Nitrofreak

Dan, I have been saving and waiting for the right boat for a couple of years now but every time I get enough money saved up something happens plus I already have a Nitro that I am restoring and hopefully I can pass that one on to my girls to have some fun with. I could go out and buy the base model but to upgrade from there would cost me more after the purchase than it would to get what I would like to have when I purchase it. Oh well if I can't get it so be it but at least I will still be styl'n and profil'n in my 500 dollar 170TF lol. ;D PS: I posted some pics of it under boating and canoeing "show your ride" if your interested in seeing it on page 15.

Thanks again Sam I am really salivating over the new 9 and just cant swing it now but maybe just maybe by that time I just might bring one home.

Really nice fish congrats and thanks for sharing it with us !!

Redtail, I normally will use a Palomar knot with a 2 to 8 foot leader to attach my weight at the bottom this lets the hook stand straight out when the line has the slack pulled out of it. There is more info on the drop-shot in "fishing articles" at the header of this web-site that can be very useful to you.

Andy Taylor, The bait is not rigged Texas style because you want the bait presentation to be as parallel to the bottom as possible, This is not to say that you can't rig it T-style and have it work for you as huntfishspokane suggested. Hope this helps be safe and have fun.

Thanks Sam, I have been wanting to go to one of these for a long time and I have marked those dates in my reminder.

Goose52, AWESOM RIG!!!! FBL That is a sweet looking ride I hope to some day make it to SML and fish.

Nice fish congrats and thanks for the pics!!!

I don't get the chance to watch much TV at all but my favorite show is watching my girls fish...I really should bring a video camera. ;D

This place gets a lot of pressure are you fishing from a boat or from the shore? It is a good place to fish and can be productive be there early and use a cavitron and work it parallel to the bank if from a boat as the morning progresses switch to worms or some other form of live bait. Just off of the loading ramp it gets 50 feet deep I have had some success running a deep diving crank bait in rainbow trout colors all around that area. Jigs and drop shots work really well there too especially around some of the coves there but like I said it gets a lot of pressure so pack a lunch box full of patience. Good luck be safe and hope this helps.

I stand corrected sorry about that. :-[

I have not seen where any of you mentioned the drop shot anyone tried that yet? It works pretty good there you may want to rethink a little

My emergency supplies are seasonal but my common tools to have stay the same. In the winter there are extra clothes a small plug in type heater and a sleeping bag etc... In the summer lot's of water, a tarp etc.. But I am also thinking about our fellow fishing buddies so I have a tow rope and a radio for emergencies, Anyone at any time can have a heat stroke, Heart attack etc... So I try to be prepaired for that type of situation as well.

It is in Gypsy Hill park in Staunton. Oh that's the one next to the ball park isn't it Yes When would you like to try this? I work 12 to 14 hours a day and my weekends are usually packed with things to do around the house but I will see if I can work this out it sounds like fun!!!

You are usually fooled by this because we tend to overlook our equipment from time to time... if one of your line guides has a nick or a crack in it or is missing the insert it can cause damage to the line and should be inspected everytime out.

Think about where the line broke at... was it between you and the fish or at the rod or at the fish? If it broke somewhere between the rod and the fish I would have to say it was either too stressed from to little drag or it had some kind of damage at one time or another and weakened it. If it broke at the fish I would most likely say either your hook broke it or the line at the knot may have stressed if you have not retied after a few catches. If it broke between your reel and the rod tip I would take a good look at both. Look at where the line broke and you should see fraying if the fish was responsible...Regardless I would re-spool or take what you need off and re-rig. I too have battled larger fish with #8 test and have not had any problems...It's bound to happen from time to time we all lose big fish especially and usually our first big one's because we tend to lose focus and get excited ( not saying that's what happened ) Sorry you missed her but you can go back again she will be there somewhere. Good luck be safe and be happy. PS Let us know when you do land her!!

It is in Gypsy Hill park in Staunton. Oh that's the one next to the ball park isn't it

NewAngler, Mine are 16 and 21 and trust me it never gets old I would still rather see them and the wife catch the big ones and leave me with the net. The smiles on their faces are worth it every time.

Be carefull what you wish for

Your not alone Homer Your not alone.

match the hook to the bait....as small as #6 split shot hooks, up to 5/0 wide gaps for bubba shotting big plastics in weeds. I've wondered about using larger hooks. The largest I've used has been 1/0. Strange that I've stuck to the "rules". There have been times I've thought larger hooks might work better. Drop shotting and fishing Jackall Wacky Jig Heads are the only times I use such small hooks. I'll use 3/0 to 5/0 hooks for most of my other fishing. Why not for drop shotting as well? Why not indeed. The weight is just to get the bait into the strike zone, fluttering around the top of vegetation, or close to the bottom. (Smacking myself aside the head.) : :-[ J Francho explained it on the money it's just that where I fish primarily 3 to 5/0 hooks work great!!!

You know I wish you guy's could help me make up my mind about braid I want to try it in one thread and in the next I'm not so sure :-/ Decisions,decisions,decisions If I were to try it what would you guy's and girls recommend?

OMG that funny!!! ;D

It's a good technique but it requires patience so don't give up on it and good luck.

I have used it for both and have been successful but I can not say I have caught more of one than the other since I mostly target large mouth with it.