Rapala Fishing

[Bilfish]

This is my first post on the internet, although I have been reading almost everythink on this forum for three months. A big move for a non techie. My question is how to successfully fish a countdown rapala on taneycomo (mainly in hwy 65 bridge and landing areas) for trout as well as bass in the creek areas? I also would like some assistance in selecting a good spinning reel for use with an ultra light 6' rod without spending a week's paycheck. Thanks.

[zander]

I can't help you with picking out a pole, but the rule my father has always gone by is that the pole should have at least 1 eye for each foot it is in length, ie a 6 ft pole would have at least 6 eyes but NOt one eye every twelve inches.

[Danoinark]

Welcome Billfish glad to have you join...Dano

[hoglaw]

Look at Falcon rods. I've never bought one of their ultralights (I prefer heftier fish), but I'm thrilled with the medium and medium heavy spinning rods that I've bought for less than $100.

[Harps]

I have a couple of nice Pflueger (Pfluger?) reels. Sweet working and think I paid about 35-40 bone apiece for them. Took them to Canada last year and the big pike would make the drag sing and they worked very smoothly. I use the same reel size for 2-20 pound line and it handles all well.

[Phil Lilley]

Any of the low-end Shimano do fine- $29- $39. Rainbow, brown, gold or silver F-7's or 9's work well, as well as your regular Pointers and other stick baits. This time of year, creeks are good too.

[Trav]

Haha,

Dont ask me, I will just confuse you.

I have Diawa, Shimano, Quantum, Penn, Mitchell, Abu-Garcia, Pflueger.

And I would hate to pick a favorite.

[Clay Goforth]

Shimano, definately.

[shockley32]

I fish with stickbaits all the time at Taney. They work very, very well. It's the best thing to use to catch a wall hanger (just take a pic, measure length & girth and have reproduction done!).

Lure: Rapala 11 & 13 are my choice, I used floaters in gold and black, brown trout, purple decent. The smaller baits will catch more fish however the fish tend to be smaller.

Bass Pro Shops XPS Suspending stick baits are excellent. I use Gold and black, tequilla and Georgia Shad.

Storm Thunderstick - same color pattern

Smithwick Suspending Rogue - same color pattern.

I fish those baits in that order. Some times they want it worked real fast, other time slow, yet other times a jerk, jerk, jerk pause. Just try different retrieves until something works. Cloudy days with slight wind are a lot better. Blue bird skies realy hurt the stickbait bite.

Rod: 6' to 6' 6" medium action. I love the All Star rods, best rods made by far - I will put my All Star rods up against any Falcon, G Loomis, Fenwick or any $200 - $300 rod. The All Star rods run $89 - $125. However don't break the bank. The outlet store at Bass Pro is loaded with good quality medium action spinning rods. Most are $10 -$15, they have had the tips broke in shipping, they just glue a new one on. Most of those rods usually run $40 - $60 in the main store.

Reel: Same story as the rods, I love the Okuma spinning reels about $30 at Fin and Feather in Springfield. You can find decent reconditioned reels at the outlet for $10. Just make sure to get one that holds a lot of line, when a 5# plus hits it will make several long runs

Line: I use 6 pound test. Just check the line to make sure it doens't have any nicks in it.

You can get started for a reasonable amount of money. An outlet store rod and reel $20, a few baits $12, catching wall hanger trout - priceless!!!

Good luck!

Brad

[loo10]

Remember that Countdown Rapalas sink 1' per second;

letting them sink to different levels before you start your retrieve sometimes makes all the difference.

Rods: Bass Pro has had Microlight rods on sale for $29.95...very good rods at great price.

Reels: recently I've bought some Mitchell 300's and have been very pleased...under $50.

Good luck.

Finally.....practice C.P.R.....catch, photo, release.