The current was slow, so we placed a few baits at the surface. I hooked a pilchard near its throat, and free-lined it on a spinning rod. By briefly stopping the line to restrict its forward motion, I made the bait surge forward to cover more territory. Best yet, the hook weight and placement, and tugging, forced it deeper. Rigged with a rag craw, or biospwan vilecraw & I hook up 4-5 quite frequently. Again strike king has made another excellent jig since the bootlegger jig. From: Comments: My go-to flipping jig hands down! The hook on this jig is best one on the market,you set the hook hard & nothing will ever come off.
Story & photos by Darl Black
The year was 1959 when Berkley’s Trilene and DuPont’s Stren were launched. Although there had been extruded nylon fishing lines prior to these two brands, both Trilene and Stren were far superior to anything else on the market. Nylon monofilament reigned supreme for approximately 30 years before fishing lines comprised of other materials found acceptance.
Today the marketplace offers several different types of line, each with specific characteristics that may or may not be beneficial to the crappie angler depending on what you desire in a fishing line. An excellent place to collect opinions on lines is at a gathering of crappie anglers, such as PA Crappie Camp held on Pymatuning Lake in NW Pennsylvania during May. However, before hearing opinions, we need to identify the types of lines out there.
The Lines
Monofilament is extruded from a single nylon base material. Copolymer is a blend of two nylon base materials to achieve certain characteristics.
Monofilament and copolymer are both a single strand extruded line, although a copolymer is usually viewed as an “improved” version of standard monofilament. Both lines have considerable stretch (good shock resistance), are buoyant and can be colored (i.e. green, orange, hi-vis, etc.).
Although it is an extruded line that looks like monofilament/copolymer line, fluorocarbon is not nylon; instead it made of carbon molecules. With greater density than nylon lines, fluorocarbon sinks. It also offers great abrasion resistance, has less elasticity than nylon, cannot be colored and is invisible in water.
Referred to as superlines in some circles, the third type of line is made from gel spun polyethylene fibers that are twisted or woven around one another. This line is commonly referred to as a “braid.” Some braids have a coating to make them slick. Braided lines are extremely strong for their diameter, exhibit basically zero stretch, have zero memory and float on water. However, they are not as abrasion resistant as either nylon or fluorocarbon lines.
The Opinions
Ken Smith is a long-time crappie angler with impressive credentials in educating anglers. Given that he is not a tournament angler, guide or pro angler representing a particular tackle company, Ken spends an incredible number of days fishing for crappies every year.
Ken uses one of two techniques all the time. He either: (a) casts light jigs or jig-bobber combo to visible cover; or (b) engages in Hang Gliding. Hang Gliding is an electronics-directed vertical slow-troll jig presentation which Ken developed on his home waters where the number of fishing rods is limited.
“I never use braid for crappie fishing. Don’t see the need to,” continues Ken. “My choices are very simple. For casting, I use a high visibility copolymer line of four or six-pound-test from Vicious, Mister Crappie or Gamma brands.
“Recently I’ve experimented with 2-pound Gamma Panfish for extremely light weight jig presentations. Yes, I do retie more often to avoid possible abrasion in the knot area, but if you need to go to a fine diameter line, this is the one to use.”
For his Hang-Gliding technique Ken employs 8-pound copolymer exclusively. “Hang-Gliding involves wrapping ½-ounce egg sinker directly on the line, with tag end forming an 18 to 24 inch leader from the sinker to 1/32-ounce jig. Then I lower it straight down so the sinker bumps around wood cover as I move the boat on the trolling motor. I lose a lot of jigs but also catch my share of crappies. Line rubbing the rough edge of a molded egg sinker will easily weaken a thin line; therefore I rely on thicker 8-pound nylon line.”
Having used nylon line for years to catch untold number of crappies, Ken sees no reason to switch to more expensive fluorocarbon or superlines.
Bryan Stuyvesant is a bass-chaser turned crappie angler, and one of the new high-tech anglers always looking into the latest advances in fishing equipment and line. “My crappie fishing includes casting jigs, bobber fishing and dock shooting. In these presentations, I incorporate all three types of lines – braid, fluorocarbon and mono – for various purposes.”
Bryan continues: “For casting jigs in shallow water, I use a B’n’M Sam Heaton 7’ spinning rod spooled with 10-pound Seaguar Smackdown – a slick finish braid – and a 6-pound test leader of Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon. The coated braid allows super long casts while increasing sensitivity. The fluorocarbon leader makes sure crappies can’t see the line.”
His B’n’M Sharpshooter rod is spooled with the same braid and a short fluorocarbon leader, too. “That slick coated Smackdown comes off the spool smoothly and quickly – best line I’ve tried for dock shooting.”
Stuyvesant does a change-up on his longer and somewhat stiffer bobber rod. “I use stop-knots for slip-bobber fishing. The problem is stop-knots do not stay put on a slick coated braid. Therefore, I switch to a reel spooled with Trilene XL mono.
“That works great for open water bobber fishing, but in the early spring I’m fishing minnows under a bobber in the mats of last year’s vegetation and pads. Hook a pad stem when using monofilament line and you are going to break the line trying to get loose. So in this instance, I use an uncoated green colored braid straight to the hook.”
Stuyvesant purchased all the same model reels with extra spools for his crappie rods. In this way he can spool different types of lines on different spools and switch them out as needed. For example, when fishing jigs in deep water, Stuyvesant selects a spool of coated braid that is bright yellow in order to help him see light strikes easier.
Dale Black is a relatively recent convert to crappie fishing. After acquiring Gamma Fishing Line several years ago, crappie anglers said they really liked his regular copolymer line but what was needed was a high visibility line. The result is Gamma Panfish in Optic Yellow, now Dale’s favorite for drifting and bobber fishing.
“The North End of Pymatuning has several major stump fields. My favorite way to fish these areas is by drifting a jig under a light breeze – sometimes with a float, sometimes without. Either way, using high visibility 6-pound-test that floats rather than sinks, enables me to see the slightest line twitch indicating a bite.”
When casting or pitching a slip float-n-jig to weed or wood cover with his 10-foot B’n’M Russ Bailey Signature Rod, Dale uses high-vis copolymer. “With nylon-based line the stretch enables me to sling-shot the jig off a snag. You can’t do that with a no-stretch braid.”
On his deepwater jig rod, Dale spools six-pound fluorocarbon. “Fishing mid-depth or near the bottom with a jig calls for a line that sinks and that is extra sensitive – that’s fluorocarbon. Because this line sinks, the bow that often occurs in a floating nylon line is basically eliminated thereby increasing the efficiency of a hookset.”
Best Place Hook Up Near Berkeley Area
Best Place Hook Up Near Berkeley University
“I don’t use braid in crappie fishing,” concludes Dale. “I know some anglers use braid for pulling crankbaits or long-lining, but those are not techniques I use.”
As you see, no one line fits all situations when it comes to crappie fishing. You need to evaluate the pros and cons of each type of line, give them a fair test, and only then arrive at the right line for your style of crappie fishing.
In this on-demand, technology-obsessed era, no-strings-attached sex seems easier to come by than ever. As you can probably imagine — or may know from personal experience — location is everything. Theoretically, you can hook up with a soon-to-be one-night stand anywhere, but according to Saucy Dates, a casual dating site, some locations are more popular than others, as far as the meeting location is concerned. In a recent survey of over 10,000 of their members, the found the best places to find a one-night stand.
'I think people like the idea of a one-night stand, as you can be more experimental and adventurous,' David Minns, Founder of Saucy Dates, tells Bustle. 'Additionally, many responders commented that they liked the excitement of someone new. If it doesn't work out, then nothing is lost — if it does, you have some experiences you can carry forward to a future relationship.'
Rachel Needle, Psy.D., licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist in West Palm Beach, FL, says there are definitely benefits of a one-night stand. 'It can be liberating and stress-free to have sex with someone with no expectations for where the relationship is going or what the emotional impact having sex will have on you or your partner,' she tells Bustle. 'Additionally, there are no expectations as far as performance goes, and this allows us to be more sexually free and take the pressure off that we often put on ourselves during sex. Also, one-night stands can serve as a great ego boost. It feels good to be able to have someone want to have sex with you solely based on your looks, charm, and the skills you have that night.'
But it's also important to be safe when it comes to casual sex, whether you're having sex with someone just once or hooking up with a friend with benefits. 'It is important that both parties are not drunk and are, therefore, able to consent and communicate about the hookup,' Dr. Needle says. 'In addition, remember to protect yourself as much as possible from STIs (sexually transmitted infections) by using protection in every step of the 'hookup.'
So without further ado, here are the top 10 venues to find a one-night stand, according to Saucy Dates' findings.
Fifteen percent of respondents reported meeting their one-night stands on the street. Who knew?! This will definitely make you think twice the next time you take a walk, right?
Yep, the good-old standard, a bar, made second place with 14 percent of respondents. It tied with 'a party' for where to meet a one-night stand. I guess the two are similar: You're out with friends (or not), you're drinking (or not), and there are plenty of eligible men and women in your vicinity.
Best Place Hook Up Near Berkeley Ca
If you find yourself at a hotel — perhaps for a casual drink or perhaps as part of a business trip — casual sex may be in the picture, too. Eleven percent of respondents said hotels were a good place to find a one-night stand. Now you know!
Nine percent of those surveyed said nightclubs are good places to pick people up for a night of sex. When you think about it, it makes sense, since you may already be in close contact with strangers while dancing with them.
Have you ever gone to a wedding alone? If so, were you seated at the singles' table? Eight percent of Saucy Dates respondents said weddings are great venues to find a one-night stand. After all, romance is in the air (as well as an open bar!).
Need proof? A friend of mine had a one-night stand at a wedding, and he and the woman ended up dating for three years. So not all one-night stands end at one night!
Next time you're on the train or bus, look around: Your next one-night stand could be sitting right behind you. Seven percent of those surveyed said public transportation makes for a good place to find a one-night stand. Maybe the thought of this will make your morning commute more enjoyable.
Best Place Hook Up Near Berkeley Park
You may know people who go to the gym not to work out, but to pick people up. Well, they're not alone. Saucy Dates found that five percent of people use the gym, as well as museums, for more than the free weights or art exhibits.
Neighbors make for an easy way to meet new people, including one-night stands. Four percent of respondents said so, and it's not surprising. Plus, you already have mutual friends, which means you may trust that your soon-to-be one-night stand is a legit person you have a built-in level of comfort with versus a total stranger.
The next time you're shopping, you may be shopping for more than food or clothes. You may be asking someone's advice about fruit or a sale item one minute, and then find yourself at their apartment the next. Three percent of people said they found one-night stands this way. Who knew talking about tomatoes (or some other seemingly benign thing) could lead to so much more?
Concerts and online dating (dating apps and sites) came in 10th place as venues to find a one-night stand, with two percent of respondents choosing them. Is anyone else in shock about dating apps and sites coming in 10th place? Wow.
Overall, did any of the locations to find a one-night stand surprise you? 'The two biggest venue shocks had to be online dating and the street,' Minns says of the findings. 'The image that dating apps and sites have generated a hookup culture doesn't seem to fit in our findings — longer-term casual relationships appear to be the norm, which can then develop further. Also, the street coming out as number one was a total surprise. But, in reflection, it seems to make perfect sense. Maybe we will see more people trying this technique.'
Best Place Hook Up Near Berkley Michigan
I'm curious, too, if more people will try to pick up more one-night stands on the street. In any case, the above definitely makes you think twice about some of the one-night stand meeting locations, that's for sure!