Brayberry

Abu Garcia for me, as I love the Revo

If all else fails, figure out your average skipping distance you need to go, we'll say 40 feet. Strip off the 40 feet of line then put a piece of tape over the line on the spool, and reel in the 40 feet of line and tie on your bait as normal. Now you can skip as normal but if you should backlast you only will backlast that 40 feet, it'll be quick and easy to pick out, and your while spool isn't ruined

There are plenty of confirmed sightings of Cottonmouths in Virginia, just a FYI

I'd guess somewhere between 9 - 10 lbs. I caught a 9 lber there and it was 26 and a quarter inches a few years ago and this fish was bigger

No weigh as I caught her at 630 am and wasn't heading in till around 2, so I just got pictures and a length (27 inches). She was released

I braved the lake today and got rewarded

I just catch more on braid tied skirts vs wire tied, apparently I'm the only one. In the end, a tied skirt in any fashion is better then any band in my book

Being from Suffolk, I can tell you the weather has been terrible the last week. Everyday is a thunderstorm. Fishing has been awful. I've been catching them on a spinnerbait near bluegill beds or spawning shad.

River2Sea Now that I've taken a 2nd look I don't think it is

I solely use skirt that are hand tied, but won't use wire tied. I feel like when the wire is cut it leaves a small sharp, pointy area, that could cause the fish to reject the bait after sucking it in.

If I could compromise, I get high dollar reels, cheap rods, and sub $5 rackle If I had to go by your scenario, I'd use the high dollar rods and reels and sub $4 tackle. Lotsa great tackle under $4 (Yum, Zoom, Havoc)

For me it'd be a light action St Croix Travel Rod, packs down small and is light so easy to carry around. For the Reel it'd be a Pflueger President Limited Edition, with braid or 6 - 8 lb test. With that combo I should be able to get crappie, bass, catfish, bluegill, trout, walleye, etc

Definately go to the Dugout, one of the best tackle shops I've ever been in. Great staff (If Craig is still there, he knew everything, and super nice guy)

Was this male actually locked on the bed? Or was he getting ready to spawn?

For my travel rod I use a DSG's store brand rod (Inferno), works great, and only $25. I'm not going to go all out for a rod that stays in my truck

I throw a lot of bluegill colored baits. Typically they have either a gold or green base color then have orange, little blue, chartreuse, and/or purple

DSG has their house brand rods at 20% off, some of those rods aren't bad at all, especially for $20 - $25 apiece

If your gonna fish Lake Prince, you better throw a crankbait, instead of the weightless stuff, at least for the bass 4+

I have the same issue as I have a Ford Ranger. You can just stick your rods in a cheap Walmart sleeping bag, then tie it down in the corners of the truck bed. Also closed cell foam works well as to lay under your rods, it just needs to be secured to keep from coming out. I've also stuck my rods in a old blanket and rolled them up and secured them with a rubber band or rope to keep them closed.

Havoc Money Maker is deadly!!!

I use their Grass Pigs a lot and the finesse worms

It works well for bigger bodies of water but locally where I'm from, anything under 2000 acres or so has 0 detail, and even the shape of the lakes are way way off

Since your making all the heads, I'd say Head Hunters Jigs, Jack'd Jigs, or Ditch Pickle Jigs

I do great with the Grass Pig Jr, no issues

I could do just fine with nothing but Zoom and Yum baits, if I could have a 3rd it'd be Havoc.