Newbie Questions

Hi,

After many years, getting back into bass fishing again.
Still consider myself a real amateur, though.

Use light weight spinning gear; bass around here aren't too big
(unfortunately).

I notice on my spinning reel that I have some line that I probably put on
about 5 years ago, or so.
Still seems to be in good shape.

It's Not monofilament, it's a black, thin, thread type.
If I remember right, and I might be wrong, I think it was call Fireline.

Sure is slippery, and seems to zoom thru the guides just fine.

Questions:

- If I tie it directly to a lure, do bass notice the black color as compared
to clear monofilament ?

- Should I replace it with monofilament, in your opinion ?

- Do most of you flolks use a barrel swivel between the end and the lure to
prevent line twisting, or usually
not really needed ?

Just out of curiosity: other than personal preference, I guess, what are
the rules of thumb for when a spinning outfit is more appropriate, compared
to a bait casting outfit, and vice versa ?

Thanks,
Bob

wow, those are some good questions to get things stirred around here, you
probably have braided line on your reel. Some people will tell you that bass
can see it while others will tell you bass aren't line shy(I'm in the later
group) some will tell you to color the last foot of the braid with a black
marker. So take what works and leave the rest behind. I personaly would get
rid of 5 year old line no matter what kind it is

....I never use swivels...

spinning Vs baitcasting.. HMM here is another where it all depends on the
angler. I like using my spinning rod for flukes and topwater baits and
baitcasting for pretty much everything else, oh with maybe the exception of
dropshotting, then it's back to spinning gear, but I rarely dropshot...
stick around your sure to get a ton of mixed information 1/2 of which might
actually be useful and the other half which might actually be useful too.
:-0

--
WWW.GOTOBAITS.COM
PREMIUM HAND POURED BAITS
"Robert11" wrote in message
. ..
Hi,

After many years, getting back into bass fishing again.
Still consider myself a real amateur, though.

Use light weight spinning gear; bass around here aren't too big
(unfortunately).

I notice on my spinning reel that I have some line that I probably put on
about 5 years ago, or so.
Still seems to be in good shape.

It's Not monofilament, it's a black, thin, thread type.
If I remember right, and I might be wrong, I think it was call Fireline.

Sure is slippery, and seems to zoom thru the guides just fine.

Questions:

- If I tie it directly to a lure, do bass notice the black color as
compared to clear monofilament ?

- Should I replace it with monofilament, in your opinion ?

- Do most of you flolks use a barrel swivel between the end and the lure
to prevent line twisting, or usually
not really needed ?

Just out of curiosity: other than personal preference, I guess, what are
the rules of thumb for when a spinning outfit is more appropriate,
compared to a bait casting outfit, and vice versa ?

Thanks,
Bob

Newbie Questions

Group: rec.outdoors.fishing.bass Date: Fri, Jun 8, 2007, 7:31pm (CDT+1)
From: (Robert11)
Hi,
After many years, getting back into bass fishing again. Still consider
myself a real amateur, though.
Use light weight spinning gear; bass around here aren't too big
(unfortunately).
I notice on my spinning reel that I have some line that I probably put
on about 5 years ago, or so.
Still seems to be in good shape.
It's Not monofilament, it's a black, thin, thread type. If I remember
right, and I might be wrong, I think it was call Fireline.
Sure is slippery, and seems to zoom thru the guides just fine.
Questions:
- If I tie it directly to a lure, do bass notice the black color as
compared to clear monofilament ?
- Should I replace it with monofilament, in your opinion ?
- Do most of you flolks use a barrel swivel between the end and the lure
to prevent line twisting, or usually
not really needed ?
Just out of curiosity: other than personal preference, I guess, what are
the rules of thumb for when a spinning outfit is more appropriate,
compared to a bait casting outfit, and vice versa ?
Thanks,
Bob
=========
Bob, I am sure you will get some good advice from the rest of the guys
here...and I am not the authority by a long shot on bass fishing, but my
adivice is to re-spool your reel with a quality mono to start with. As
for swivilles, I very seldom use them...I keep it simple . Line twist
is not a big problem for me, if I get some line twist, I just cast out
and hold the line between my fingers with some medium pressure and reel
in slow to remove the twist.

Spinning verses bait casting is, in my opinin, a matter of personal
preference....I have caught 200 lb. sharks on spinning reels, and some
pretty nice bass also. I own one bait casting reel, and I havn't used it
in a "long" time!

If you are just getting started, use what is most comfortable to
you...later you can modify your tackle to what comes natural for you.

I don't have anything against bait casting gear...I just personally
prefer spinning gear is all.

Just go fishing...you'll figure out what suits you best!

John K

"Robert11" wrote in message
. ..
Hi,

After many years, getting back into bass fishing again.
Still consider myself a real amateur, though.

***Welcome back. I've been fishing for over four decades and I still
consider myself an amatuer.

Use light weight spinning gear; bass around here aren't too big
(unfortunately).

***But they are fun, aren't they. I've always been a proponent of matching
the tackle to the fish's size.

I notice on my spinning reel that I have some line that I probably put on
about 5 years ago, or so.
Still seems to be in good shape.

***It might be, but do you really want to go cheap on the main thing that's
connecting you to the fish?

It's Not monofilament, it's a black, thin, thread type.
If I remember right, and I might be wrong, I think it was call Fireline.

Sure is slippery, and seems to zoom thru the guides just fine.

***It does sound like FireLine, and it's a good line. I prefer PowerPro.

Questions:

- If I tie it directly to a lure, do bass notice the black color as
compared to clear monofilament ?

***Sure, they will notice it, but they won't care.

- Should I replace it with monofilament, in your opinion ?

***You should replace it, but not with mono line in my opinion. I love to
use braided line, PowerPro in particular. It has much better sensitivity,
you get better hooksets and just seems to work better for my clients and I
than mono.

- Do most of you flolks use a barrel swivel between the end and the lure
to prevent line twisting, or usually
not really needed ?

***The only time you should use a swivel is with a Carolina rig or a lure
that causes line twist such as an inline spinner or spoon.

Just out of curiosity: other than personal preference, I guess, what are
the rules of thumb for when a spinning outfit is more appropriate,
compared to a bait casting outfit, and vice versa ?

***Again, this is just what works for my clients and I, but I use 1/4 oz.
lure weight and type of water as the determining factor on baitcasting
versus spinning. Fishing near heavy cover, using heavy lines (17 lb. test
or greater) and lures heavier than 1/4 oz. means baitcasting tackle.
Lightweight lines/lures and fishing relatively open water, fairly free of
snags I'll use spinning tackle.

--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

On Jun 8, 6:31 pm, "Robert11" wrote:
Hi,

After many years, getting back into bass fishing again.
Still consider myself a real amateur, though.

Use light weight spinning gear; bass around here aren't too big
(unfortunately).

I notice on my spinning reel that I have some line that I probably put on
about 5 years ago, or so.
Still seems to be in good shape.

It's Not monofilament, it's a black, thin, thread type.
If I remember right, and I might be wrong, I think it was call Fireline.

Sure is slippery, and seems to zoom thru the guides just fine.

Questions:

- If I tie it directly to a lure, do bass notice the black color as compared
to clear monofilament ?

I cut my bassin teeth in 1959 using exclusively braided line. It was
the only line our family used until around 1978 when mono line
improved enough to cast as far as braided line and held up fairly
well. I've caught my share of bass on braided line, especially since
it was so greatly improved recently. In the old days it cut the rod
guides terribly because it got dirty and stayed dirty. I don't believe
bass care so much about line visibility until the bass is around 8# in
size and too wise to get away with that. If a bass is hungry it is
likely to get a bait before noticing the line. Most bites come from
behind, the line ahead of the bait, The big exception is in heavy
vegetation where any braid fits in and appears to be just another
strand of hydrilla. Braid has become essential in such places. It cuts
through hydrilla up to the ability of the rod. That all applies to
baits being cranked.

Let's move to drop shotting in clear water. A bass gets a long look at
the bait and line from several angles, in which case braid will fail
you. I use a fluorocarbon leader on mono for sloped drop shotting (at
an angle away from the boat), and all fluorocarbon line for vertical
drop shotting. It's highly sensitive and sinks well to hang straight
in up to a mile or two per hour current.

- Should I replace it with monofilament, in your opinion ?

Braid works very well on spinning rods. The line you have is too old
to keep, though. I replace braid once a year.
If you are used to the braid and like it, stick with it. You can
always tie clear mono or fluorocarbon leaders on it.

- Do most of you flolks use a barrel swivel between the end and the lure to
prevent line twisting, or usually
not really needed ?

Spinning rods guarantee built-in line twist, but there are ways to
reduce it. Using a high quality swivel is one. I avoid using snap
swivels because the snap is an extra possible point of failure. It's
best to tie directly and often, at least once every 10# of fish. Be
sure to use the "braid knot".

Just out of curiosity: other than personal preference, I guess, what are
the rules of thumb for when a spinning outfit is more appropriate, compared
to a bait casting outfit, and vice versa ?

Bob, I use spinning gear for casting light lures (3/8 oz) or for
casting heavier lures very long distances like to a breaking school
way out of reach of a baitcaster using the same lure. Anything heavier
gets tied on a baitcaster if there is somewhat heavy vegetation or
wood around. You get more cranking power with the baitcaster and for
me, better accuracy on long casts. The drag system is almost always
superior to a spinning reel, more consistent and always adjustable
with a fish on the line. Some spinning reels have the drag on the
handle end and can be adjusted mid fight, but I find those awkward.
I'm talking larger potential bass. In your case a spinning rig ought
to be just fine since you won't be working a heavy hard swimming bass
and you can get by well with small lures.

Jim