Dutch boy wanted some pics. Sorry for not posting sooner! been busy fishing! and working.
1st-Pike was caught in Vermont in Lake Bristol (early Sept.), after that adventure I picked up a 55lb thrust motor for my sq. back! the wind was killing me and I paddled more than fished.
2ND-Muskie was caught in the Shenandoah river! on a jewel 3/4 spinner, man that was a nice catch! and that was a job canoeing down the river and and having to get out 3 times to go back up the rapids! the motor helped there and back (about 3 miles down to a dam).
3rd-Me trying to do a selfie with a nice Bass caught in a Fort Valley mountain pond, another fun catch.

Attachments:

1. 

   P82A0892.jpg
   

2. 

   P82A0927.jpg
   

3. 

   P82A0777.jpg
   

WOW.

That is a good quote!

Been using Lew’s PS1HZ Baitcaster. Working out great! had a couple nest’s, but with all the practicing, I will be ready! Put KastKing 20# braid. Will be using a 5’7″ rod.
For back up reels, have Zebco Omega ZO3pro, with 17#. This is what my son uses and they work fine for catching largemouth and smallies down here in VA. We caught 34 bass fishing in 2 ponds (4hrs on a Sat.) using these reels. Shenandoah river is great for smallies.

Patk, I have the closed loop thinking as I have used leaders. Back in the day my dad raised me on Zorro spinners and they had closed loops, today-they are not. Which made me go on Tacklewarehouse and look just for the closed. The ugly stick is what I use, eyeballing the falcon. The reel I use is Zebco Omega. Don’t Laugh, because I have caught tons of largemouth in the ponds of the valley of Shenandoah, also loads of smallies in the Shenandoah.

Dutchboy, I as well will use a tail on spinners, mostly a long single, sometimes double, almost always chartreuse. Yes to the pliers. Always take pictures of the bass we catch, before we release them, my son’s are used to that.

Heading up to Vermont in Sept. Hitting some pond/lakes/rivers for a couple days.
Wife always wants to go to OBX, but I have been longing for pike fishing so this year OBX in July and VT in Sept!

Last time I was there was 25yrs ago. Now I will be bringing the family, but only a couple of us will be doing the fishing.

The canoe has 3 seats, when there are three of us, it makes it hard casting.
Which is why I like 5’6” poles. Currently use spincast reels. Bought a Lews bait cast, but I am not used to the darn thing. Want to have some reels that can hold heavier line as I know what happens when you get a pike!
Lew’s Fishing Speed Spin G2 High Speed Fishing Reel is what I have been looking at. I know we will need leaders.

Majority of my fishing is with spinnerbaits 3/8 or 1/2 oz. My son’s like 1/4 oz.
Like I said, 25 years ago all I used was the spincast reels and we caught a lot of bass and northerns but I think of the ones that broke the lines/leaders/spinners etc.

Sorry for tapping in.

Been looking around for what I need for pike fishing and came across this.

Was wondering the same as the OP. I am in VA. and planing a trip up north. Last time pike fishing remember missing several pike even with a leader + the spinnerbait was bit in half as well on 1 occasion.

So, have been looking for back up tackle, just in case, as we like spincasting reels. May need to go with a spinning reel? bought a baitcaster, but can’t imagine using it in a canoe.

Being in a canoe I prefer a pole at 5’6”, because I am in a tight space.

So, what is a good spinning reel that carry a lot of #? because the rod that I think I need for pike is meant for the big water (ocean)!