flyfisher

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/022006fotw.php Basically it is the style that is somewhat like a conventional swim jig. Takes a lot of thread to build up the head then coat it but the results are money as you can see by the flies on this thread. Really a pretty fly that isn't super hard to tie but super effective. I have been focusing primarily on the river lately so I haven't tied many lately but when I get the largemouth urge and don't want to chuck big game changers, these are near the top of my list, even though mine don't look nearly as nice as @Fallser

Had the perfect example yesterday.....was throwing poppers of various types with minimal success. Switched over to a clouser floating minnow...think your classic rapala but a fly version and caught this guy. I proceeded to catch a bunch more with this fly too so they wanted something with a different profile.

Watching this video it doesn't look nearly the same type of situation nor does the description match. Seems more like a guy getting hit because he couldn't see past those cars and then got ticked off over the entire ordeal.

Been crazy for me with the school year ending, travel soccer ending and tournaments so I haven't been able to tie much but today I decided to give it a whirl after a few month hiatus. Finesse gamechanger and a Howitzer using the same material.

Conventional gear I use a popper all the time until I don't. Same for fly fishing. My go to will be a popper of some sort and then I switch as needed. In moving water the best popper presentations I have had are straight up dead drifts through likely areas. This is why I like a fly rod on rivers because I can get a fly to drift through the likely areas and then recast 2-3 times in the time it would take to do one cast on conventional.

LOL.....Anything labeled true story and friend of a friend is 99.999% of the time false...most urban legends start this way. This is true and it was a friend of mine or a friend of a friend etc.... Maybe the guy legit accidentally backed into her and when he wanted to validate no damage with her and she refused he said screw it and left since there was no damage....that is easily as believable as the other made up part too but it wouldn't be passed around. https://www.d1tactical.com/post/social-media-story-~-the-backup-van A quick search can see that this is a story circulating and has been for years.

I'd want to fish all the east coast rivers I now fish for smallies when they had trout instead.

Inflatables are not good for fishing if you are paddling like mentioned above. If it were me, I would sock that money away and try and figure out how/here I could store a traditional kayak. The paddleboard type option on a traditional model might be worth looking at as well and those can be stored inside pretty easily.

Yup, I love mine. I also wouldn't get one without side imaging. The lakes I fish are mostly shallow >15' and it allows me to eliminate places that probably won't hold fish. I also love the mapping and waypoint feature as I can mark something on my side imaging then use the casting circles on my Helix to let me know when I am in range of said waypoint without having to paddle over it.

I prefer braid myself but it definitely works and is worth learning

pistachio

If they are pre spawn i would go moving baits that make a lot of vibration given the high muddy water. If that doesn't produce then I would be looking for current breaks and fishing tight to cover. Around here the smallies generally don't relate to wood cover much except in high muddy conditions but then they are dead tight against it most times. These areas could be potential spawning spots too. Here in central VA the primary fish have already spawned and moved on and the areas that are most productive to me are tail end of pools and current seams close to spawning areas. I am fishing with a fly rod so my choices are different but basically anything that you can get in front of them that looks natural, they will eat it. Topwater has also been hot for me but I don't know as much for conventional gear.

all depends but i have been known to fish the sunset and sunrise in that order on more than one occasion.

Only time I have had success on points is windy days and on the downwind side....other than that unless i see something either on my fish finder or my own eyes that makes that point stand out i.e. a laydown or steep drop with cover etc....i usually keep looking.

I'd like a hog island boatworks set up with a tohatsu 60/40 jet with center console, poling platform and a trolling motor big enough to hold me in river current.

screw lock on it and add a craw...looks a lot like the confidence baits draggin head that I use for smallies

I have a C tug that i've had for a few years that I would be willing to sell for a decent price if you are interested......

The last two seasons I’m probably 90% fly with the main exception is winter. as far as efficiency goes, while it seems conventional is more efficient I’m not 100% sure. If my cast is off a few feet I can pick up my fly and recast it in less time than you can reel and throw again. fly fishing sucks deeper than 10’ though

Easiest way to tell is the mouth. Hickory shad the lower jaw extends past the upper and on an american the lower jaw fits into the top jaw. I've also seen that the hickory seems a little more flat on the back with the american being more rounded from the dorsal fin to the mouth area. then of course there is the size....american shad are generally much larger on average as well.

Looking good man

Deck heights on both boats are the same so I’d e curious on the actual seat height. I’ll assure mine tomorrow. I’ve had my kayak sitting next to a bonafide at the ramp and didn’t see any noticeable difference. I’ll also agree with @J Francho on the paddle stroke. Your core does the work if done properly.

Why do you think the paddle is short? That’s a long padle and the same length I use on my atak140. As far as rigging, I’ve owned lots of kayaks and rarely rig anything permanent until a few trips. I don’t use a net, more stuff to get in the way. I prefer flush mounts for conventional gear myself but again, preference. enjoy the kayak

Haven’t fished there in a few years as I’ve focused on rivers closer to home but I do want to get back out there. I have had some good success there the few times I’ve been.

SI and rarely use my DI but often use the 2d.