Redundant Questions of Mine

[vagabond]

Ok. I don't like to admit that I don't know what I'm doing. But I'd rather admit it here that to my father-in-law. We're really competitive with each other but haven't really fished together much. I generally fly-fish for trout and he generally likes to put his boat in a lake for bass. I have a couple basic questions to help get me on my way to kicking his butt.

1. When fly-fishing I've always used the smallest line I could in order to offer a more realisitc presentation. I've read and heard of bass fishermen using 30 and 40# test. Is this really necesary? 8 or 10# test should be sufficient, right?

2. If it turns out that there is a good reason for stringing on 30+ pound test, is that harder on a reel or rod that recommends 8 pound test?

Before I go out and buy all new gear, I just want to try to get an idea of what I should be getting.

3. Even though he only fishes bass and should be a master, I can pretty much keep up with him if we are using plastic. Everything else he probably out fishes me 5 to 1.

But when we are in his boat (I'm always in the ***** seat) he always catches more fish even when we use only plastic. Is there a different technique used for boat fishing with plastics? Or is he doing better because he gets his baits in the best spots first?

My basic last question is, Do any of you guys ever catch more fish out of the back of a boat? Or am I pretty much looking at getting my own boat and taking turns whos boat we take if I ever want to catch more fish than him on a lake?

Thanks for your help guys. And maybe one of these days I'll know enough to contribute also, instead of just taking.

Aaron

[KenDammit]

1. No...bass fishing is more of a condition specific/technique controlled thing. What you are doing will determine the line and rod/reel you'll be using. You wouldn't take a spinning reel with 8lb test into heavy brushpiles and you wouldn't wanna be finessing with 30lb braid and a medium-heavy rod. Some things require 8-10lb test...other things require strong lines that allow the angler to hook the fish and remove them from cover quickly and strongly.

2. Yes, 30lb test will absolutely be harder on equipment that is rated for 8lb test. Reels are not really destroyed by heavier than recommended line, they just won't work very well and will be enough of a headache that you'll probably destroy it before the line does. Rods..they are rated the way they are for a reason. Their strength, or backbone, can only handle so much and if you're using a superline on an ultralight rod...chances are you're gonna snap the rod before you snap the line. Essentially...you want the line to be the weak link, not the rod.

the rest. The boat question is a yes AND no answer...it depends on how you're fishing, how good the guy in front really is, where you're fishing...all sorts of things. If the guy in front is beating every piece of water to death before you get it and you're fishing the banks..yeah you'll probably get beaten. If you're fishing off-shore structure or cover..then its almost even game...depending on boat position. Most people will suggest using a bait different than what the guy in front is using to try and pick up the fish not interested in the style they're offering. Its a technique worth a shot.

[dodgeguy]

trout are an open water fish and you can get away with light line.bass are a cover oriented fish and most times will destroy light line.this is why you see the lines you see used in bass fishing.yes,most times the guy in the back of the boat will catch less fish.the guy in the front gets first crack at most of the fish.like ken said it evens out over off shore deep water fishing.

[crankybait]

i think 30 pound braid is what you meant by 30 pound test... well braid is very thin. anyways, i use 10 pound cajun redcast

[flbassman]

Well, being a flyfisherman, you are probably suited to finnesse fishing, and this is why you can keep up with plastics. So, I would suggest getting some light line, six pound test or so, and fishing small plastics with it. If you really want to stomp him, find a very clear lake and go there. Good luck.

[omahabasser]

Vagabond -- If you are good with the plastics stick with them regardless of what he is using. Read up on different ways to present them T-Rig - C-Rig - Drop Shot - Float - Wacky, etc... Walk through your favorate bait shop and let the bait monkey get the best of you once and come home with a large bag of plastics in all shapes and sizes and colors.

My favorate is a 3.5 inch plastic craw on a stand up jig head -- my go to bait.

Also don't forget to add some scent.

[vagabond]

Ok. Thanks for the tips. I won't need to buy any plastics. My father-in-law used to poor and sell them and has a few hundred pounds of them and he's good about sharing. He also still has some pots, molds and whatever else he needs to stock up on the stuff he runs low on.

There is this one thing I just got done ordering. I think its a gimmick and I'm prone to falling for those but here is the website to it http://www.naturalmotionlures.com/ ....I watched the videos on that site and I can't help but want to try it out. Have any of you guys ordered the snakes? How did it go? It doesn't matter, it's already paid for. I'm just hopeing it gives me an edge.

[crankybait]

i have a post about that. look it up, search "gimmick"

[lizardsrule]

Originally Posted by vagabond

Ok. Thanks for the tips. I won't need to buy any plastics. My father-in-law used to poor and sell them and has a few hundred pounds of them and he's good about sharing. He also still has some pots, molds and whatever else he needs to stock up on the stuff he runs low on.

There is this one thing I just got done ordering. I think its a gimmick and I'm prone to falling for those but here is the website to it http://www.naturalmotionlures.com/ ....I watched the videos on that site and I can't help but want to try it out. Have any of you guys ordered the snakes? How did it go? It doesn't matter, it's already paid for. I'm just hopeing it gives me an edge.

Competitive is one thing being stupid is another LOL. Your Father-In-Law used to poor and sell Plastics, so obviously he has a clue as to what he's doing. If you were a smart fellow, you'd realize the odds of you beating him, on his boat, fishing for his game is pretty small. So I would watch and learn from him. Once you start feelinig comfortable with being able to catch some fish, then switch it up to something different than what he's doing. And by the way, letting the pop-in-law win isn't a bad thing either. But if you are the more proficient at Trout, then the same goes for him fishing against you now doesn't it. Just have fun, and watch and learn. I've learned a lot of what to do and what not to do by being on the back of the boat. And yes in tourenys, I've caught more fish than the boater on more occasions than the boater has beat me. And most of the baits you see on the infomercials aren't worth the money . But every bait can and will catch a fish once in awhile.

Lizards