Newish to fishing

[cerckson]

The wife and i are new to fishing on lakes. I used to fish in the streams and farm ponds when I was younger. Question i have is what is the best fishing line to use? I look at them all the time and don't know which line is the best. Right now i am rigged up with cajun line 8 lbs test. Am i not using the right line because its red? Another question is what is your guys go-to tackle. It seems everything i throw in the water i never get anything. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong, or just fishing the wrong areas. I usually put in at high point and rarely come down past the 245 bridge. Our boat is a pontoon so im limited to where i can get into. Did some scouting of the boat ramps. I want to try to put in just south of the 215 bridge on the west side of the state park. Never been on that part of the lake before. We like to tuck in coves to keep from drifting so bad. We don't have a trolling motor, so we basically anchor and fish. We are strictly catch and release, pleasure fishing only. We don't travel all that far on the lake from where we put in at. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. If any of you guys see us we have an old 86 bass tracker 24' party barge with a maroon bamini top. Our tow vehichle is a red 06 dodge 3500 megacab dually. Usually at the lake every other weekend. Thanks again.

[Hunter91]

My preference is green stren in 12lb test or lighter according to what you are targeting. It disappears in most water. I also use flourocarbon for some applications.

[wuteversbitin424]

It all really depends on what you want to catch. If i were you i would be catfishing right now. I use light line and rods for added difficulty but a med. Rod with 10lb test berkly smooth cast would do great. Go to the flats north of aldrich or any rocky bank around high point and throw out a night crawler with a decent size hook and a sinker about a foot above it and drift down the bank with the wind dragging your worm behind you. Since no trolling motor and your just wanting to have fun and catch some fish this is the route id go this time of year. Its easy and you can catch quite a few right now...hold on to your poll though cause those cats can nail it pretty hard

[Ketchup]

If you have a Sat. early morning free, hollar via PM and i will take ya out. Im sure others here would do the same. Ol. SacRiverJim is known for helping guys out that are new. Hes a good guy.

Your line will work for a rec. fisherman. Tackle will depend on what fish your targeting.

Get with some of us and see what were doing and using. Lots of areas on Stockton you can fish in your boat. I like the Ruark area

[zarraspook]

  On 6/8/2015 at 8:31 PM, wuteversbitin424 said:

It all really depends on what you want to catch. If i were you i would be catfishing right now. I use light line and rods for added difficulty but a med. Rod with 10lb test berkly smooth cast would do great. Go to the flats north of aldrich or any rocky bank around high point and throw out a night crawler with a decent size hook and a sinker about a foot above it and drift down the bank with the wind dragging your worm behind you. Since no trolling motor and your just wanting to have fun and catch some fish this is the route id go this time of year. Its easy and you can catch quite a few right now...hold on to your poll though cause those cats can nail it pretty hard

Also, if you have a rod with 4-6 lb. test... a #2 hook with a minnow and a splitshot ( size would depend on how fast you are drifting ..if still small if faster bigger )

about 18" above will catch EVERYTHING in the lake !!!!!

It is a good way to feel how each different fish fights...

[dprice]

I'd express to focus you attention to presentation and location. either area you mention water coloring prevails over line selection , other than the line behavior and characteristics.... If you a anchor to spots. Choose areas where bank consistency changes. Type of structure. Also. Gravel rock types wood covers. Tubes ,underspins and Ned rigs. Are probly unbeatable

[Sac River Jim]

hiring a local guide like Bob Bennett Stockton Lake Guide service is what he goes by on here might be money well invested. explain to him what you are wanting to learn and i'm sure he can help you out. After that just continue to monitor this forum, take a few notes on current patterns and study a good map in your spare time. i suggest the MDC Fish Attractor Map http://egis.mdc.mo.gov/statewidefishattractors/index.htmland better yet if you have a gps combo graph on your boat download the coordinates to the brush piles. even a handheld gps would be useful. Main thing is to just get out on the water and enjoy yourself and be safe!!!! Rome wasnt conquered in a day and neither will Stockton!!!

[cerckson]

Thanks for all the help guys. Just bought a new fish finder with gps. Will take all advice givin and go out and have fun fishing, or just having fun acting like a fisherman.

[dprice]

C small top waters are hours of fun right now

[mjk86]

With your set up and experience level. Get two rods and a bunch of flicker shads. Pull em behind the boat 150-200 ft. Just idle around main lake points and mouths of coves. Youll catch something doing that for sure. Dont need electronics or a trolling motor. Just 25$ worth of flicker shads.