Choporoz

I was reminded of this thread this morning while driving. I pulled up behind an exterminator truck at a stop light. The "motto" on the back said "We kill bugs for fun". Rubbed me the wrong way a little.

I dunno....how's she look clothed?

I love blade baits, but don't use them much, if at all, from May through August. Part of the reason, of course, is that in my head, they are cold water lures. But, there's other reasons: first, I tend to fish them on the bottom - and once grass, moss, weeds start growing, there aren't a lot of places to bounce them very cleanly; second, and maybe most importantly, is that blade baits are probably the most expensive lure I've ever used...the rate of lost lure to fish is astronomical in the woody waters I fish most often. So, when other lures seem to make more sense for other reasons, like what the 'experts' say, well....the blade baits will probably stay in the box until the leaves start to turn. @Crestliner2008's suggestion about single hooks might make them more tempting to use.

I love Big Ugly Plug Knockers (ebay.) However, I'm not certain how well they'd work from the bank. They work best when the line is as close to straight up and down as possible.

I am afraid that the variety of responses you are about to get isn't going to simplify things for you very much....lots of different preferences out there. For me, I've simplified a bit in recent years: Leader knots: Alberto - size and strength works for me and I can tie it fairly confidently, even on the water Loop: haven't used a loop knot much lately, but never had a problem with braid -- not sure what the issue might be Lure: -Palomar for braid and for drop shot (easy, confident in strength and lack of slippage.) -San Diego Jam for all others. Used improved clinch for years without an issue until I was using some really fine line a couple years ago (may have been 4#...prob 6) and had a lot of trouble with slipping and breaking. Tried SDJ and found it easy and reliable I think you'll find that most any recognized/named knot will work for bass fishing. Most important is finding knots that you will tie correctly. Winningest Knot Wars knot is useless if I screw up tying it...or if it takes me from fishing for 20 minutes.

KastKing has lots of fans on here, but I know nothing about the models. How old is your combo? I only ask as a way to have you consider bumping up your budget a bit. There are folks who have had some luck with Abu Max reels lasting several seasons...but, I suspect that's the exception. I think that if you can save a bit and push your budget for a reel closer to $100, you may find that you not only have a better performing reel, but one that is likely to last at least twice as long....lots of variables and differing experiences, but that is my opinion after having owned a variety of low and mid-ranged reels.

A lot of companies sell variations of color called Okeechobee - is the blue too bright in those?

I've broken maybe five rods in 50+ years of fishing. One was super cheap; two were very clearly my fault; and two were $200 rods that both broke in first hour of use; one on the first cast/fish. If an 'experienced' fisherman breaks a rod first time out with it, I would rush to judgement about rod defect/quality.

This is a key point of information I missed in the OP....what make/model rod?

I've read this six or seven times and I'm struggling to understand....I'd estimate that 99% of my hang-ups and snags are freed using the rod.

No idea where you are at in NC, but IIRC, if you're in the east, you can't go five miles on any highway without running into a bait shop/tackle shop. Prices might be better on line, but the advice you get will be worth far more than those savings. I, too, highly recommend tacklewarehouse *. You might find sale price on individual items lower elsewhere at times, but the free shipping and selection will blow any online competitor away. And as you build your box, keep in mind that you really can/should try to keep it simple.....it only takes a few visits to BR before you find yourself filling online shopping carts every day....plastic worms, flukes and a couple creatures, weights, hooks, spinnerbait, pliers, line, nippers/clippers/knife, couple crankbaits, rattletrap and a jig....start there and you can accomplish most everything.

Grippers are a must. I also keep a pair of spreaders handy. Works on flatheads, less so on blues, but great for snakeheads.

Would be great if you could get to a store and handle a few different ones. I have 7' MHF rods from four different manufacturers...and they all have very different feels. Unfortunately all have been recently phased out, so I won't recommend any specific ones. If I was going to order one right now (max $200) without holding it, I'd base it upon everything I've read, and I'd get a Tatula (not xt), Avid, St. Croix, Kistler, IRod, or Dobyns and be confident in my purchase....or I'd try to find someone familiar with three or more of them and pick their brains.

Yep! @Junger, its an easy sell for me. Lots of long weekends up there. We've stayed at the 8 and the Hampton Inn, in Front Royal and at the Hotel Strasburg a few miles west; you've also got the park right there if you camp. Nice thing about Strasburg, if you need to help close the sale is that the 'Emporium' there is one of the biggest, most reasonable antique markets in the region. Side trips to do the Skyline drive or casino/races up in Charlestown. We spend a lot of time out that way, but almost always with one or more days on the Shenandoah.

Pohick is on Gunston Cove (Potomac River) Bull Run is part of the O.Rez, so 9.9 restrictions apply. The ramp is more than sufficient for the average 12-16' rez-size boats...probably bigger ones, too. Trailer parking avail, but somewhat limited at the ramp - more up the hill. You do need a launch pass and a key, however. BRM isn't 'manned'.

I, too, love that Owner head/hook in current. Has been best for me, by far, as far as not getting hung up and for getting good hooksets. And with the wide gap, the plastics you can use on it are endless.

oh...sorry..I thought you might also have a yak....when I was limited to rentals, I found: Fountainhead, and Lake Ridge on the rez. Hunting Run - in Chancellorsville - great water Brittle - I've never done well Burke - always tough for me And these which may or may not still rent - -Pohick - Jon boats - no motors, but you can byo; limited hours, but can be lights out...or skunksville -Motts Run - don't think I ever had a bite there -Anna - I used to rent rowboats from Sturgeon Creek marina, but their web site didn't list them anymore last time I checked -If you're military or DoD, you can rent boats on AP Hill edited to add: Almost forgot - canoe and kayak rentals on the Shenandoah - We love Front Royal Canoe - great service, reasonable prices and great fishing -- you can float down and they'll pick you up; or, they can drop you upriver and you can float back to them.

Or, you could get some braid....or fish something with thinner hooks. Sorry to be a smartazz, but if it were me and I was headed to froggy water without braid, I'd be throwing flukes or rage bugs or worms on lighter wire hooks. I just wouldn't have any confidence that I could effectively fish a frog on that line.

It was more than strong enough for me. Since I didn't hook up, it was plenty strong.

Nope. Locked gate, ramp with pier on either side and somewhat limited parking. Some HS crew teams practice there afternoons and it can be a little crazy between 3:30 and about 7, but I've never had any problems with them.

Cover is just one reason I use braid for frogs. Perhaps the bigger reason, for me, is that it doesn't stretch. When I first tried frogs, I used line other than braid and it was nothing but frustration. I clearly remember that morning....more than a dozen impressive blow-ups and ZERO hook-ups.

Just got my new key Sunday. To me it is worth WAY more than the $20 it cost me. Just kayaking different water would be sufficient. But what makes it so valuable to me is that I get to control when I arrive or leave. You can hit BRM at 4AM...or leave at midnight. When I go after work, I've been known to stay out until 10-11 o'clock. Getting on the water 90 minutes before sunrise is pretty special, too. Going up river is a nice paddle, if not always productive. You can also access Occoquan River above the splits, which generally is quite productive. I like paddling from LR and Fountainhead, but I prefer BRM to both.

I've thrown my 6" Punker on my 7'11" HF punching rod, rated up to 2oz. Not quite like walking a spook, but I find it better than getting separate rod for such a narrow part of my game.

These same straps came with my Thule racks (2 dif sets.) I love them. Going into fourth year of heavy use with little noticeable wear at all. They aren't cheap, but the hold is outstanding and the durability means they're easily worth twice any strap that lasts only half as long.

I thought fly fishermen would rather be caught driving a Chevy than publicly associate with us bass fishing commoners.