Craw

Great looking smallie! I love fishing around bridges.

Hello folks. The forecast called for high winds all day and they really got it right this time. 20-30mph winds were the norm today with gusts over 40mph. I decided to hit the river at noon and fish until dark. I'm really glad I did! The smallies were pretty active, taking spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. What really topped off my trip was catching a pretty nice musky on a pig-n-jig, and then another smaller one on a jerkbait. I took a few pics. and sent them on their way. It was another really exciting day on New River. This was the best smallie I got today. Here's the first musky I caught today. Fell for a pig-n-jig. This little guy tried to take my LC Pointer away from me.

I use BANG. I like their garlic formula. I've used it for years. I like the aerosol spray can that they offer.

Good job! I love sticking them on a jig. Do you use any scent?

Dude!! I don't even know what else to say...

First off, I realize that we all live in different areas and fish different types of water. I myself fish a big limestone river and a couple highland reservoirs. Your stomping grounds may be around a big southern impoundment, canyon reservoir, pond or strip pit. I'd like to know what baits all of you folks rely on when the bass in your particular region are moving from their winter haunts in preparation to move shallow. At the end of any given fishing day the deck of my boat is likely to be covered with an array of lures but I'll list my primary tools... 1-pig-n-jig- 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8oz 2-spinnerbaits- 3/8oz single colorado, 3/8 to 1/2oz tandem and 1/2oz double willow 3-jerkbaits- I prefer LC pointers in 78 and 100, both SP and DD 4-crankbaits-I use mid-depth cranks like #7 shad-raps and Bomber 7As

We're having similar conditions here in Virginia. Slow rolling a spinnerbait just like the one you're using has played a key role in some of my catches. Let us know how the jig works out for you. You might also try grinding a crankbait along the bottom of those same areas you're getting bit on the spinnerbait. Great looking fish by the way. My hats off to you for going after them in this cold, windy weather. Nice going and good luck.

Ghoti, just wanted to thank you for posting that link. That thing is freakin awesome. I just might have to get one for a weapons collector I know.

Hello everyone. I was very fortunate today, in that Fivebasslimit(Scott) made the trip down to Radford to fish with me again. Scott is a blast to hang out with, and I really enjoy our conversations on and off the water. We were lucky and even caught a few, here and there. I'll say this though, we froze our rear ends off! I don't think it ever made it out of the 30s, and the wind was howling somewhere in the neighborhood of 20mph. Scott is as tough as a pine knot so it didn't really bother him, but I'll admit, I could hardly stand it. Even with the cold temps. I had another great time fishing with Scott. He's an excellent partner and welcome on my boat anytime. I'm really looking forward to him showing me how it's done on Smith Mountain Lake. Thanks again Fivebasslimit. See you soon! Here we are with a double. This was the best largemouth of the trip. Scott hung the biggest smallie of the day by far, but it came unbuttoned right at the boat. I got this one a little later.

I like both brands. My dad is a shimano man. He fishes all Calcuttas(smooth as silk). I personally own 2 Curado 100Ds, and they are super little reels. My Daiwa reels are TD-X 103HSDFs, and Team Daiwa Advantages. To say which is better, Daiwa or Shimano, is really comparing apples to oranges. Both companies make darn good products, along with some that are not so good. I can honestly recommend each reel that I've mentioned though.

Hello to all my internet buddies. I spent the entire day out on the river again. I neglected my precious smallmouth fishing to persue more pre-spawn largemouth. I concentrated all my efforts on a 150 yard stretch of shoreline where I know these fish stage, and eventually spawn. I used a variety of techniques and made repeated casts to provoke the strikes I got. I was very lucky to land every fish that bit today. Strikes were few and far between, and it was one heck of a workout, but it was a blast! First bass of the day on a chatterbait Second one on a spinnerbait. Measured just over 19" Got these next two on a jitterbug. The strikes were incredible! Last fish of the day fell for a #7 shad rap. This one measured 20 1/2"

Born and raised in Radford. Thanks for all the kind words guys. I'll try and keep'em coming.

Anyone have any ideas on a simple, do-it-yourself plug knocker? Just so you know...I don't have the means for any lead pouring. I'm really interested in everyone's ideas. Help please...Thanks

Went out today on the river again. This time I was alone. I was feeling really zoned in on catching a trophy. I mean, I just had this feeling before I even started fishing that today was going to be a really big fish day. Well...my instincts proved to be wrong about catching any monsters, but I had fun. Here's a pic. of my two best for the day. Nailed both by slow rolling a black spinnerbait.

Now those are some hawgs! I'm impressed. Nice...very nice!

Bowfin! Now there's a fish I have yet to catch. Great job on your trip. Nice post.

Went to the river this morning with my favorite fishing partner. We didn't exactly load the boat like I had hoped, but Dad got an 18" along with another 19" and I got one just over 19". We landed ten between the two of us. Here's our three best for the day. Jerkbait Spinnerbait Jerkbait

That's a good one! The bait monkey will be prodding you to increase your spinnerbait arsenal, so beware.

Carp get a bad rap from most guys, but I love catching them. Great job on the 9 pounder! There's nothing quite like fighting ol'bugle lips out in open water. Powerful beasts, aren't they? Great post!

Nice post. Any time on the water with "Dad" is priceless.

Great job! I'm excited to hear that the pig-n-jig(my personal favorite) has peaked your interest. Keep at it and you will, without a doubt, have a hard time putting it down. Since we're not to far from one another, maybe I could convince you to come with me for a night trip out on the New River this summer. The pig-n-jig is one of my primary tools for fishing the dark side, and the strikes you get on a jig in the river after dark will...well, you would have to experience it to believe it. Good luck with your jig fishing. Keep us posted! Craw

Hello everyone. Hit the river today, searching for pre-spawn largemouths. The river that I fish is not well known for it's largemouth population, but over the years I've found a few spots that yield some quality fish. I only had one bite today but it was the one I was looking for. I got her along a shore- line current break, on a brown/brown pig-n-jig. Sorry...no weight or length

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts about the importance of the line tie position on a jig head. Myself, I'm a fan of a horizontal(flat) line tie. I like 60 or 90 degree bends. I feel this helps keep the jig from rolling over, which enables it to come over obstructions with seemingly less difficulty. Also, I believe that it helps keep the hook riding in an upward position, whether dragging the jig across the bottom or swimming it. I realize that some types of jig heads are designed to remain upright, regardless of line tie positioning(arkie, football, etc.), but I still find myself favoring the flat line tie. Will you folks kindly share your experiences and/or preferences on this subject? Many thanks....Craw

Basscatcher8, I'm a fan of GMAN's jigs also. Those small strands are known as a "mane", like a lions mane I'm guessing. They are a result from how a finesse jig is tied or collared. Cutting those strands short around the jig head keeps them from folding down over the body strands and give the jig a much smaller profile. It gives a nice look to a completed jig. I can't really comment much more than that except to say, smallies really seem to like it. I look forward to hearing from GMAN on this as well.

Here's my first couple of attempts at tying my own skirts. I used round rubber, nylon thread and chenille. My tools were a cheap vice and a bobbin. Decided not to use any glue on the wrap. Pouring is my next step but I wanted to take things one step at a time. These heads are Eakin's. So what do you folks think? Any suggestions?