AndrewVT

I'm looking to replace some hooks that have rusted over the winter, and I wanted to know what size and brand split rings should I use? The lures are all about 1/4 to 5/8 of an ounce, and I have never bought split rings before. I looked on Tackle Warehouse and they have one really inexpensive brand (~ $0.90) and then two that I think are too expensive (~$5). Is there a good middle of the road choice?

I think the large trays are too big to fit into a milk crate, but the medium size ones will. Rooster, I am going to build what you suggested, and I think I have some scraps lying around that should do the trick. Thanks for the help guys, I will have to check out the pictures.

How do you guys store your Plano trays at home? I am cleaning out the garage this week, and want to find a better solution then just throwing them on a shelf. It can be either bought or homemade, I am just looking for ideas. Basically, I want to replicate the tray storage you find on a bass boat for my garage.

My guess is they are trying to avoid what has happened with the snakehead in parts of VA. My cousins fish an area where they will catch 3 snakeheads for every 1 bass. I'm not sure what river it is, but it outlets into salt water so at least the snakeheads are stuck there.

Rewrapping a rod is quite a task, but if you take your time it can be worth it. I second what Mick said, those guides look awfully heavy for bass fishing. I would check out fuji alconite guides, and try using the fly (micro sizes) towards the top. I prefer double footed guides towards the bottom just because that is what I'm used to, but most people will use the bridge guides at the bottom and then switch to the fly guides as runners. I also would use a dropshot type hookkeeper instead of a guide. As for the finish, I think you are on the right track with multiple thin coats of epoxy. Do a lot of research before you layout and pick out your new components, and your new rod can be top notch and take advantage of the latest technologies.

I moved down here (Lake Wylie) two years ago, and this will be my first time trying to fish through the winter. What temp is too cold to realistically catch bass? I have been doing pretty well with medium running crank baits right now, and once the water gets really cold I plan on trying dropshotting and suspending jerkbaits. Am I on the right track? I fish from kayak, and don't have a fish finder, so the only way I can locate structure is by looking at contour maps before I go out and guesstimating if I'm in the right place. What type of structure should I be looking for, drops, flats, humps? And what type of bottom, shells, rocks, dock pilings, etc.? I know this is kind of a vague question so any tips you can give would be great.

I fish the New River near you at least a few times a year. I have gotten to the point that I only bring two baits, X-raps and hula grubs. I fish the X-raps when the fish are more aggressive (early in the morning) and interested in a fast bait and like the 3" version in any natural color. I pretty much us a hula grub the rest of the time. I rig it by pegging a 1/16 oz bullet weight to the head and use a 1/0 wide gap hook. I prefer watermelon and pumpkin colors as the water tends to be pretty clear up there. I will take the hula grub over a tube any day because I think it looks more like crawfish then a tube. I also tend to catch larger fish on the hula without seeing a difference in numbers. As for where to fish in the river, we float down in kayaks and I do best casting to current breaks and boulders in the middle third of the river. I will be honest though, I do not do very well after storms when the water is dirty and the current is up, so hopefully someone will help you with those conditions.