Sam

We lucked out, too. The storm headed north from West Virginia and missed central Virginia. Sun is out now.

That's great. But I have only one friend who plays darts. Otherwise, darts is off the radar. No one knows anything about darts unless you play darts.

Wow!

Bass fishing has a strong following among those interested in bass fishing. NASCAR has a larger following for those among us who like the races. The other sports have their followings within their industry. I would think the following have either more or less of a following than bass fishing: 1) bowling - LESS 2)billiards - LESS 3)ping pong - LESS 4)skateboarding LESS 5)bodybuilding/powerlifting - LESS 6)badminton -LESS 7)darts - LESS 8)competitive eating- is the Nathans eating competition more popular than the classic? - LESS 9) polo - LESS 10) weightlifting - LESS 11) speed boat racing - LESS 12) swimming - EVEN 13) baseball, ice hockey, football, basketball, softball, track and field, and gymnastics - MORE 14) volleyball - LESS 15) rugby - LESS 16) rock climbing - LESS 17) hunting - MORE 18) target practice - LESS 19) archery - LESS 20) chess, checkers and tidily-winks - LESS 21) winter sports like skiing and the various Olympic events - LESS I remember having a conversation with a friend many, many years ago (in the 80's) about what was a sport and what was not a sport. We did this when we were discussing the Olympics and what was classified as a "sport" and why the USA does not do as well in the winter Olympics as compared to the summer Olympics. He said that only those games where the participants wear a jock were considered a sport. Otherwise, it is just for fun and could not be considered a "sport." Have things changed in all these years or what? But I do think bass fishing can be considered a sport as those little green monsters can put up one heck of a defense after you hook them.

Yes, slack tide is what we call it down here in Virginia. You should also do well on a falling tide as we do with our Potomac tournaments out of Aquia Creek. Big storms out in Cali heading this way but lucky for us the storm will go north of Virginia and maybe Maryland, too. Take care and be safe if you get hit with snow and ice. Do you fish North River? I fished it with a pro and had a fantastic time.

As I understand it, the fish learn from instinct to feed with moving water. So when the tide goes out it creates current that triggers the bass to feed. The tide also stirs up the bottom which means the smaller bait fish and crawfish will start to move around. When the tide stops and waits for the incoming tide to start, the bass just rest and are not aggressive feeders. This is why we try to have the tide go out in the morning of our tournaments so we can enjoy the bass being aggressive feeders.

Have you seen the latest issue of Woods and Water magazine? It is a free publication that you can pick up at Dick's and BPS and Green Top plus other outlets. Check it out each month as they cover fishing the Chickahominy and other rivers and lakes.

OK, water levels. When the dam is opened and the lake starts to lose water, the bass will start to feed. They will come out of the grass, pads, under docks, and out of creeks to find deeper water. On tidal rivers the bass eat during a falling tide and the first hour of an incoming tide, while taking a break for the hour before the tides change direction. Yes, water levels play a part in bass fishing. An example of this was on Buggs Island when the water level was "in the trees." Not "in the bushes" like we love, but really high on the banks so it was "in the trees." So what did we do? We threw spinnerbaits to the newly flooded areas where the bass would go to recon and look for an easy meal. And we did really well that day. Is there anyway you can call a phone number for the municipal or governmental entity who controls the water levels of the lake/reservoir you fish by opening the dam? If so, you need to call and either speak with someone or get a recording to find out the level of "normal pool" and then call in to see what the water level is for that day. Or find their web page that has the information. Buggs Island has a full pool of 300 and we like the water level to be 306 where it will be "in the bushes" a/k/a good flipping and pitching conditions. Try to find out when the water will be "pulled" so you will know when they will be lowering the water level. And you can track the water levels each day to see when they are getting high enough for the dam to open. Remember, even though you get rain, heavy or not, the water levels of a lake may not increase due to the volume of water needed to increase the level by an inch. The rain can warm or cool the water temperature and make the water clarity worse. Good luck and I hope you can contact the dam operations center and find out the level details and where you can find them.

Welcome. And be sure to show us your creations in the tackle making section.

TH365, as the water becomes stained to very stained to muddy/dirty, the bass will no longer be able to see as they did in clearer water so they will sit next to anything that they believe will give them cover, protection, and maybe have an easy meal swim by. One little blade of grass, known as a "stickup" can hold a big bass as she just sits there thinking she is safe from predators. So when the water starts to go from stained to very stained to dirty/muddy, think about what Catt penned and throw your moving baits that have a lot of vibration and bounce them off anything you can hit with them. In one of my club's tournaments, the guy who won it on the Potomac was just floating back to the ramp in Aquia Creek when he threw a spinnerbait at a small stickup. He caught a 6 pounder and he won the tournament. He was not doing anything special. Just meandering back to the Hope Springs ramp when he saw the stickup and decided to throw to it. There is a submerged stump on the Rappahannock River in Virginia that sits by itself and you can usually catch one off of it first thing in the morning. Nothing to get excited about but at least one keeper in the boat. You can never see this stump, even on low tide. You just have to know where it is. So look for anything sitting in the water by itself and throw to it. Throw to it many times, too. Not just once or twice. And change presentations and angles, too. Don't give up on a spot before you hit it a lot of times. Have fun!

The Paralyzed Veterans of America will be holding their annual Fishing Flea Market on Saturday, February 2nd at the Mobility Supercenter, 7450 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, Virginia from 7:30 to 1:00. Admission is $2 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. $20 if you want a table to sell your fishing rods, reels, and baits, etc. and another $10 for each additional table. For more information call Ernie Green at 804.378.0017.

I was there. Had a conference call with a client from 9:30 to 11:00 while sitting in my car in the parking lot. Went in and walked around and saw some old friends; spoke with Timmy Horton; got the new 2019 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet from VG&IF guys; saw Dave from GMCO Maps; got a handout for the Fishing Flea Market in Richmond at the Mobility Supercenter, 7450 Midlothian Turnpike for February 2nd; and then left around 12:00 to go to Green Top to get some of the new Berkley General Powerbaits. Had to leave as I promised my wife I would take her to Short Pump shopping center in the afternoon and her definition of afternoon means leaving the house at noon. Missed Richard, who I was looking forward to seeing, and a few people noticed the LSU sweatshirt but none from the Forum. Noticed a number of new vendors. Found out that Anna Point Marina on One Fish Anna is for sale if anyone is interested. Met Lin Bell of Pro Tech Fishing out of Toano. Pro Tech has some fantastic Japanese baits and I mentioned the small frog in the round box to Lin that I got from him about 20 years ago and he told me it is now a collector's item worth a bundle. I bought my only All Star rod from Pro Tech many years ago. Loved visiting the store to see the beautiful Japanese baits. Glad he is up and running again. I will say that it was the largest Friday crowd I have seen at the event in years. The place was packed which I found to be unusual for a Friday morning. Enjoyed walking around and fighting off the Bait Monkey at every turn. Now to make plans to attend the February 2nd Fishing Flea Market which should prove interesting. I will post a separate thread about it for the Virginia guys and gals.

sport [spôrt] NOUN sports (plural noun) an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. "team sports such as baseball and soccer" · "a sports center" synonyms: (competitive) game(s) · physical recreation · physical activity · physical exercise · pastime dated entertainment; fun. "it was considered great sport to trip him up" synonyms: fun · amusement · amusing time · laugh · giggle · joke · escapade · prank · trick · game · jape · skylark · practical joke · stunt · leg-pull · put-on · gag · crack · antics · high jinks · horseplay · fooling about/around · mischief · devilry · roguery · clowning · tomfoolery · shenanigans · monkey tricks · monkey business · didoes · sport archaic a source of amusement or entertainment. "I do not wish to show myself the sport of a man like Williams" informal a person who behaves in a good or specified way in response to teasing, defeat, or a similarly trying situation. "go on, be a sport!" · "Angela's a bad sport" biology an animal or plant showing abnormal or striking variation from the parent type, especially in form or color, as a result of spontaneous mutation. VERB sports (third person present) · sported (past tense) · sported (past participle) · sporting (present participle) wear or display (a distinctive or noticeable item). "he was sporting a huge handlebar mustache" synonyms: wear · display · exhibit · have on show · show off · flourish · parade · flaunt amuse oneself or play in a lively, energetic way. "the children sported in the water" synonyms: play · have fun · amuse oneself · entertain oneself · enjoy oneself · divert oneself · frolic · gambol · frisk · romp · cavort · caper · lark (about/around) · disport oneself · wanton · rollick

Confidence. It boils down to confidence. If you have strong confidence in your spinning setups then stay with them. If you want to purchase a baitcasting rig and give it a try then do so and decide if you can have confidence in it. Be sure to know how to set up your baitcaster or you will have some terrible backlashes. Good luck and have fun giving your baitcaster a try.

Remember, in Richmond, its more bread and milk and then you drive into a ditch.

You will have a great time at the Classic. There are some good deals to be enjoyed. When you get there, go to the Dick's Sporting Goods area and get one of their large green bags. You will need it for the freebies. And bring a baseball cap and a black fine point sharpie for autographs. The Classic Expo is something all of us have to attend. You will have a great time. Let us know all about the Expo; who you saw; and what you got.

With the Polar Vortex splitting, we will probably have cold temperatures through January. So......are you ready for some ice fishing????

Great having you with us and thank you for your service. Mount Trashmore is not that good anymore but you can give it a try. Check out the Chickahominy Lake for Ed. Allen's and Eagle's Landing. It is a short drive to these locations. Look them up on Google and then Google maps. Call and find out if Ed. Allen is renting their boats. Get a copy of the 2018 or 2019 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet at the BPS in Hampton or at a local Dick's Sporting Goods store. It has a list of places to fish in the Tidewater area. As for what to throw, try plastics and spinnerbaits fished slow plus jigs and pigs and a swimming jig. If you have the time and transportation, you can go to the Richmond Fishing Expo at Meadow Park on Route 30 in Caroline County this weekend, January 18, 19 and 20. Check it out in the Southeast Bass Fishing section of the Forum. And remember to wear purple and gold and yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set the hook. I used to fish the Atchafalaya with my uncle. Only remember those water moccasins. Nasty creatures. They would strike at the side of the Jon boat as we meandered around the basin. Welcome to the Forum and to Virginia.

Yep. The guys at my BPS told me that last year and I was very surprised.

Yep. Back in the 60's, if I am correct, the molasses plant in New Orleans in the Uptown area near the Mississippi river had one of their tanks split open and the molasses spread all over the neighborhood streets and yards. Do not recall if anyone was injured. The Boston molasses spill was brought up in New Orleans when this happened. But it was not near the catastrophic level as the Boston accident.

BPS Extreme line of rods. Handled all techniques very well. Out of production now. And did you know that Seaguar makes the BPS line?

We got ice in Richmond. Only about an inch of the ice so we lucked out. Another storm heading our way for Sunday and maybe into Monday. Then the cold moves into the Atlantic states until the end of January.

No, but the distribution center is near Richmond. They were the first distributors of Zoom products when Zoom started its business. Check out the Virginia Guide catalogs and you will see all of the products they carry. It is like going to a candy store. No idea where you are located but if you get to Richmond you have to make it one of your stops.

You will have to go on the Internet to a Zoom site or one of the tackle stores that sell the Zoom products. Of course, with the warehouse 40 minutes away I can go and see all of the colors which is a lot of fun. And you can copy the color number and description and go on a Google search to see what comes up. Have fun!