Sam

Chunky, good question. I fished with a pro last year and here is what he told me about braid. 1. Use the same test mono as your braid as backing on your baitcaster and spinning reels. 2. Use the same size flouro or mono as your leader to match your braid test: 10# braid = 10# mono/flouro 3. Use strong glue that you can apply via the brush that comes with it (can find it at Hobby Lobby) or use fast acting Loctite Super Glue to put over your leader knot. Make sure the glue is dry before casting. And don't use a lot. Just a dab will do. 4. A lot of pros are starting to use braid without a leader. This is occurring when the water is stained to dirty. Seems this does not negatively impact the strike numbers. 5. Remember, a knot creates a "weak spot" in your line so try to use braid, only, without a leader and note if it has any impact on your results. 6. The favorite braid of the pros seems to be Gamma Torque. Gamma line is difficult to find (BPS and Cabela's do not carry it) so you will need to go on-line and order a supply. And please note that Gamma Torque is expensive. 7. In order to reduce or prevent spinning reel line twist, go with braid. 8. Also, on the other hand, try to "balance your baitcaster" setup to avoid any braid backlashes. A braid backlash can put your reel out of service if you manage to get a serious backlash. 9. Always have one or two spare reels ready to replace the one you are using. You never know when you will have a disaster on your hands and it is easier to replace a reel than to fight a backlash or a line twist problem. This is a good rule to follow no matter what line you are throwing. I use 8-pound test Gamma Torque on spinning reels and have not had any line twist problems since switching over to 100% braid with an 8-pound mono backing. As an option, I have experimented with using the "equivalent mono line test" to match my braid but I liked using the same test for both the braid and mono/flouro. Easier to tie together and the glue held it together with no problems. May I suggest purchasing Spider Wire braid and give it a try to determine if you like using braid on your spinning and baitcaster setups. All the best for a new personal best this year and please let us know what you do and the results.

Stephen, I just purchased an iPhone 7 Plus on Friday. Paid another $110 for the waterproof case. Son is going to order the orange floating case via Amazon Prime so if I do drop the phone in the water it will float. I am sorry to read of your experience and may I suggest checking out the orange floating case for your current or replacement phone. As to retrieve it from the bottom, all I can suggest is to X2 the idea of going into the water for it. BUT NOT BY YOURSELF. Have two or three friends with you; tie a rope to your waist and have the guys hold onto you; wear a scuba suit, if possible; wear gloves so you don't cut your hands on submerged structure; have an emergency "pull me to the surface" system worked out; have a good set of goggles; and have a very strong and waterproof flashlight. You know that street clothes will drag you under and you can't hit the water in your swim gear as hypothermia will nail you in a few minutes. You really need to consider renting a wet suit from a dive shop to keep warm along with a sturdy set of goggles and if possible, an underwater flashlight. What concerns me is that although you did mark the exact place the phone went overboard, will any current move the phone down stream? An iPhone is not heavy and since it is flat, unless it gets stuck in the mud or in some structure the iPhone may be yards away where it went into the lake. And guys, lakes do have current. Not as strong or pronounced as tidal rivers, but lakes have current. Good luck finding the instrument and please let us have your report on your adventures trying to find the iPhone. Safety first. Always, safety first. You can always purchase another iPhone but we can't have another Stephen.

That is one of the nicest things I have ever seen. Time to put a ring on that finger so you won't lose her. You have a "keeper" and right now she is your "personal best." Get that net out and land her right now!!!!!!

Darn, it is Sunday at 8:01 AM and you are on the water. Maybe next year! Be sure to let us know how you did and the baits you threw. Be safe.

Little Washington? Where all the rich people live. Rappahannock County were the schools close on the first day of the hunting season. Where the Inn at Little Washington has outstand cuisine. Yes gang, Little Washington is a great place for a romantic weekend. Check out the bed and breakfasts and walk around the small town if you are in any condition to walk. Eat at the Inn and try to find the mushroom farms for a visit. Take in the beauty of the mountains. OK, you want to know if the shad are running. Sorry, I have no idea. I know they are not running at Ancarrows on the Historic James River. But that is going to change in the near future. Google "shad fishing reports" and wade through them until you find a link that gives you the information you are seeking. Or call the Virginia DG&IF and ask the receptionist for the person who can tell you about shad runs in the state. Now, onto another topic. Aquia Creek. Have you fished the creek, lately? Gone up creek or headed out to the Potomac, hitting places along the way? My bass club won't fish the Aquia Creek or Potomac any more. Too many wackos and wierdos on the water plus the $20 ramp fee at Hope Springs. Good luck shad fishing and enjoy Little Washington.

Hey Ice, funny you should ask. The "jig bite" is on in Virginia. Please consider the following: The water is cold. So what are the bass doing? They are getting ready to fatten up for the spawn. They are staging in one place, waiting for a nice, juicy and BIG meal to float by their face. They are seeking for some warm water. They do not want to move that much in any direction. If they are happy where they are then they will stay in that concise area and not move around. Where are the bass holding? Under piers, docks and boats. Where the water is a little warmer. Next to rocks and wood that absorb the sun's heat. In brush piles. Sunning themselves along the shoreline. They are just hovering in one place, waiting for your jig. What do they like to eat? Anything and everything they can inhale. A nice big crawfish moving s-l-o-w-l-y along the bottom is a good target. Something that looks like a jig with a crawfish pig attached. So how do you fish your jig? Who knows? (OK, the Shadow knows) Sometimes they want the jig worked s-l-o-w with long pauses between moves. Other times the want the jig to move fast. You cast your jig; let it fall; if no takers let it sit on the bottom for an eternity, like 15-seconds; and then start your retrieve back picturing in your mind how the jig is looking on the bottom to mimic a crawfish or a big bream. And here comes the "magic word".....experiment. Yes, trail and error. Try fast, slow and in-between movements; big hops; small movements; in the underwater structure like a Senko or finesse worm. The bass will tell you what jig movements they want. Do I need to experiment with a variety of sizes and colors? Of course. A half-ounce blue/black jig with a Zoom blue/black super chunk (037-072) may work. Or a brown and orange skirt with a Zoom "root beer pepper green" super chunk (037-097) may be exactly what they want. Experiment with a variety of jig sizes and pig trailers until you determine the pattern they want. Will nail them right an left with my jig? Nope. Jig fishing is slow with lots of pitching, flipping and casting. But when you get a hit it will be a bit momma. And then the real fun starts when you realize you have your "new personal best" on the line, barley hooked and she is swimming like the police are after her. Time for your blood pressure to double. Just remember to experiment. Their are different styles of jig heads to fish different techniques and structure. Learn what each on does, including the swimming jig, and go out whit your arsenal of jigs and throw them all day long. As you realize that jig fishing can be s-l-o-w but very productive you will have more confidence in a jig and pig and have a better idea of when to use them. Good luck and have some fun out there in Colorado.

Tom, I was at the Walkerton Ramp on the Mattaponi River waiting my turn to launch after a bass club launched at least 20 boats. While they were sitting in the water waiting for their blast off I walked to the end of the short pier and threw a wacky rigged Senko and nailed a small bass. You should have seen the faces on those guys waiting to blast off. It was funny seeing them in shock that they were running away from the fish. Yes, sometimes karma works in your favor. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

The mother walks into the home of her daughter and finds her daughter laying on the couch, totally naked. "Don't be upset, mom," she said. "I am waiting for my hubby to come home and I am wearing an invisible dress." The mother goes home and takes off all of her clothes and lays on her couch, waiting for her husband to return from work. When her hubby enters the house he sees her and says, "so what's going on?" The wife replaies, "I am laying here, waiting for you, in my invisible dress." "Oh" answers the husband. "I think it needs ironing to get rid of the wrinkles."

Use them as I can change lures easier and faster.

Mac, good question. You will receive many responses and each one could be different. I go with braid tied to the jig head. No leader as I don't want a weak place in the line via the knot. Have not had any problems with this set up. Some of the pros are doing the same, especially in stained and dirty water. I use a medium heavy fast action tip 7-foot rod for shaky head fishing and it works great. Can't wait to read future posts to your thread.

Woody, you need to camouflage better. You know that if you can see them then they can see you. Wear dark clothes; watch your shadow; and stay as still as you can after the cast. If that doesn't work, get a shotgun and ........................

So sorry to read about your slip and fall. Hopefully WC will come into play and pick up the bills and continue 66.6% of your salary after the waiting period. Two comments: On the good side, you can stay home and miss the big snow storm heading your way. On the bad side, once you damage your knee it will just get worse as time goes by and one day you will need surgery to repair it. Be sure to keep a diary so you can go back and have the WC carrier pay for the surgery. All I can add is do what they say to do at dog obedience! school: Heal!

Nope, never had it happen to me. Guess I am just lucky, so far.

Mega, no excuses. Just do it! You have days off and some time during a day to hit the library for an hour or two to research different companies. You have time on the weekend to update your resume and write at least 10 letters to different companies. You have time to locate a Kinko's or Staples and make copies of your resume. Use yellow paper to stand out. Speak with the folks at Kinko's and Staples, etc. about your resume and how to improve it. No excuses. Go for it! Throw a lot of resumes up against the wall and see what happens. Keep us posted on your progress. Good luck.

Outstanding story of perseverance and grit. Congrats to Evan. Thanks for sharing.

Nope, too cold for me. The warm spell occurred while I was swamped at work so now have to wait for it to get warm again. Remember, when the dogwoods bloom the bass are on their beds. Plan accordingly.

Wait for the dogwoods to bloom, which indicates the bass are on their beds. Then head out again for Chick Lake. From that date until late fall, the lake should be a fun place to fish.

Items of clothing are to have tags with washing instructions. Note if the instructions say "dry clean only." If so, then take the jersey to a local cleaners. If in doubt, get some mild liquid soap and using warm water gently massage a small area at the bottom of the jersey with the gentle soap and warm water combination. If the color does not run or if you do not get shrinkage, then consider doing the following: Soak the jersey in a clean sink or clean plastic tub using the gentle soap and warm water. Move the jersey around in the soap and water and using your hands wash the jersey very gently. After soaking and then rinsing the jersey in cold water lay the jersey out to air dry. Your home dryer may have a selection for permanent press or air dry. Check out the controls. But don' let the jersey go through a full cycle unless the washing instructions on the tab allow you to do this. If you are seriously concerned about damage, consider contacting the jersey manufacturer or the outlet where you purchased the jersey and ask them. But check for the washing instructions on the jersey before you do anything and if they are there follow them to the letter. Good luck.

Got somewhat concerned when I viewed how this thread was advertised. No, don't listen to music. Will listen to a football game. All while fishing!!!!

Just read that Gander Mountain has just filed for protection under our bankruptcy laws. Hope they can come out it a stronger company.

Great having you with us. We always are glad to have a Virginian join the Forum. You will be called upon by a number of guys who fish the same waters you enjoy. I know you will give them some great input. Welcome!

Luna, too late to give you some info but heading up river presents problems with lots of debris in the water. But the fishing can be great. And this time of the year has the snakes hibernating. Let us know how you did.

Chris, a six-foot rod is fine but there are other items you need to consider. Here is a partial list. I am sure the guys and gals will add to your thread. 1. Rod length is dependent on two things a) your height and b( the casting distance you need. 2. Add to the length requirements the need to flip and pitch so you will have good lure control and precise casting/flipping/pitching. 3. I have had more fun with a spinning rod setup fishing rods than baitcaster rods. But you need both to fish ponds. 4. Balance. You need to have a reel that will fit the rod and not make it heavy. 5. Line test and bait weight also play a roll. Usually pond fishing can be successfully accomplished with 6 to 8 pound test on a spinning rig and 10 to 17 pound test on a baitcaster. 6. The rod's power rating is important. I use a medium heavy - fast action tip. 7. Your pond. Lots of overhanging trees or bushes? Open spaces? Structure on the bottom? Grass and weeds? You have to take your pond's physical character into consideration, too. Now, armed with all of the above and what the other guys and gal pen you should have fun selecting a rod. Just don't go nuts and get a G. Loomis. A BPS or Cabela's rod is fine for pond fishing. One last suggestion: take your reel with you when selecting your future rods and put them on each rod you are considering. Get a feel of their weight and balance. Have fun and post some of those hogs you are going to catch.

Hopefully they will succumb to the colder weather we will be enjoying in March and disappear for the summer.

Thanks, guys. Will check out the BPS in Ashland next week to note if they have any left. Appreciate the feedback.