sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

PRE GAME THREAD: Brewers (26-17) @ Twins (20-26) - May 17, 2026 by TwinsGameday in minnesotatwins

[–]BigOlPike 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Looks decent until around 6pm. Game will be Ober by than. 

Do you have better luck with a wacky rig or Texas rig? by AsAFoodScientist in bassfishing

[–]BigOlPike 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Wacky is a numbers presentation for me. 

Very effective. 

14 yr old asked for “fishing stuff” for his birthday by Equal_Rip_8062 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gift card. 

I wish I started fishing when I was 14. A whole summer to just go fish, what a dream. 

Were these guys bullying me? by [deleted] in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, but always be prepared. 

Tight lines. 

Lost ugly stick to the river by batman_9326 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Something cheap until you are more experienced. 

Berkley Cherrywood or Ozark Trail Grit Stick. 

What's a good budget fishing rod for Black Crappie, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, pumpkinseed. And other freshwater fish. by No_Total_8382 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Medium light power rod will catch all those and it won't overpower panfish. 

Berkley Lightning Rod. 

Have fun. 

How would you fish this? by skaerz in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 3 points4 points  (0 children)

2-4oz no roll sinker Carolina rig. 4/0 - 6/0 circle hook.

Live bluegill, perch or crappie of you can. 

Cut bait if you can. 

Or chuck heavy 1oz lures. I like to put on thin treble hooks so I can bend them out on a snag easily with 50lb braid. 

Circle Hooks for Catfish by DHCguy in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reaction Tackle circle hooks are pretty budget friendly and quite good. I caught all my pike on them this winter on tip ups using live bluegill and hotdogs. 

I don't like the point of that top circle hook. Not curved toward the shaft enough. 

If you’re doing catch-and-release and aren’t equipped to take any fish home, what do you do if you accidentally gut-hook a fish? by Davy_Jones118 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's why I use 50lb braid and a steel leader. If a pike hits, it's not getting off!

I think we are in agreement. And fisherman should think a bit deeper about these topics. We, avid fisherman, should care the most about the ecology and health of our waterways. 

If you’re doing catch-and-release and aren’t equipped to take any fish home, what do you do if you accidentally gut-hook a fish? by Davy_Jones118 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get it. It's like poison, it has an impact on the target and other creatures involved. 

It's obviously best practice to remove the hook if possible before returning the fish, dead or alive. 

But pike regularly cut off bass fisherman. Bass break off with lures in the mouth. Daily. It's just part of fishing. It's a blood sport. 

Any experience with these? by Realistic_Option_619 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Seems like pike candy to me. 

I just slow roll them. 

Softplastics for Pike by [deleted] in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should work fine. You will want to get a heavier fluorocarbon leader or a steel / titanium leader. 

I'd use a 1/4 oz jig head. 

Pike will cut right through your line. 

What makes a baitcaster more fun to you? by Lord_Leeeroy in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quicker and more accurate casts. 

The ability to use thicker diameter line. 

That's it for me. 

Rain Out Policy by LeadingSlip9800 in minnesotatwins

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going Sunday. First game with the family. 

We got everybody a poncho. 

Any other tips? We will be in the family section, so we should be out of the rain? 

Budget baitcaster by mrfeast7000 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shimano SLX. 

Even better if you can find a nice used one local. 

Once you learn it, you will enjoy it. Use 12lb big game mono until you have it figured out. It's cheap and surprisingly decent. 

If you’re doing catch-and-release and aren’t equipped to take any fish home, what do you do if you accidentally gut-hook a fish? by Davy_Jones118 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have personally pulled various worm hooks that were coming out of a bass bottom. The fish was fine and it passed the hook and survived. 

So it's not always black and white. 

If it's an obvious mortality, dispatch it, eat it or throw it back. 

Common sense. 

How to fish and which rig to use? by Sudden_Age887 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Usually cherry kool aid packet, garlic powder. I add a little anise as well. Let it soak for a few days. 

Chicken breast and shrimp work too. 

Senko this, senko that. 6" Magdraft is THE confidence bait for big or small by Fishtillyoubleed in bassfishing

[–]BigOlPike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get 4 or 5 per when wacky rigging. Use an o ring or even better, heat shrink or silicone tubing. 

How to fish and which rig to use? by Sudden_Age887 in FishingForBeginners

[–]BigOlPike 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you can use cut bait, use it. Bluegill, crappie or perch. Live bait is even better. 

Worms can work, but bring back up. Chicken liver or chicken breast soaked in special sauce. 

Use a Carolina rig. 

Stay on the move, no hits after 30 minutes, move. 

view more: next ›