Newbie

[NineFingerFury]

Hey guys/gals! My name is Shawn, and I'm a disabled Marine vet in Covington, WA. My dad never taught me how to fish, but I always wanted to get into it.

Well, now I'm almost 30 and have the time to do it because I'm medically retired. A few friends an I have been fishing Lake Meridian the past few weeks with very limited success. Not long ago, I had no idea what a leader was!

Any suggestions for this newbie? I have a cheaper rod/reel combo from Big 5 and a few hooks, bobbers, weights and hooks. I'm not afraid to say I don't know what I'm doing, and I've only caught a few fish by sheer luck. What should I be doing to catch fish in Lake Meridian and Wilderness this year? I'll be fishing Meridian tomorrow morning at 7 from the dock.

Thanks!

[cjrodarme]

All you really need for Meridian off of the dock is some egg sinkers, powereggs, size 12-10 hooks and some leader. My usual set-up for fishing from the dock is a 3/4 or 1 oz egg sinker, and a swivel, then off of the swivel I put a 2-10 ft leader and a hook with a couple power eggs. Just cast off of the public dock and that should give you some good success. When the lake really starts warming up (around May, maybe late April) using worms either on a hook and bobber or off the bottom with a hook and a couple of split shot about a foot or 18" off of the hook for perch, small bass, bluegill, etc. Hope this was helpful to you.

[DavidA]

Heya Shawn,

I have found that trout tend to swallow the hook when you are bottom fishing, so you may want to bring some long-nosed pliers with you to help when this situation arises. I agree with what was said above and will add my 2 cents worth of wisdom. If you are using the power eggs that come in a jar, strung together like pearls, rather than separating them, keep a string of 3 or 4 together, and put your hook through only an end egg. I have found that when trout 'inhale' that combination, the hooked bead is the last in and the hook remains in the mouth, making it easier to remove.

Best of luck!

Dave

[NineFingerFury]

Thanks guys.

[wlai]

I used size 4 - 6 hook and found it much easier to remove.

[Let's_Go_Fishing!]

I'm a huge fan of Tru Turn hooks. The shank is offset which makes it as close to a self-setting hook as you can get. I've had great luck with the blood red Aberdeen Tru Turns in sizes 8 or 6 for trout. They're not easy to find. I buy them online. Cabela's is about the only sporting goods store I know of that carries them. Online has a better selection and price. We're up in north Snoco county near the Skagit line, looking for other responsible people to fish with.

[Fishingirl78]

First off welcome to fishing! Don't invest in much else other than some needle nose plyers some true turn hooks and time to develope your way of fishing. You may get more into bass and jigging or fly fishing or saltwater fishing years down the road, so just stick with what you've got, watch some YouTube videos and have fun. There are some great fishing shows too..

[Let's_Go_Fishing!]

Good advice. Start slow with the basics and build up tackle as you can over time and experience. Bobbers, tackle, swivels and egg sinkers can be found at Walmart. What kind of fishing pole are you using? Outside of derby's, I like fishing that's chill and isn't competitive. We fish the Stilly or north county lakes. General season opens soon. Yippie!

[NineFingerFury]

Here's what I'm using. http://www.okumafishing.com/product/vie ... inning/rox" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 6'6" rod.

[Let's_Go_Fishing!]

Very nice setup. Okuma's are pretty durable poles. I have an Okuma Tundra with a Mitchell Riptide levelwind
http://www.anglerscorner.co.uk/images/006110.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's what I'm using. http://www.okumafishing.com/product/vie ... inning/rox" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 6'6" rod.

[knika]

Hello NineFingerFury, First I must apologize for no one else thanking you for your service. Thank You very much for your service.

How have you been doing lately? Catching many fish?
Let me know if you need a fishing buddy. I am retired and bored. I bought a new 12 ft Jon boat and need some company.

Jack aka: knika1948@yahoo.com

[NineFingerFury]

Thanks Jack. I've been catching a lot of trout at Wilderness in Maple Valley. I recently bought a baitcaster and would love to try my hand at bass, but am unsure of where to find them without a boat around here. I'm interested in doing some fishing for sure.