I need some new gear...

[fishin solo]

You don’t have to buy anything expensive if you don’t want. I started my first year with 2 trout rods with tiny spinning reels and 1 manual Downrigger that I stacked with a old worn out clip and maybe 5 different hoochies. I fished sandheads hard that season and caught a ton of fish and my first tyee and a couple over 25lbs on that rod and reel lol. Moral of the story you gotta start somewhere and whatever equipment you have will catch fish just like the expensive stuff. Having said all that yes it is nice now that I have premium gear like islanders and Abel’s etc etc and there definitely is a difference in feel and smoothness and a hell of a lot funner. Buy what you can afford and go from there. You can always sell what you buy if you don’t like it as reels and rods hold there value pretty good.

 

[sir-vivor]

Would be nice , if I could afford it to get those shiny reals with holes in'em but I have been using Shimano 2000 and 4000 and have caught a few fish. They have never failed me in 20 years (2000) and I'm stickin with'em . But those shiny ones would look nice and maybe catch me a few fish (oh and rods , I use those cheep Shimano TDRs , the short ones)

 

[Rain City]

Would be nice , if I could afford it to get those shiny reals with holes in'em but I have been using Shimano 2000 and 4000 and have caught a few fish. They have never failed me in 20 years (2000) and I'm stickin with'em . But those shiny ones would look nice and maybe catch me a few fish (oh and rods , I use those cheep Shimano TDRs , the short ones)

I ran Shimano 4000s for ththe first three years. Then my wife bought me two islanders for Christmas. The next time I went fishing and caught a fish on the islander, i found myself secretly hoping the shimanos wouldn't be the ones that hit. I went out and bought 2 more the next day. Now I wish good will on all my rods. I think sometimes guys don't even realize that the need to palm the reel is almost unneeded once you have a drag that isn't either locked up or wide open. On a double header i can set the drag so perfectly that the fish just slowly pulls out line and wears itself out. Rod tip bent the whole way, unless he comes back at the boat than no reel is helping at that point. I loved catching fish on the shimanos and know that the reel doesn't catch you more fish. But catching on a quality reel is a LOT more fun. In my experience. Please don't yell at me if you disagree. To each their own right? Right?!

 

[paguy]

Expensive gear might not get you more bites, But it might just bring a few more to the net. Nothing worse than gear failure while out on the water.

 

[sir-vivor]

Expensive gear might not get you more bites, But it might just bring a few more to the net. Nothing worse than gear failure while out on the water.

Never had that really in all the years I've fished, I usually keep up on the maintenance and replacement of parts and never a problem ..Oh maybe had one problem in 1980 but that set up was a diawa and it's on the bottom near Cape Beal lol ...Proper maintenance on them Shimanos and so far so good

 

[Buckethead905]

Call me patriotic or whatever, but I am proud to fish Islander Reels. Nothing better than a great product that’s made in our own back yard. support local

 

[walleyes]

Call me patriotic or whatever, but I am proud to fish Islander Reels. Nothing better than a great product that’s made in our own back yard. support local

I would like to like this about 10 times lol. Yup I fully agree, Islander reels and Scotty Downriggers and equipment as long as I can drop cannon ball in the water and put rod in a holder.

 

[paguy]

I will be the first person to stand behind Scotty downriggers and their products, Best there is, But I love my shimano Calcutta 700 te more then I can write in words. And I have used almost every high end salmon reel out there.

 

[walleyes]

I will be the first person to stand behind Scotty downriggers and their products, Best there is, But I love my shimano Calcutta 700 te more then I can write in words. And I have used almost every high end salmon reel out there.

A LEVEL WIND !!! lol just ribbin I have them in my boat to, something for the kids to use until they figure out how to use a real reel

 

[paguy]

A LEVEL WIND !!! lol just ribbin I have them in my boat to, something for the kids to use until they figure out how to use a real reel

I'll put my levelwind up against any saltwater fly reel made.

 

[walleyes]

I'll put my levelwind up against any saltwater fly reel made.

My Grandson would agree with you,, but he's 4 next year he'll make the move up.

 

[paguy]

My Grandson would agree with you,, but he's 4 next year he'll make the move up.

Good for your grand son, He looks likes hes got that under control. Maybe next year he can teach you how to fight a really big fish.

 

[paguy]

Best of luck to you and your family, I wish the best to you and yours. Just because I don't use fly reels to catch salmon doesn't mean I don't love the tug.

 

[walleyes]

Good for your grand son, He looks likes hes got that under control. Maybe next year he can teach you how to fight a really big fish.

Lol, all good stuff paguy, I'm just ribbing you I think you know that. Each to his own and what ever each enjoys the power to him.

I use level winds for certain things as well. The rod in the picture I have two, the reels are Abu Garcia Ambassador 6000's ?? I think sitting on medium action 8'6" Fenwick, HMX's I use them for lake trout and trolling walleye and big pike, great set ups. Also run Penns on my Hali rods. There is a tool for every job what ever works for you.

 

[paguy]

I know, I could care less what you want to catch fish with. I care very much that you want to teach your grandson how to catch and love fishing. God bless you and yours, I hope your grand son can appreciate what you have passed on.

 

[Stizzla]

I’ll clarify... Paguy is an American, and a fine one at that! Like 99.84% of Americans he prefers the baitcast reels. He calls Chinook “kings”, but that’s okay too. Hell take a classic MOPAR over a ‘69 Camaro or a ‘63 vette, but that’s okay too.
My point is they make different kinds for different people.
Now let’s find the man some classic BC spoons!

 

[fishin solo]

Lots more yanks switching to single action

 

[paguy]

I’ll clarify... Paguy is an American, and a fine one at that! Like 99.84% of Americans he prefers the baitcast reels. He calls Chinook “kings”, but that’s okay too. Hell take a classic MOPAR over a ‘69 Camaro or a ‘63 vette, but that’s okay too.
My point is they make different kinds for different people.
Now let’s find the man some classic BC spoons!

Listen to Stizzla. This guy knows his stuff.

 

[Stizzla]

And as of next summer I’ll be a might fine fisherman. You should see this new one of a kind glow spoon I picked up recently!

 

[paguy]

Lots more yanks switching to single action

True, I cant understand why, But they are. Just means more fish for you.