Rhardy

Thanks. Next outing I may try one of the smaller lures, minus the weight, to see how it goes. I am not optimistic though.

Thank you. I have been duplicating some of my lures in larger sizes. Thus far the curly tails and rebel craws. Guess I may need to add some more.

After years of only using spinning gear, I have bought my first bait caster combo. It is rated for lure size of 1/4 oz. I have only had it out once this year but want to spend more time fishing with it. I understand that casting lighter lures adds another realm of complexity, and honestly I am just starting. So here is my question. I fish a river that is on the smaller size so I used a lot of 1/8 oz lures when spinning. Would it be feasible to still use these lures and add additional weight for casting purposes. I was thinking of adding an 1/8 oz bullet weight by using a barrel swivel and then adding about 3’ of leader. This way I would keep the weight off of the lure but give me enough weight for casting. What are your thoughts with this idea? Good, bad or indifferent. Thanks. Rex

Looks promising. Thank you.

I am curious to know, if anyone has found a way to reasonable carry two rods when wading? I would like to be able to have two rods set up so that I wouldn’t have to re-tie if I want to fish a spot with different lures. Also there are times that I would like to take both my bait caster and an ultralight set up at the same time. Not sure if it’s feasible or not. But I figured if it was someone here would know how. Thanks.

Thank you, I will look at those as some options.

I will check them out. Thanks. It would be a kayak, unless I decide to get a pontoon by then. I haven’t checked anything specifically. Was just seeing if anyone had stayed somewhere that they were satisfied with. Thanks.

Looking for suggestions on places to spend a weekend either glamping or an Airbnb in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia or Tennessee. I would like to stay within about a 4 hour radius of Roanoke, Virginia. My thoughts are a place that we could stay right on the water, preferably a river. We want to go around April/May. Plans are to do nothing but rest and fish for a few days so no need for any other activities for this trip. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Need some thoughts and input please. I currently have a 14’ jon boat running trolling motor only. I thought about a gas outboard but honestly the prices are holding me back. The last thing I want is to be out and have the battery give out on me before getting back. Really not interested in having to paddle my way back. What I am thinking is getting a second battery. I currently have a group 29 and considering buying a group 24. My thought is to head out using the group 24 and when it starts to get low switch to the 29 knowing I have to head back in for the day. Has anyone done something similar or have a reliable way to make sure to keep enough battery to get back? TIA. Rex

Thanks for the assurance that hauling this way is ok. I have looked at the foam roof top carrier so I will give that more thought as well.

This may be a terrible idea, hence my asking first. I have a Mazda CX-5 and a 10’ kayak. The car has no roof rack or hitch. It’s an older high mileage car so I don’t want to spend the money for either because as soon as I do the old thing will up and die on me. The kayak will fit in the back but leaves about a foot hanging out. If I tie the hatch down, and leave the windows down, does anyone see an issue doing this? I don’t really think there would be an exhaust issue coming in but leaving the windows down would be a good safety measure. One area I go is only about 8 miles but if I am not going to asphyxiate myself there are plenty of other options further away. Thanks.

Thanks for all the input. We will be tubing this Saturday, but just for fun. Maybe that will give me a chance to get a feel for how it would be IF I had my fishing gear.

How many of you use a float tube, or just plain truck innertube, for river fishing. During the summer I predominantly wet wade. There are several outfitters around here that rent tubes for people that just want to float the river and swim and that got me to thinking. Instead of the logistics of dealing with my kayak, why not just float? Since I predominately wade I carry minimal gear. I can’t see where this would be any different when using a tube. Just looking for another warm weather alternative that would be easy to haul. If you fish this way with any frequency I would love to hear your experience and suggestions. Thanks. Rex

That is pretty slick. I would have to assume it would be a lot cheaper than buying the Phantom Tube hooks, going to price it out now. Thanks again for all the suggestions. Hopefully will be able to put some of them to use within the next week..

Fortunately I am catching some but I feel I could do better. I have heard of stroking a tube but don’t know much about it. I will check It out.

Thanks for all the suggestions and I will watch the videos. Really want to focus more on the tubes, just don’t want to spend all my time tying on new tubes. Rex

When fishing tubes what is the key to minimizing hangups and loss of the tubes? I am specifically referencing using a standard tube head. I understand that losing tubes is part of the game, I’m just trying to reduce the number of hangups that I’m getting. One thing that I have found is casting upstream and letting the tube work it’s way back downstream seems to result in quite a few hangups. Casting across stream and downstream not as much. Maybe I am just working to too slow and letting the current carry me under rocks, who knows. Any pointers will be implemented and appreciated. Thanks. Rex

I do believe my stomach may be to weak to use the Bass-O-Matic ?

Nothing better than smallmouth fishing. And when you can’t fish for them reading about them fills in the gaps.

That’s the way I did it years ago. Guess there is no need to change now.

So after a 10 plus year hiatus from trout fishing I am looking at taking it up again. This will help keep me fishing through the colder months. Most everything around is are stocked and that is what I will be targeting. Since all my fishing has been CPR for years I was wondering what the consensus is regarding trout to be kept. Do you typically kill the trout prior to putting on a stringer? If so, what method do you use? I have read about the knife to the brain, and the bonk method. Sharp objects in my hand with a wet flopping fish spells disaster in my book. Thoughts and suggestions please. Rex

This Monday I will be working in Christiansburg. I am hoping to get to the river for a little bit after I am finished. For those familiar with the area, which section is most conducive to wade fishing? It looks like my options are Bissett park, Dudley‘s Landing, Community Garden and Hazel Hollow. Not being familiar with the area, I don’t want to spend my time driving and looking when I could be fishing. Thanks.

Are you using a belly tube or a pontoon? I have thought about a pontoon because I am thinking it may be easier to fish from than my kayak.

Looks like my best bet may be to work the water column and then force myself to move on. That and limit the number of lures on hand. Thanks.

I am curious to know how quickly everyone will change lures or locations when they’re not being productive? As a person who mostly bank/wade fishes, I only carry one rod and can only cover so much water in my time out. What I believe myself to do is to change lures way to fast and fish a spot way to long. I have considered only taking two to three lures with me to limit my changes but that doesn’t address beating a hole to death that just isn’t giving up a fish. What have you found to be a good balance for these two issues.