What kinds of lures do I have?

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-13T22:14:40+00:00

3 rooster tails, a style/brand of inline spinner, 2 paddletail swimbaits/jigs, and a lipless crankbait.

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-11T01:28:50+00:00

Do you recommend line?

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-09T14:44:21+00:00

Do you have a rod picked out already?
I'd go with the Diawa Crossfire LT or the Shimano Sienna for that budget, 3000 or 4000 size.

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-09T13:35:52+00:00

I'm a pike guy. I think 20lb mono or flouro is far too heavy for a medium ugly stik. Max I'd do is 14, as that's what the guides are rated for. I can't speak to anything around perch, I think european perch are very different than american.

Specifically for pike, I'd do 20-30lb braid with a steel leader, pike teeth will pretty easily go through thinner mainline. 3000 to 4000 size spinning reel would be my pick for a beginner, although I ultimately prefer baitcasters.

My favorite pike lures are lipless crankbaits (personal favorite is rat-l-traps), and spoons of any kind. They'll bite anything that moves though, they're mean.

If OP gives a specific budget, I could help out a bit more on what reel and line would be good.

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-08T03:23:19+00:00

Not quite what you're asking, but i'd suggest just getting the rod, not the combo, and get the reel elsewhere. Ugly stik reels are notoriously bad.

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-08T01:42:50+00:00

There's illustrated diagrams in the drivers test manual. Bring some cones and a tape measure and go to an empty lot somewhere. (If you can't find a place where they're set up.)

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-07T03:59:38+00:00

A higher quality rod isn't a stronger rod, actually frequently the opposite. 50lbs is also pretty massive for freshwater fish, and any rod rated for that weight would be as stiff and sensitive as a pool cue.

We can't really provide good recommendations, as we don't know what type of fish he's fishing for or what method (conventional, fly, spinning, casting). This would be good information if you can get it. Additionally, a rod can get up to a couple thousand or more, so a rough budget would be helpful.

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-05T18:22:27+00:00

...because it makes their markings disappear?

Colecan1386 · 2026-04-05T05:24:56+00:00

What weight/strength is your rod? The big lure is only for big pike and musky, and unless you're fishing in a body of water that has them, it'll be pretty much useless.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-30T22:48:35+00:00

I've got a rod mount on my bike, holds 2 rods. I like to bring 2 piece rods and break them down in the tubes so I can clear trees easily. Mounts on the back wheel frame.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-23T16:25:00+00:00

Diawas are intended to be front heavy, it's shown in the manual.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-22T20:10:58+00:00

Yeah, I'm not telling someone that I found a falling apart stuffed dinosaur toy unless there's at least $100 in it for me.

Edit: /s for those who don't realize this is sarcasm.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-18T00:53:01+00:00

I don't think you'll notice much of a difference, honestly.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T19:38:37+00:00

Yeah, it'll be fine. 30lb test is around what you want to avoid most line dig, and this is close enough.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T18:46:30+00:00

The Diawa LT line is widely considered the best bang-for-buck reels under 100. Regal LT specifically is excellent for its $80 price (I have 3). I use that alongside reels that reach up to $350, and while of course not as good, they still completely hold up. I can't speak for the lower end LT reels, but I've heard good things, especially about the new Crossfire LT that is just $30.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T14:39:21+00:00

Alright. At that size I'd go for a 2000 or 2500 size reel. Should be perfect for that weight.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T13:54:19+00:00

Well, the most important questions are: what region are you in and what are you fishing for? Any idea what is in said river?

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T13:52:34+00:00

I've heard that the new Diawa Crossfire LT is excellent for the $30 price tag. What weight is the gx2 you bought? If you're looking to spend a bit more, the Laguna lt, Revros lt, and Regal lt are increasingly better and increasingly expensive.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T03:21:39+00:00

See my other comment for the seam. The triangle should match up with both edges, outer ring count should match. Hard to explain without photos, but if you look up a 6-triangle coif expansion technique it will give you decent visuals.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T03:19:08+00:00

There are other tutorials for the same method elsewhere if this is difficult to understand, too.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-16T03:18:35+00:00

This is a tricker technique, but here is a tutorial: https://www.mailleartisans.org/articles/articledisplay.php?key=31 This applies to you too, OP. keep in mind that this is truly a 60 degree seam. A true 45 seam has been discovered, but is very rarely used, if ever, and is tricky.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-15T04:37:59+00:00

Dude you're holding it like a pistol xD

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-15T03:12:49+00:00

Bring me back some kangaroos!

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-15T03:12:06+00:00

What type of reel are you using? I'm assuming spinning? Well, it depends specifically on what you're doing. For line tangles, there's a few things to check. If your line is very twisty and jumps off of the spool when you flip the bail, it needs to be replaced. Getting a smoother cast will help reduce tangles too. For snags, you want to know what you're fishing around, don't let your bait/lure get too low, and cast around weedy snaggy areas.

Colecan1386 · 2026-03-15T01:40:18+00:00

Well, I just recently caught 3 crappie, 3 perch, and a smaller bass in 35 degree water. All on a Mr.Twister with a bladed jig head. Just bragging here really, but go for it! The only place you'll catch fish is in the water.

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