want to wet the line with saliva so that there is no friction on the line when pulling it tight. I will hold the tag end with my fingers or teeth while I cinch the knot down so that it doesn’t slip out and ruin the knot.

10 lb test monofilament will work great for the type of fishing you will be doing. You don’t need a leader for most types of fishing. Usually people use monofilament leaders attached to braided line because the braid is stronger and more sensitive but the monofilament makes it easier to catch spooked fish.

By yourself some offset hooks and senko worms. I do Texas rigged weightless. Pumpkin watermelon, half brown chartreuse, and chartreuse have all been effective colors for me. You can cast them out and let them drop, then twitch it back in at various speeds and allow it to randomly drop to the bottom sometimes. Most of the fish I have caught with senkos is right on the drop or the first twitch after a pause.

For weights you only need to use enough weight for casting distance with bait. With soft plastic baits you should use enough weight so that you can fish at the depth you want. Add more weight to fish it at the bottom and less weight to fish it by the surface.

Chatterbaits are really good lures too although I haven’t personally had luck with them but I am always seeing people posting fish they caught with a chatter bait. Most people stick a plastic craw on it as a trailer. You can jig it on the bottom or swim it in at various depths and make it hop as it swims.

--
by Tysenberg3204

FS Digest

Thank you for the super comprehensive reply. I didn’t think about checking out my knots by hooking them to a tree, that’s an awesome idea. I’ll cut some line tonight and practice tying some hooks, and I’ll use a tree tomorrow before I go out and throw more supplies away into the lake. Definitely seems like it’s my knots.

Chatters look like fun, I’d also really like to get into using frogs down the line. Ive been using brown/chartreuse and pumpkin/black flake senkos for now. Looks like it’s just patience and trial and error from here.

--
by soberintoxicologist

FS Digest

I forgot to mention to use the same hook to test your knots. Hooking into a tree will definitely dull up the tip which makes it harder to get a good hook set.

Edit: if you use the improved clinch knot the finished knot should be coiled up neatly at the eyelet. If it has any weird gaps or isn’t tight enough it will slip and you’ll lose gear. Also sometimes it’s easier to practice learning knots with paracord or rope since it’s thicker and easier to manipulate

--
by Tysenberg3204

nicstr28

You're getting good advise here. Definitely make your knots tight. A loose knot can come untied or break.
Have you considerd trying some minnows or worms and a bobber? If you just want to catch some fish you'll prob get more action..bluegills,crappie.bass etc if your just looking to reel some fish in. Artificial take some practice.
I use to tie a beetle spin or small floating rapala on for my kids. They get a lot of bites from bluegill etc... and its always possible that a bass will eat it too but the bluegill ,crappie etc..kept them happy just to reel something in.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

If you wold log on and put in your Hamdle/name people could then send you hints on PMs. Knowing roughly where you are located would also help. Just saying. About setting the hook, you don't have to yank hard, the hooks should be sharp enough to grab without jerking it out of their mouth. later and have fun.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

You are getting bites, so that is not the problem. The line you purchased may have been rotten off the shelf. That being said, There is no reason not to use heavier line as a beginner. You can go lighter down the road if you want. I suggest 30 pound braid. Improved clinch not (not just plain clinch not) is the way to go. I would also like to suggest you get a spinning rod and put on 17 pound Fireline. The spinning rig is a lot more forgiving and a far better learning choice for your new upcoming fisherman to start with. After of course a spincast (zebco) rig at about age five or six. A bobber set up provides visual stimulus. Casting a bobber set up with a bait casting rod will only create frustration likely costing you a fishing buddy. The sooner he can fish on his own the happier he will be. Remember, he will far more enjoy ten bluegill than a ten pound bass. Remember, after a short time, throwing rocks in the water may be more fun than fishing. Go with it.

Paul britton Loc: Carlsbad nm

First of all your never to late to learn to fish me my self I tie nots in loop 8 times then wrap line on bottom of hook and tie five times sounds crazy but I've caught big suckers like that and you never know maybe starting out with worms may help

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Fishing is not just knots bait and rods. Try to pay some attention to your surroundings. Close your eyes and listen to the birds and the mosquito buzzing in your ear. Relax and enjoy nature. It's ahuge part of the experience.

Fish4fun Loc: Clinton, NJ & Venice, FL

Knots seem to be your main problem So practice like the advice given above. Stay away from braid until you get real good with your knots. Braid is a lot slicker than mono and harder to get knots not to slip out. Pay attention to how the knot slides down and snugs up against the hook. It’s important the coils lay smoothly.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

First this should be looked at as FUN, not a JOB! Remember this is FISHING", not "CATCHING". If I were you since you are in a steep learning curve, start out simple (like I did as a little 5/6 year old kid) with a bobber and a worm and a little split shot. Forget all the fancy lures until you get proficient at catching fish on the bobber, then change to something else. You got very good advice concerning practicing your knots. Learn patience and have have Fun. When you first take your Son or Daughter fishing, go where it is easy to catch fish so he/she gets HOOKED on fishing. There is nothing better for a kid (and you too) to watch as your bobber starts bobbing or traveling, that brings a lot of excitement. I say keep it simple to start. I have done every bit of that when I was a little kid fishing a little brushy creek, teaching my 4 kids to fish and now grown kids and Grandson taking grandpa fishing. One of the best things you can teach a kid to do!

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

I also would suggest practicing the knot tying. I've almost always used either a snap swivel or a steel leader/ "snelled hooks", while bobber fishing/ worms or kernels of corn (where LEGAL). Usually put a split-shot or 2, on the snell, itself.

kep1662 Loc: Big Chimney, WV

It could be as simple as bad line. I’ve bought line before that was bad from the git go. Can you break it with your hands?

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Hey Mr. Soberitoxicologist, all this is good advice but if you want to "cut to the chase", hire a guide and explain to him you are a beginner or if you know a friend or a friend of a friend, get them to spend a little time showing you some techniques. Who knows, sounds like the bites you were getting may have been bluegill nipping at your bait. You got to be a line watcher if you want to be a fish catcher.