Choporoz

I suggest you take a small step back and breath. We all care very much for our fisheries. You simply came in sounding a bit judgemental and made claims about the impact on the fisheries that you can't come near backing up. Take that passion to your local DNR office and see if they need a volunteer -- or organize a shore clean up....or something else where you can actually make a difference - as opposed to yelling at the wind without a hint of data other than a single fish data point

Thank you. I'm so glad that a fisheries biologist could join us and weigh in on what is best for the waters. Yes!! By all means, we need more laws and more government to legislate against fishermen doing what the DNRs have so foolishly neglected to outlaw!! Rise UP! Write your congressmen! Maybe we can organize a protest at your local lake? Boycott taxidermists! Please post a link to the scientific studies that you have that show 'harmful to the fisheries' and how the 'lakes near (you) have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass'. We probably should outlaw all bass fishing. Even if just for like 10 or 15 years...to let NJ lakes recover.

Curiously, I've never heard of it. Sat images look like concrete ramp. I'd be interested to know how you do there. Mooney is interesting, but probably a difficult launch. Smith is another one that intrigues me -- only had a yak on it once...and the only ramps I know are on Quantico, but there are probably others on the other side. Lake Ridge is open year round, so you can TM the Occoquan reservoir. I'm not sure if Pelham is open year round, but you can call Orange city. The ramps on both ends should be good for you. Burke should be ok to launch, also -- not the park, but the 'fisherman ramp'.

What rod, line and chatterbait brands are you using? I quit trying chatterbaits for about 2-3 years after starting with zman originals -- don't think I ever hooked up with them. Now that I use better lures, MHF rod w/40# braid, the only time I miss is when they don't bother to hit until 3 feet from the boat....I do miss a good number like that every year.

My crate almost always has five boxes: spinnerbaits/chatterbaits trebles terminal jigs other - generally, one labeled 'primary' - packed for that day's expected usage -- so the others are mostly back-up I move stuff in and out of boxes nearly every day, even when I'm not fishing... But, especially, the 'primary' box -- as far as the "wouldn't need to be gone through"....that isn't something I've ever been concerned about -- I REALLY enjoy 'going through' my 'ready-use' boxes and plastics. If not, I'd go nuts on days I 'can't' fish

CutR is worm/swimbait/flipping lure/Senko/shakey head bait.. all rolled into one

I know a man who can spend an entire tourny day within a city block throwing nothing but a jig and regularly be in the money.

Lots....at least in kayak tournys. KBF has lots of extremely talented female bass fisherwomen.

You didn't have to crank the 3/4 just a little bit faster to get same sort of bottom contact?

KBF and TourneyX are great places to start....after you talk to DNR (or county or city), as @slonezp suggested. Ask yourself if you want to fish tournaments? Or, are you interested in making tournaments available to others? I know that many do both, but I think you should dedicate yourself to organization and leadership for the first year...or more. Even a small club with a small schedule is going to be very rewarding, but it is going to take some work to get it done well. Contact KBF (not through the rather public Facebook page, but email the national organization). I have confidence that TourneyX will be easy to work with, but know that they don't do it for free. Have you talked to regional clubs that are KBF or BASS or Hobie BASS or any other orgs? There may be a regional or (near-regional?) that you can work with....or around.

IDK. I got 7.5 to be sure.

I don't have that unit, but I very highly recommend Noco Genius based on the portable one that I do have.

On further consideration, I think it was Billions.

Yellowstone?

First things come to mind are spike strips or land mines. EPA takes almost any level of offense reporting. I'd think that even if lax, that local law would have to take the report if you think there's a public health hazard. Most every town/county/city has some sort of community forum or outreach capability. Local tv news might latch on, also if you can lead them to some juicy 'in the act' shots

I don't see anything on the NOVA parks site that leads me to think that I wouldn't try fishing it. Unless you're bypassing clearly marked 'closed' signs/ramps, why not?

@RichF and @12poundbass, I don't disagree with you.....depending on the objectives. sounds more like the director (or the field) places more emphasis on fun, than on competition. This may not be the same as teaching 10 year olds how to lose and how to be competitive. I think most areas have room for both kinds of tournaments. I've done both and both have their place. I have no problem dialing down the competitive factors if that's what the TD and the field will like best....he may even find that the big sticks enjoy it more if it the field starts enjoying tourny days more.

Golf and bowling addressed this by handicapping leagues. If you have such a consistent competitive curve, maybe that's an option to try. Maybe with time or lbs/inches? Or, perhaps change it up by adjusting the prize money somewhat; payout smaller % in top 2-3 slots and spread payout farther down. Throw in a 'small bass' payout - even if 2% of gross....or put part of the entrance fees into 'door prizes' - or bbq -- If you can make this more about a socially satisfying group, than having consistent sharks won't be as much of a turn-off.

+1 Doesn't mean I won't try. But a couple of skunks in a row when water temps are stuck in the 40s and I take it as a sign that I should be organizing tackle, maintaining gear or upgrading my kayak instead. I also remind myself how much sweeter those first days are going to be when they come out of hibernation.

Google's creepy weird.....just a couple hours after posting that....my Google News feed links to an item about KVD drop shotting with 1/2 oz weights

I have no evidence or stats, but my sense lately is that pros seem to be using a lot more weight lately for all kinds of applications.... 3/4 oz lipless and bladed jigs in shallow weeds; pitching laydowns with 1oz jigs; 3/4 oz shakey heads; bubba shotting, etc. May just be imagining it, but it seems I'm often surprised at the weights lately when a pro talks details about what he's throwing BTW, I fished in pretty strong current two days ago and I couldn't put 3/8 oz drop shot any where near where I wanted it.

I tried six or eight rods before settling on a 7' MHF Aetos. There's times I wish it was a couple inches longer, like when covering vast shallow grass flats, but otherwise it is perfect. Weight and feel are key. I spend hours on end throwing chatterbaits and I wouldn't want a heavier rod. I have considered composite (Kistler FNR) but was always able to keep the monkey at bay. I just don't have any problem that a different rod might solve. I also use braid exclusively and hooking and keeping them hooked hasn't been a problem for me.

I still use 18 with 8# leader on most of my spinning reels

I had zee same experience....but, man they sure look good to me. Deep Creek and Power Team were same way for me....I take full credit/blame for the lack of production on all 3 brands

That is a great question. For me, if I ever stop to think about it, because my speed is not right.... I am retrieving too fast.....except on rare occassions that I'm retrieving too slow.