Steveo-1969

I use a fluorocarbon leader with my mainline braid for increased abrasion resistance. Honorable mention is ease of breaking off if I get snagged.

My yearly goal is simple and unchanging: Fish more.

I’m at the point where I’m just replacing terminal tackle, line and soft plastics. I receive a BPS gift card every X-mas and I’m still using the 2023 card. Haven’t touched the 2024 card and will get the 2025 card in another month. Sweet…

Sigmund the Sea Monster

She’s probably wondering if she can feed that bass to her dragons.

You obviously didn’t read the report the OP referenced. It’s not about people fishing without licenses. It’s about people not fishing and choosing to do something else instead.

Agree. I don’t find this statistic scary at all. I find it encouraging.

Welcome to BR Evan! Like @Swamp Girl I was immediately impressed with your language skills while reading your post. AND you are catching smallmouth and walleyes - my two favorites…

Welcome to BR from Wild and Wonderful WV.

Welcome to Bass Resource from WV. BEAR DOWN!!!! 🐻⬇️

I think M power is plenty to set the hook with a skirted finesse jig as this shouldn’t have a real thick wire hook. As for action I’ve never used a Moderate Fast Rod. The slowest action I’ve used is “Fast”.

I’ve used spinning and baitcasting. M power, fast or extra fast.

My river smallmouth fishing is in 6 feet or less and I use 3/16 ounce finesse jigs. With hook and skirt and trailer they weigh 3/8 ounce.

You and I wade the same river. In summer I’m wet wading with shorts and sneakers. But in colder water I wear chest waders. The first pair I used were neoprene boot waders and I DON’T RECOMMEND! It felt like I had roller skates on my feet when walking over rocks in the river. Current pair are breathable chest waders with neoprene stocking feet and separate wading boots. My footing is a lot better with the wading boots though I’m getting to the age where I should start using a wading stick. As someone mentioned these are harder to get on and off. I put them on at home and wear them the whole trip even if walking some distance to the fishing spot.

A free NRX+? Whoo! I would pick a rod that I would use on every outing. For me that would be NRX+ 902S SJR.

Beautiful fish. Congrats! Any idea how long she was?

@Siebert Outdoors Sniper, Mini or Lil Man jig. You won’t find better components or build quality. With that said, I lose A LOT of jigs in my rocky snaggy river so my skirted finesse jig of choice is a Strike King Bitsy Bug jig. I can get them for less than $2 at Walmart. Make sure you sharpen the hook. For trailers I use a Strike King Baby Rage Craw (shortened by 2 segments) or if I want more bulk I’ll use a Strike King Baby Menace grub.

“There’s a fish!”

On Sunday I was able to wade fish for the first time in 2025 and managed a pair of 17 inch fish.

Wading a river to catch smallmouth is my happy place. I started 15 years ago and will continue until my body says I have a better chance of drowning than catching a fish…

I get most of my fishing information from this forum so chances are anything I buy is because I read about it here first! The most prominent example is G. Loomis. Before I joined BR I had never heard of this rod manufacturer. Now I’m an unashamed fan boy! 😁

Congratulations! You clearly have more money than you need…

Spinning- 10# Sufix 832 hi-vis yellow braid. Leader is 8# Gamma Edge fluorocarbon joined with a uni-to-uni knot.

Son: I’m sorry I don’t like fishing Dad. Am I adopted? Dad: Not yet. We can’t find anyone that wants you.

Welcome! Bass Resource is my ONLY social media!! 😁