intheweeds

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think you guys nailed the problem, I always mend the baits right on the spot and throw them right back out. I feel pretty dumb for not thinking about just repairing them later and letting them sit. Problem solved. Thanks guys.

I have heard a lot of talk about Mend-it soft plastic glue so I bought some. This stuff works great I have saved a lot of baits and money. The one thing that concerns me is the strong chemical sent that it has. What do you all think, will that sent hurt my bite ratio? The reason I ask is because I have not landed a decent fish yet on a bait that has been repaired with Mend-it. I will try putting on some extra Mega-Strike on the repaired bait next time out and see if that helps. Thanks everyone.

I have never used the Ardent line conditioner, so I can't comment on it. I have and do use the KVD line conditioner and it works great. I put it on the night before I go fishing and it works wonders. I highly recommend this product.

I have been doing pretty well with plastics. I have found that using a keel weighted hook with a plastic has been working great. I like how you can fish it at different depths and speeds. Try a Rage Tail space monkey on a 1/4oz keel weighted hook. Don't forget to lather it up with MegaStrike.

I had this problem with my set up, which is similar to yours. I started using Yozuri ultra soft 8# with KVD line conditioner and now I can cast a mile. As NBR said, I fill my spool up a bit past the 1/8" mark and that helps a lot.

All registered and ready to fish tomorrow. Thanks guys.

This seems pretty confusing to me. I tried to call MD and DC agencies and I could not get through. I see what NitroMan is talking about for registration, that seems easy enough. My question is if I have a Virgina freshwater license, DC freshwater license and I register on the links listed above then am I legal to fish the Potomac? Am I legal for the Potomac in DC also? The reason I ask is because I see there is a Potomac River sport fishing license also. Is this the same as a DC license? I just want to be legal but it is hard to figure out. Thanks for bringing this to my attention Sam.

Big Game and Trilene XT.

I use Seige in Smoke Green and I works well for me. All my line on all my rods are green except when I fish the river for smallies then I use clear, not sure if it makes a difference though.

I fish 30# Power Pro on my Sahara 2500 and it works great.

Pond fishing for me. I know it is going to be muddy but I am still going to try. The ponds that I have been fishing have been very muddy and I still have caught fish. I have been swimming a Rage Tail Space Monkey very slowly on a keel weighted hook in key parts of the pond that I know hold fish. Good luck out there. I like your avatar. My name is Dave also and I surf too. Fishing and surfing....two best sports in the world, IMO! Though I do fish more than surf nowadays (due to location)LOL.

I use Yo-zuri Hybrid Ultra soft in 8 pound test on my spinning rod and I like it a lot. I had 12# Yo-zuri on my baitcater and it worked very well. I wanted some heavier line on my bc but they did not have any Yo- zuri in heavier pound test at my local store, so I am not sure how the bigger diameter stuff works. I have some friends that like Yo-zuri and some that don't (it seems to be that way with ALL lines). So try them all and see which one you like best.

I bought a carbon black a few days ago and put it on my rod, I am not to impressed. First of all it is pretty heavy. Also the spool has a lot of side to side movement, so much that you can hear it bang against the frame as you reel. The handle also has a lot of play in it. I can not speak for the performance because I am not going to take it to the water, I am going to take it back to BPS. I may just have gotten a bad reel so I will compare it with another carbon black when I get there. I have a feeling I am going to exchange it for a PQ. I already have one PQ and love it.

Great write up Matt. Thanks for sharing the pics too. Congrats on your new PB.

I will be fishing the Rappahanock on Saturday. We are going to hit up the Spring Classic at BPS then go and fish. I will post a report when we get back. Good luck this weekend everyone.

I am right handed and I cast with my right and reel with my left. That goes for both spinning and baitcasting.

You have to have a trout permit to fish lake fairfax during the trout stocking period, even if you are just going for bass. I was just in there and asked about that. However you do not need a trout stamp from the state of VA.

I check a few ponds around Herndon and Reston but all were frozen. I even check out Lake Fairfax but water was hard there also.

Wow, thanks for the heads up. I had know idea that you were not allowed to wade there. I saw a lot of guys wading last year, I guess they are cracking down.

Hey KWM85, I will be helping out at the RAHF tournament. Welcome to the area. I hope to see you at the tournament, if not sooner. I live and fish in your neck of the woods. I can't wait for the ice to melt! As far as the baitcaster goes, birds nest are just part of the learning curve. Depending on what type you bought there are certain adjustments you can do to reduce them. I would start with the spool tensioner. Adjust it so that when the lure hits the ground the spool stops spinning. Your reel may also have brakes you can adjust internally as well. Just hold the rod out and release the lure and watch the spool as soon as the lure hits the ground, that spool should stop spinning right away to prevent overrun. If it over runs then tighten the tension. As you get better you can release the tension more and more to get farther casts. Hope this helps.

I plan on hitting Lake Anna next month. I hope!

Yep, we are buried with snow here in Herndon. feels like I will never fish again! :'(

I had a blast at the expo. Denny's seminar was great. I picked up a new JB custom rod also. I can't wait for Spring so I can try it. I wish I had enough money to have bought a reel for the rod also. I checked out a type of kayak called the NU Canoe. Looks really cool, I may have to pick one up. I thought the expo was great and I will go back next year.

I see a few of you are going on Saturday. Should we pick a meeting place so we can say hi? How about 1:00 with Woo Daves or 3:00 with Denny Brauer? I will be wearing a blue St. Croix seatshirt and a Reel American Heroes Foundation hat.

Nice hawgs there!