Choporoz

I think it is apparent that you NEED to fix this.....whatever that means. If you do NOT fix this, you will FOREVER wonder if you wouldn't have caught more bigger fish the day you used a spray-paint-smelling bait. You already have doubts...your mind is already toast about this and that's all that really matters.

lol

Ebay. Big Ugly Plug Knocker. I swear by them.

What I think you need is just one. AND a Frabill 15' Lure Retriever (36.99)

Optimum Baby Line Through

I assume you've spent some time on the Shenandoah.... I've rented canoes from Front Royal Canoe and floated the South Fork for smallies a couple of times and absolutely loved it. I don't get as far west as 81 very often for fishing, but I'd also be interested to read replies.

Here in VA, you do it online and they email it to you. No reason at all not to have multiple copies. I have one in my tackle box, one in my kayak crate, one in my wallet and the digital always avail on my phone. I did have one warden who accepted the phone version, but didn't really like it and suggested that next time we meet I should have a paper copy on me.

Funny. I saw them on the Rocks tour in '76 and it was easily the worst concert I ever saw. I paid almost $9, IIRC. Tyler was so wasted, I never understood a single word he sang. The opening act, Starz was better.

Welcome. My only suggestion is that if prior to purchasing, you have an opportunity to handle the gear you are considering, please do so. I predict that in the long run, the feel and balance of the reel on your chosen rod is going to be far more important than spool size. I got a 3000 reel sight-unseen and while it is a sweet operating machine, it is, IMO, oversized for the rods that I was targeting putting it on.

Did you get a good look at it? The noise you describe makes me think beaver. Years ago, before I'd ever been close to a beaver slap, I spent over an hour after sunset chasing what I was certain must be the biggest bass in the lake only to finally discover that I was following a dang beaver

single best? pretty hard to pick just one.....gun to my head, I'd probably have to settle on Rush Farewell to Kings tour in early '78.

Not every day, but oftentimes there'll be big boats out there running TM only. One day last September, there was a group of about 6 or 8 boats; Skeeters, Tritons, Rangers, etc. came out together and all just ran TM. Not sure if you're supposed to disconnect the fuel line and raise it out of the water or not. There was a guy running a big boat earlier this year at high speed, but its the only time I've seen it. I never ran into warden until this year, but I have a few times this summer and I'd like to think they'd have something to say about it if/when they encounter it.

Yes, Kyle. 10HP limit. No other motor rules that I'm aware of. Fountainhead gates generally open by sunrise; sometimes as much as a half hour prior. Good luck!

To the best of your knowledge, you didn't see anyone doing anything wrong on the water. Had you been certain, I think you should probably have called DNR. Confronting a stranger could be risky, I suppose. Perhaps a friendly, engaging, "You probably are not aware, but...." may get desired result and keep you from getting shot in most cases.

Okuma TCS 7'3" or 7'6" H for a c-note at Reds Gear. I got a 7' 11'H from them and I'm thrilled with it.

Clearly Menendez wasn't on that guy's fantasy fishing team.

Forgot to mention/ask....that 2.44 I caught on Saturday was the second LMB I've caught in the Occoquan with large (bigger than silver dollar) size black spots. Anyone else find those? Natural markings? Hopefully not indicative of any sort of disease or anything. The other was even more pronounced, with the spots probably covering 1/4 of all exposed skin. Never seen that anywhere else.

Trolled north out of Fountainhead for a few hours Saturday morning. Tried working on a couple of my weak areas - swimbaits and deep (worked jigs, c-rig, and drop shot) with no success. Gave in and switched to senkos and jigs and boated a limit in rather short order; largest was only 2.44#, though. Bream, Jury is still out on the kayak for me. In the last 6 days I put in at Pohick (Gunston Cove), Dogue Creek and Bull Run. Haven't kayaked from Fountainhead or Lake Ridge yet. I really like the possibilities of the Potomac, but I don't enjoy that bigger water all that much yet. Too much paddling and not enough fishing, I suppose. Crossing the mouth of Gunston Cove yesterday between waterskiers, jet skis and 50 foot cabin cruisers was a little hairy at times. Paddling from Bull Run is totally different and always a great experience. At this point, I'd rather have a boat. Between the expense and an HOA that prevents me parking it at home, I'm still putting it off. At $12-$25 bucks, I'm fairly happy renting when I want to get on on the rez, except for the limited range. To get more from my kayak, I think I need to concentrate on smaller bodies of water. At only 10' and 55#, I have a pretty small kayak. And still, putting it on top of my full-size SUV is a little bit of a struggle, especially at then end of 6 hours on the water. I sure wouldn't want anything heavier without a lower roof, or a trailer. No way I'm going to be standing in my yak, and I miss that when I'm out on it. I haven't thrown a jig from it yet, because I am not confident I could flip accurately, nor set the hook. I need to work on that. Let me know if you want to meet up sometime if you would like to try it out for a bit. Paddle around, try casting, etc.

That's a beautiful fish, riva. I put the kayak in at Bull Run last night for 3 hours. Headed down from there for the first time. Good numbers evening; 9 total; 6, all about a pound on plastics, and three between 2 and 2.6, all on a med/shallow crank (DT-4, I believe.)

no

yes

No license required if you have a bunch of singles

I didn't vote. Why just one? Ask me again in January

Congrats. My grandfather and uncle worked at Milwaukee Forge for nearly 60 years combined. Good, hard, honest work and you can feel good about truly producing real value for your wages. Hope you enjoy it!

Your intuition is correct....this has been discussed once or twice before. I can summarize 90% of the likely replies into 3: 1. Spend MORE on the reel 2. Spend MORE on the rod 3. You can't do it for $150 My suggestion is stick to your budget. Read everything you can here. If possible, handle the rod(s) and reel(s) that you're considering in your local store. I personally think you can start with a rod at or about $75 and a reel at or about $75 and be perfectly happy for a couple weeks until the bait monkey comes knocking at your door.