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Big O, those certainly are some nice hawgs. It looks like that thumper worm was performing well.

I had the priviledge of using the Smokin' Rooster the last two times I went out fishing and I must say the name says it all, they are SMOKIN'. I was out for just a couple of hours two mornings last week at a local lake that sees a lot of fishing pressure. First I tried throwing some other baits just to see if I could get some bites and I could not buy a bite so I tied on the Smokin Rooster and instantly the bite came alive. I am not talking a slow bite like I expected with the hot temps and bluebird skies, these were vicious hits. Now the bass I was catching were between 2 and 2.5 pounds but they slammed these baits so hard I thought I had a 5 pound plus bass on the end of my line. I threw the Smokin' Rooster TX rigged but the weight (1/8 oz) was not pegged and I swam it back to me at a nice steady pace. On my first cast I only made about five revolutions of the handle when the Smokin Rooster got slammed. All of the hits were like this on both days, these bass were going crazy trying to get this bait. Big O, what can I say, these baits are simply amazing and they will be my go to bait once they are available at BPS or Tackle Warehouse. I see a very large purchase in the near future once the Smokin' Roosters are on the shelves.

I have one of these with extra pages. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SceneSevenDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=-53043&scene7Path=BassPro%2f34594%3flayer%3dcomp%26wid%3d500%26hei%3d500%26fmt%3djpeg%26qlt%3d100%2c0%26op_sharpen%3d0%26resMode%3dnorm%26op_usm%3d1.0%2c1.0%2c0.0%2c0&sourceName=images2%2f34500%2f34594.jpg&type=0&linkEnabled=false

Congrats to the two of you.

I would try the Rage Tail Shad and or Toad, they move a lot of water and make a big comotion on the water to attrack the bass.

WTG Ellesar, those are some nice chunks that you caught.

I have three of these baits and I have caught a lot of bass with them. My biggest so far was a 4lb 8oz on a black and silver one. I cast them out and just use a steady retrieve. I found that they work best for me early morning or late at night. I have caught bass mid day with them when I cast them into shady areas and slow down my retrieve. I caught a 2lb 13oz bass on one yesterday while fishing the Potomac River, I was using the crawfish pattern one.

Here is what I have and it works well. It is easy to get it out of the way and rolled up and it goes back in place fast. No snaps which is a huge plus, it uses a tounge and groove configuration. They are also fairly inexpensive, mine was only $219 and I bought it at Pep Boys. http://www.autoanything.com/tonneau-covers/60A1683A0A0.aspx

Glenn, great job with the video. Big O, awesome demonstration.

Don Cosdoen said that the dead catfish at this time of year is normal for the river, his quote is below. I really hope the biologists figure out what happened and I hope it was not related to the Stren tournament. Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river. "It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high."

This article came from the Baltimore Sun: Potomac River, tournament related bass kill: one hundred and fifty-eight boats (316 anglers), launching boats from Smallwood State Park on June 25 and 26 and left behind a conservatively estimated 1000 largemouth bass, floating in the river, a disgraceful and unforgivable result. Maryland Department of Natural Resources initially estimated the kill to be 100. I began to contact DNR on Tuesday, June 30 after receiving many telephone calls from concerned anglers. I asked for an immediate investigation and on Wednesday, July 1, a team of DNR employees searched the creek and by their count, some 600 dead bass were still in Mattawoman Creek. That's four days (about seven tidal flushes) after the last day of the tournament. There is no way to estimate accurately how many bass died due to this event-but I firmly believe that "600" is just the tip of the iceberg. I have reliable reports from as far downriver as Arkindale Flats of huge amounts of dead bass days after the event. State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments. The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County. Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river. "It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high." Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them. The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day. Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights." Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released. Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges. The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats. "Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer." Hundreds of bass found dead on Potomac State investigating after 600 discovered, along with hundreds of other dead fish, after recent fishing tournaments in Charles County By Candus Thomson- The Baltimore Sun State fisheries biologists are trying to learn what killed hundreds of bass on the Potomac River, just days after two fishing tournaments. The fish were discovered and reported Monday by a fishing guide and longtime opponent of the large number of tournaments held each year on the river near Smallwood State Park in Charles County. Don Cosden, chief of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources, said biologists on the water Tuesday estimated there were 600 dead bass along with several hundred catfish and other species over a six-mile stretch of the river. "It's not unusual to see a number of dead catfish and gizzard shad this time of year, and all of the bass were legal size so we believe that this was related to tournament releases," Cosden said. "There were more than 3,200 fish weighed in over the three-day period, so this would be about an 18.5 percent total mortality, which is unacceptably high." Cosden said his staff is in contact with officials of the tournaments to get details. Ironically, state biologists were at the smaller of the two events Saturday -- the one-day National Guard FLW College Fishing tournament, which involved 80 anglers -- to measure and tag about 100 fish for a mortality study. All of those fish appeared healthy as the scientists handled them. The larger event -- the three-day FLW Stren Series -- attracted 158 anglers, but only the top 10 fished the final day. Guide Ken Penrod, who reported the problem and wants a complete investigation, said he has no issue with well-run events, but is angry that "most of these 100- to 200-boat events are from out of state and they abuse our fishery -- and our rights." Cosden said most of the data on fish kills involves immediate mortality, not two to three days after being released. Some studies have linked poor water quality to a high degree of delayed mortality after tournaments. But water samples taken continuously at the docks by the Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group indicate temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to be within acceptable ranges. The state has sent tissue samples to a laboratory to be tested for Largemouth Bass Virus. A recent study suggested that bass heavily infected with this virus may suffer higher release mortalities after being confined in livewells, the aerated holding tanks on bass fishing boats. "Right now," said Cosden, " we don't have an answer." Did you hear? CO2 makes fish ears bigger Unexpected finding could have implications for climate change debate By Randolph E. Schmid- The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Listen up! Carbon dioxide being absorbed by the oceans is having a puzzling effect on fish - their ears get bigger. Now, that doesn't mean you're going to reel in the Mr. Spock of the sea. Fish ears are inside their bodies. But, as in humans, their ears perform a major role in sensing movement and whether the animal is upright - abilities that are important for survival. "It was a surprise," biological oceanographer David M. Checkley of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California at San Diego said of the discovery. "The assumption is that anything that departs significantly from normality is an abnormality, and abnormalities at least have the potential for having deleterious effects." The ear structure in fish is known as an otolith and is made up of minerals. Checkley and colleagues knew that increasing carbon dioxide in the oceans - absorbed from the atmosphere - is making the sea more acidic, which can dissolve and weaken shells. They wondered if it also would reduce the size of the otoliths. Just the opposite, it turned out, the researchers report in Friday's edition of the journal Science. In their experiment they incubated the eggs of white sea bass in seawater and measured the otoliths when the fish were 7 to 8 days old. In the first test, the water had more than six times the current amount of carbon dioxide, and the little fish grew otoliths 15 percent to 17 percent larger than normal. The researchers were so surprised they repeated the experiment, and got the same results. So they reduced the carbon dioxide in the water to about 3.5 times the current level - a concentration that could occur by the year 2100 at the rate CO2 is being added to the atmosphere and then the sea. Those fish had ear bones 7 percent to 9 percent larger than fish raised in seawater with current gas concentrations. "An important observation is that the effect of CO2 in atmosphere, and therefore in the ocean, includes not only (global) warming and making the ocean more acidic. There are other effects on the biology and ecology that merit study," Checkley said in a telephone interview. The new finding, surprising in itself, raises further questions Checkley said need to be explored. Researchers now will try to figure out how the added carbon dioxide in the water causes the ear bones to enlarge, whether this is happening to other types of fish, and whether the long-term effect will be good or bad. "If fish can do just fine or better with larger otoliths, then there's no great concern. But fish have evolved to have their bodies the way they are. The assumption is that if you tweak them in a certain way it's going to change the dynamics of how the otolith helps the fish stay upright, navigate and survive," Checkley said. There are anecdotal observations that fish in higher concentrations of CO2 seem to be lethargic, he added, but that needs confirmation.

Aaron, are you sure you are rigging the bait properly. I can usually get a few fish per bait when I use them. Check out the rigging instructions at the link below. http://www.ragetail.com/ragetalk/index.php?topic=834.0

I wish I didn't have to work. I am free next week M-F but only until 2:00PM each day, I have to work nights next week.

I would have to say the New River over near the Rafdord Campus, one exit away. The other place I know of would be Claytor Lake. I am sure that there are other members on here that can also tell you about spots down in that neck of the woods.

Congrats to you and your wife.

Great news, I can already here the bait monkey trying to sneak into the room to get at my wallet.

I am looking forward to seeing your new baits after ICAST. Good luck at the show.

Here are some baits that work well for me. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_51816____SearchResults http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_102855____SearchResults http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_102852____SearchResults http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_102854____SearchResults http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_31148____SearchResults http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90539_100005000_100000000_100005000_100-5-0

Cavitron's are the best buzzbaits period.

I am with you on this Andrew, this was posted a couple of months ago. I guess that paper reprinted an old story.

Awesome day out on the water guys, glad to see that you both did well. That is one nice looking hawg that you are holding. I am also glad to hear that you were able to fix your boat and not pay for the tow.

I just use the Owner 7/0 hooks on the 10' anaconda and they work fine.

Big O, thanks for the extra effort to make sure that we get a perfect bait each and every time we remove one from the clam shells. You da man!

Try using the Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG heavy wire hooks. This will give it a good keel effect and keep it running rightside up. I bought some at Dicks and they work well.

I caught them on lipless crankbaits by casting out and counting them down between 5 and 10 seconds to cover the water column in 5ft to 10ft of water. Sorry I am not going to give up spots on the lake but I can tell you the lipless crankbaits were blue, blue and silver and black and silver.