rondef

Nice fish Vekol, you son looks like he caught a nice fish. I fish the Occoquan and Potomac quite a bit with my son (JCrzy4Bass) and we have found some nice spots to fish. I am launching the boat for the first time in 2008 this Saturday and hope to have some good luck and catch some nice LMBs. I have always found that the best bite is when the tide is receding (first 2 -3) hours after the high tide. However I have also found spots to fish during the low tides. Let me know if you and your son want to get together and have a friendly competition (just for fun) with my son and I on the Potomac it could be fun.

I am in, that makes 3.

Congrats Dean

Explosive Diarrhea

The bait monkey got deep into my pockets and took out a good chunk of change. After this past weekend I officially have to stay away from Bass pro Shop until late fall. 1 Signature Seires Kevin Van Dam Baitcaster reel. 1 Bass Pro Shop Tourney Special Trigger Rod. 1 Bass Pro Shop Pro Series Spinning reel. 2 Spools of line (Stren) 330 yards. 1 new PFD for my boat 1 Berkley Spooling Station 2 Bass Pro Shops Spring 2008 Fishing Classic T-shirts 1 Red Head tournament shirt 10 Lures (BPS shad rattle, Rat-L-Traps and other lipless crankbaits) 1 BPS Infant hat for my future grandchild (due to arrive in September) 1 BPS Infant outfit (onesy) for my future grandchild)

I own 2 BPS Tourney Special rods 7' and I think they are good rods just my opinion. I also just bought a BPS Pro Series spinning reel and just used it for the first time and I like it.

Congrats on your first two lmbs this year. Now go out and catch a hawg, you need a new PB this spring.

Simon, Nice job, I swear by rat-l-traps. I always pull in nice fish when I use them, they hardly ever let me down. Ron

How many of you actually took this opportunity to upgrade your reels? I upgraded two of mine and I purchased the new Kevin Van Dam Signature Series baitcaster (10 bearings & ACS II) and I picked up a Bass Pro Shop Professional Seires spinning reel.

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of places to fish for bass in NOVA. Some of the NOVA folks on here can assist you with places to fish (lakes and rivers). Unfortunately I do not fish down near Fredericksburg that much other than smallie fishing at the Rappahanack River but I can make recommendations on places further noth in Northern Virginia.

Tuco, To The Forum Yes you can park at Hooes Road, I park there all the time. I can get to the d**n in about five minutes. I have had some real good luck there, I have caught two lmbs over 5lbs (5.25lbs & 5.5lbs) and many lmbs over 3lbs. I fish from various locations on this lake and have walked the entire lake at least a few times. I think that is why I have such good luck there. I would be more then glad to meet you there and show you some spots to fish and I can show you what to throw. Ron

I use all three and have good luck with all three. I have caught my personal best using the XPS rattle shad that Bass Pro Shops sell. I caught a 5.5lb and a 5.25lb lmb using the XPS Rattle Shad. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90539_100005005_100000000_100005000_100-5-5

I always have good luck with Rat-L-Traps in stained water. I have caught some nice 3-4 lb lmbs the last two weekends using them.

I have learned a great deal on this site and I also learn watching numerous shows (Bill Dance, Bass Edge, Bass Pros, Hook and Look etc) on the VS network.

to the addiction.

Mine is always ready to go, I never stopped fishing for the winter. I clean up the tackle box and wipe down my lures after every outing, that way it is always ready for the next trip. I have a huge tackle box filled with every thing I need at all times. The only drawback is the weight, approximately 50lbs.

Has anyone fished Lake Royal lately (last week or so)? If so what have you caught?

I returned mine and got my money back, I was less than impressed with them. Search the forum and you will find most people do not like them.

I use and have good luck with the Zara spook and Zara puppy. What is the super spook?

I agree with PondBoss, thin the lake out and the bass will get bigger. Hey PondBoss did you put that hawg back in your private pond/lake? Just curious since I see you next to a house and not next to the water.

My grandfather taught me to be patient when I fish and to enjoy my time on the water regardless of catching fish or not.

Jay, I think we need to call the store to get answers. The Bass Pro Flier only shows Tim Horton coming to Baltimore, MD for a Pro seminar. Ron

I have to agree with Jay, I have had days at Mattawoman creek when I have caught my limit (5 keepers) on swim senkos in approximately 30 minutes and the fish were all in the 2.5lb to 4lb range. Jay and I have found some sweet spots to fish over there, however it does require a boat to fish those areas. We usually launch at Leesylvania State Park and I would be willing to bring a third person with us when we have room, my boat only holds three. That decision is based on my daughter in-law (Jay's wife), she loves to fish and has even kicked mine and Jays butts a couple of times. If she is up for it, she goes fishing with us before anyone else.

I only use swim senkos and I do not see a reason to cut them up, they work great as is. Although I thought the idea was definately creative.

It looks like you are off to a good start. I hope to be making my own baits by the end of the year.