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Joined: Jul 2009
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
Ok so I seem to be having some issues catching BG once in a while even though they are eating good. My question is could it be my 6 lbs test line?? My water is so clear do you think they can see it? Should I go to 4 lbs? Is there a certain type of smaller hook folks use as to make it harder for the fish to see the hook? Or am I over analyzing this all together??
I've never tried 4 lbs.... 6 lbs seems pretty darn easy to break so kinda worried about 4.....
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 904 Likes: 1
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Try clear fluorocarbon....I use Berkley Vanish. It has a much lower refractive factor. You may need to change your knot if you switch to fluoro though...I use the San Diego knot - to date I've NEVER had the line break at the knot. http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/san-diego-jam-knot/I'm not a huge fan of line tensile less than 6 lb....that's just me. I've had too many hookups when fishing for BG that end up being something a good bit larger.
Dale "When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28 |
Rc what are you using for bait? If I want to guarentee a fish I use a tiny piece of brown or black rubber grub or worm about the size of my feed pellet fished under a cork about 18-24 inches. In your clear water maybe a little deeper. Works with white,yellow,green,and pink,though not as well.I use 6-8 lb.test on all of my ultralite reels.
Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
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I hate it when I have a line break. First thing I think about is a fish now swimming around with a bait in its mouth and trailing a length of line available to snag him on something. I would go no less than the 6 pound
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 605 Likes: 13
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 605 Likes: 13 |
I usually use spiderwire invisi braid 4lb test. Line is much harder to break and easy cast.
Forced to work born to Fish
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
I laugh in the face of danger I guess. I will fish with 2# and 4# if I know there are no snags that can hang up the line, or underwater weed beds to get caught up in too. I also typically have a landing net to get the fish out of the water if it is approaching 50% of the breaking strength of the line.
IF the drag is set properly, and you DON'T mess with it, and the knot is good, you can catch some pretty big fish on light line.
IIRC I landed a 10+ lb. HSB in TJ's pond on 2# test line. Fireishot was there to witness the catch, and so was TJ.
I tried a bunch of different fluorocarbon lines a few years ago, and I liked Vanish the best. Low memory, limp and good knot strength. ALWAYS wet the knot before pulling it tight, and after catching a few fish I always re-tie.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
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I can no longer see, feel, or tie 2 lb. line.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,511
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Joined: May 2012
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I understand the other arguments but along with Scott I've only used 2# and 4# test on my ultra light rod when fishing for BG and BCP. I can't say I've pulled in a 10# HSB but certainly enjoyed the challenge of pulling this one in last week which I estimated at 2.5 lb. But if you know how HSB fight, it's not so much the weight of the fish as it is having your drag set properly and from there, just hang on and enjoy the ride! And I was extra cautious on this one as the knot holding that little Panfish Assassin had already pulled in about a dozen BCP!
Keith - Still Lovin Livin https://youtu.be/o-R41Rfx0k0(a short video tribute to the PB members we met on our 5 week fishing adventure) Formerly: 2ac LMB,HSB,BG,HBG,RES
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
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Joined: Sep 2014
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having the reel drag system set up correctly works, but like said, one must be in pretty much open water when fishing light lines. I have caught many a double digit fish with 6 lb test, but always in open water. Light lines don't work very well in places that have cover.
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
having the reel drag system set up correctly works, but like said, one must be in pretty much open water when fishing light lines. I have caught many a double digit fish with 6 lb test, but always in open water. Light lines don't work very well in places that have cover.
Tracy Tracy, you are 110% correct. If there is any cover, or any chance of the line being frayed on anything, I will fish with heavier line - the most common weight that I use for those instances is between 8# and 12#, but I have fished with much heavier for lighter fish, because of the abrasion issues. I have used the braids too, and then a fluorocarbon leader. I strictly use fluro line now in all my freshwater reels.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424 Likes: 19
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Joined: Oct 2015
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The very best bait I have found for BG is a 1/64 ounce chartreuse jig with #8 hook tipped with a Berkley Gulp Alive Chartreuse Waxie. This combo outperforms earthworms at least three to one in numbers caught for time spent. I use this on a 12 or 14 foot Mr Crappie rod with 4 or 6 pound test line. Just swing it out with about 10 or 12 feet of line out and swim it around about a foot or two off the bottom. That's how I caught all 30 of my brood BG out of a friend's pond. Tie the jig on with a "Kreh Loop Knot" fot the best action.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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...IIRC I landed a 10+ lb. HSB in TJ's pond on 2# test line. Fireishot was there to witness the catch, and so was TJ...
Sure I was, I had the defibrillator ready for TJ.
AL
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
I'm sure the fish appreciated the 34 minute fight. Should have just filleted it right there.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
Did ya ever see it floating?
Hey, the fish were getting like couch potatoes. They need exercise once in a while!!!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
I use 4 pound green original Berkley FireLine Fused braid! Only a .005" diameter with an ACTUAL break strength that will cut your fingers off before you'll pull hard enough to break it! I have reeled in 10# CC and 6# wild Rainbow trout using the line and never worried a line would snap. Only time a line has broken on me was my own laziness to not cut out obviously worn line.
Very limp, no memory, and virtually no stretch! Also very very abrasion resistant.
Last edited by Rainman; 04/29/16 09:37 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
I know. I remember you saying that you could never catch a fish on a crank bait. I didn't have a problem! Only later did you say that you didn't want treble hooks on lures, only single hooks. Anyway, I'm blaming it all on Al.
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