The "right stuff" catches the
big one
by Kevin Lee McIver
Many of us will be gearing up for fishing
season this spring, but before you run out and buy everything in sight,
let's take a look at what's available.
Buying fishing equipment can be a trying
experience for any angler. Depending on the species of fish you go after,
you must be selective. You can catch just about any fish on any type of
equipment; but the question is, do you want to have a fighting chance when
that big one comes along?
My suggestion is, first decide what you
plan on catching. If crappie or panfish come to mind, then any light
tackle will suffice. However, if a big bass is what you're after, then you
need some medium to heavy tackle.
Let's take a look at what type of equipment
is out on the market. There are basically three types of fishing reels:
closed face, spinning and baitcasters.
For you history buffs, an interesting note
is that the first mention of a "fishing reel" appeared in The
Art of Angling by Thomas Barker (England 1651).
Closed-face reels are used by many anglers
for panfish. They accommodate about 90 yards of 4- to 10-pound
monofilament fishing line. These are the types of reels you probably used
when you were younger, fishing along side grandpa.
They're great little casters with small
lures and baits, and will generally last a long time. The biggest
disadvantages are they tend to bind when dirty, and you can't see any
problems coming as the reel face is enclosed.
Spinning reels, which were first developed
by Peter Malloch of Perth, Scotland, in 1884, and later introduced into
America in 1935, are used by anglers who want the advantages of an
open-face reel.
These include a spool that remains
stationary when casting and allows the pull of the lure to uncoil the line
as it travels through the air; thus, it eliminates initial resistance, the
chief cause of "backlashes."
This type of reel is a great advantage to
the beginner as you can learn in a fraction of the time it takes to master
orthodox tackle such as baitcasters. And spinning reels are used for every
type of fish from bream to sharks.
You can buy an ultralight model that holds
about 150 yards of 4-pound line that is great for bluegills, crappie and
trout. Or you can opt for a bigger model which holds about 160 yards of
12-pound line, which is great for casting 1/2- to 3/4-ounce lures after
big bass.
Baitcasting reels are the preferred type
for most professional bass fishermen. First introduced in the 19th Century
to cast live minnows (hence the name "baitcaster"), they have
developed into the reel of choice for big-bass anglers.
Advantages of a baitcaster include a
lightning-fast gear ratio, instant anti-reverse gearing, and line
capacity for a lot heavy fishing line. Most models will accommodate about
150-yards of up to 20-pound line.
Baitcasters are tough, reliable fishing
reels which enable anglers to haul in the biggest bass in the heaviest
cover. Plus, with the stronger line, you virtually never lose a lure.
The disadvantages of baitcasters are
"backlashes." Whenever the spool travels faster than the line,
you get a tangled-mess which at times is most difficult to untangle.
Backlashes are easily prevented by properly setting the reel for each lure
weight, and by using your thumb to slow the spool down before the lure
hits the water.
Another technique is to place a small strip
of tape over the spool after you make your first cast. The tape will stop
the spool from revolving when it gets to the end of the cast.
The decision of buying a fishing rod can be
as trying as selecting the right reel. For panfish, any combo package
works nicely. Here, the reel is already fitted for the rod and they match.
Generally, a light- to medium-action will handle 6- to 12-pound line and
1/8- to 3/8-ounce lures. My experience has been that combo packages are
fine for small fish, but they just aren't what you want for lunker-head
largemouths.
For largemouth bass, I like 6- to 7-foot
rods which handle 10- to 20-pound line and 3/8- to 3/4-ounce lures,
allowing you to pull in a big bass out of cover and around tree stumps.
No matter which rod and reel you purchase,
ensure you get the right one for the right job. And remember the old
adage, "You get what you pay for."
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