Sam

Sounds like a good idea. I would be concerned that the Tulane University coeds would cut down the bag and eat the contents. But that's just my fear. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Use the smallest white curly tail grub you can find on a 1/64 jig head using 4-pound test on an ultra light spinning rig. A one-inch grub is the best. I nail them right and left. Also caught a 6 pound lady bass on this rig plus an 8 pound catfish. You can use a barrel swivel to help stop some of the line twist. Also, a Roostertail is a great lure but that one-inch white grub catches them EVERY time.

The recovery has made a great place for bass in that pond. Should be good fishing in that area when the pond is stocked.

Daviscw - Yes, LSU is very concerned about Appy State. We are concerned that we will kill one of their players. Bmadd - Yes, the Vols do well but remember these names for next season - Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. All losses. Hey Bmadd, going to the Indy Bowl in Shreveport isn't so bad. Ask all the Bama fans about the trip. ;D

Micro....NO! STOP!!! CEASE AND DESIST!!!! THIS IS A SECRET PLACE. KEEP IT A SECRET. At this year's Bass Fishing Expo in Richmond the guys from the store were there and I loaded up on every four inch Dead Ringer Mocassin Blue they had at the show for the two days I attended. The store is not easy to find but when you find it and it is open it is excellent. So don't tell anyone about it or the guys will storm the place and buy up all the good stuff that no one else has. ;D

May I suggest calling a state library and asking their research department or map expert about the maps you are seeking? If you know the state Mr. Evans either lives or has produced maps for specific bodies of water you may consider calling those state libraries. I Googled the name "Bass Maps Mark Evans" and came up empty. Good luck on your search.

The Historic James River is "slowing down" on its heavy water flow due to the rains from last week but it is still a little high. It should be beautiful by Saturday, May 10 if we do not get anymore heavy rains in the James' watershed west of the Pony Pasture. As for the water temperature...I have no idea. I drive by the river on my way to and from my house so I see the water levels but I have not stopped to test the water temperature. Just go and have a good time AND 1) WEAR YOUR PFD AND 2) FISH WITH A BUDDY AS THE JAMES IS AN UNFORGIVING RIVER. Smallie action is hopefully ready to rock and roll at the Pony Pature.

Ninja is right. Show us a photo and we can give you some advice. You may want to consider using a 1/0 or 2/0 Eagle Claw or Gamakatsu Weedless hook. And what presentations are you using? Give the gang some more details and we may have some good suggestions for you.

Roadwarrior...no alcohol beverages allowed on my boat for any reason. No alcohol beverages allowed on any boats during a tournament. Smokeing is OK but if we get very technical, I can DQ anyone smoking if they throw their cigeratte buts into the water as pollution is grounds for a DQ. And no wild women allowed in the boats, either!

Place a clamshell sinker on your spinnerbait hook's shank to give it more weight to throw into the wind. You can also do this to get your spinnerbait deeper in non-windy conditions. Use a spincaster as you will encounter backlashes with a baitcaster when casting into the wind. Use the suspend dots for crankbaits. Senkos throw beautifully into the wind on a spinning rig. Rig them Texas, wacky or shaky head. A split-shot rig using a one-ounce round split shot about 18 inches above your #1 light circle hook also can work. This is a "poor man's" Carolina rig but it can do very well in windy conditions. Use a 6 inch finesse worm of your choice and a small circle hook. Try "skipping" your bait along the surface to your target. Use a six or a six and a half foot medium heavy spinning rod. You can also skip your bait using a baitcaster but be careful about backlashes. The object is to cast to your target which is easier said then done. I hope some of these suggestions work. Good luck.

Its about time. Great news for the team as Miles is not playing favorites. Hatch should be fun to watch as our QB. As for Ryan, another kid with a lot of potential down the drain. It is depressing. Sorry state of affairs for Ryan. Maybe he can go to Southern or Grambling for his last two years and then go to the NFL. I wish him, his girlfriend and their baby all the best.

Bad News - Insurance statistics say that you will have an automobile accident within the first three (3) years of driving. Good News - Seatbelts on at all times and on all passengers or the car does not move. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drink and drive. My 20-year old nephew did and he is going to lose his license for 90-days and have to go to state counseling to find out if he is a drunk. Plus other counseling sessions. Total estimated cost - $1,500. Cost of telephone pole - $1,250. Cost of totalling his Jeep - $8,000 (no physical damage insurance). Embarassment - Priceless. Always look out of the window, the side view mirror and the rear view mirror before changing lanes. Changing lanes can be dangerous if you do not double check before changing lanes. Do not try to run a red light. It is red for a reason. Stop. And no "Texas Rolling Stops" until you are older. Wash and wax the car and clean the inside. Hey, the car belongs to your parents but you can help take care of it. And the MOST IMPORTANT thing - get good grades so you can get the drivers premium discount on your auto insurance in the future. Now you can get your own boat and tow it. Good luck and be safe. P. S. In the future when you are dating, don't let your date throw up in the car. Just stop along the road and open the door for her to throw up.

My most irritating fishing condition is when the guy I am with is catching nice bass and I am not.

It is not necessarily the "best spinnerbait" but what makes your spinnerbait different from everyone else's spinnerbait? The bass will see a lot of the same types and actions of the basic spinnerbiats. So what would make them chase your spinnerbait if it is exactly the same as the other spinnerbaits? Maybe a shiny skirt will set them off? Another color skirt or skirt color combination? A lighter wire? A shorter wire from the head to the tip where you tie the line? A clam shell weight clamped onto the hook shank to give it a deeper run or to throw it into the wind? What weight to throw? 1/4 ounce or 1 ounce? Big difference depending on the body of water and time of year. A different bland combination? Diamond blades vs. smooth baldes? The size of your blades? Blade colors? And how about your technique? Throw and reel back? Slow roll? God deep? Yo-yo spinnerbait? Let it fall and then rip it off the bottom? Throw in bushes? Use a trailer hook? What color trailer hook? Look like a shad? Look like a bluegill? Look like something from Mars that they have never seen? Be different with your spinnerbait presentations. Cause the bass to be inquisitive and to run at the bait and either hit it hard or suck it into their mouths with hardly a splash. Just make them hit it. Simple, isn't it? ;D

I hope you all post the web site to view the coverage of the products. ICAST is outstanding and we should be thankful to Glenn for attending and then posting his input. So....thanks Glenn for attending.

Good one.

Thanks. I wonder when they will return to central Virginia?

Super. Fantastic. Outstanding. Great. Wonderful. Should I say more? Ben, we are all so proud of you. You are a wonderful ambassador for bass fishing and our Forum. All the best in your next outing and I look forward to seeing your pictiure once again in Bass Times this year. Keep on trucking and remember, get your college degree one day.

I agree with Gobig. Let the drag fight the fish. Be sure to TEST THE DRAG before your first cast; all day long; and then release it totally when storing your baitcasters along with taking the pressure off the spool. As posted on this forum a long time ago, try to have about 2.5 pounds of pressure to release the drag. BUT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CHECK THE DRAG AFTER CHANGING BAITS AND AFTER 20 TO 30 CASTS. A poorly set drag can make you lose a nice fish. I know. I still have nightmares about that lady that hit my lure and took off and my drag was too tight and she broke off. I was so excited about going fishing I just forgot to check the drag on my baitcaster. Live and learn.

If possible, go with a Medium Heavy rod. The length depends on how you will fish the rig. If you want to skip it under docks, trees and bushes then a 6 or 6 1/2 foot rod is great. If you want to throw it out and bring it back to the boat Texas rigged style then you can go with a 7 foot rod. If you like to pitch and flip it along the shore then a 6 1/2 or 7 foot rod is great. You can do all this with a Medium Heavy 6 1/2 foot spinning rod with a Shimano 2500 spinning reel of your choice or any other major brand name reel. I have found that a Medium Heavy rod gives you a better hook set and you can change out to a wack, Texas-rigged, drop shot or split-shot presentation and still have the power to set the hook. However, it is a personal preference and you just have to experiment to find out which technique you like and which rod power and length is the best for you.

Largemouth or smallmouth? You can always throw Nightcrawlers to find out and then go to your artificial baits depending on the species. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Hey honey, come on out and see the new Ranger in the driveway.

Keep line tight; reel fast; and keep rod tip IN THE WATER.

Do you all realize that in this day of being correct in all we do so as not to offend anyone, we could get into a lot of trouble just talking about fishing with our friends if we are overheard by someone who does not fish? We could say things like.... Mine is larger than yours. Want to see my wacky worm? Want to see my shaky head? Any action with your Sweet Beaver? I have a big Brush Hog. My tube floats. How long is your rod? Get the idea? Any others you can add to the list?????

Great report. Sorry the weather did not cooperate. I have never fished Smith Reservior and have always wondered if it was worth the trip. I would surmise that trolling motors are allowed. What is the cost for the permit????