Rancho Seco 5/6

I really wanted to fish for SMB at Folsom today, but it's just too windy.

Went to RS, on the water at 7:15am, off a little after 12. Fished mainly at the east end of the lake with a little less wind. Action was slow. I worked hard for three LMB. Good thing was they were all nice size fish. Two at 17" and one at 18". Had two unhook at the side of the boat. Not a little bass to be seen today.

In my report last week, jmairey had an interesting observation:

so al, looks like a spinning reel and senko is the ticket to lots of bass.
but a casting reel and a swimbait is the ticket to one big one...

Hmmm... it this true? Got me interested. So yesterday I stopped by my local FW and invested in a decent casting reel. The helpful sales person suggested a AG 6500-C3. He also took the time to offer good advise and tips for a first time user. I tried it today. Got a bunch of birds nests to untangle, but I did catch a fish. The 17"er hit a frog colored Hula-popper. Looks like I still need the swimbait. I'll need more practice before I'm really comfortable with this.

Thanks J!

Here's the usual fishy pics:

Another nice RS report Al.

I'd planned on taking one of both boys out today in the yak but the wind and homework won out. Glad it wasn't too windy for you and the fish were in a good mood.

Did you see "the intruders" from your last trip out there today or did you have enough space to yourself?

No intruders and plenty of space today.

Actually, there were very few boaters and most stuck to the north bank to avoid the wind.

Nice job once again Al.
I went from spinning reels to casting reels now back to spinning reels.
No matter how much I used the casting reel some time or another I would bird nest it.
Just got tired of it all and went back to the spinning reel.
IMO there is no difference between one and the other; personal preference.
I am sure the rod is much more important than the reel.
I am considering switching out the first eye on my casting rods to a spinning eye and see what happens.
It would be a lot less expensive than to buy new rods.

just all part of the fun to try both and decide for yourself when one is better than the other.

a baitcaster feels good in the hand, and the lack of line twist is something I like a lot, but when compa
catches 50 bass in one day on a small spinning reel and senko yet can cast a baitcaster while perch fishing with the best of them, you know that both have their place.

the important part is to have fun learning about both and enjoying them.

Al, a casting plug, some sacrificial mono (lighter is easier to learn to cast with), and a few willing neighborhood cats and unwilling squirrels will help you learn that thing.

adjust the casting control so the plug just barely slides down at the end of the rod, then fire at the nearest squirrel or cat,  .

almost as much fun as actually fishing.

J

In my report last week, jmairey had an interesting observation:

so al, looks like a spinning reel and senko is the ticket to lots of bass.
but a casting reel and a swimbait is the ticket to one big one...

Hmmm... it this true?

If you slow down your retrieve ( and I mean sssssllllllllooooooowwwww ) your chances of hooking up with the big one with the old Senko will increase.

a baitcaster feels good in the hand, and the lack of line twist is something I like a lot, but when compa
catches 50 bass in one day on a small spinning reel and senko yet can cast a baitcaster while perch fishing with the best of them, you know that both have their place.

jmairy
LOL, Casting a 2 oz sinker into the surf is so easy!!   The trick is to cast a Senko into the wind. Our lakes in the South Bay are windy 90% of the times. Especially in the evening. If you can cast that 4" senko weightless into the wind, then you are doing something right. All I can tell you is it is much easier for me to use the little spinning reel in those conditions. And believe me, I intentionally cast into the wind all the time.

Good day out Al!  you seem to hook'em every outing......thats how and what you taught me, I remember it like it was yesterday.........keep them ports&pics comin.

good breakdown compa!