Well, each year I say I am going to give bar fishing a try, and each year I put it off.
As a kid, I used to barfish with a spinning rod and "plunker" style weights, but it has been a while since I have done that.
So, let's talk about what I have and what will likely work out best for me to try.
I have a Fenwick 1165, which I believe to be a heavy bar rod in an 11 and a half foot length.
I also have a mid 70's Ambassadeur 7000. I know how to cast it, but am concerned about winging out big weight.
I have some 16 and 20 ounce rectangular block weights.
I have some big spin-n-glows.
I have hooks in size 3.0 and 4.0
I have leader material in 20 and 25 lb test.
I have a 12 foot aluminum boat with a 15 HP motor to get me around to a few not too far to travel places.
I think I lack the bell thingies, a big net and do not have a big spike to stick into the ground to hold my rod.
So, overall, I am kinda set to get going.
Here is my experience to date.
I had a hard time casting the heavy weight the one time I went out in the past. I seemed to wing it hard and then got a big birdsnest. From here, a buddy "gently" cast out another set-up for me, but it did not seem to go very far. We did not get fish, although I do not think he had a lot of experience at this either.
1. So, what is the easiest way to cast out the big weight and how far out does it need to go?
2. When I am looking for these "fishing lanes", what am I looking for and how do I find them? What type of structure do I need to look for?
3. How do I avoid snags found on the bottom, or snagging up my outfit?
4. How much weight is needed for what types of waters? How do I know what types of water and what kinds of speeds to look for which would be good and may hold fish?
5. Finally, if I can get out to a gravel island/bar, is there a "better" part of such islands to look at setting up and try fishing?
6. Oh, and finally, with such a rod and reel outfit as I have, (7000 reel with likely 25 lb test line) with a decent sized fish in the 25 to 30 lb range, would I most likely be looking at (keep in mind this is an "on average" type scenario:
a. being able to hold it and play it from where I am, eventually bringing it in.
b. kinda hold it, but mostly be walking it down the bar until it tired and washed up on shore.
c. hopping in the boat and having to chase it down the river, where I may eventually bring it to shore, but would likely have to make a mid-river netting.
Your pointers and tips would be appreciated, not only for me, but maybe some others out there.
Dano