BigBendFishing.Net

I have to admit my behavior depends on my mood. My brain tells me I should return them to the sea, unharmed, as they are just another natural part of the food web. Also, they didn't ask me to catch them. So, I usually release as safely (I have been stuck, and never again!) as I can. Sometimes, thoug...

Low: Circle hooks work well, although I have had to fight the tendency to "set" the hook with them. As you know, you let the fish take the bait and just reel. Since I have used conventional "J" hooks most of my life, I have a "set the hook" habit that is hard to break. ...

Tom's advice is good. We differ slightly on equipment. I love short, standup rods between 5.5-6.5' long. I use the 6.5 footer with a TLD 15 for live baiting and the shorter rods for bottom fishing and trolling. When trolling, I use aluminum spreaders that fit into the rod holders and allow you to &q...

Did enjoy it.

EJ

Can tell you guys know your fishbites but not your LOTR. Its Smeagol, not Smeagel. You probably just saw the movie, not read the books.



EJ

Tom:

Thanks,

EJ

Hey Tom:

I'm guessing you were using a camera. Which one (Make and model) does he use? Does he anchor or idle around to look? Is it hard to use? any other comments? Would you buy one? Which one, and why?

Thanks,

EJ

I'm lookin' at Thursday, outa Lanark. Will try at around 45' with the famous alewives. Whatcha think?

EJ

Big: Hard to tell without more details, but sounds like it could be water in the gas or clogged low speed jets in the carbo. Next time it bogs down, try giving it a shot from the choke. This bypasses the low speed jets and gives the engine enough gas to go faster, where the high speed jets kick in. ...

I have a tld 15 and a 20, use both for trolling. 15 is plenty of reel for trolling here, lighter than the 20. The 20 has lots more line capacity, but who needs that, here, unless you are going way offshore for wahoo, or something. Any reel will work, but a lever drag is more convenient for trolling....

Me and friend Ed dropped the Ghost Rider into the basin about 7 a.m. At that time, temp. was about 50, with a slight offshore wind. When we got outside of Lanark shoal, we got greeted with a SE wind 10+ knots, and the temperature immediately ran up to about 60degrees. We started taking jackets off f...

Chalk:

Well, it couldn't hurt, but I don't see how it would help much. Better would be the usual stuff such as vhf, flares, signal mirror, inflatable pfds, epirb, and filing a float plan.

EJ

Cran:

Yes, they are, and that might have something to do with the smaller size around Apalach, where commercial boys live and work.

EJ

Big: On the radios, you can carry some of those FRS radios (I have a couple for the woods), but it probably isn't worth it for the situation. You can just use your fixed mount VHF radio or a handheld on low power setting - this works real well for close work. Again, glad you made it back. I have bee...

Big: Your list of lessons is a good one. Unfortunately it took a breakdown to work on it, but you got back safely, and that is what counts in the end. I have been lucky or planned enough never to have broken down in my own boat, but I have twice in other boats. Neither time could have been foreseen,...