Category: fishing outfits

Hey Italo, I have seen one of your fishing videos on youtube and I saw this one reel you had used for pike, I believe you said it was an andreas reel. And so my question is, Where did you get that reel and can I buy it online?Youtube Video: Tips for serious Pike fishing, Rods and Reels

Posted on January 17th, 2021

Hi Christian, that reel was made by Rapala, https://www.amazon.ca/Rapala-AR400-Andros-Casting-Bearings/dp/B06X6HF87S . Excellent reel for larger fish like big Pike, Musky, Lake Trout & Salmon…God bless you.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo, what do you think about a spinning reel with a size 3000? Is this size okay for variety of freshwater fish species? thank you

Posted on October 6th, 2020

Hi Dako, if you match the 3000 size reel to the right rod and it feels balanced when using  it should be fine for a variety of freshwater fish species…God bless you.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo, I purchased a 6″6″ ML F with a size 30 spinning reel as my starter/beginner equipment to catch rainbow trout and kokanee up to a pound or two if lucky. I would like a second rod to go with my size 40 reel to move up to heavier lake trout, walleye and pike. I was thinking a MHF in 6’6″ or 7′. Any suggestions?

Posted on April 29th, 2020

Hi Steven, Yup, a I would go with a 7-7 ½’ Medium Action with a larger reel and load it with 20 lb. braided line (only 6lb. monofilament diameter). You should be able to handle pretty big fish with it and it should be still sensitive enough to enjoy landing smaller fish…God bless you.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo,Where can I purchase Rapala F2 ultralight rods that you used on Lady Evelyn Lake while fishing for walleye and staying at red pine wilderness lodge ? I’m located in Mississauga.Thanks,Barry

Posted on April 28th, 2020

Hi Barry, I can’t answer that question since I don’t know if they continue to carry them at Rapala. I suggest you contact their head office in Oshawa, ON and ask, 905-571-3001…God bless you.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo, what kind of rod action is best for “still fishing”? By “still fishing” I mean watching the tip of the fishing rod. Are fast action rods more sensitive? Thank you!

Posted on September 27th, 2019

Hi Dako…Best action in a fishing rod for still fishing with live, dead or prepared bait  is one that when you shake the rod it flexes from the mid-section to the tip. On the blank it would be marked as “light to medium action”. But the description may not be correct on the rod so it’s best to “shake” the rod in the store and test. The Ugly Stick is a classic example of a “soft-action” rod that works best for still fishing rather then casting hard lures. As you know besides detecting the bite, the softer rod let’s you set the hook gently while reeling so the fish closes his mouth more on the bait as you set the hook then ripping it out of its mouth with a stiffer rod and a big “jerk” hook-set.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo,I really enjoy your informative fishing program. Please keep up the good work.My question is: under what fishing situations would you use a fast retrieve (7.1:1) bait casting reel instead of a slower (5:1, 4:1) one?Thanks. Blessings, Bob

Posted on January 17th, 2019

Hi Bob, thank you for your encouraging words, will do my best!! Great question. High-speed gear ratios, like 7.1-to-1, are great when you need to reel a lure in fast that either  sinks quick (like a Rapala Snap Rap, or heavier spoon that you want to be able to cast far, but only swim just below the surface or above weeds), or in the case of a spinning lure that has a narrow blade and needs a pretty fast speed to work properly.  A slower 5-to-1 or 4-to-1 gear ratio is better if you need to slow down your handle rotation when fishing lures that have more water resistance like a shallow-running crankbait or KwikFish as an example. Sometimes if you reel those types of lure too fast they wont produce the best action. Good excuse for you to get both speed of reels!!…God bless you.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo,I’m looking at purchasing a center pin reel to pair with my 10’-6” float rod. Have never used a center pin but want to know what is best for this? I watched a video on you tube and it looked like u were using the Rapala STC500B Shift, I see this reel is on sale at Sail right now for 50% off, is this a good purchase for someone new to center pin reels? Also, wondering if u have a rig set up u could suggest for fishing the bronte creek for steelies, Cheers thanks italo,

Posted on April 26th, 2018

Hi Kirk, I use the Rapala R-Type, Classic, Concept Ti and the Shift center pin reels with the matching Rapala drift rods. They are all excellent. The Shift is a very good reel for every level of center pin/drift angler. At 50% off it’s a reel-deal!! (pun intended!)

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hey Italo, I recently bought my first centerpin setup and I was wondering what you would normally spool a centerpin with. Most of my friends use backing before their mainline however I notice some folks on the river just spool their reels with only mono. Any recommendations?

Posted on October 12th, 2017

Hi Cohen, congratulations on your getting your first centerpin outfit. Good question. Most centerpin reels have a large line capacity spool when you consider the diameter and the depth of the spool. That line-capacity is excellent for big river anglers like the Niagara in the Great Lakes and especially the large coastal rivers where anglers can tangle with huge salmon (upwards of 70 lb.), and very large steelhead drift-fishing from a boat or from shore. In some cases those big fish use the strong, deep current to run lot’s of line out.

Most of our Ontario tributaries are smaller and we seldom use more than 200′ of line, even when we hook a Chinook on a centerpin outfit.  You can use old line, or you can purchase a spool of the old “dacron” line to build up your spool. The old black dacron has a big diameter and you won’t have to use as much, and it won’t  be as heavy as filling the bottom of the spool with monofilament.  Than top it off with an 8lb. test “neutral buoyancy” or “floating” monofilament like Sufix Seige. If you top it off with 100 yds it’s more than enough for steelhead and browns. Make sure not to over-fill the spool. A good rule is to only fill to 1/8″ from the rim of the spool. When you make your connection between the old line and new line make sure to use a tight Blood Knot and trip the tags tight to the knot so there is no interference when you go to cast.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hi Italo,I was watching your fishing show this morning October 7, 2017 and you demonstrated near the end of the segment a nice rod reel combo. This combo was made of graphite (and titanium i think) and you demonstrated all the material that was cut out on reel (looked carbon fiber!) The rod in the combo also had significant material cut away with the resulting weight being 3/4 of a pound i think? I would appreciate some information on the manufacturer so I can track this combo down.Thank you for your time.Shane Gillett

Posted on October 7th, 2017

Hi Shane, sounds like you saw the Rapala Concept Ti series rod and reel outfit. It is nano-technology and is extremely light and sensitive, but at the same time very strong. You can check the rod out at, https://rapala.ca/products/concept-ti-spinning , and the reel at, https://rapala.ca/products/concept-spinning-reel .

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram

Hey Italo I recently came across a heavier rod for throwing heavier lures up to 150 grams I’m looking for a bait casting reel that handle that weight with out burning out as well as something that is not going to break the bank thank:)

Posted on April 15th, 2016

Hi Peter, the Rapala Andros baitcaster is a good heavier action baitcaster that is ideal for musky, big pike and lake trout where you need to fish bigger lures making smooth casts and having an excellent drag.

dave_stclair_musky

I have used it for musky casting the largest body baits and bucktail-spinners and it has performed well.

Posted in
Like me   Follow Me  
Subscribe youtube   Newsletter Subscriber   InstagramFollow in instagram