Windy and Cloudy at Ben Wheeler Twin Lakes

Mar 16 2017

Kit Carson

Fingerling

Member Since :
2001
Number of Posts :
56

Fished the East Lake today from about 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM. It was windy and cloudy with a few breaks in the wind and clouds. No luck in the timber so I moved across the lake to the weeds. Caught a 2 lbs. on a ned rig. Worked the shoreline north and landed a 5 lbs. 13 oz. on a Texas rig, red shad worm.  Continue to work the shore with a magnum lizard and caught a 3 lbs. 9 oz.  I worked the shore around to the start of the timber again and caught a 3 lbs. 4 oz. on a crawfish colored shallow crank bait. All the fish were very strong. Not a lot of numbers today, but the 5 lbs. 13 oz. fish was a real treat. I was using my old Zebco Cardinal 4 spinning reel and 5' 6" inch worm rod from the seventies. That was the rig to have back in the day. Anyone remember the Cardinal 4? I had the reel reconditioned and this was the first time out. It performed great and was as smooth as ever. It was kind of fun using the rod and reel I used 40 years ago when I was in my twenties. It handled the five pounder fine.

Posted By: Kit Carson

Mar 17 2017

Dale Pybus

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2009
Number of Posts :
185

My first decent reel was a Garcia 309, about like your Cardinal. I stopped using it years ago, in favor of newer models, but I still own it and it still works.

I've caught a lot of fish on it. Some up to six pounds on six pound line.

There's a place for light and ultra light this time of year. Sometimes big fish will bite a very small bait.

Congrats on your day at Twin Lakes.

Mar 17 2017

Kit Carson

Fingerling

Member Since :
2001
Number of Posts :
56

Thanks Dale. It was a fun day. I also have a Mitchell  308 ultra light from the seventies. I'm going to have it reconditioned and start using it. I think it will be fun to use it on some of the lakes with large numbers, but smaller fish. A 21/2 lbs. feels like a monster on an ultra light. I have the new rods and reels, I just get a kick out of using the stuff I used when I was 20.  I guess that's what happens when you get old!

Mar 17 2017

Larry Maupin

Keeper

Member Since :
2012
Number of Posts :
297

Thanks for the comment about ultralights on numbers lakes. I usually go heavy for bigger fish but sometimes I go to numbers lakes with novice fishermen. Light gear will be a ball on those lakes. Thanks again!

Mar 17 2017

Kit Carson

Fingerling

Member Since :
2001
Number of Posts :
56

Just getting outdoors and going fishing has always been enjoyable to me. I've never considered myself a "big fish" fisherman. I just have fun catching whatever I catch. I must admit since I've caught two fish above five pounds in the last two months, I might be hooked (pardon the expression!). I agree Larry. I think ultra light and light gear would be fun on the numbers lakes.

Apr 05 2017

Tom Dillon

Toad

Member Since :
2014
Number of Posts :
516

Back in the day, I wore out 3 Cardinal 4s and two Cardinal 3s, bass fishing in eastern Washington State. I loved those reels - especially the rear drag adjustment. Still have one "four," but seldom use it anymore. I even have some spare bail springs, etc. for it.