Some reels are "braid-ready" with no need for adding backing. If not, you can add a WRAP of electical tape to the spool to prevent slippage.

4DaFryer (online) Joined: Jun 1, 2020 Posts: 64 Loc: Romeoville, IL

A Fractured Fishing Tale !

I've been fascinated by Muskies since I was old enough to read about them. A 6 foot long Muskie would be 72 inches in length ! That's a far cry from the Record of 60 inches (5 feet).

According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) the largest muskellunge on record was caught by Cal Johnson in Lac Courte Oreilles (recognized as Lake Courte Oreilles by the association), Hayward, Wisconsin, United States on July 24, 1949. The fish weighed 67 lbs. 3.8 oz. (30.61 kg) and was 60.25 in (153.035 cm) in length, and 33-34 in (83.82-86.36 cm) in girth.

I'd like to see those mounted 6 foot Muskies that would be World Class Records ! Perhaps they were FAKES !






4DaFryer

A Fractured Fishing Tale !

I've been fascinated by Muskies since I was old enough to read about them. A 6 foot long Muskie would be 72 inches in length ! That's a far cry from the Record of 60 inches (5 feet).

According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) the largest muskellunge on record was caught by Cal Johnson in Lac Courte Oreilles (recognized as Lake Courte Oreilles by the association), Hayward, Wisconsin, United States on July 24, 1949. The fish weighed 67 lbs. 3.8 oz. (30.61 kg) and was 60.25 in (153.035 cm) in length, and 33-34 in (83.82-86.36 cm) in girth.

I'd like to see those mounted 6 foot Muskies that would be World Class Records ! Perhaps they were FAKES !

Most Shakespeare rods only list the Line Strength on the blank. Kinda frustrating !
Here's a picture of my Ugly Stick Lite Pro 7 ft. spinning rod. It casts well with about
1/4 to 3/4 oz. lures and 6 to 12 lb. line.

Whoa Hoss ! I hate misinformation ! If somebody said the Daiwa Sweepfire 2500 Spinning Reel was for saltwater...they were full of beans.

Of course any saltwater reel can be used in freshwater as well. The Daiwa Sweepfire series is a low-cost entry spinning reel. To prevent any confusion Daiwa SALTWATER certified spinning reels start at about $99.00. These come in 2500 and other sizes. These are Daiwa Eliminator, Daiwa Fuego LT and the Daiwa EMCASTBRLT. I have a bunch of Daiwa reels and my favorite is the the Daiwa EMCASTBRLT 2500. It features dual drag settings which has a "bait-runner" setting. Daiwa saltwater reels are more rugged and great for both fresh and saltwater.

Those hooks are way too small ! Great for most panfish but Catfish have BIG Mouths. Depending on the size of the bait (live bluegill or cut bait) I use a size 2/0 to 6/0 circle hook. Often, they will be hooked in the jaw when you start the retrieve. No need to jerk the rod ! These sizes also work great for Bass and I've even caught some bullheads
as small as 9 inches.

"Catch every snakehead you can and toss em on the weeds"!

NO WAY, Jose ! They can crawl back into the water.
Take your knife and KILL them first ! ! !

To answer this question without all the comments, from my own experience size 6 circle hooks are great for most Panfish. If you're into catch and release, take your plyers and flatten the barb. With circle hooks, most fish are hooked when reeling in the bait. For Bass and Catfish, a size 2/0 to 6/0 works very well. Smaller sized hooks may be swallowed occasionally. 6/0 is NOT too big for Catfish and Bass !

I own several models of Shimano IX reels. Got my first one about 10 years ago, size 2000. Liked it so much I purchased a size 4000. This year got a size 1000 for my ultralight rod.
Yep, they all still have metal alloy gears. There are NO Ball Bearings; plain bearings can be seen on the diagram.
I lube them each year and they all run smooth. That's all it takes for dependable service. The Rear Drag and Trigger is great for beginners and the trigger is used the hold the line, instead of your finger when you are about to make a cast. IMHO they can't be beat at this low cost. Better than some reels costing much more ! I've bought more as gifts for kids and newbies and they all luv 'em !

That "trigger" can be removed by removing and replacing the screw. It will work just like a typical spinning reel.

What you may want to try is the Santee Rig. It keeps the bait off the bottom and into the strike zone of the fish.
Catfish rig pictured, but can be used for other fish with lighter line.

The smallest fish I ever caught was a baby Bass about that size; about as big as my index finger.
And just yesterday caught a baby Bluegill; about the size of my pinky finger.
Both fish were caught on a #10 hook with a 1/2 inch piece of worm. It's amazing
as to what one might catch when fishing; big or small I love em' all ! I'm considering
even a smaller hook with my ultralight rig to try to catch some even smaller.

Many years ago, a landed a 9 inch Bluegill from a local pond. Big and fat and a fighter ! Thought at first It was a Bass on my ultralight rig. Released and hoped to catch again. Several years trying but never did.

Perhaps try a St. Croix Triumph or Shakespeare Ugly Stik. Shimano has some fine rods as well.

What kind of doofus would post a question like this ?

Answer: The kind that has way TOOO Much time on his hands !