HAVE GIFT CARD…WILL SHOP!

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 6, 2016 in Western Outdoor News

So…the calls and e-mails are coming in. A lot of my buddies and clients got gift certificates for Christmas to their favorite tackle stores, Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas and other big boy toy stores.

 

Like Nordstroms at a shoe sale for the ladies!

 

Oh, the excitement! Oh the carnage! Plus all the holiday sales are on and the big fishing and hunting shows are start up too!

 

What should I get?

What do I need?

What’s the best?

If I can only get one rod or one reel which one should I buy?

 

Listen, I’m a big fan of online purchases. Living in Mexico, we just can’t just go out and buy a lot of things available in the U.S. Amazon and UPS are my best buddies.

 

But, there are certain things that are just best purchased by putting them in your hands and trying them out. Like shoes…I never buy shoes online. They never ever fit! One company’s size 8 is another company’s 10.

 

Lots of fishing gear can be like that too.

 

If you have to buy online, of course, buy the best you can afford. Check the ratings. Check the reviews. Talk to buddies. Name brands that everyone uses are generally gonna be just fine.

 

But, if you can actually go to the tackle shop or store, all the better. I have several hundred rods and reels…I think. I used to also sell tackle in a tackle store. I know many of the great manufacturers and still deal with many of them as friends. Not all things are the same!

 

Take reels for instance. I know one manufacturer that’s quite famous and they make great state-of-the-art reels. But, I’ve been to their factory for purchases.

 

I can pick up 10 of the same model and no three of them will be exactly alike. Some seem to free-spool a little better.   Some seem to crank a little better. None of them are bad, by any means. But, some just have a better “feel” to them.

 

Those of you that are hunters or have been in the military have told me certain rifles or pistols have that same “feel” as well. A car or motorcycle can feel that way.

 

In my free-time, I love to play one of my growing collection of guitars that take up far too much space in our little place. Any guitar player will tell you that in a guitar store, if you have 10 exactly the same guitars, not a single one will play the same!

 

So, if you’re headed to buy a reel, ask to take several out of the box and give ‘em a spin.

 

Put ‘em in your hand. By all means, take it off the counter and ask to put it on a rod that’s similar to the one you’ll be using. I think you’ll find there’s a difference. Check out the drags and the freespool, especially.

 

Same with rods.   Having been in the industry now for several decades, many anglers don’t realize that just because two rods are rated 20lb-50lbs, they are NOT necessarily equal.

 

Is it for a spinning reel or a conventional reel? Is it a bait rod or a jigging stick? Is it meant for trolling or bottom fishing? A good salesperson at the store SHOULD be able to tell you. Usually, that’s NOT the guy at Walmart or K-Mart although I have found some who do know their stuff.

 

Even moreso, what’s the “action” on the rod. Is it “lively?” Good for casting a bait with a softer tip or stiffer for a jig? Does it have a “quick taper” that “shuts off” and helps you lift a fish.   Or, is the rod shut-off (stop bending) closer to the butt and more foregiving?   Again, a good sales guy or gal will know!

 

Do you know that even all fishing lines are not equal? Two lines rated at 30 lbs. can be very different. One might break at exactly or close to 30 pounds. The other might actually break closer to 40 pounds! (They’re not lying…surely it can withstand 30 pound pull!).

 

But, ever wonder why sometimes two guys fishing the same line…same color… and one guy is getting bit more than the other? Or his bait swims better?

 

When you buy line, take a look at the line diameter. The good brands have it printed on the side of the spool

 

Two lines rated the same can be different. The guy getting bit more might have purchased the line that has the smaller and limper diameter. His bait swims better. His line has less visibility in the water. He’s getting bit!

 

I’ve actually seen very cheap off-brand discount line that’s not even consistent. I took a micrometer to it and the diameter of the line over several yards varied considerably! Almost like it had bumps in it! You get what you paid for!

 

Casting jigs aren’t the same either. Go to your favorite saltwater tackle store where the guys really know their stuff. Take a Tady or Salas, Raider, Sumo or other “candy bar” type jig off the rack.   There could be 50 all the same color and style.

 

Hold it by the ring and using your same hand let the lure spin slowly while hanging down. Finding two that spin correctly with the correct balance is what the pros do! Impossible to do if you can’t hold the lures in your own hands.

 

Like I said, I’m a big fan of online shopping. But some things are best when you can touch, hold and feel them!

 

Best fishes for a Happy New Year! May the fish be with you!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004.  Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico  www.tailhunter-international.com.  They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront.  If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com  or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

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Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

 

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