Pikesnogle

Patience, and persistence. Did you throw any senkos? If so what color did you throw, and what were the conditions like. You said sunny around 85 if I remember correctly. What is the water clarity like? And a water temperature wouldn't hurt either. A lot of anglers will tell you that they have a "search bait." I agree with this as long it is a certain style of bait, not a certain color and presentation. As you might have guessed mine is the mighty senko. The color and presentation depends on said conditions. That being said, you just might not be finding them as well. But with all of the cover that you seemed to be fishing that seems unlikely. Let us/me know what the water was like.

I like to hear what's going on around me while I am fishing. Be it a fish breaking the surface or a bear charging at me... ;D

I'd have to agree, about a 98% chance that they are deep.

bassbum85, I hope you don't mind but I had a question along the same topic line.. I fish a local creek (Goose Creek - Northern Virginia and where it feeds into a river). Said creek is lower than I have ever seen it, borderline gone. Anyway, my question is do the bigger fish ones worth catching move into the river? Or do they hold up into the deeper sections of the creek (deeper sections being 3' max)? The spot where I fish is approximately a mile from where the two meet. I have caught a few dinks in the creek while the water has been low, but nothing huge. Thanks. Snogle

Bait - Senkos Senkos Senkos! Rod/Reel set ups I think you have a great train of thought going there with one of each (baitcaster/spinning). If you can swing it I suggest the Shimano Curado, I have this reel and it is.. special to say the least. If not BPS has pretty decent combos sets so I've heard. I cannot say this from personal experience though. Regardless, good luck. And don't forget it ain't easy...

Fair enough, I had Fluoro on for a little while. I didn't really like it all that much. I throw a lot of jerkbaits where I fish, and the 'jerking' motion (spare me please) made the line dance everywhere. It was literally all over the place. I assume it's because fluoro is heavy, and this so called dance seemed to reduce my feel. It felt like I lost the bait a few times, or had no contact with it. Also I like the lower test line. I am a huge feel fisherman and at least for me the lower test line just has a better feel to it. Rarely do I loose contact with the lure, and like to feel every rock, stump, log, nibble, or bite. Fluoro seemed to prevent my feel as far as said jerkbait fishing. Maybe I was just using the wrong Fluoro? I had the Stren Fluoro, 17lb test. Any suggestions if you think there is a better line? Thanks.

I was just at Kipheart yesterday/this morning. Water is really low, as low as I have ever seen it. I walked down the middle of the Goose almost all the way to the Potomac and caught about 5 smallies over a period of 2 hours yesterday evening. I was throwing a green Bomber crankbait and 4" bright red senkos wacky rigged. This morning I got there around 7AM but this time I walked all the way to where Goose/Potomac meet. I had some good luck in the shallows with a 1/4 oz white buzzbait. Like I said the water is wayy down and there was a lot of river weed along the banks so I threw the buzzbait right along that, with some success. Then I threw some senkos in a variety of colors and had some luck. I think I caught one large mouth and 6-7 smallies this morning in maybe 3.5 hours. Some good fishing there. Also you might want to check out Elizabeth Mills Park, as it's right down the street from Kipheart. Good luck brother.

Looks like it is breaking close to the knot or right at it.

Hey All, First I want to say that I have gotten into the habit of really setting the hook hard lately. And it seems to be working really well, I rarely loose a fish. That being said, I have noticed that upon hook set I am breaking my line a lot more frequently than I ever have. The line snaps and I get a ton of line flying at my face. I just put the Sufix 12lb on my reel about 3 months ago, and I am tying a great knot. I have never really had a problem with this. So I guess my questions are, should I re-spool? Try a new knot? Try a new line? Not set the hook so hard (I can't believe I just asked that)? Thank you for any and all input, Snogle

Senkos Senkos Senkos! That's all you really need there to be honest... But I have done alright upstream (Goose Creek) with green jigs and in-line spinners.

BOOM! X2

I have a senko problem. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Glad I could help you out. That place is AWESOME, as I said. What kind of crank were you using? I have a lot of luck on senko's there, any variation of green. However dark green with red flakes has been kickin some serious smallie butt! ;D Caught this smallie there a few weeks ago, one of the bigger ones I have caught.

Well put. I just like a tougher rod action to really be able to set the hook in a "texas" situation 8-)

I've caught a few this year, but not too many. I saw one on the banks of a local pond so I dangled a #4 Mepps spinner in his face he jumped up grabbed it and used his hands to feed it into his fat face. I've never seen anything like it. ;D

I think this is one of the most unanimous answers I have seen in a while.. I'd say I agree, x-raps are worth every penny. I haven't found anything better for the buck.

Big ol' carp on a senko.. 20-30lbs I don't know.

I also use Texas rig with senkos a lot. IMHO I have to say that's the best hookset EVER. I set the hook and mean it everytime. I have set the hook with smaller fish on the end of the line and ended up pulling them across the top of the water like a jet ski. :-[

Amen! If it's a fast tap like it sounds like it might be chances are it's a minnow.

PM Sent.

Just watch out for the ticks! They are terrible out there! From what I hear the fish are moving deep now, your best bet will probably be fishing offshore structure. X100 on the ticks, I went early this season walked maybe half mile out and back and pulled 13 off of me during/after the trip! Be careful out there, they were ALL deer ticks. But the fishing is tough there, I see to have a tough time locating them. But when you catch one chances are it's a NICE one. Caught a couple four pounders outta there this year. Another spot to check out is the Potomac, pretty good fishing there. As well as Ashburn ponds there are quite a few here locally. Some with some BIG bass. -Snogle

Look great brother, how do I get my hands on a few?!

X2 on jighead, that might solve your problem. But I think the number one fix would be weightless like mentioned above, most senkos/plastics sink pretty well just takes a little more time than using a weight. However if it prevents multiple snags, I'd say it's worth a shot. Good Luck

Don't get discouraged brother, fishing is tough there. I went last weekend for a few hours early morning and only caught two. I had one nice one 3lb 2oz, and a little one. See below. I didn't catch them until right before I left. I threw everything I had, which leads me to believe that I just wasn't finding where they were located. But I ended up catching the bigger one a 4" Watermelon Senko with red flakes, and she hit it like a ton of bricks. It was great, and a pretty good fight too. I say keep at it, I think that you and I both just need to find where they are. Good Luck -Snogle

Great action, great baits! They are very versatile.. many ways to retrieve.