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Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions #11743998 07/27/16 02:10 AM
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KurtActual Offline OP
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Hey guys,
Couple questions from a Dad that has been taking his 4 year old out to catch some fish recently.
With today's rain, our honey spot has seen an increase in species and sizes (that are biting)
Today we caught:
Tilapia
Rio Grande Cichlid
Bluegill
Sun Fish

Typically we catch fish that are 3-4" long. Today they were hand size or larger.
It's a total blast, but I end up spending most of our time re-worming the hook.
How can I keep the really tiny fish off the hook? Go up a size or two?
I am using a size 6 snell hook, and baiting it with 1/2" lengths of nightcrawler worms. I found that if I use a longer section of worm, the fish have an easier time stripping it off the hook without taking the hook with it.
Is there a worm substitute that stays on the hook better/longer than a nightcrawler?
One of the larger Tilapia might have put my son's Cars character rod/reel combo in the grave.
What is a good set up to replace it?
I think I'd like to stick to a spincast reel, for his sake.

Thanks in advance for any and all help!
-Kurt

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744093 07/27/16 02:48 AM
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banker-always fishing Online Content
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Sometimes you have to go through the small ones in order to catch the big ones. You may want to try fishing in deeper water. Also bigger sunfish seem to stay close to the bottom. Try using a heavier shot to get the bait to the bottom faster. thumb



Side Note: welcome To the Texas Fishing Forum! Glad to have you on board and looking forward to reading more of your post! cheers


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IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap.

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Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744274 07/27/16 09:33 AM
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jagg Offline
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If you want to keep from going thru so much bait, try Gulp! Alive! maggots, waxies and other baits in that line. They are really tough and in my limited experience, catch sunfish and crappie even when the bait bite is slow. If you have limited confidence in artificials, try the nightcrawlers first and switch to the Gulp! once you are fairly certain that you have the fish patterned. Larger gills tend to school together so if you are catching 10 to 1 small to large or worse, it's a sign you need to move to another spot or another body of water all together. Hope this helps.


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and all that is within me,
bless His Holy Name!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzsXYK-44H5uEUe3WXjmLg
Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744340 07/27/16 11:55 AM
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KurtActual Offline OP
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Here is a picture of the first RGC we caught. I put the sissy glove on, cause I had NO idea what the fish was or what to expect.



We caught some Tilapia about that same size.

I was using a bobber, two small lead weights, then the hook. Should I try a drop shot setup or something to get the bait lower-faster?

The water here is typically very shallow, but the rain yesterday had it up about 12" or so.



Any experience/advice for a combo for my son to replace the cartoon character rod/reel?

Thanks again guys! I will be picking up some Gulp!Alive! Wax worms asap.

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744488 07/27/16 01:44 PM
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J-Moe Offline
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Welcome Kurt,

Zebco 202 or Zebco 33 combos with an ugly stik would be a good next step. The 202 would be lighter and probably a better choice for a 4 year old. The little 5' or less ugly stik rods will take a beating. Kids will throw the rods/reels down in the sand and dirt all the time so you will need to pull the cover on the reel and spray it with reel oil on a regular basis to keep it working properly.

Banker and Jagg's advice is always spot on. To add to that I would say the area you fish is most important. The area in the picture looks like a run-off of a small creek. Smaller fish will always move much more than bigger fish, bite more often and be in shallower water such as this in the heat of the summer. In general, when bank fishing, I have found it much easier to find and land bigger sunfish in ponds and small lakes vs. rivers and large lakes. The majority of the 9 inch plus fish I have caught have come from private ponds.

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744519 07/27/16 02:03 PM
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KurtActual Offline OP
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Thanks J-Moe.
The bodies of water around us are all man-made.



This pic is the triangular lake at the NE Corner of Louetta and Mueschke:



I dont even know where to begin to fish the "lakes" that are all cement-bordered. No clue the depth, coverage, etc.

I'll look into the 202. Again, thanks!

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744819 07/27/16 04:27 PM
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plasma800 Offline
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Considering that you're where you are, you might want to think about checking out the community fishing lake just behind the YMCA on 249 just down from Louetta near cypresswood. I haven't seen it in YEARS, but I know that not a lot of people go there, and last time I drove by it,.... it sure looked fishy!!!

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744849 07/27/16 04:43 PM
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And you can find more here

http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/cfl.phtml

Speaking of the small combos, I have a Pflueger combo, under 5', picked up at academy that I keep around for kids to use --- and I've actually found myself using it quite a bit! roflmao

If you were interested, my neighborhood has a private lake with a fishing dock, and I have a little pond boat. Maybe when the weather cools a bit, I could host you.

I'm not sure how much a 4 year old would tolerate being in a small boat, but you're welcome to borrow it (it only seats two) on my lake if you wanted to give it a try. It's filled the brim with panfish. They can be caught from the dock too.

If you want to have even MORE fun, I could meet you at a bigger lake just up 45 with a full size bass boat, that I know for a fact is absolutely chock full of HUGE panfish.

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744861 07/27/16 04:49 PM
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KurtActual Offline OP
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Plasma800 - Thanks a ton!
I have driven by that lake 100 times, if not more! (I work in part of the old Compaq complex)

I'll have to see about going there this weekend.

I really appreciate your offer. Stand by for cooler weather cheers

Last edited by KurtActual; 07/27/16 04:55 PM.
Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744863 07/27/16 04:50 PM
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plasma800 Offline
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like this...

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11744866 07/27/16 04:51 PM
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plasma800 Offline
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Originally Posted By: KurtActual
Plasma800 - Thanks a ton!
I have driven by that lake 100 times, if not more! (I work in part of the old Compaq complex)

I'll have to see about going there this weekend.


How funny, when I was in highschool we used to cut through the compaq center from louetta to 149 (then!) to avoid the light (before they put up the gates smile

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11751665 07/31/16 07:43 PM
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Gitter Done Offline
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Originally Posted By: KurtActual
Thanks J-Moe.
The bodies of water around us are all man-made.



This pic is the triangular lake at the NE Corner of Louetta and Mueschke:



I dont even know where to begin to fish the "lakes" that are all cement-bordered. No clue the depth, coverage, etc.

I'll look into the 202. Again, thanks!





Priceless!

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: J-Moe] #11753028 08/01/16 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted By: J-Moe
Welcome Kurt,

Zebco 202 or Zebco 33 combos with an ugly stik would be a good next step. The 202 would be lighter and probably a better choice for a 4 year old. The little 5' or less ugly stik rods will take a beating. Kids will throw the rods/reels down in the sand and dirt all the time so you will need to pull the cover on the reel and spray it with reel oil on a regular basis to keep it working properly.

Banker and Jagg's advice is always spot on. To add to that I would say the area you fish is most important. The area in the picture looks like a run-off of a small creek. Smaller fish will always move much more than bigger fish, bite more often and be in shallower water such as this in the heat of the summer. In general, when bank fishing, I have found it much easier to find and land bigger sunfish in ponds and small lakes vs. rivers and large lakes. The majority of the 9 inch plus fish I have caught have come from private ponds.



Could have not said it any better! woot

Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11755581 08/02/16 11:32 PM
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jagg Offline
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Under spin Zebco paired to a UL Ugly Stik.


Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His Holy Name!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzsXYK-44H5uEUe3WXjmLg
Re: Newbie Father/Son Anglers with Questions [Re: KurtActual] #11796591 08/25/16 07:04 PM
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plasma800 Offline
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Did you have a chance to check out that little pond?

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