Disaster averted

[keithr627]

My maiden trip this year ended great but it did not start out that way. I fished the Flats on Sunday and I quickly ended with a slight twist or tangle in my baitcast rod. Normally I just pick at the line a little and it all comes untangled. Not this time. I made a royal mess of it and switched to my backup rod. Within 15 minutes the same thing happened with my backup rod. Again I made a huge mess of things. Such a mess that I put this outfit completely out of commission for the day.

At this point I had been fishing for about an hour and had no fish and no more backup. I either had to go home or try to salvage one of the outfits. I then went back to my orginal outfit and started cutting. I cut about 1/4 of the line off the reel and was finally able to get this outfit back in commission.

I started fishing again and quickly caught 4 stripers, three in the 16-20in range and the last , a personal best 38" hog. I also caught a 20 inch or so catfish that leaped completely out of the water. I had never seen that before with a cat.

I am not sure what I did wrong or how to avoid such a mess in the future but I know I will always be bringing backup rod&reel (maybe 2 backups)on all fishing trips.

[tufnik]

I always bring at least three rod/reels, and sometimes a reel gives me a problem. Anyway, good persistence in fixing your reel. And wow, you caught a a dang cow. Congrats!

BTW, did you ride an Adventure Island before?

[Grilled]

nice man....2 more inches and you would of had a citation.

what reels were you casting with?

[keithr627]

I always bring at least three rod/reels, and sometimes a reel gives me a problem. Anyway, good persistence in fixing your reel. And wow, you caught a a dang cow. Congrats!

BTW, did you ride an Adventure Island before?

I just picked up my Outback last August. First and only Kayak.

Three rods/reels may just be the solution.

[keithr627]

nice man....2 more inches and you would of had a citation.

what reels were you casting with?

Honestly, the possibility of a citation never even crossed my mind. I was just so happy to land the fish.

I picked up a Curado last year and I love it. I also fish with a Quantum BT300CX on a 6' St Croix. This is what I landed the fish on.

[tufnik]

Actually, I bring at least three for two reasons. One, as backup. You never know what's going to happen to a reel when you're out there. I'd hate to quit fishing because of a problem reel. Two, I use different lures/rigs on each of my rod/reel so I can switch to the right one quickly. Also, depending on the trip, I may also have a spare rod/reel in the car.

[keithr627]

Actually, I bring at least three for two reasons. One, as backup. You never know what's going to happen to a reel when you're out there. I'd hate to quit fishing because of a problem reel. Two, I use different lures/rigs on each of my rod/reel so I can switch to the right one quickly. Also, depending on the trip, I may also have a spare rod/reel in the car.

Good point on the different lures/rigs. That is exactly why I had two with me. I was fishing one with a BKD and one with a paddle tail swim bait. All fish caught on Silver/Char paddle tail

Looks like I have to pick up a couple more rigs. Cabelas/Bass Pro here I come.

[tufnik]

Here's my collection of baitcasters, and it's only a portion of my entire reel collection...lol...my wife says I have too many rods/reels...

http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ght=baitcaster

[keithr627]

Here's my collection of baitcasters, and it's only a portion of my entire reel collection...lol...my wife says I have too many rods/reels...

http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...ght=baitcaster

nice collection.

[chex]

whoa! 38" rock!

[CB kayak 02]

CONGRATS on the FISH!!! any pics????

[HJS]

Big question: Are your reels spooled with mono or one of the new braids??? Braids are really nice but severe tangles can be a show stopped. Anyway, nice going with the biggie... that'll make up for the tangles.

BTW, I'm thinking of fishing the Flats tomorrow (Wednesday) launching at Perryville Park as soon as the gates open (7;00am? or 7:30am?). So if anyone sees a guy out there in a green canoe with trolling motor come on over and say high. We can compare notes on the day's successes or failures.

Care to share any more details, like which lures/bait caught fish?

Howard

[ictalurus]

Congrats on the awesome fish. You definitely made lemonade out of a couple of lemons.

I usually carry 3 rods--one for jigging, one for bottom fishing/trolling, and another multi-purpose rod.

[Southerly]

congrats for sticking with it, making it work and getting a BIG rock.

regarding reel, might go ahead and try to put 2 more brakes on. i forget which way it goes: brakes for overrun at beginning of cast and cast control for overrun at end of cast. or vice versa

either way, guys (not me necessarily) mastered these things before there was any decent brakes so good luck.

[gkreps]

To HJS, BTW, I'm thinking of fishing the Flats tomorrow (Wednesday) launching at Perryville Park as soon as the gates open (7;00am? or 7:30am?). So if anyone sees a guy out there in a green canoe with trolling motor come on over and say high. We can compare notes on the day's successes or failures.

Care to share any more details, like which lures/bait caught fish?

We fished on Sunday after the Jamboree and had great luck using Bomber B15A's in baby striper and mother of pearl colors. We would make a cast and then rip the bait hard for two feet then reel and repeat. They were hammering the lures in 4 to 10 ft of water along the boat chanel out of Havre De Grace.