My Gear

Hello all. The first birthday present I got from my now father-in-law was a rod and stocked tackle box. The last rod I had before it was an old child's rod from my grandfather, and I used my old CareBears lunchbox for my tackle.

I've recently learned of local fishing spots I can get to on the bus and I've also started hanging out more with some friends who also enjoy fishing, ie. I may soon be fishing a LOT more than I have in the past. I live in Hamilton and, when left to my own devices, will be fishing at Princess Point mostly, with some trips to the Burlington waterfront and spots under the lift bridge separating Hamilton Harbour from Lake Ontario. When it comes to gear I'm pretty clueless, even knowing what to use to catch certain fish is mostly unknown to me. So, here's some pics of my gear, I'm just lookin for comments, suggestions, or tips.




My rod, part of the first birthday present my now father-in-law bought me. I have a slight issue with it that I'll be making a separate post to ask about, but otherwise it's a good rod (as far as I can tell). The rod is Shimano FX S-66M2 (specs here: http://goo.gl/UFLgD ). The spool says Shimano R 4000 and under the reel arm it says Shimano IX 4000R 4.2:1 gear ratio.




Here is my tackle box, again the birthday present from my father-in-law.




The majority of my tackle.




I have several spoons. None of these came from my father-in-law, I had most of them before I got my current set-up. My grandfather used to use them and hence why I had them. I don't know where my grandfather used to take me fishing.




Two of the Rapala lures are from my father-in-law. He swears by them, although last summer he started getting into fly fishing and making his own flies. He lives in Waldemar (near Grand Valley just outside of Orangville) and is right on the Grand River. I also got a few jigs and worms.

That's about it. I have no preference as to what I use, I enjoy using all of it. Till recently my track-record was such that it didn't matter what I used, and I fished because I enjoyed the casting, reeling, nature, and relaxing, not cause I enjoyed catching fish (cause I never caught any). I also like going the old bobber and worm route (witch worked great on the catfish on my last trip to Princess Point).

Money is pretty tight these days, and will be even tighter come September when the school starts taking most of it again! I can put some money into my habit, but definitely not a lot, so while any suggestions etc will be appreciated, cheap ones will be even more so!

Hey buddy

You got a great selection there, cranks, inline spinner(mepps), plastic grubs and kids bobbers.

Depending on what you're after, I mostly use #4 and 6 hooks, I like the octopus, always good to have hooks especially when you lose them to rocks. Good economical brands: mustad. Better hooks are Gamagatsu, Mitzuo...etc.

If you like to use floats, Bass Pro has all balsa wood floats cheap, $6 for 6.

I would add some white grubs and ball jigs, or atleast just the white grubs. Again Bass Pro I saw a pack of ball jigs different sizes for like $14.99. Try to keep different coloured plastics apart or you'll end up with multi coloured lures, the colours will bleed. The plastic grubs are cheapest, go for single tail, double tail never worked for me yet. Some plastic crawdads are suppose to be good, I'm looking for some myself. I don't use cranks due to cost if you lose one, they are great for some applications but the best lures, Live Target, Rapala, rarely go on sale.

You're doing good.

I like making customed plastic jig bodies by storing differrent colours together in differrent arrangements example; laying an orange grub under and overtop of a few white power minnos will give them a unique orange hue that no other bait has. Sharpies are fun too

georgianbaydrifter said:

I like making customed plastic jig bodies by storing differrent colours together in differrent arrangements example; laying an orange grub under and overtop of a few white power minnos will give them a unique orange hue that no other bait has. Sharpies are fun too

Click to expand...

I never thought of doing that deliberatly. The power minnow colours are limited and that's a great way to change their appearance. I have some sharpies that I highlighted the eyes with a cd marker. But I will try the orange on the power minnow.

Thanks for the great tip.

Watch the PLASTICS!



lol ... too each their own, but I have seen SO MANY GUYS ... "Not using" the 1000's different varieties of Plastics they have accumulated over the years.

It's amazing to see Trays,and Trays of different patterns, colours... 30+ of each!



Guess it's ONLY MONEY ... lol but to me it actually causes MORE CONFUSION than helps with the "Catching Part" of fishing.

The action, the presentation and the Conditions (How to use them) is the most important.


* Love the suggestion of taking what you already have, and making some adjustments ... rather than going out and buying even more.



I'm down to about (5) consistent plastics that I use ... and TRYING to keep it that way!

Every now and then, if I see something on sale that I have to have... well you know.

Mostly just sticking to the RE-FILLS on the (5) types I have now.




OVER COMPENSATION of FISHING EQUIPMENT is not a REFLECTION of preperation, it is a MANIFESTATION of NON -CONFIDENCE in FISHING SKILL!

Blair Welsh

Ya you're right about too much plastic. When I'd see one of the guys on tv catch fish on a particular brand, you know monkey see monkey do.....lol. But now that I know they take a week to make one show and that these guys have to use the lure exclusively to prove/create the illusion that it's the best most effective lure around. It boils down to just marketing, they get paid to promote a lure. Buy this, it catches fish when nothing else will and you'll catch bigger and more. Sound familiar? Then when you try it, nothing, just like any other plastic lure, a big waste of money. Stick to what you know works.

Not all these plastics are biodegradable either. The power baits say they are.

I been looking for a leach type of plastic but instead I'm gonna try cutting a piece of real leather and maybe get the action out of it. One of my old fanny packs is a soft leather, I'll just cut it into the general leach shape and toss it out on the Dollarama hook........lol. It won't cost me a thing.

Thanks again Blair.

Nice selection. I'd say you have the father-in-law approval. No doubts.

Blair said:

OVER COMPENSATION of FISHING EQUIPMENT is not a REFLECTION of preperation, it is a MANIFESTATION of NON -CONFIDENCE in FISHING SKILL!

Blair Welsh

Click to expand...

Or in my case an addiction to shopping for fishing equipment. lol

NADO said:

Or in my case an addiction to shopping for fishing equipment. lol

Click to expand...

LOL .....


Well said! Not everyone with an "overabundance" of fishing supplies lacks confidence.

If you have the money, well ... enjoy the toys and the shopping.

We all have our own personal vices. And many of those arent bad, are they?



Certainly, not intended to be "Critical", just a personal observation of many fishermen out there.
In general, sticking to the basics is a good starting point.


I find there are about 3-4 live baits, 3-4 lures, 3-4 plastics, 3-4 Flies etc that can pretty well handle any fish we have in our waters.
In the end, what ever makes you HAPPY is really what counts.


__________________________

I was in Canadian Tire the other day .. had to pick up some Duct Tape (never leave home without it!) and also needed to get some more Split shot Sinkers.

I see a nice man and his 7-8 yr old son looking at some lures. Couldnt help but over hear the little one, telling his dad they "needed" this set of Mepps Spinners (Size #4 - 4 pack).

I casually asked what they were fishing for, and the dad told me they were heading to a "Stocked Trout Pond" this weekend.


*SMILES* needless to say, I pointed out the these lures would be good for bigger Pike, Bass Etc (or large Trout in Lake Ontario). The father seemed greatful and the son basically told me to BUZZ off. I showed the dad some smaller spinners and also recommended some small hooks & weights (Worms). The son came back with TUNA hooks and 1 lbs weights. Mentioned (nicely) this may result in not too much success. Again the younger one basically "Punked" me off.


I said politely "Good luck with that"... and went on my way.

At the check out counter, I saw they were getting the Mepps #4, the big Hooks and Sinkers ..... and then Fortunately, saw the Dad also had "Secretly" bought the other "Smaller" items as well.

We smiled at each other.




*Advice is only as good as it is taken

Blair said:

LOL .....


Well said! Not everyone with an "overabundance" of fishing supplies lacks confidence.

If you have the money, well ... enjoy the toys and the shopping.

Click to expand...

My problem is that I dont have the money...I need help! lol

i used too have an over abundance of baits. now i am fishing jigging minnows almost exclusively in sizes from 1" to 5"

georgianbaydrifter said:

i used too have an over abundance of baits. now i am fishing jigging minnows almost exclusively in sizes from 1" to 5"

Click to expand...

Now, THATS keeping it Simple!
Kudo's on the basics.


Why screw around with something that works?

NADO said:

My problem is that I dont have the money...I need help! lol

Click to expand...

I think you need a shopaholic intervention........lol

NADO said:

Or in my case an addiction to shopping for fishing equipment. lol

Click to expand...

I know what you mean. My girlfriend doesn't like asking me to go to Walmart or Canadian Tire with her anymore because I always leave with at least one new lure and I'll spend at least 30 min browsing. I guess Bass Pro is out of the question too

thats my train of thought. once your adept at jig fishing you can catch any species in any waterbody on them. great search baits and also finesse enough to work a school for an hour.