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Hey Guys, Anyone from those neck of the woods? I'm leaving from Virginia tomorrow night for 4 days of fishing with my brother who lives there. Taking his boat out for some Walleye fishing, curious to of any good spots for some decent bass fishing too. Thanks!

Thanks Guys! I'll see what I can do about posting some shots while I'm up there! Sam: Yes, I think it will beat Lake Rooty, but it's a bit more of a haul to get there

Flying out of Richmond tomorrow evening, and into Minneapolis, then catching an hour flight north to Bemidji,MN! The driving to Park Rapids, MN to see my older brother. Stoked about the trip, I usually only get to see him once a year at the holidays. Plenty of fishing will be done as he's got a pretty nice boat. I'll take plenty of pics, going for Walleye, but I hope to get some bass fishing done too.

Hey Simon, There really isn't much of a "launch" area for swift creek res. If you are on Woolridge right before it crosses over the reservoir on the right side (if heading towards Genito) is an area where most guys put there jon boats in at. With a yak, you could park essentially anywhere on Woolridge, or on Genito and drop in.

I was at Rooty lastnight and caught two, nothing great both were small 1lbers if they were soaking wet. I think the rain we had the day before messed with the water a bit. Will be back there Sunday evening....

Your not even funny Sam!!! I've got to photograph a wedding tomorrow afternoon/evening, so if you see any rod/reel I should get...Make a special note for me and maybe I can get there on Sunday, returning the Berkley/Abu reel I got yesterday. I read there return policy online, it looks like I can still return it even if the "plastic" has been removed.

Any recommendations for a baitcasting rod and reel to get a feel for before stepping up to the Curado reel? Preferably inexpensive (under $100 would be great) for a setup to give it a go? Anything at Dicks?

Thanks everyone for the posts! The Jake: Yep! Even the weightless Senkos are heavy for a plastic worm. Fire: You can never have enough fishing gear! Sam: Thanks for the information. Did Dicks have any others? The combo I got yesterday was $60 but I think I like my microlite more than it and was thinking about adding something completely different to my setup. A buddy of mine was fishing with his baitcaster lastnight, it looked like a lot of fun and had a ton of control over his lures. If it's easier to learn than teaching my classes, count me in! The baby being born is another thing, I already know that's going to be a challenge. A month ago we were told it was a boy, and as of Wednesday it's now a little girl....I'm in for it now! Let me know when you want to head out Sam, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

Maybe it's something to look into, I guess I could always use my BPS Microlite when using the weightless Senko 5inchers, and use the Curado for everything else. Big learning curve with it? Could it be used with the weightless senko? or would that cause backlash cause of the lack of weight.

What's the largest benefit? I've got a rod/reel that I bought yesterday that I can return I do mostly topwater and plastics (Senko's), will the reel do me any good? Sam: Did they have anymore? What rod would you recommend with it?

That's a great deal on the Curado, I was at that Dicks yesterday but wasn't looking at the baitcasters as I've never used one and am scared to learn

Not sure they exist where I'm fishing! haha

Well I returned the Quantum today and got this: Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6, MH Abu Garcia Cardinal Spinning Reel Took it out tonight, I like the combo. Feels good, heavier and much larger than my microlite I've fished with for quite sometime! Deep down, I think I still prefer my microlite

Oh I know it! I said she would be fishing with me but like her Mom I'd be taking the fish off the hook! And for Football, well she won't be playing but she will be watching the games with me on Sundays!

As always Sam, you rock! I'm tempted to keep the Quantam Tenacity as I like the feel of it, it's just odd going to a taller pole!

If painting the room twice in two days is any sign of whats to come for me, I'm sure I'll be having a blast! I lose a fishing buddy (well she'll fish but like her Mom I'll be taking the fish off) and I might lose a die hard Redskins fan but like her Mommy, she'll watch the games and do her best to understand it all. but I do gain "Daddy's Little Girl"

Thanks buddy! I didn't have my scale with me, it was a solid one that's for sure. I'll be out there tomorrow evening

Congratulations!! My wife and I are expecting our first, November 12th is the due date! A month ago we went and had a 3D "Elective" Ultrasound done at one of those ultrasound places, and were told we were having a boy! Needless to say, I was stoked! A fishing buddy, a little guy to watch the Skins on Sunday with...I was grinning ear to ear! This morning we had a routine 22 week checkup that included an ultrasound, well guess what! The nursery that we painted yesterday a very nice blue is now pink That's right, the ultrasound tech (4) weeks ago was incorrect in his reading, the Dr. said today we are having a daughter. I'm still stoked about it but it's taken all day for it to set in..

Hey All, Looking for a new rod/reel, ideally under 60 bucks for both. Not a HUGE fisherman by any means, but fishing with a 5ft Shakespeare Uglystik Microspin. Been doing a lot of Senko fishing recently, and have been hitting bass in the 4-6lb range. Picked up a Quantum Tenacity rod and spinning reel today. Looking for something that has a little bit better retrieve, and is won't have as much bend as my ugly stik (I swear it's going to break everytime) Should I keep this combo I bought today? Return it and keep my current setup? Get something else? Help out a new guy!

Hit up Lake Rooty again this morning with my brother in law...I had 4 total, he didn't catch a single one which was surprising to me. Here are the larger two, I'm addicted to the lake and only wish I lived closer.

Thanks for the comments Sam, yes my wife is expecting in November! She is pretty awesome for going out with me, and just putting up with me in general. Headed back out to Rooty now with my brother in law

Made my way to Lake Rooty this evening with my wife, she brought a chair and a book. Also took the role of my photographer Got 4 but one lipped out at the edge. All were caught on Senko blues, whacky rigged. Awesome lake! Can't wait to head back over, quick 20-25 min drive for me but well worth it! My wife wants me to apologize for my hair, I'm in summer vacation mode as a teacher so the hair I don't care, and the shaving doesn't happen often. My lucky camo shorts were worn so that is the main reason they were caught.

Is Lake Rooty the first lake on the left, or the 2nd one when coming off of Broad?

Any suggestions on a stable canoe (14ft) would probably do the trick, that is lightweight enough for one guy to load ontop of a Dodge Durango? Not the strongest dude in the world, and loves his Durango too much to scratch her so I'll be needing something fairly light. Price, well under $400 would be GREAT

I'm pretty new here (last month!) and since Day One, Sam has been very helpful to me. Providing locations (ponds) in the Chesterfield,VA area. Congratulations Sam!