Bigbarge50

You guys should seriously type in NOVA into the search function and read all the old NOVA threads..... tons of good info in there. Good to have some NOVA guys talking, been a little quiet on that front lately with only a few of us posting.

Can not agree more about the new stradic..... I looked at so many others to avoid paying that much for a spinning reel, then just said screw it when I had it my hands..... best spinning reel I have ever used. Well worth the money IMO

Yeah it is a very long walk...... up the hill, across the dam, around the bend, and down the hill.......... it is a tough hal, pack light.

6...wow... that fish looks much bigger..... no matter what it is a great fish and a great catch.

I see no reason to laugh. Woo Davies was using one for worm fishing in the 90's. MIght still use em now. I agree readily about skipping and other underhand casts. Also now everyone is all about gear rations... need super fast for this, slower for this..... why wouldn't the slow ratio of a spincaster be something that could have a place too? I have an old johnson century that casts weightless plastics like a dream, handles spiderwire no problem, and has reeled in a 8lb bass (on a certified scale). Not too many laughs when you haul one of those our of the reeds in florida with a spincast. Now that reel has metal gears and a real drag (a star one just like a baitcasters, not a dial in the front) so might be like a lot of spincasters.... but certainly has earned respect from me. How is flipping a bail on a spinning rod so much more of a skill then pushing a button? Never understood how spinning reels have the perception of involving so much more skill then a spincaster.

I would agree to using that one as a trial to see if baitcasters are for you. If you do decide you like them.... well start adding some new ones. Many of us on here have many, many baitcasters. WIth that being said, I feel some of the old stuff is still good...... Not every reel I use has 10+ bearings in it (I have some of those too haha) and some of the old ones feel just as good and smooth as the new ones. Newer is often better, but not always.

I have nothing in terms of knowledge to share, but I just wanted to add how great this thread is. When I move on to a new boat, this stuff will be invaluable. Watching the thoughts all laid out on paper with pics and drawings, then the execution really has been a lot of fun. Great stuff fellas.

I asked Judy Wong (a top female pro) at this years BPS seminar in richmond about using a senko on a carolina rig which she advised...... because senkos sink so fast, I was curious because basically the senko would just drag along the bottom (she was not a fan of hopping). She said no, go for it. I use a float in front of a worm...... Of course I am no use on this topic first hand bescause I stink with a c-rig, but will keep trying.

Nice fish...... Looks really huge length wise..... If it was "fat" you could be talking possilbe double digits.

It is tough in a boat..... little yet from shore.

That is interesting Quan.... You would think that abundance of food sources (from large to small prey) would lend itself to good growth all over for bass. I have had luck in the stumps..... though no secret..... green senkos and brown jigs have done really well for me. When you read about the forage there, makes total sense. I only once have made the treck with my boat.... and damaged it. I would love to get out there with a boat, because I would think the stumps near the deeper water would have big fish potential (but can not be reached from shore) and there are some ledges as you work your way up from the dam. I like mercer because not many people are willing to walk back there. It would be a shame if the lake goes downhill. I heard similar rumors about huntsman, but have no way to verify.

Geting stopped by the VGIF really turns me off. I always carry a extra plastic bag with me to pick up everyone else's trash. I see the "bottle" reel being used all over northern va. I have see people swimming at Buke and climbing on the d**n and parking in the fishing spots our liscence fees pay for as they go for a run...... Yet VGIF seems to love to stop me every chance they get. I understand it is their jobs, and I want them out there, I just wish they were a little nicer and reasonable about it. I was once asked about my throw..... which I was sitting on..... and I was told "How will you be able to throw it, you're sitting on it"........ I said that if my partner fell in the water, I could probably trouble myself to stand up, making the throw avaiable. Just stinks those of us who respect and care about out resources get the attention and those abusing it and doing such reckless behavior seemingly never get busted. Again I support VGIF, just wish I saw those doing the wrong thing being punished. BTW welcome back Aaron

Nice work Rocky.... great fish. You ever see boats on there? Sam that is an good eye..... I only saw fish, You mentioned that, went back and looked, and am sorry you pointed it out hahaha

great job man

His show is not at the top of my list. I would be curious how well his show actually does. I mean rating wise how does it stack up with the big boys like bill dance or hank parker?

I have had much better results on the Occ. Res. then Burke, but that is over 2 years of living here experience. I went to Burke last night..... caught a handful but no size. I was happy to not get skunked. Many a good fishermen I have met in the area get skunked at Burke..... don't feel bad.

Local, just north of richmond va. I may live right across from D.C. but will happily drive down to their store.

Northstar, TW, BPS, Bass Depot, Cabelas.... in that order

I wonder this.... with all that space.... what about an indoor archery/gun range and an indoor casting area to try out reels. I will tell you this, you put a guy in a section where you can try out a reel .... I would probably buy one I liked right there on the spot. I just think it would be awesome to try out a rod and reel before buying.... think that could be something to give them and edge over the competition. So much space, sure they can do all sorts of stuff......

How was Braddock...... ? Royal Lake was literally soup with sticks floating everywhere on sunday.

I am with Sam, any fish tugging on my line is a real thrill. Any bass willing to come and wack my buzzbait or jitterbug is a fish I love. I also like the ones that do not shake once I thumb them. I am the guy who lays the 1lbers in the water the same way I lay in a 5lber. They are all fun to catch and I want them all back in there easily so they can all get much bigger.

Well said, Well said. It is a HUGE store to fill. Wish nothing but good fortune. Maybe they will do something that completely suprises us.

While I like having options, I was blown away by how much I did not like that Gander Mountain. I was beyond unimpressed. Now that is the only Gander I have ever been in, but I was shocked on how little there was in terms of fishing, the quality offered at the prices offered. Green Top on the other hand..... well might be one of the best things I have found in VA since I have moved. It is what a bussines should be. I hope the space serves them well, I did not mind the super tight alises in their store..... unless someone else was in that isle haha. Will happily keep supporting such a good store.

Drop shot and wacky rigs.... or could carolina rig. I have luck on the res deep spiinerbaits the channel.

Buy one of each and then decide for yourself. I have been buying snag proof since I was literally getting an allowance and ownded all the classics they came out with (even the worms, salamanders, ..ect). I have 2 spro's and 2 Kopper's. I do not have a bad thing to say about any of them.