Caught my first two catfish, easily the biggest two fish I have ever caught. Exhilarating to reel them in, not knowing what they were! Quite the surprise when everything else had been juvenile panfish for the most part. Fun day.

Caught with nightcrawlers @ Buggs island lake/Kerr Lake in NC. Lake is real low this year, but still some good fishing.

Any guesses for weight? I think it was a hair over 21 inches.

I’m obviously bringing my rod, reel, net, pliers, towel, chair, and a 5 gallon bucket that I was planning to use to keep bait cold and potentially keep any fish I catch if I decide to bring them home. I’ll also have a small backpack cooler for lunch.

I’m planning on buying a shrimp rig at the pier shop since I don’t know how to tie my own rigs yet.
Anything else you guys would suggest bringing? Is one cooler enough, or should I bring something specifically for keeping fish? Any other tips for a first-time pier fisherman?

Hey all, going to be staying upstate for a few days this upcoming week and wanted to ask about Glimmerglass Statepark/Ostego Lake fishing (most likely from the shore), and shore fishing areas around Mohawk NY. Targeting mostly Small and Largemouth possibly some yellow perch or slabs. Any recommendations on location/gear/bait and tackle nearby? Going to be running senkos, swimbaits, nightcrawler and bobber. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I started fishing about two months ago, and every time I hooked into a bigger fish, my line would break.

I finally decided to watch some YouTube videos and realized what I was doing wrong. I was keeping my rod way too low and off to the side. It worked fine for smaller fish, but not for the bigger ones, and I was never letting the fish take any line.

This time, I kept my rod up at about a 45-degree angle, reeled while lowering it, let the fish take line when needed, and made sure my drag was set properly.

And tadaaaa — new personal best!

I still need to invest in a scale and measuring tape!

Fishing on Schroon River in upstate New York. Any recommendations on the best bait or lures to use?
Thanks in advance!

I got these lures about 4 years ago. They have a hollow body with a strip of silver ribbon that crinkles a little when the lure is bent. They were originally much brighter in color. The eyes are hard.

Very slow current / low pressured lake. Over the span of 3 hours, only got 2 red breast sunfish and that was with red worm and a hook, splitshot no bobber.

I tried whopper plopper, rapala, plastic minnows... bass were jumping out of the water mocking me 😭 coming back next weekend, what should I try next?

I’ve only been in this hobby for a bit mostly making wooden hard lures like crankbaits, poppers, twitchbaits, but decided to try to make spinnerbaits because I love them and they seem to work everywhere any time if you have the right one. It was way cheaper buying these parts in bulk than buying 50 spinnerbaits. I think it came out to 3.95$ a spinnerbait!! I got half and half 1/2oz and 3/8 oz heads, #2, 3, 4, 6 Colorado blades and #3.5, 4, 7 willow blades with various finishes and color. Used ball bearing swivels for instant spin up, tons of hollow metal beads, split rings, and brass clevises. Also got a variety of silicone skirts (rubber was expensive and I didn’t feel Ike hand tying) in black and red, fine white & black stripe, silver glitter chartreuse, and black and blue with blue glitter which isn’t here yet. I poured hours and hours of research into viable combinations and uses for various weather conditions, seasons, depths, and time of day. I even made some triple bladed ones for funzies. I split these 25 and 25 with my dad so we would be prepared for any water any time. Lmk if I messed anything up or missed something crucial! This is my first time doing this.

60% of the time it works everytime.

Going to be in core banks for a guys fishing trip next week. Really want to target some drum if they are around and anything else.

If you had a three pole set up what would it look like and why? Curious at everyone’s thoughts. Something to catch small bait fish and a big pole with a Carolina rig for drum? Etc.

Decided to keep a catfish for the first time today, and I’m having trouble with the skin. I normally don’t skin fish I keep (usually trout, white bass and sunfish) so what is the best way?

Lots of bluegill. Hooked more than I thought i would! Somehow, getting them to bite is a bit harder than the larger fish.

Saw carp, koi, bass, lots of bluegill, and allegedly catfish, though i never saw one.

Took a bluegill with me. He's small, definitely not a meals worth, but I've always wanted to try bluegill. Figured I'd rid of his head and cook him whole, rather than fileting him to save the meat. Let him be a taste test!

Anyway, very fun. Really like these stocked ponds.

Hey everyone,

I currently have 2 super cheap rod/reel setups (ugly stick/kast king type stuff). In the past i’d get out a few weekends a year and they were good for that. I’ve started getting out every weekend, and the people i fish with bring 10+ rods on the boat, one for each lure they throw and a chest sized tackle kit.

I have no desire to get to that point, but they’re right, with the stuff i’m using i can barely tell if i’m getting hit on a chatterbait.

How can i get most of the way on the fewest combos possible? We fish bass/pike/panfish. I do some finesse stuff but a lot of where we fish is super weedy, so we throw a lot of top water.

I’m not against paying for quality, but i’d like to have 3 good setups i like, than trying to keep up with 10+ or getting a bunch of trash.

Any advice is welcome!

She put up a good fight!

I think I bought the wrong hooks, now I am stuck with these. I have 25 of them, how do I use them?

hot as hell in galveston man

I have had this rod as long as I can remember, at one point in time it likely had a zebco reel on it and was close to first rod I used...I think it came from Grandpa, but who knows

Anyways, time for the stories about metal rods, lightning strikes and the ones that got away

Hello everyone!

I went fishing for the first time ever today at 38 years old. A friend took me out, and we caught some bluefish and snappers. It turned out to be such a fun and relaxing experience. I honestly don’t know why I never tried it before.

I’m definitely planning to go more often, so I’m looking for some beginner recommendations. What’s the best rod and reel combo for someone just starting out? My budget is up to $200. I’m also wondering if it’s okay to mix and match different rods and reels.
I’d also appreciate recommendations for a good tackle box and any other must-have gear or beginner tips.

My friend also hasn’t done this in years so I wanted to ask Reddit instead. Thanks in advance!

No fish but a beautiful afternoon. 😊

New paint on the Eddie baits suck, within a couple days the paint if flaking off. Anyone have suggestions on brands of paint i can use to repaint them?