Old Hickory 9/30
 

Got out with dad today for a little while and caught a bunch of fish on the trout magnet. Most everything was small to medium bluegills but did manage to stick two smallies one landed the other crushed me.

About 20 yards down the bank where I caught the previous smallie (photo attached), I noticed my line had a loop/knot in it after a cast. Holding the rod with one hand I started pulling in line with other at this point still all one piece because of the risk of losing that much line in the water. Cutting it in the boat was a smarter move. When the line came tight to the jig there was weight on the end and moving down the bank. Quickly I reeled the line back on and felt the heaviness of the fish. For about 10-15 mins we played give/take on light drag with 2 lb line. The fish took me almost to the point of the looped knot being out of the reel twice kicking up basketball sized boils each time. Finally I got a peek of it on its side before diggin back downward on a run. Definitely a smallie and quite a bit bigger than the other. It was then I my big eyes overcame my smarts trying to pull the fish in more than letting it come to me causing the line to finally break..

Lots of fun today even with the heart break..

UL Spinning Rod + 2lb Line + 1/64 Trout Magnet Catalpa Color= LOTS OF FUN

Awesome! Sorry bout you losing the fish....I hate losing nice fish! But it always happens and will continue to do so!

Nice fish! Sounds like you had a fun day. Catching a Smallie like that one on UL gear makes for a good day. Funny about the knot and how you had that fish on. I use a lot of the Kevin VanDam line conditioner....I mean a lot. It really helps me out with 2# test.

Regards

I believe If we'd worked that stretch of bank over there would have been more smallies. Since I was limited on time we decided to cover water. Definitely will be back to that area though as it screams smallies.

Alpha-since most my line is gone I need to get more. Was thinking about 2lb Berkly Vanish.. any thoughts on it? I know you have tried several which would you recommend. The SOS is great line just don't really want to order just line.

That smallie you caught looks like enough fun on 2lb test! I know the heartbreak of losing a big fish like that, we've all been there! Early last spring I lost a rainbow trout possibly 18" below Normandy Dam. Caught it on the TM and fought it for several minutes, when I leaned down to scoop it up, the last headshake freed him. I was devastated haha

I have not tried the Vanish line....I think that is probably the only one I have not tried. One of the TWRA Techs down at Laurel Hill uses it with the Trout Magnet and swears by it. I always find myself going back to the SOS line. It is a very strong line and stays limp. PM is on the way.

Regards

I was happy with the Vanish but the SOS Line has been the best small line so far that I have ever tried. Guess I may order unless I can find it around here somewhere. Emailed Jeff to see if someone local may carry it.

Vanish is $12 for 250 yds and SOS is $6 for 350yds...

Travis,
You may want to check out that bulk spool that he carries. It is 21,000 yards for $60. May seem like a crazy amount but using 2lb.line you want to change it quite often. If you keep it in a cool dry place it will last for several years. Just a thought.

Roy

That would be a good deal but not a the moment $$$ wise. Will definitely keep that in mind for when I need more though.

Speaking of line and trout magnets...

Do you think the main problem people don't have much success with them is line size, line type or both?

I use the 2lb SOS copolymer and fluoro leader almost all the time catching a bunch of fish. Dad fished the same bank with both crappie mags/trout mags but with 4lb fireline and no leader catching maybe 1/5 the number of fish.

Watching this re-enforeced my belief that if you aren't having luck on the magnets (either one) the first thing you need to evaluate is your line size. You'll catch fish with any color/right line size and catch a ton more with the right color/line size.

What kind of rod do you use for the 2 pound line and trout mag? And do you use a swivel to attach the SOS to the flouro?

My rod is a Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6" UL action.

I don't use a swivel since the motive is stealth. Instead of the knot on trout magnets site my preferred is a Surgeons Knot for leader to main 2lb line.

http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeon...matedknots.com

My knot for the magnet is a Davy Wotton Knot:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hJZVmh79GZ...otton+knot.jpg

I use that for all my flies too. Its very small and compact. The only thing I add is an extra turn in Step 3. After it passes through under the main line I wrap once around the main line before wetting then pulling down.

The people I know that use them have a lot of success with them...but they are using 2# test line. I have had literally hundreds ask me to teach them how to use the Trout Magnet...my technique. Those that made the step to use 2# test are still fishing it today. I can use 4# test NanoFil but I will have a 2# test fluorocarbon leader on. I have had people fish right beside me for Crappie and they were using 6# test and not catch a thing....and I would have a limit in a couple of hours. I don't even like to use the 4# test. I always have a fluorocarbon leader on even with the 2# SOS line. The past couple of years down at Pickwick I always meet up with a fishing friend that is always down there during Crappie time....Fall through Spring. He uses Crappie Magnets and he also uses other lures.....he catches a ton of Crappie but he is also a believer in light line. We often will have conversation about how folks use way too heavy a line. If one is using a Trout Magnet...with 2# test line...the right color for the day....and fish are present...you are more than likely going to catch fish. Now I wouldn't head out Large Mouth or Striper fishing with a Trout Magnet....just not appropriate and the Large Mouth do not seem to care for the Trout Magnet....Small Mouth are another story...they love the thing. It took me about 3 months to get my head right that I couldn't use 4 and 6 pound test line when I started first using the Trout Magnet. Heck I even tried to get away with using 3# test mono. That was five years ago and I haven't looked back. Light line is the only way to go with a 1/64 ounce lure.

Regards

Oh I left out in my post.....I agree with you 100%.....LOL


Regards

Travis,
I will tell you a funny story about that, when I first heard of the trout magnet many years ago I ordered a bunch of them to try out. After a couple of trips with hardly any luck I called and talked to Jeff and told him that it was a scam and I wanted my money back. The first question he asked me was I using light line. I replied yes I am, I am using 6lb test. He laughed and told me that I needed to use 2lb test. I told him that he was crazy and it wouldnt make any difference. He assured me that it would and sure enough I tried the 2lb test line and the rest is history. I am not sure what it is but the difference between the 6 and 2 is huge. I try to use the largest line that I can get away with to minimize the stress on the fish, but sometimes you have to use the 2lb test.

Roy

Most hear 2lb test and get shell shocked. They seem to think of it as fishing with sewing thread or something. Dad couldn't believe what I was doing with mine. When I'd get hung up on a tree in the water heck you'd think I had my flipping stick watching me jerk, shake and pull to get it loose.

Granted its not 20lb mono but it can and will hold a lot more than you'd think especially the SOS. Even the leader material Jeff has is strongest on the market that size bar none.