DaveSurfs

So I tried a couple options on ponds in South Stafford. Not much luck though. I went w/ the double bladed spinner 1st, and also threw a Mepps Agila spinner as well. I tried a little jig and pig bouncing the bottom, and even hung a nightcrawler under a cork w/ no joy. It was still beautiful standing by the water, so I'll try again today (Sunday). Thanks again for the advice. Tight Lines, Dave

Thanks for the gouge guys. I'll give it a try and let you know how it turned out. Tight Lines, Dave

So City Dock in Fredericksburg will likely still be underwater on Saturday morning... I could probably go cast from the bank on a couple small ponds in Southern Stafford, but does any body have any (productive) suggestions? I fully realize I am offering up a softball to those who might offer smart answers , (to what may be perceived as a dumb question ) but please refrain as this is my 1st spring flood season here in NoVA, and I'm just trying to consider alternatives to dodging trees moving at 5Kts down the Rapp. Thanks, Dave

For me it depends on what's on the end of the flouro leader. If the lure spins, or current is up and you expect your bait may spin, then a swivel makes it easy to avoid potential tangles. I use Spro 50lb test swivels. They're tiny, strong, well made and smooth in the water. Depending on the length of the leader, I may put a bead above the swivel to keep it out of my tip guide. I generally use longer leader (3-4ft) in clearer water. If a simple drop shot or jig and pig with less chance of spin, uni to uni works fine. Best of luck & Tight Lines!

My finder showed temps ranging from 45.5 to 49, in various places from Fredericksburg City Dock, south about 3 miles. That's up about 10-11 degrees from two weeks ago. I caught one ~12in LMB on a nightcrawler, slow bouncing the bottom (~8ft) w/ a brown skirted jig, and a few perch in deeper water on a dropshot w/ nightcrawler. No catfish yet. I also saw what I think may have been a mink running along some rocks on the south side of the river. Coat not dark enough to be an otter and too skinny to be a beaver (plus no paddle tail). Sure was interesting to see. I got on the water about 1:30 and stayed out til 4 or so. It was warm earlier and then the breeze came up a bit out of the south. I saw another Gheenoe out on the water and stopped to say hello. Nice to see another boat like mine, and to say hello to the pair fishing in it. I thought Gheenoes are pretty rare around here. Love to find any others. Let's hope temps continue to rise and the bite picks up. Tight Lines, Dave

I'll be down there Saturday as well. Hope to learn a thing or two. BassClary I sent you a PM.

I second the Ande Flouro Leader. You get 50yds for the cost of 25yds of Seaguar. Uni to Uni works great. I also use the small spro barrel swivels pretty effectively. Tight Lines! Dave

Thanks everyone. Hadn't heard of the sharpie trick. I'll have to give that a try! Tight Lines, Dave

Happy New Year folks. For those of you who use it, what color power pro do you use for inshore or fresh water? I had yellow on my offshore rod with flourocarbon leader. do you think that will work inshore or should I change to moss green + flouro? (targeting Striped Bass inshore, LMB or smallies in fresh water w/ a spinning outfit) How about for catfish? Will the line color make a difference to a cat? (conventional reel). Thanks, Dave

My spinning set up Penn Battle 4000 ($99) w/ a 7' Ugly Stik inshore Select Medium ($49) My brother who is all G.Loomis and all Shimano would probably say my ignorance enables my bliss, but I absolutely love it! Best of luck! Dave

I keep 1 for salt water and 1 for fresh water. I also have a USMC Medic's Bag that I'll load up with things I need to have in easy reach for a specific day on the water. Having more is fun, but I end up forgetting what's in there...

I moved up to Fredericksburg this past summer from coastal South Carolina where I had a great time chasing Redfish, Trout and Flounder around the inshore tidal waters. I bought a 15'9" Gheenoe (gheenoe.net) while I was there and have really come to enjoy it. It's a great skinny water boat, and so far has done me well running around the Rappahannock from F'Burg City Dock down to Hopyard Landing. With a 15hp 2 stroke it does about 22mph (gps). I realize that pales in comparison to most dedicated bass boats, but she suits my needs just fine. With winter upon us, I'm working a few projects and wondered if anyone else in the Northern VA area had a Gheenoe? I'd love to talk tips and lessons learned as they are infinitely modify-able. I'm thinking of repositioning the gas tank, adding a deck and rigging both the live well and a fish finder, and of course the wiring to power both. Thanks! Dave

Thanks for the offer. Apparently I need to get my post count up before I can PM, so let me work on that and I'll send one for sure. In the mean time, we'll be waiting on a thaw anyway! Hope you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year.

I've had good luck w/ trollingmotorparts.com if you're in a DIY mood. Best of Luck! Dave

I'm a big fan of the "Wish List" Feature on Amazon. You can add anything you want from BassPro, Cabelas, Gander, whatever. You share the list w/ your wife, sister, mom, whoever and all they do is click and purchase. When they tell you you're hard to buy for, the wish list makes it very easy. Hope you all got what you were looking for. ;D Dave