I stayed true to my word and did not buy bait today since I was solo. When I go to the lake, I like to stay a while; so I hit it this morning with one rod with a shattered glass 8 inch Ben Parker. Right off the bat, I hook a screamer that took 30 yards of line before pulling off. Then I caught a 7 pounder that destroyed the split ring connected to the treble. After getting that fish in the box and spending 10 minutes repairing the spoon, I was back in action only to have 6 consecutive fish pull off at the boat! Moving a lot, I did eventually get my limit around 11AM. I would set up in 90-100, get the fish fired up with the Fogthumper:smiley:, drop to the bottom, and use a medium retrieve. Most bites came in the 40-60 foot range.
Had fun. Anyone have a better solution than the stock treble that comes on the Parker?
Hello Fog. First thing I always do is change out the split rings. The stock ones are terrible. I am good with the hook. I have found a slighlty softer action rods keeps fish from ripping off as bad but I still lose my share. They do make “assist hooks” that go on the front split rings that help a bunch but I refuse to use them ever again. They are very dangerous when a fish starts thrashing around. They hook everything you don’t want them to including yourself. They are also a nightmare in the net.
Thanks Tiger. I’ll take that under advisement. The rod I was using was a Zebco medium heavy catfish stick. I was thinking today I needed a softer tip. Therefore, I ordered a Penn Fierce 4000 Combo that is medium action on the rod.
Rick, you’ll have to show me at the meeting or some other time. I won’t be out Sunday morning.
Amazes me the # of folks that fish “stock” hardware on anything. The hook on the parker is a 3/0 Owner ST-36 Treble(some of older use Trokars). Not a bad hook if you know how to fight a fish and don’t horse it, but the swivels and rings are junk. I troll them on downriggers and have had one pull off so far with stock hook. A hand file ain’t a bad idea to touch up periodically.
The trick is a swivel in between the hook and bait. For power reeling and/or casting the assist hooks are where it’s at…especially for those fish that “swipe” at the baits.
I did add a swivel and second split ring to the hook. I really don’t think the lost fish were due to bad angling. I just need to switch to a rod with a little softer tip like I plan to do.
I did add a swivel and second split ring to the hook. I really don’t think the lost fish were due to bad angling. I just need to switch to a rod with a little softer tip like I plan to do.
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F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
Wasn't inferring bad angling on your part per say...greenfish folks on my boat that aren't used to stripers.
Your body of work speaks volumes on your ability. Sorry if offended.
I appreciate that. No offense taken at all. There have been times that I’ve pulled hooks due to horsing a fish too much. My experience with spoons has been mainly with the jigging variety and not flutter spoons like the Parker. I’m finding that it’s more like a crank bait that can be fished vertically or horizontally. Therefore, my rod setup needs to be a little more like that of a bass fisherman throwing a large crank bait. I’m always looking for ways to improve.
I’ve never fished them horizontally or “like a crankbait.” I may need to give that a shot. I’ve always fished them vertically. When we mark fish, we drop on them and begin violently jigging the spoon up and letting it free fall back down. For the big “magnum” spoons (8" and bigger), I use a ALX 7’11" XXHvy Powerbolt (in the ZOLO series). It’s a big rod and handles these big spoons with ease but it’s incredibly light and makes working the spoons in the manner I described very easy and less like work. For smaller spoons (5"-6") I use a ALX 7’5" Gravity (in the ENOX series). Both rods have plenty of backbone but a soft enough tip to not rip the bait away from the fish or out of the fish’s mouth.
As far as the Parker spoons, I like the hooks but like others have mentioned, I do change split rings and swivels. That said, I’ve never had any issues with the stock hardware but it’s something I do to pretty much every bait I buy with split rings and swivels. Creature of habit, I guess.
^^^^^Not everyone wants to fish with $30 rods…just saying…
I wasn’t suggesting anyone does or does not want to or have to use the same equipment I use. I was simply telling folks what I prefer to use and the applications I was using them for as it pertained to the topic.
Not everyone wants to fish with $20-$30 spoons but that didn’t stop this thread from being started.
If what you use does what you want it to do, the way you want to do it, more power to you.
Bangstick, I also have let them down to a certain depth and have jigged violently to catch fish. However, I’ve done better dropping the bait to the bottom or near the treetops in deep water with mostly a medium to fast retrieve.
As for gear, those are some sweet outfits you use. When my ship comes in, I’ll go for it. My equipment takes so much abuse that I hesitate to spend that kind or money. But then again…
I use iRod Jr Swimbait w/ a Cardiff 400A(added a power handle). I like braid, but loosen the drag slightly. Tried mono and Seaguar floro, but went back to braid. Helps me bury that size hook deep and then it’s let the reel do the work after I take the thumb off.
I prefer using a accurate boss valiant 400 2 speed with 50# braid on a shimano trevala jigging rod. Fish practically jump in the boat because it’s such a sexy setup…
But I get hated on regularly for using such beautiful gear that I have went back to ole faithful…
4600 with braid on a pos ambassador bcx med/hvy rod. It’s the rod Wally world sold as a combo with the junk ambassador “s” series reels…
If fish are think it’s a drop to the bottom then med-fast retrieval with 2-3 sudden stops on the way up. Always make sure u stop the spoon about 10-15’ from the boat. I would say 50% of my book ups happen within 15’ of the boat. Even on really big fish. (We had 6 fish last summer ranging from 15-25# on the spoon) lost 3 we have no clue how big they were. (1 came off, 1 broke a rod, 1 couldn’t keep out of the trees. It was a freight train).
If fish arent stacked up but are coming through the ducer pretty regularly we will cast the spoon as far out as we can and let it sink to the bottom where it lands then retrieve from that spot with a med-fast method still stopping the spoon here and there. That’s how we fish it “horizontally”
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
Bangstick, I also have let them down to a certain depth and have jigged violently to catch fish. However, I’ve done better dropping the bait to the bottom or near the treetops in deep water with mostly a medium to fast retrieve.
As for gear, those are some sweet outfits you use. When my ship comes in, I’ll go for it. My equipment takes so much abuse that I hesitate to spend that kind or money. But then again…
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F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
I’m definitely going to try the cast and retrieve method.
I’m pretty hard on my gear too. That’s why I buy what I buy. I’ve been using ALX rods since Alex was only a custom rod maker, making 3-5 rods per month. I know his rods, what he puts into them and how much abuse they’ll take. Plus he’s a local company whose rods are 100% made in SC. A local company cranking out a quality product is a win-win in my book.
As far as reels, I only use Quantum Pt reels (mostly Smokes and EXOs).
I use iRod Jr Swimbait w/ a Cardiff 400A(added a power handle). I like braid, but loosen the drag slightly. Tried mono and Seaguar floro, but went back to braid. Helps me bury that size hook deep and then it’s let the reel do the work after I take the thumb off.
Each their own with setups.
So, you will be out spoon fishing with us Sunday morning? …or you just like to talk about it?
Went out again this morning. It was slow with the Ben until I set up the drift. Then it was over with fairly quickly. This time, I only had one fish pull off. 5 for 6 ain’t bad:smiley:. I drifted over 80-120. Fish bit at 50-70 on a medium retrieve and were 4-7 pounds.
Y’all should have fun Sunday morning. Tim, if you do it again, I should be in. I look forward to hearing how it goes.
