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No Fisherman Yet
December 19th, 2003, 09:31 PM
After pretty much being away from fishing for thirty years I plan on
going back to fishing.

Will probably be fishing mostly for Largemouth Bass, Pan fish(bream
and Crappie), Catfish and whatever else will bite.

Will be fishing in lakes from very large to just a few acres in
Northwest Arkansas, USA.

Questions:

First stop was Walmart to check on new line for my old spin cast
reels. Wow, lots of different brands and types of line. What do you
use?

I figured I would be able to use some of my old rods and reels? Any
major problems with that?

Boat, motor and trailer. I sold mine many years ago and will buy
either a used or new setup. I stopped at a boat dealer yesterday and
he had a new 2003 Lowe 17', 40 HP Johnson with tilt and trim 2 cycle
with oil injection, Minkota trolling motor and depth finder for $8000.
The next step up for a much nicer Lowe boat was $10500.

Now I had in mind a 14' with a ten HP Jon boat as I had before but a
bigger boat with a deck to stand on and pedestal seats looks inviting.
What do you use? I really don't see a need for a very fast boat with
a big motor. Am I missing something here?

I think I will mostly be using artificial lures but am not opposed to
using live and cut bait. I remember plastic worms were the hot item
to fish with and I have done a little bank fishing since and had
pretty good luck with Rebel Crayfish lures. What do you use?

Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?

Thank You for taking the time to read this and for any information you
wish to share.

Roy

Henry Hefner
December 20th, 2003, 01:23 AM
I think the best place for you to start is right here:
http://www.rofb.net/faq.htm . There is a lot of info there that came
from this forum, and you won't have to wait on responses. Welcome to the
group!

No Fisherman Yet wrote:
> After pretty much being away from fishing for thirty years I plan on
> going back to fishing.
>
> Will probably be fishing mostly for Largemouth Bass, Pan fish(bream
> and Crappie), Catfish and whatever else will bite.
>
> Will be fishing in lakes from very large to just a few acres in
> Northwest Arkansas, USA.
>
> Questions:
>
> First stop was Walmart to check on new line for my old spin cast
> reels. Wow, lots of different brands and types of line. What do you
> use?
>
> I figured I would be able to use some of my old rods and reels? Any
> major problems with that?
>
> Boat, motor and trailer. I sold mine many years ago and will buy
> either a used or new setup. I stopped at a boat dealer yesterday and
> he had a new 2003 Lowe 17', 40 HP Johnson with tilt and trim 2 cycle
> with oil injection, Minkota trolling motor and depth finder for $8000.
> The next step up for a much nicer Lowe boat was $10500.
>
> Now I had in mind a 14' with a ten HP Jon boat as I had before but a
> bigger boat with a deck to stand on and pedestal seats looks inviting.
> What do you use? I really don't see a need for a very fast boat with
> a big motor. Am I missing something here?
>
> I think I will mostly be using artificial lures but am not opposed to
> using live and cut bait. I remember plastic worms were the hot item
> to fish with and I have done a little bank fishing since and had
> pretty good luck with Rebel Crayfish lures. What do you use?
>
> Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
>
> Thank You for taking the time to read this and for any information you
> wish to share.
>
> Roy
>

David H. Lipman
December 20th, 2003, 02:21 AM
I like my 14' Lowe SeaNymph that has a live well. I like it alot better than the Delhi I
got rid of. I have a 10hp Johnson on it mainly because some lakes in NJ don't allow larger
gas engines. (some told me the trick is to get a larger engine but use a cowl that states
10hp on it to get past the NJ regulations) I use it on NJ's Shrewsbury River as well as on
lakes. Lowe makes a GOOD solid boat.

I don't suggest Wal-Mart for fishing tackle. I suggest going to localized tackle shops.
Those around the fishing areas that you want to go out on. They will have hardware and bait
specialized for that area as well as a working knowledge of the techniques needed for that
area.

Since you haven't fished in a long time let me tell 'ya of an improvement to fishing poles
of the past. there are two major improvements. The first is graphite in the core aka;
Carbon Fiber. The poles are light and strong. I am a NJ Surf fisherman and I use a 12'
pole. I have an old fiberglass and I have a new graphite rod. You would not believe the
weight and strength differences between the two. The second improvement is the replacement
of hardened metal guides to ceramic guides. this is especially noted in a rod's tip where
ceramic won't wear while even hardened metal will wear a groove into the guide.

I personally like Diawa rods and reels and Stren monofilament.

I hope the above helps 'ya.

Dave



"No Fisherman Yet" > wrote in message
...
| After pretty much being away from fishing for thirty years I plan on
| going back to fishing.
|
| Will probably be fishing mostly for Largemouth Bass, Pan fish(bream
| and Crappie), Catfish and whatever else will bite.
|
| Will be fishing in lakes from very large to just a few acres in
| Northwest Arkansas, USA.
|
| Questions:
|
| First stop was Walmart to check on new line for my old spin cast
| reels. Wow, lots of different brands and types of line. What do you
| use?
|
| I figured I would be able to use some of my old rods and reels? Any
| major problems with that?
|
| Boat, motor and trailer. I sold mine many years ago and will buy
| either a used or new setup. I stopped at a boat dealer yesterday and
| he had a new 2003 Lowe 17', 40 HP Johnson with tilt and trim 2 cycle
| with oil injection, Minkota trolling motor and depth finder for $8000.
| The next step up for a much nicer Lowe boat was $10500.
|
| Now I had in mind a 14' with a ten HP Jon boat as I had before but a
| bigger boat with a deck to stand on and pedestal seats looks inviting.
| What do you use? I really don't see a need for a very fast boat with
| a big motor. Am I missing something here?
|
| I think I will mostly be using artificial lures but am not opposed to
| using live and cut bait. I remember plastic worms were the hot item
| to fish with and I have done a little bank fishing since and had
| pretty good luck with Rebel Crayfish lures. What do you use?
|
| Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
|
| Thank You for taking the time to read this and for any information you
| wish to share.
|
| Roy
|

Bob La Londe
December 20th, 2003, 03:13 AM
Go to a local tackle shop aor two and buy some tackle even if you never use
it. The help you will get from the local guy who actually fishes will be
more than worth it. If at all possible go during the day in the middle of
the week when business is slow for him.

As to a boat. I don't have a lot of room to talk. If you don't mind
working on it and putting some money into it you can get a lot of boat for a
few thousand dollars used. I bought an 18' Skeeter with a 150HP outboard a
while back for 3 grand, but I have since put another couple grand in it to
make it a decent boat. I then found a great 20' Baker with a 200HP FI
outboard for eleven grand that I just love. It will pass anything but the
gas dock. I'll tell you a twenty foot boat is a dream to fish out of. Lots
of deck space. Lots of storgae space. As to speed. I fish an area where I
can run more than 40 miles of river and countless backwater lakes.. It is
not unusal for me to run an hour to fish some place new after I launch my
boat. On the other hand even that Baker tunnel hull has problems getting
into some backwater lakes. Its better than a V-Hull, but one lake I like to
fish has only a few inches of water in the mouth on low days.

I just bought a brand new Waco 16 footer for those back waters. Real basic
boat. http://www.alohapontoons.com/2050161.jpg
I ordered through a local dealer for 2800 dollars with a console, 20"
transom, middle seat remove with a solid floor, and a trolling motor plate
to mount my motor in the front.

I bought a 50HP motor off of Ebay from a guy in FLorida to go on it, and I
got an old trailer from my dad. It had a rotted out 17 wood thompson on it.
The thompson is now sitting on the ground behind my office waiting to be
chopped up and put in the dumpster. I'll spend most of my weekend
repainting the trailer and putting on bunks for the boat.

I guess the Waco will be lake ready for less than five grand and a couple
days of my time. As time goes by I will build in some locker and alive
well. I'll have a front fishing seat in it before next weekend. By the
time it is right I might have 6 grand in it.

So the morale of my story is you can get a lot of boat for a little money if
you are willing to work at it.

P.S. I'll have the Skeeter up for sale in a few days. I found a Mercury
certified mechanic to go over the motor on it for me. I won't sell
something that doesn't run right even if I might buy something that doesn't.

--
Bob La Londe
Yuma, Az
http://www.YumaBassMan.com
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Bluestone
December 21st, 2003, 08:00 PM
No Fisherman Yet > wrote in message >...
> After pretty much being away from fishing for thirty years I plan on
> going back to fishing.
>
> Will probably be fishing mostly for Largemouth Bass, Pan fish(bream
> and Crappie), Catfish and whatever else will bite.
>
> Will be fishing in lakes from very large to just a few acres in
> Northwest Arkansas, USA.
>
> Questions:
>
> First stop was Walmart to check on new line for my old spin cast
> reels. Wow, lots of different brands and types of line. What do you
> use?
>
> I figured I would be able to use some of my old rods and reels? Any
> major problems with that?
>
> Boat, motor and trailer. I sold mine many years ago and will buy
> either a used or new setup. I stopped at a boat dealer yesterday and
> he had a new 2003 Lowe 17', 40 HP Johnson with tilt and trim 2 cycle
> with oil injection, Minkota trolling motor and depth finder for $8000.
> The next step up for a much nicer Lowe boat was $10500.
>
> Now I had in mind a 14' with a ten HP Jon boat as I had before but a
> bigger boat with a deck to stand on and pedestal seats looks inviting.
> What do you use? I really don't see a need for a very fast boat with
> a big motor. Am I missing something here?
>
> I think I will mostly be using artificial lures but am not opposed to
> using live and cut bait. I remember plastic worms were the hot item
> to fish with and I have done a little bank fishing since and had
> pretty good luck with Rebel Crayfish lures. What do you use?
>
> Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
>
> Thank You for taking the time to read this and for any information you
> wish to share.
>
> Roy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roy,
Your old Rods and gear will do just fine as long as you have
maintained them.
But they can be re-lubed or fixed to work again if needed, check with
a local Tackle shop for your lures as per anything pertaining to whats
being fished and tips.
I would stray from going to Wal-Mart until your more familiar with
your gear
unless they have a better deal and you know what you want BUT its
better to buy from your local Tackle shop and get to know them even go
fishing.

Hope this helps
Sincerely,
bluestonerod

Scott
December 21st, 2003, 09:29 PM
Hello Roy,

How are ya? Glad to see your getting back in the fishing game!

Your right, reels have changed so much over the years. As for what
kind of reel to use, I'd stick with the spincast style that your
comforatble with. I'd suggest looking at the new Zebco Omega
Spincast Reel. A friend of mine just bought it and can't wait till
the spring. He's very impressed with how smooth it is. It carries a
49.95 price tag.

With regard to fishing for bass, plastics are still as successful as
ever. I 'm in love with the Joint Shad Rap, and Husky Jerk. I agree
with a couple of other people that talk to the tackle shop owners near
the lake your going to fish and seek their advice. Be aware, they're
lookin to sell you tackle as well.

I'd say your old rod and reels will work, but there have been vast
improvements over them!! If you can afford a few bucks, you can get a
nice set up fairly cheap.

Hope this helps!!

Scott
-----------------------------------------------------
Would love to go fishing but don't know how to start?

Check out http://www.getstartedfishing.com

Getting started has never been so easy!
-----------------------------------------------------
No Fisherman Yet > wrote in message >...
> After pretty much being away from fishing for thirty years I plan on
> going back to fishing.
>
> Will probably be fishing mostly for Largemouth Bass, Pan fish(bream
> and Crappie), Catfish and whatever else will bite.
>
> Will be fishing in lakes from very large to just a few acres in
> Northwest Arkansas, USA.
>
> Questions:
>
> First stop was Walmart to check on new line for my old spin cast
> reels. Wow, lots of different brands and types of line. What do you
> use?
>
> I figured I would be able to use some of my old rods and reels? Any
> major problems with that?
>
> Boat, motor and trailer. I sold mine many years ago and will buy
> either a used or new setup. I stopped at a boat dealer yesterday and
> he had a new 2003 Lowe 17', 40 HP Johnson with tilt and trim 2 cycle
> with oil injection, Minkota trolling motor and depth finder for $8000.
> The next step up for a much nicer Lowe boat was $10500.
>
> Now I had in mind a 14' with a ten HP Jon boat as I had before but a
> bigger boat with a deck to stand on and pedestal seats looks inviting.
> What do you use? I really don't see a need for a very fast boat with
> a big motor. Am I missing something here?
>
> I think I will mostly be using artificial lures but am not opposed to
> using live and cut bait. I remember plastic worms were the hot item
> to fish with and I have done a little bank fishing since and had
> pretty good luck with Rebel Crayfish lures. What do you use?
>
> Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
>
> Thank You for taking the time to read this and for any information you
> wish to share.
>
> Roy