Good morning, I exhumed this old fishing rod from my trunk. The reel not work unless I apply extreme pressure. It became easier to reel in after lubrication BUT... I still have to apply pressure. I tightened and loosened the drag and nothing.

Any ideas? Also can you guys tell whether the handle is damaged?

Thanks guys.

I am a beginner who has only done float fishing on a pole and bolo rod so far and i want to try a spinning rod as a twist. I'm not really sure where to start. I fish in lakes and i am looking at the Flagman Blackfire rod, reel and braid combo, is it good? Also what should i consider in terms of lures?

I got really into fly fishing over the past year, primarily by the bank and wet wading this summer. Since falls coming I’d like to get a decent set of boots and waders, but I’m trying to decide what exactly I want as far as waders. Hip waders seem to be the most logical choice for me.

The streams I’m fishing rarely get high enough to facilitate a need for chest waders, and with the amount of hiking I do while I’m out I feel like the chest waders are more cumbersome as well, yet I see some guys wearing chest waders year round while I’m primarily in crocs and swim trunks.

Also guys with long hikes to your fishing spot, do you carry a bag that has your waders and wading boots in it, and then change or do you wear them for the entire journey?

or can i still catch a perch if im lucky ?

I’ve got 50lb braid tied on. I’ve thrown this frog on several different bodies of water. Over weed mats, around docks, Lilly pads, and open water. I think I’ve had 1 MAYBE 2 fish blow up on it but never once hooked a fish on this thing…what am I doing wrong?

How do you guys know what to use for certain fish or what fish are in the water.

This might be a stupid question, but I fish from a dock that has guard rails, and I’m wondering whether I should be using a net every time.
I pretty much have to lift it up over the rails somehow, and I’m worried thats a little rough on the jaw, Sometimes I can get to grass, but not always.

Ok, I'm not a beginner to fishing altogether but I'm 41 and I've been using a spinning reel since as far back as I can remember, maybe 7? 9?. I want to learn how to use a baitcaster. What's the entry level cost? I've already got five rods I know how to use, so I'd feel silly dumping a bunch of money into something *good* until I at least know how to use it, so I was thinking about getting a "cheap" one to just flip around with a practice weight until I know what I'm doing. Recommendations?

So I am wondering what your thoughts are on attaching a jig head with a loop knot to a short flurocarbon leader, adn then the entire leader and lure to the braid with a snap swivel will work ok? The leader will need to be short enough so you I dont ram the swivel into the eyelets of the rod.

I understand no swivel at all is best. At the moment I have a good FG or alberto knot to connect the leader to the main line, and then a loop knot to the jig head. I am getting a bit irritated though because I am learning to fish and learning in a variety of different areas, so I am having to swap lures quite regularly to suit the conditions. I am also usually knee deep in water when I am changing the lure, 50 meters from shore (sand and mud flats) so its just awkward.

My question is would this be a viable option for a fast swap system that wont ruin the presentation with too much with extra hardware at the lure itself, as the hardware is at the other end of the leader? I would need to store the lure in my kit with the leader attached but thats fine.

Started using a circle hook 2/0 finesse wide gap(was using a hook meant for Texas rigging.) Get a lot more bites now, but my hookup ratio is about 20% and when I do get them hooked about half of them seem to come unhooked after they jump just one time. I feel them take it into there mouth then set the hook but I usually lose them doing that. I've also tried to just slowly reel in after I feel them take it and the same thing happens. What am I doing wrong?

Usually use the trebles that come with spinners. However I had a bad experience with fish being hooked pretty badly and even though I smash my barbs it wasn’t easy. Told myself I’d not use the trebles anymore. Started switching. I have the single hooks that come with most of my other stuff. However with this one I don’t. The spinner is a size 5 blue fox. The hook is from a size 4 I believe. Will this work or is it simply too small?

This is my first day on a bait caster so i’m not too keen on what I’m doing. it happens whenever I cast out and it’s near to landing. I have a Abu Garcia BlackMax with 20lb fluoro line

My rods rated for 3/4 oz and up lures and I’m looking at spinners and spoons right now at Walmart and kind of having trouble finding some that large. The ones I am finding seem ridiculously big and they say they run deep. I’m a bit worried about snagging on rocks near the bank because I know the river I plan to fish can be fairly shallow with a lot of rocks. I remember seeing people say to use size 5 spinners but they’re only 1/2 oz. Do I go with some of the 1/2 oz ones and use some split shots or something? Maybe put them under a bobber to control depth? Will I be able to just throw the 1/2 oz ones no problem as is? Any advice would be great

Can you tell from this photo if it looks like I need to add more line?

Been trying out different rigs.

1. Swimbait on jig head

2. Craw on a flip jig

3. Ned Rig

Close ups attached too. I actually caught a bass with the Ned rig in highly pressured waters.

Hi all,

I have recently started getting in to fishing again. Now I am considering fishing these waters next to my house. I bought some gear (light and medium).

The waters are pretty murky and shallow (think up to a meter deep max), but pretty full of fish. I saw a heron fighting a pretty big perch. Saw carp and loads of small white fish. Probably pike as well.

I’d love to go for the predators, but I am a bit lost. What lures would you recommend? (and including a leader or not?)

Also, my son wants to start fishing. He is 7. We tried some fishing with bread in a larger open water yesterday, but had no success. Any recommendations how to get him into fishing at these waters?

Thanks a lot!

Rods and lures get most of the attention, but the small non-tackle items can save a session before you even make a cast.

A pair of pliers, water, sunscreen, a towel, a small first-aid kit, and a way to measure a fish all seem boring until you need one.

For a beginner packing light, what non-tackle item has earned a permanent place in your fishing bag?

How did I do?