Sam

Daiwa

Mike, on Saturday, October 20th, I fished the Chickahominy River, and we had the strangest day fishing. First, the river was heavily stained. Even the backs of the creeks had stained water. Second, it rained from the 6:30 blast off to after 2 PM, off and on, both drizzles and hard. Temperature warmed up from the high 40s to the low 60s. Wind came and went, sometimes strong. Third, wind from the north west causing chop on the water. Fourth, no tide. It dropped about 6-inches and we actually missed when it changed from incoming to outgoing. Fifth, fantastic topwater conditions. But not one topwater strike. Sixth, of the total of 9 boated bass, only one came on a spinnerbait. And it was a dink that we culled. Seventh, all others but one came on plastics on a spinning rig by wood, be it blow downs, docks, piers or boathouses. They would not hit anything other than the one on a spinnerbait. Only plastics. Eighth, I caught our last keeper along a grass line by a drop off at the mouth of a creek giving us four keepers off plastics on wood and one keeper on plastics off a grass line. Ninth, we won the tournament with only 11.8 pounds. Tenth, our big fish and the tournament winner was 3.5 pounds. Eleventh, did not matter if we fished in a protected area or in a creek with the wind blowing and the rain flowing. I lost two in calm waters in a protected creek and my co-angler lost two in the windy conditions. Twelfth, as the crow flies, we were about 60-miles south from where you were fishing so you would think the bass would do basically the same thing in the same weather conditions. I guess this is what makes bass fishing such a challenge. Great story, Keep 'em coming and congrats on an outstanding bag

Great news. I know the bass will be hiding now that they heard the news. Post pics of your catches. Enjoy your time on the water.

Thanks for the info. Had no idea the baits were discontinued. Hope they keep the H20 frogs. Best frogs in the marketplace.

My favorite cold water technique is put on my sweats and a warm sweat shirt along with my cotton and fuzzy sox, turn on the family room TV to a football game, put my snacks and drinks on an end table, sit back in the recliner covered with a soft quilt, and enjoy the warm temperatures of home. I do this when the outside temperature drops below 70 and is really cold.

http://easttnfishingshow.com/

Macintosh make outstanding pies and apple sauce.

Ed-Zachery! I use the heavy blue ones and they do an OK job. Keeps your hands dry. Give 'em a shot. You can pick up a box of a gazillion at your local drug store. Just note if they are the heavy ones.

Anything goes in bass fishing. New technique that we all need to try next year. Thanks for sharing.

X2

Have fun at the game. Nothing like an SEC football game. The Vols are getting better each contest and will pull an upset sooner or later. They will be in the top echelon of the SEC in a few years. Let us know if you went fishing and how you did. Geaux Tigers! I love the fishing expos. Sooner or later the show will be on the Internet with the seminar times and list of vendors. Keep looking. Here is the site for the Richmond show to give you an idea of what the Tennesssee show should have for your review: http://www.richmondfishingexpo.com/ Not only will you see new items you will rub shoulders with the movers and shakers in Tennessee fishing. If they are having any seminars you can really learn from them and the pros will sign your cap so bring a Sharpie with you. I enjoyed reading that this show is growing. Sorry to say our Richmond Fishing Expo at the end of January seems to be getting smaller and smaller each year. I still go on Friday and take in a seminar or two, but my main goal is to see my old friends and acquaintances and their products and services. Also have nice conversations with the Conservation Officers about nailing those pesky jet skiers who are drinking, acting in unsafe manners, and do not have their Virginia Safe Boating cards. Last year I scored the last three maps of Lake Chesdin since GMCO is not producing them anymore. And a few ago years my friend who invented the Grass Goat introduced them at the Richmond Expo. I have one on my trolling motor and no grass or pads can stop me!!!!! MegaStrike was always there but they no longer attend. Miss seeing Bobby each year. So go to the show. It is worth the drive. And you may want to bring a large bag for the handouts, cards, and freebies. Have fun and give us the details of your trip and the Expo.

You are welcome. Just remember to consider dipping the fluke's tail with a little lime dye.

Nailed a nice one via having the crankbait snag him in the side while fishing Lake Anna.

I had no idea felt sole boots were illegal in Maryland. So you can't use your cell phone while driving and you can't wear felt sole boots to fish. I wonder if the felt sole boots are an injury hazard.

Who's got it Me Is it required where you live - No What is the cost? $303

Now your friend is just plain funny. If he is doing well with Senkos in a retention pond then let him have his fun. I bet he knows he would phloch if he went fishing in a real boat and had to use other baits when the Senko bite is turned off. I would pepper him with questions about what colors he uses, the sizes, presentations, length of his rod, line test, hooks, how he rigs the Senko, has he tasted the salt in them, does he use any weights, where does he buy them, how does he store them, does he use any scent, has he used any coloring, like JJ's Magic, how long does he let the dinks run before he sets the hook, has he had any problems with the dinks swallowing the Senkos, and anything else you can think of to drive him nuts. He will either continue to brag or run away when he sees you.

Josh, are you wading in rocks or mud bottoms? If rocks, you want a felt sole on your wading shoes. If mud then anything goes as long as you can get your foot out of the shoes in case you get stuck in the mud. I have felt soled boots to fish rocks in the Historic James River. Do not wear them anywhere else. I don't like the water socks and don't wear them. Too bulky.

Ksam, winter is a great time to organize, clean up, repair and service all of your fishing tackle and baits; change out treble hooks; take inventory; and make plans for next year. Great way to spend a winter day organizing baits and taking the line off of your spools as you release the drag and spool tension on each reel and watch the Giants or Islanders on TV. You have time to check all rod guides; wash off the rods in the shower; take inventory of what you need when the after Christmas sales hit us; look over your maps and make notes as to what you remember about the waters you fish; and have all reels serviced by a professional, etc. So we can't be on the water but we can have some fun with our tackle when it is cold and gloomy outside. Its fun and you may be surprised at what you can find that you forgot you had.

Super bag. Definitely in the tournament money, if you were in a tournament. And that Senko I discussed with you is not the 958 color. Looked at my notes and the GY people said that its color is close to the 958. I think the plastic is not a Senko. Funny thing, I fished the Chick where the Senko is supposed to work and did not throw it. But back to your thread, great catches. Mostly on plastics??? Any topwater bites?

Congrats. Now go out and get a 10-pound lady!!!!

Fantastic Outstanding Sensational Way to go Great Wonderful Congratulations You did good!!!! Now, go out there and get a bigger one!!!!!!!!!

That's great. The last rod I lost was in a pond as I was fishing out of my big, rubber raft. Went to cast, crankbait hook got caught on rod, and as I casted over it went into 20-feet of water in the middle of the pond. Rod and reel still down there.

I would stay home and watch football!!!! OK, if I was going fishing I would have the understanding that the fishing will be tough and I would scale down my plastics and line size to 8 pound test on a spinning setup and 1) hit all wood, 2) work my way out from the bank, 3) throw small Shad Raps, and 4) try topwater all day long. Small Senkos and then finesse worms with 1/16 ounce weights rigged wacky may work. You want the bait to fall slow as the cooler the water the more lethargic are the bass. You can downsize to no weight on your finesse presentations or go with a smaller tungsten weight. Shad Raps can work great in these conditions. Just throw them on a spinning rig with no more than 8-pound test. And don't forget to rig and throw on a spinnerbait setup crappie baits on 6 pound test. Sometimes crappie baits can work great in tough conditions. Plus you can also throw a shaky head or a Ned Rig or a drop shot. The world is open to your presentations. Speaking of presentations, try "dead sticking" with a finesse or trick worm, leaving the plastic bait sit on the bottom for five minutes at a time. Just let it sit there and keep a finger on the line to feel for any strikes. If all else fails, make plans to attend a NASCAR race in Talladega. Good luck and give some thought as to what you have confidence. Just experiment until you find the pattern.

Topwater, it depends. For fun fishing I will go with smaller baits to catch lots of fish. In it for the fun and excitement of the fight and a lot of action. For tournaments, after getting my limit, I will go after the big ones, knowing that fishing for the larger ladies will take time and patience and the understanding that I may not get a bite. So what do I throw? Actually, it is a 1/2 ounce jig with a six-inch Senko or Zoom crawfish chunks. I like the Senkos more and more as I believe it attracts more bites, even those from smaller bass and bluegills which can drive you crazy. If you want to catch the ladies, upsize your swimbaits, jigs, Whooper Ploppers, and plastic on heavy line (17 pound test or more on a heavy baitcaster rod - check the bait and line test parameters) and just be patient. You may or may not score but you can add the adventure to your memory for future reference. Have fun!