Choporoz

I see a lot of threads about late season fishing from points north of here and I feel the need to urge caution on the water (even to those who practice it always.) The front from one of the storms blowing across the nation hit this area in very sudden and dramatic fashion on Saturday. And with tragedy for local tournament fishermen. While they weren't bass fishing, specifically, they were on a boat that most would feel safe in nearly any weather. http://www.wbaltv.com/article/2-men-die-after-fishing-boat-capsizes-in-potomac-river/8345259 I was out on a Potomac tributary at the time and I've NEVER seen weather come in like it did Saturday. I knew there were winds forecast for late afternoon, but the day was spectacular and I couldn't resist going out in my kayak. It went from dead calm to 40 mph gusts straight down the river in less than 10 seconds. I made it back safely, but not terribly smartly -- I probably should have pulled into an alternate local marina and called for a ride to my car....but, stubborn as I am, I paddled the 3/4 mile back into increasingly bad water. Not the smartest thing I've done, but I have hopefully learned (once again) to respect mother nature and her weather when on the water. Be careful and be safe out there, my friends.

I got a pair of 6'6" MF spinning rods, along with an Abu UL. I already have the Aetos spinning in a 7'MF and absolutely love it. I had a MHF casting rod in my cart, as well, but deferred that....for at least another day anyway

I threw one in the cart for her....maybe that'll deflect enough heat that neither of us will have to worry.....much

dang, George....I'm telling my wife it's your fault

HA! I've been dragged all over this year. I also hooked a large carp in the tail....that was about a 20 minute ride. but it was mostly in big circles. I've caught a half dozen large (>#7) catfish from the kayak this year; one of which was 40#

An interview I read...few years old, but fwiw: When fishing shallow, he turns off all of his electronics to further hide his presence. "They can hear the 'tick, tick, tick' that the sonar makes," allows (Casey) Ashley. Mr. Allen, I am not going to argue, but I've heard clicking from some (older?) sonars and I'd be surprised if fish couldn't sense it, too. That said, I have no clue what a bass may or may not be able to hear or feel, so you may well be correct. Either way, I also couldn't begin to guess that even if they CAN hear/feel sonar (or any other noise from your boat), I also wouldn't guess to predict how it would affect their chance of taking your lure.

Wasn't too brand loyal before this year. I scattered my cash across Gammy, VMC, Mustad, Eagle Lazer, etc. No 'generics' or BPS hooks, however. I've gotten so that given a choice for a particular size/style, I'll almost always go with Owner nowadays. Took me too long to find out that the extra cost, if any, is well worth it.

I grew up fishing almost exclusively for walleye...but, funny timing for this question......My answer without thinking about it is, bass only. But, just yesterday...I was fishing for bass and the bite was pretty tough. I caught a couple on blade baits, but far more bluegill. If pressed, I might have to admit that I could have been targeting schools on the sonar that I should have known, maybe weren't bass.......because, while I hate to admit it, sometimes catching any fish is more fun that NOT catching bass....but it is pretty rare that it happens for me..:) I will also admit that my wife and I love hitting the shad when they come up the rivers here in the spring. No monsters, but a great fighting fish every third or fourth cast is an absolute blast.

Last thing you want to worry about once your on the water, is LTE...(line test envy.) Once you've glanced over and seen your fishing partner has 50# braid, you'll dang sure not go out with that 10# stuff again

Interwebs pictures didn't lie. Watauga is truly a beautiful lake. Stayed in a cabin on the lake at http://www.lakeshore-resort.com/ Off-season, so the cost of lake-view cabin was less than anywhere else we stayed the rest of the trip. (I think it was $76/night incl tax.) Unreal. Only fished Watauga on Fri. And it was a fairly windy day, so we didn't get on the main lake. Found a marina that was somewhat sheltered (Mallard Cove.) They let us park at the shore and didn't charge a launch fee. Nice. We paddled all the coves in that arm of the lake without getting onto real big water. I only caught two - one smallie and one spot. Wife was skunked. Not nearly enough time to figure much out from the kayaks -- much different lake than we're used to. One ledge went from 17' to 100' in very short order...no clue what to do with that....lol.....But, it was a beautiful day and a great lake that I'd like to get back to. Spent a few hours late Sun kayaking from Swann's on Douglas, but got nothing other than two small crappies. Another lake that it is going to take some time to learn.

Thanks! Looks like a beautiful lake. Will post results/impressions next week.

Will be spending a few days in/around Johnson City this weekend; and probably bringing yaks. I've heard that Boone was drained, so I was looking at Watauga. Looks beautiful. Anybody here fish it at all? Lately? Thanks!

PMS. There's some decent guides out there on the interwebs, but there's also a TON of very conflicting info (opinions.) (just try asking on here about mono vs fluoro stretch.. ) I've decided to forgo much of the debate and use braid or Yo-Zuri Hybrid for everything. I do get crazy and mix it up by putting a YZ leader on braid sometimes, but that's it. If you do go the YZ route, get yourself some KVD Line and Lure conditioner. I am a huge fan of YZ/KVD L&L combo.

**** cancer

As has been said many times above, it depends. I took five rods in my kayak on Saturday and used all of them. I took seven on a boat in a reservoir yesterday and used six of them. Only four rods were common for each trip. Some smallmouth river yak trips I take all spinning rods. Some days on the Potomac I don't take one spinning rod. Starting out, I'd suggest one fast tip spinning rod, one MH casting rod and one M casting rod

Not an argument that I'll ever side with, I'm afraid I think that part of the reason that this discussion rarely produces much agreement is because different sticks might excellent in specific rigging/water/situations, etc. Whereas a Senko will excel on a trig, wacky, rage rig, etc...not all sticks have the right shimmy for a wacky, but might work great on a trig.....no tests done, just a thought. For me, I stick with Senkos....I do have some Salty Cores and Sassy Sticks, that come close sometimes.....the Gander, BPS, Dingers....never did anything for me at all.

#1 is 3.8 lb. #2 is 3.4 lb #3 is 4.9 lb #4 is 4.7 lb What do I win?

or.....maybe not so much

That's JUST what we need...it isn't hard enough already. BTW, ETS, I my money is on 'smallmouth' ....

Hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like their regular spool has rubber, also...but maybe just bumpy. tried to post link to the Lews page for that reel that has a pic of each spool, but I cannot include the link for some reason. But, I'll bet googling 'lew's high speed spinning' will work for most

Hoping not to jack your thread too far, but what's the difference between a braid spool and the 'regular' spool? Aside from color?

I have a Parknpole. I know...it seemed silly to me, too...spending that much when I could make one...but, I've been VERY happy with it and it is highly unlikely that I could have made one this good for less $$.

I got scared (or smart?) and didn't go out at all Saturday...was tough because the wife was out busy....sad. Did go yesterday. Fished from Fountainhead up past Ryan's Dam a ways and back. Only five bass, all decent but one. Every one on a chatterbait. Kept trying to force other stuff, but nothing else worked for me. My wife did get one on a lipless, however. Seemed like good conditions for a blade bait. First cast I landed a huge carp. Hooked in the mouth. I've never caught a carp that wasn't snagged before. Three casts later, I landed an even huger flathead. Pulled that little jon boat a good ways...lol. That makes four flathead this year between 15 and 40 pounds; every one on something different. Also caught a crappie on the blade bait before losing it in submerged woods.

Usual suspects...heavy dose of Rage Tail, mostly. However, I spent a fair amount of time working on my finesse game. Thanks, in large part, to Charlie Brewer. He's known for his heads and his techniques, but his smallish selection of 'bass' plastics are winners.

I may be misunderstanding...does your entire Whopper Popper spin? And it goes under water? If so, I suspect your going to need more than a swivel. Each of those conditions are a long, long way from anything I've seen mine do.