CPT Scrap

Hello everyone, I recently relocated to Chester, VA from Texas and I'm looking to get out on the water more. I've been reading a few topics on how to fish the tidal areas of the James, which i'm assuming applies to the Appamatox and the other river here that feeds into the James. Been researching by hitting up local spots to, talking to the guys over at Castaway Tackle in Chester and Sanderson Marine. If anyone had any specific tips for these areas, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm also looking for a fishing partner, as I sold my boat on about a year ago because of a deployment, so if anyone has an open seat in their boat on the weekend, I'd like to tag along. LT (now CPT) Scrap

I have some knowledge, however, it may be limited as I haven't been on the lake in about 7 months. The past three years, stillhouse has been pretty bad in terms of consistency. I usually have my luck fishing around the 8-12 mark aroudn the areas with some form of brush on it. THere are some good places on the south side where you have those depths, and then it drops off into 20+ ft of water. I'd start there. Aside from that, stick with Mr. Wiseman's advice, you'll have better luck on belton lake. Clearer water, and better depths, plus there is a decent amount of trees and brush depending on where you're at. THat'd be my recommendation. Good luck, and catch some for me.

If I may interject, I know this was a few posts ago, but I use rejuvenade for all my tournaments. Once caught, I'll check on my fish every 2 hours or so. When I get ready to weigh them, I will give them a once over, and most of the time, their gill plates are bright red. There are one or two incidents a year where they have the pink gill plates, but that is usually because they were hooked deep. Keep in mind my experiences are limited to the Kansas-Texas area and east towards Kentucky. I haven't done the background check on the products to compare chemicals, but it seems that what it really boils down to is companies saying they have the better brand. I don't mean to offend anyone who works for these companies, I know there are quite a few guys from the industry on here. This is just my two cents. If someone does have the comparisons of chemicals for the big name live well additives, I would enjoy reviewing it. Just send a pm., or point me to the right thread. Thanks, and tight lines!

I have there 7' alll purpose rod. I really like the light weight and strength of the rod. As far as rod flex, I haven't had an issues with it, the rod has plenty of backbone.

In my opinion baitcasters give you a more direct line to the fish. with a baitcaster, im not worried about line twist, that is the big plus for me. I also have more control over the fish once hooked that if i were using a spinning reel. Its really a matter of preference, use what your comfortable with.

I learned on some older Quantum Tourney Grades (TG400CX). They are the reels that i have guys who havent fished with baitcasters use when they go on the boat with me. Very east to adjust and dang near indestructible. There are quite a few decent old quantums that can be found on ebay and are fairly cheap (i paid around $40 apiece for mine). I would say that your best bet is to ask some of your friends who use baitcasters if you can borrow some of theres and just try as many manufacturers as possible. Everyone has their favorite reel manufacturer (for instance, im a Quantum guy). But the only way to find the one you like is to try'em all. best of luck, and hope this helps.

Does lucky craft do that? i wasnt aware they had a warranty.

I have an interesting dilemma, and would like some input. I have a pair of broken crankbaits (lucky craft skeet mini MRs). One has the front hook ripped out, which cracked the belly of the bait, making it unusable. The other has a snapped bill. What I would like to do is remove the good bill on the first bait, and place it on the second bait, giving me one good bait. With these costing upwards of $16 a piece, I really hate to scrap these baits when they can be saved.

I have a new T7. Its not the amistad, however it is the finesse jig model. Its a good stiff rod with plenty of backbone and very sensitive. One of my all time favorite sticks

havent done it yet, but i plan on completely re-wiring my boat to get rid of all the extra stuff currently laying all over the back.

back in college, my university team pushed falcon rods. I have a few of their low riders, and they are excellent rods for the money. very strong and sensitive. i havent had the opportunity to use the lizard dragger, i only own the treble hooker and eakins jig rod, but i really like those two. plus you get excellent service. i snapped the end of my treble hooker off in the tailgate of my truck and it only took a week to send the rod back and get a replacement from falcon.

agree against the power drive, however you also gotta be careful with the cable drives. my motorguide (Freshwater 70 foot control) breaks the cable about once a year. Its not hard to replace, but its a pain when your on the lake and suddenly you have no feedback from the foot controller. I recommend a tour series, if your leaning towards a motorguide. they have a two cables for their drive system, and never heard of anyone breaking those cables.

well, from joplin you got a couple options. there is the river that is too the south of town that has some really good smallmouths. another is stockton lake to the north. thats a really good lake, with some really nice areas to bank fish from. if you go over to kansas (pittsburg is only a 30 min drive) there are strip pits all over that area that are loaded with bass and will bite anything. only boats allowed in the strip pits are small carry in's, but walk-in is the prefered method. layouts of the strip pits can be found at johns sporting good in pittsburg, or walmart. hope this helps. 8-)

got to magnesiums, the top water casting and the drop shot spinning. both very well made rods. never had an issue. eventually going to buy some of the new micro guides, but those are a few months off.

copen 1822 has almost hit the nail on the head. what i actually meant was that there are some manufacturers who put a high price on their rods, and they arent worth the money. I've used a $200 rod from a certain manufacturer that i honestly couldnt tell a difference between it and an ugly stick. on a side note...skunked, have you ever fished La Cygne or gone down to Big Hill lake in Parsons? I just noticed your from olathe.

for braid i use suffix. better durability than power pro in my opinion. for fluro, i like to use the trilene 100% flurocarbon in a 12-14 # test.

i have both, and prefer the split grips. just feels more comfortable to me.

it should first be noted that a more expensive rod isnt necessarily better. however, in general your more expenisve rods will be much lighter, higher graphite counts, and better line guides. they also have some very use full innovations (such as kistlers new micro guides, and revolving line guides) ive found that the lighter the rod, the longer i can throw my bait with that rod all day. that usually only really makes a difference if your casting upwards of 500+ casts a day. also, my lighter rods have more sensitivity to detect subtle bites. the higher graphite counts can equate to a more sensitive rod as well, but i look at this as a more sturdy rod. better line guides mean that your line wont receive nicks while casting and retrieving you lures. i once had a low end quantum rod that would nick my line when it passed through the 3rd and 4th line guides. it was a manufacturer error, but it aggravated me due to losing fish. The best thing i can advise prior to putting the money into a expensive rod, is to find a buddy who has one close to what you want and borrrow it a few times. see if you can tell a diference in bites between the your rod and his. Hope this helps. 8-)

all the above are good ideas. also, from personal experience, latch the trolling motor when you stow it. Hit wake from a large boat that was pushing water at 40 mph and the trolling motor came un-latched and snapped the shaft bearings when it hit the water.

Seems everyone is doing this more often these days, but I have seen a few instances where people put themselves in places that invite it to occur. I was fishing on toledo bend, and that lake is notorious for having timber everywhere. There would be anywhere from 5-15 boats sitting in the boating lane fishing. Now, i'm not really familiar with Toledo Bend to exactly how wide those minor boating lanes are, but I try not to venture too far out from them, meaning im going to be going within 15 ft of those fishing. Now, I did come off plane and idle by, but it was annoying. Why would anyone invite this kinda thing to happen when its already a serious enough matter on other parts of the lakes.

My only problem is everywhere else was booked up. If there were somewhere else closer that still had vacancies, I would. If anyone is aware of any vacancies closer to the weigh-in site, please let me know. Catt - thanks for the rule page, I had looked over the site and couldn't find it. Guess I'm not as computer-literate as I thought.

I got a map just yesterday, and if the lake is anything like what my map shows (AID lake maps) i'm glad im gonna have two days of pre-fishing to figure out the boating lanes. Looks like a mine-field. I even found a nice place to stay, Driftwood Motel up off of Highway 1215. I do have on more question though. Catt, I saw your comment about being allowed to trailer, but what about coming in by water for the take-off. Back in '06 at the ABA Championships on Kentucky Lake, we were allowed to ride in by water from where we were staying on the lake in the morning to make launch. Just curious since it looks to be about a 6 mile ride by boat vs. about a 15 mile ride on land, just to put in.

definitely appreciate the heads up all the underwater obstacles. i still have to go get a map for the lake, as it will be first time on the water, but it's definitely not my first rodeo. I look forward to seeing ya'll on the lake. Take care, and if im not back on the forums before the tourney, good luck to ya'll.

Fishfordollars, did you fish Rayburn last weekend? How'd you do? Do you have any reccommendations on places to stay? I dont really know anyone on the forum who lives in the area well enough. Where exactly will the weigh-ins be? I've read they'll be at cypress bend park, but not sure where that is, or what there is near the ramp for lodging options.

Well, im lookin at burning a little leave (a week or so) and headin out to jasper and fishing in this tourney. I am curious if anyone else from the forum will be there. (im sure catt and fishfordollars will be there). Also, anyone know of any good cabins/hotels that would have vacancies still for that week? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks all.