My merrymeeting tourney....

[Reel Northern Bass]

The best thing I can say about it...is I drew #1 for a launch number!!

I had an ugly day all around. Hooked into my first fish a bit before 8:00, and had no idea it was there. It picked up my spider jig on the fall and swam straight back at me. Didn't realize it was there til I saw it going under the boat. Broke the line off on a gentle hook set.

Second fish was hours later on a c-rig with a lizard. First jump, it threw it.

Third fish was around noon. Short fish.

Finally, around 1, we got into a different spot, and I tried the carolina rig again. Got a hit, swing and miss. Recast, and catch him. 1st fish in the boat, about 1.5 lbs.

Then...well, it just got ugly. That spot was loaded with fish. I cast back in, get a nice hit, set the hook...break the line. Retie, cast, get another hit, set the hook...break the line behind my c-rig.

That happened another 2 times in that spot. So after boating my first keeper, I snapped off another 4 fish after that, and lost my only 2 c-rigs. I didn't have enough time to make more than that the night before.

Learned a valuable lesson yesterday. Well, several. 1) I need to be better prepared for fishing rocks. My main line for the c-rig was only 15lb. 2) I need to get more practice on clear, deep, rocky lakes that are primarily filled with smallies. 3) C-rigs make it nearly impossible to tell when you have a fish on. I couldn't tell they were on there til they gave a good tug and ran with it, and I think they were all gut hooked at that point, which lead to so many break-offs.

That's the last tournament I fish this year. I'm just going to spend a lot more time fishing Winni, Winnisquam, Newfound, etc. and get better at fishing the deep clear lakes. Also need to get some more smallie gear, I'm mainly geared for fishing for largies in shallow, dirty water. Oh well. I hope everyone had a better weekend than I did.

[KevinP]

You should not be breaking off fish with 15 lb test, unless it's old or been left out in the sun. Re- string those reels. I do mine 4-5 times a year.

On a side note I saw a Glastron coming off Pawtuckaway this afternoon. Only one blade on the prop and cracked lower unit. I thought of you and almost asked if he had insurance.

[Reel Northern Bass]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by KevinP &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You should not be breaking off fish with 15 lb test, unless it's old or been left out in the sun. Re- string those reels. I do mine 4-5 times a year.

On a side note I saw a Glastron coming off Pawtuckaway this afternoon. Only one blade on the prop and cracked lower unit. I thought of you and almost asked if he had insurance. </td></tr></table>



That suuuuuuuucks. I do have insurance now though, boat is covered for twice what it's worth, so if I happen to pull a move like that, I'll be OK.

I don't know what was going on. I didn't think I would be breaking off the braid that easily, but it must have been getting beat up even worse that I thought in the rocks. Oh well, lesson learned.

[Big Al]

Have you tried golf?

[Reel Northern Bass]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Big Al &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Have you tried golf? </td></tr></table>

Ya, and I suck at that too.

[Bugs]

FYI: I run 12# mono on the reel to 10# mono for the leader. A 3/4 oz brass weight, a clacker, 3 beads, a swivel, 4' to 6' of leader, 1 ot hook, and usually a lizard. Each time you loose a set-up, there goes $2.00. Have left a lot of hardware in NH lakes! Check the line a lot and retie. Strip off 5' to 10' couple times a day just to be sure. Once you chuck it out there keep some tension on the line to feel the taps. Also a lot of times they will take it on the drop. C-rigging can take some getting used too!

[Reel Northern Bass]

Sounds good. I may be in trouble with that setup though, I'm running a cheap Daiwa baitcaster that I got from Bass Pro last year, and it's starting to make some noises. Might be time to upgrade that thing.

[TMG]

what kind of line do you use.doesn't sound like it's very good.
I never throw a c-rig but throw a jig into anything and almost never break off fighting a fish.of course I only catch little ones
I have been useing some floro this year but I'm not impressed I think I'll stick with yozuri.

[Reel Northern Bass]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TMG &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">what kind of line do you use.doesn't sound like it's very good.
I never throw a c-rig but throw a jig into anything and almost never break off fighting a fish.of course I only catch little ones
I have been useing some floro this year but I'm not impressed I think I'll stick with yozuri. </td></tr></table>

For my jigs, I use 15 lb. P-line flouro, and I haven't had any problems with that. Only fish I lose on that is from throwing the jig, no break-offs.

For the C-rig, I was using 15 lb power pro for my main line, and 15 lb P-Line flouro for my leader (because I forgot my 12 lb at home ). The Power Pro has been on since I lined this thing in March. I didn't think it had been that long, but thinking about it now, I realize the error of my ways.

I tried the Yozuri last year, but I didn't like how much memory it had. Not bad for the price, but I felt like I had to replace it far too often.

[TMG]

I use 10#yozuri, 12 once in a while any bigger and I don't like the memory .I dont think there is any need for thicker line it's not like your gonna catch a 20# bass in NH but I also use mostly spinning gear.