Hunting And Fishing Thread!?!

[Steve H]

Just got in my line, surprised the 327 yards of 15lb the spool was only a 1/4" thick and maybe 3.5" in diameter. I guess it is really thin compared to mono? might swap out for 30lb?

It is really thin compared to mono. The most I use is 20 pound. Have that on the Kast king reels. One with 4 strand. One with 8 strand.
Did you get 4 strand or 8?
4 strand is good for using in rocky or heavy vegetation. Has better abrasion resistance. Though it has a rougher finish that reduces casting distance. 8 strand is smoother so it casts further. And is quieter on retrieves. I use both. And adjust according to conditions.
Also, watch bare handing that line during a snag or whatever.
Can cut your hand pretty quick. Have a good pair of fishing scissors or snips handy. I keep a piece of wooden dowel in my pocket in case I have to pull the line in by hand. Comes in handy when you happen to hook onto something heavy. Like a log or snapping turtle.

 

[steelcore]

My wife and I during this past summer on the Pacific with some Salmon

View attachment 652818View attachment 652819

Dang, that’s a nice fish.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Just got in my line, surprised the 327 yards of 15lb the spool was only a 1/4" thick and maybe 3.5" in diameter. I guess it is really thin compared to mono? might swap out for 30lb?

I maybe should have chimmed in and suggested backing your spool with some cheaper mono line first, then do something like a double Uni Knot and finish filling with the braid. I used to go straight braid all the way up in the spool then eventually realized it was a waste of braid because I don't get 300yds out of my spool ever. Then again that is where I live and fish in ND.

It is really thin compared to mono. The most I use is 20 pound. Have that on the Kast king reels. One with 4 strand. One with 8 strand.
Did you get 4 strand or 8?
4 strand is good for using in rocky or heavy vegetation. Has better abrasion resistance. Though it has a rougher finish that reduces casting distance. 8 strand is smoother so it casts further. And is quieter on retrieves. I use both. And adjust according to conditions.
Also, watch bare handing that line during a snag or whatever.
Can cut your hand pretty quick. Have a good pair of fishing scissors or snips handy. I keep a piece of wooden dowel in my pocket in case I have to pull the line in by hand. Comes in handy when you happen to hook onto something heavy. Like a log or snapping turtle.

I'm the same pretty much and I think that 15lb is the average with maybe 10lb on a ML spinning rod and 20-25lb on a bigger bait caster setup for large Pike fishing. Honestly I spooled my rods up so many years ago the only thing I can tell anyone about the line is brand because I can tell the difference from Power Pro to Spiderwire Stealth

 

[clifish]

It is really thin compared to mono. The most I use is 20 pound. Have that on the Kast king reels. One with 4 strand. One with 8 strand.
Did you get 4 strand or 8?
4 strand is good for using in rocky or heavy vegetation. Has better abrasion resistance. Though it has a rougher finish that reduces casting distance. 8 strand is smoother so it casts further. And is quieter on retrieves. I use both. And adjust according to conditions.
Also, watch bare handing that line during a snag or whatever.
Can cut your hand pretty quick. Have a good pair of fishing scissors or snips handy. I keep a piece of wooden dowel in my pocket in case I have to pull the line in by hand. Comes in handy when you happen to hook onto something heavy. Like a log or snapping turtle.

Good to know, I got 4 strand but I may exchange that out for 20lb 8 strand, in PA near my house I have seen people pull out 35" Stripers and 2' snakehead (Asian invasive fish)

I maybe should have chimmed in and suggested backing your spool with some cheaper mono line first, then do something like a double Uni Knot and finish filling with the braid. I used to go straight braid all the way up in the spool then eventually realized it was a waste of braid because I don't get 300yds out of my spool ever. Then again that is where I live and fish in ND.

I'm the same pretty much and I think that 15lb is the average with maybe 10lb on a ML spinning rod and 20-25lb on a bigger bait caster setup for large Pike fishing. Honestly I spooled my rods up so many years ago the only thing I can tell anyone about the line is brand because I can tell the difference from Power Pro to Spiderwire Stealth

I like the mono backing idea, kind of what you do on the fly reels...I might even use that.

 

[Steve H]

I like the mono backing idea, kind of what you do on the fly reels...I might even use that.

That's what I do with my fly reels. For the cost of the braided line. I don't mind filling it. Braided line lasts longer then mono.

 

[normanaj]

Outside of vertical fishing (bottom/jigging) for ground fish I never had a liking for braid.Waist high in the surf or out on the rocks especially at night all it takes is one little wind knot deep into a cast to effectively end the night. Most surf rats around here love it for the extra distance it can give you.Depending on reel type/brand you gotta find just the right brand of braid that will play well with a particular reel.

I can only speak for myself but the extra distance it can give you just isn't enough for me and the aforementioned possibility of wind knot keeps me from using it other than for vertical applications.For casting I like my tried and true Ande BackCountry mono,paired with a floro leader there's just enough stretch and more than enough abrasion resistance to work big stripers and alligator blues.

 

[uncle eddie]

Finally got to go turkey hunting today - season opened Monday. Work....

My son got a 24.0 lbs, 8.25" beard and 1.25" spurs on Monday.
My bird was 21.1 lbs, 12.0" beard and 1.25" spurs.
We both get another bird to tag...next week.
Only one per week here in Missouri.

All the habitat improvement and nest predator trapping I do pays dividends with the deer and turkey population.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Daughters and I were put on our 4th annual western ND turkey hunt in the badlands of ND this past weekend Fri-Mon, its a 6hr trip 1 way. Now bare in mind I am not very good at turkey hunting or calling, will really be practicing the mouth calls for future for another tool in the box.
The turkey got the best if us again but not for lack of trying, a couple blown stalks and a few different setup to call but just could not get the Tom's to come check us out. Still we had a great time exploring and sight seeing, good food for supper and good fellowship with friends. The daughters have tags for around home so now it's time for dad to double down and try to get them a shot, set 3 blinds Monday evening when I got home with aggressive Tom's gobbling the whole time, we did try to get on 1 pair but they decided to wander the wrong way, they just weren't interested in my box call or gobble I guess.
I try to tell people that hunting turkey is basically hunting mini elk and I stand by that again from the varying terrain to the interaction one can have, I could easily spend thousands of dollars per year and be unsuccessful on elk where with turkey I am hundred's to maybe $1,000 all said and done on the trip and I still get to experience the hunt challenges

 

[in. pred]

neat hunting grounds!

 

[ajbert]

Turkey hunting has one HUGE advantage of elk hunting. Getting a turkey back to your vehicle is extremely easy than getting an elk back to your vehicle. I've only shot turkey around the house but I've shot elk more than a mile away from my vehicle. Trust me on this!!

 

[mneeley490]

Never done a turkey hunt (would like to some day.)
But as someone who's hunted duck and pheasant, both quick flight birds, I know I hate picking out buckshot from the carcass.
So why use a shotgun for turkey? If the rules don't prohibit it, wouldn't a .22 seem adequate?

 

[ajbert]

With a long barreled shotgun, read as a goose or turkey gun, and a full choke you aim at the head, but hold a little high. No pellets in the eating parts. As far a pheasants go, I don't mind in the least spitting pellets out while eating. And if you really want to hunt fast birds that will test your skill, try dove. The shells are cheaper but you will go through them much faster with getting less birds. Might tasty little birds, though.

 

[mneeley490]

With a long barreled shotgun, read as a goose or turkey gun, and a full choke you aim at the head, but hold a little high. No pellets in the eating parts. As far a pheasants go, I don't mind in the least spitting pellets out while eating. And if you really want to hunt fast birds that will test your skill, try dove. The shells are cheaper but you will go through them much faster with getting less birds. Might tasty little birds, though.

Okay, that makes sense.

 

[in. pred]

i dont know of a state that allows 22s for turkey. your rite though it would be a great choice. our fall season is bow only. i learned to let them turn their back to me and spine shoot them. very affective too!

son used nitro 4s in his 20g and leveled his opening day tom. 20yrd shot and didnt go anywhere.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Never done a turkey hunt (would like to some day.)
But as someone who's hunted duck and pheasant, both quick flight birds, I know I hate picking out buckshot from the carcass.
So why use a shotgun for turkey? If the rules don't prohibit it, wouldn't a .22 seem adequate?

Some states do allow 22 I think or used to at least ND does not, most I know of allow archery, ND used to allow pistol but I think they did away with it.
Few years ago I put 2 rounds of 3.5in #4 in the back of one and never found a pellet in the meat, not sure on range but it was 30-40yds I'm guessing. Head shot with 410 and #9 TSS at 20yds leaves clean meet too.
Spring turkey has been driving me nuts the last 4yrs trying to crack the code on calling, setting up and getting a shot.

 

[Ishi]

I was successful on two Spring turkeys with my bow. First one was shot opening day at noon and the second one on Thursday at 7 pm.
I use the head loobers and have both on video but probably best to not post them as they are graphic.

The second bird you can see the arrow in flight. The sun make the video hazy but the arrow is right above the Jake decoy head.

 

[Timber II]

Congrats @Ishi - I’ve only killed a few w the bow. Quite an accomplishment sir!

 

[uncle eddie]

Never done a turkey hunt (would like to some day.)
But as someone who's hunted duck and pheasant, both quick flight birds, I know I hate picking out buckshot from the carcass.
So why use a shotgun for turkey? If the rules don't prohibit it, wouldn't a .22 seem adequate?

@mneeley490 - Head shot is the way to go with turkey. Head shot with a shotgun is easily doable. Head shot with a rifle of any caliber is one of the most challenging shots I can think of.

As for pheasant - my fave way to get the pellets and feathers our of the breast meat is to thin slice it and make it into pheasant fajitas. Super easy to remove "shot up" meat that way and it makes a fantastic fajita meat.

 

[mneeley490]

@mneeley490 - Head shot is the way to go with turkey. Head shot with a shotgun is easily doable. Head shot with a rifle of any caliber is one of the most challenging shots I can think of.

I had a friend, who has since passed, that could take the heads off of grouse with his rifle. We were hunting mule deer, and he would usually come back to camp with one or the other.

 

[in. pred]

Some states do allow 22 I think or used to at least ND does not, most I know of allow archery, ND used to allow pistol but I think they did away with it.
Few years ago I put 2 rounds of 3.5in #4 in the back of one and never found a pellet in the meat, not sure on range but it was 30-40yds I'm guessing. Head shot with 410 and #9 TSS at 20yds leaves clean meet too.
Spring turkey has been driving me nuts the last 4yrs trying to crack the code on calling, setting up and getting a shot.

ill tell ya the code brother. scout mid day and look for feathers and crap all over the forest floor. you have found the roost! your bird is almost dead already! quietly set up before light within 75-100yrds from the roost. when enough light comes tom will see your decoy over there and fly down to his doom. its as simple as a few clucks and beating your ballcap on your leg to sound like one flying down. i do it every opening morning like that. lol if they dont roost somewhere else youll have your tom! easy as that.