We've pared down the gear we bring over the past months, trying to dial it in just right and just tryin' to keep it simple and efficient. It certainly has evolved over the season, from one or two simple and versatile rigs to a serious catfish rig or two and some lighter rigs that can fill a few rolls. I think I have gotten it down to four rods in my truck, maybe five if I am feeling greedy, and all of them seem to do the job either down by the river or posted up on a lake. I guess it has a lot to do with the tackle box that accompanies them, but all in all. Everything is compact( I can bike on down to the river) and incredibly versatile. Here's a quick rundown of what I have found to be invaluable to me this season....
I guess I'll list 'em light to heavy. The first rig is an
Ugly Stik Spin combo I picked up at Target. It's a
6’0” medium action rod with 30 size reel which I wound with 14 lb. Berekely Fireline. This little rig works great on the river, and I add a little bobber for hittin' up the lakes.The second rig is also an Ugly Stick. It's a 7'
Catfish casting rod with an old
Abu Garcia 5500 C3 baitcasting reel set up on it. Right now, I think it's spooled with 30 lb.
Stren Super Braid on the reel, and topped off with a light flexible steel leader. I add a baitcasting weight for the river and a topwater or shallow diving lure on the lakes.
The first of my two heavyweight rigs is yet another Ugly Stik. It is
7' Ugly Stik Tiger Bigwater, which is a medium action rod, although it feels much more burly for sure. It is set up with an
Okuma Epixor EB50 spinning reel, and wound with hi-vis yellow 80 lb.
Power Pro braid. The Okuma reel has got a clicker on it which is sure handy when your fishin' the river at night. It's a bit more sleek than all the rattles and cowbells I see people usin'. This is the one river-specific rod I keep in my arsenal, the other three are more versatile, but havin' this rod down at the river is priceless
Last but not least is a nice and simple muskie rig that is perfect for either the river or the lakes. It is a 7'
Fig Rig Baitcaster with medium/heavy action. It is set up with an Abu 5500 C4 baitcaster and also wound with 80 lb. Power Pro braid. This one as well as my other heavy rig are both topped off with flexible steel musky leaders, and weights for the river. Like my smaller baitcaster, I can tie on musky plugs and hit up the lakes, or throw a big ol' circle hook and some weights and let it sit in the river
The last few nights haven't been exactly gangbusters, but a couple fish is always nice. We aren't exactly killin' 'em like we have been, but to be honest, the nights have been positively beautiful. Clear skies, calm water and a little bit of chill in the air definately makes sittin' on the water fantastic.
With a nice little fire goin', it makes sittin' on the river absolutely perfect.
Some fish in hand do make it that much better indeed.
I've managed to get mostly everything I need stuffed into a nice little Plano Guide Box. It's all waterproof and it floats, which is great when you accidentally dump it in the river.
The weights I keep in my tackle box also come in a broad range of shapes and sizes. Smaller 2-3 sized splitshot all the way up to 3 oz. baitcasting weights. Once again, keepin' a variety of sizes on hand makes it super easy to switch up from the river to the lake.
I guess I'll list 'em light to heavy. The first rig is an Ugly Stik Spin combo I picked up at Target. It's a 6’0” medium action rod with 30 size reel which I wound with 14 lb. Berekely Fireline. This little rig works great on the river, and I add a little bobber for hittin' up the lakes.
We have been talkin' for a while about tying on a jointed rap to check out the action on the top. The fish have certainly been jumpin' and smashin' the baitfish on the surfacefor a while now. Brandon said he was killin' em the previous night , so I figured I'd give it a shot too. It certainly panned out...This had to be the skinniest smallie I have ever seen, if it had a belly, I think it would have been the biggest I have ever caught...
Somehow, for once, there was no late night trip to the emergency room for stiches involved with this whole deal here...
The kids & the rides...
Big fat patriotic dudes eatin' turkey legs and Jimmy Buffet dudes with sweet mustaches...
Big ol' smiles all the way around...
Big fat fish...
Sweet chainsaw sculptures of clowns...
The lights and the sounds of the Midway...
Did I forget to mention big fat fish...
Scotch Eggs...with maple syrup or horseradish....
Veggie Fries...hot sauce for me and ranch for Sarah and the kids
New this year...Big Fat Bacon...not quite Manny's but pretty good for sure
Of course some corn on the cob...
The biggest and best turkey leg ever
The Ron Schara Walleye Cakes are a must...unless you hate super amazingly delicious food
Last but not least, the smelt fry...also with hot sauce...wash it all down with a birch beer or some ice cold milk and it's heaven. I think I forgot a couple, and have heard about some amazing foods I have yet to try. I got at least one more trip to the fair, so I will fill in the blanks then.
Ain't it the truth...
17 lb. 8 oz. Walleye caught in 1979 on the Seagull River.
8 lb. 15 oz. Largemouth Bass caught in 2005 on Auburn Lake...
45 lb. 12 oz. Northern Pike caught in 1929 on Basswood Lake
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