Megastink

The Upper Delaware around Dingmans and Milford is a great smallmouth fishery. I plan on doing a float trip in May this year from Milford Beach to Dingmans Bridge. Lots a good smallies to be had in that stretch.

My contractor-friend helped me BIG TIME! I'm not very handy, but here's a photo of how we did it. I wanted lots of support. We drilled into the seats and into the spacers along the floor using short 1"-1.25" self-tapping screws and an impact gun. There are no vertical supports, but they can always be added later. We made two storage compartments too.

I think the OP and I have the same needs. I love my Jon boat. Cost me $2k from Cabelas.

I've got a 16' Alumacraft that my buddy and I decked out. It has a 70" beam, and can fish THREE full grown men without fear of flipping. It's a very stable rig, which is why I bought it. I put an 82lb 24v motorguide up front.

5" Strike King Ocho wacky rigged on a 2/0 short shank heavy wire hook. Proven rig, works just about everywhere.

this is 110% true.

1) Strike King KVD 300 2) Rapala Shadow Rap 3) Megabass Vision 110

I fish there a few times/year. My uncle has a house on the smaller lake next to the dam. Sunrise itself isn't too good, but the smaller lakes are awesome. I'll happily take you out to my favorite private lakes up that way. I also sneak into Gold Key whenever possible and fish the canal.

My hometown!!!! I don't live there anymore (in the Philly area now), and all my friends are gone. Haha, sorry bud! My parents still live in Dingmans Ferry and I come visit (and fish) most weekends starting in March. Where in Milford do you live?

I thought I'd be fun to share the stories and conditions of our best day of 2016. Here's mine: Late March, private lake in the Poconos, Pa: it was the first set of warm days in early spring. Four days of sunshine and 70*+ weather. I arrived at my honey hole with winter gear tied on (ice was only two weeks prior), but quickly found the bass schooling and demolishing bluegill in the shallows. A 1/2oz Bass Pro Chatterbait boated me a 7-2, two 5+, and dozens of 3-4lb class bass. The action was non-stop and everywhere. I live for those days! Share your story!

7-2, Bass pro exclusive chatterbait in a bluegill pattern.

Depends on how you rig it, and the diameter/style of hook you're using. I have a 7'3" MH Duckett White Ice and a 7'6" MH Duckett Micro Magic that I toss Texas rigs on. I use the shorter rod for short range pitching, and the longer for distance.

I'm heading to the Classic in March. It'll be my first Classic attendance. I happen to have an old college friend in Conroe, so it all worked out. So as you could imagine, it peaked my interest when I saw Jerry McKinnis' latest article on Bassmasters, "You need to be at the Houston Classic" i suggest you all go read it. Is it kinda a hype piece, sure. This is a business after all. But there's something more. Something big is afoot. Jerry compared attending this classic as being present when BASS was chartered. That's saying something. So, what could it be? My initial though was a BASS/FLW merger. It's a popular idea among pros and fans. However, my buddy had another idea: maybe BASS is about to go public. I don't know for sure, but I'm certainly glad that I'll be there for this one. I just hope it isn't all hype and disappointing. But at least there's the expo!

I LOVE hunting squirrels! I have a Savage .17HMR and a BLACKHAWK! 3-9x40 on it. I used to hunt them a much more often than I do now. With the .17, you have to go for headshots. I love waiting for the perfect shot. I'm going to start shooting my .17 out to 350 yards for fun soon. I love that rifle.

It's a real issue. Fair warning: the people who don't show up to the events are going to have a problem with this. I would call the folks that do show up consistently and talk to them about it one-on-one. Get them on your side so when you present it, you have support. Explain that this is to lower entry fees while increasing payout, and even if you dont show up, you're still supporting the club. good luck.

Sounds like you got it for now. Moving forward, I'd sell reels #3-5 and invest in some faster gear ratios, maybe a few Lews LFS's or tournament MB's in 7.5:1 .I'd put 7.5's on Rods #1, 2, and 4 and move your ratio as to the other rods. Rods #3 & 5 would become my reaction bait setups which the 6.3's would be perfect for. but your current set-ups will work well for you.

I have a creek by me full of 6"-10" smallmouth. I go there in the evenings after work sometimes with a KVD Splash Jr popper on 8lb mono and a 6' Ultralight. No trophies, but it's fun to watch them crush that popper! i also micro-dropshot for crappies in the summer months when bass fishing action eases. I'll use my UL with 6lb braid to 6lb fluoro, a 1.5" strike King Lightning shad on a #6 hook and a 1/4oz weight. It's great practice using my electronics as they stack up between 14-22'.

I also fished raystown and this post was very helpful. Thanks!

Guys, Thank you you all for the advice! New Year's Day was rainy and cold. Main lake temps in the high 40's. After hours of fishing, my guide (cousin, haha) took me to the Hot Hole where water temps were around 60* and the spots were busting shad on the surface. We didn't have a lot of time, but I did catch my first Spotted Bass on a KVD 300 jerkbait. I appreciate all the advice that helped me cross this species off my bucket list. Tight Lines in 2017!

That's because I bought them all. Lol

Strike King KVD 1.5, or an old Bomber Balsa B. They don't make the Balsa B anymore. I own about 20 of them.

I've read that a 7'-7'6" MH rod, 7.1:1 or faster reel, and 12-17lb fluoro is the ticket. I'm not a known hair jig fisherman, but that's what I read.

I want to make a few preacher jigs (ledge fishing buck tails) made famous by KY Lake anglers. I've got a good assortment of heads to use, but can someone here recommend the correct type of hair and/or feathers to use? Maybe throw a picture of your preachers up for reference? Thanks!

During the dog days of summer, I like to chase deep crappies. It helps me learn to use my electronics effectively, which in turn helps me catch more bass. i like fishing for trout in spring, but I hate crowds. Also fish upstate NY for Salmon in Fall. i also enjoy catching bluegill on ultralight gear with small floating rapalas. I live in PA, but my wife and I honeymooned in hilton head, SC in april and I talked her into a redfish trip. If I lived down south, I believe I would chase reds quite often.

No idea. But if they did, I'd toss a #4 Rapala X Rap in Hot Mustard Muddler.