Dan:

yeah, Greentop has obscure stuff like Case Plastics and other stuff from small companies that the big chains just don't carry.

I have been catching lots of fish with 4 and 6 inch paddletails here in Harrisonburg and earlier in the summer in NoVA. My favorites by far have to the Reaction Strike Fatheads in Ayu

Mr. Rojas, are you planning on going? I have some more fly fishing questions if you don't mind ;D

Sweet, I just have to check with the other person I'm coming home with. I'm not sure when he'll need to go back to school but most likely it won't be until Saturday afternoon or evening. Andrew, I think I'll bring two rods just in case, and I'll fill up my wading vest with my tackle to I won't take up any room. I also have a waterproof bag that I can bring. Thanks so much, Andrew, I really hope this works out.

Whoa, this thread got sidetracked. Obviously I agree with Trevor and I didn't read his post as incindiery Big baits=large fish WAY more often than not and that is a proven fishing technique. BUT Another proven technique is to stick with what has worked, don't abandon a pattern. If this fish hit a Mepps spinner, go back and throw that bait if the conditions are similar(although it wouldn't be my first choice, I would take it in the tacklebag). No, I wouldn't expect to catch big fish on an inline spinner very consistently at ALL, but if she hit it once in certain conditions, it obviously looked good to her or made her react and could very well do the same on another day in similar conditions. What I meant in my first post was that you should DEFINITELY try big baits and they are probably your best bet to tempt this big bass, but I wanted to emphasize that if that doesn't work, don't completely rule out the option of smaller profiles as an approach, because the fish has ALREADY hit one. Who knows why, but she already bit it, and that tells you something, even if it goes against convention or probability. Fish do weird things sometimes. The big fish is most likely on a big bait pattern, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't plan for another pattern (even if it's puzzling) that you already have knowledge of. There is room to incorporate both if one doesn't work

Andrew, I need to check with some things but I'll send you a PM by tonight with a final answer. What all do I need to bring? Simon, no I do not. Would it be possible to meet you guys down there a little after 8am so I can get a permit? Would it be too much of a hassle for Andrew to come back and pick me up or something? I don't want to impose or make anyone expend any extra effort, so don't by shy to tell me no.

congratulations to the whole family!

anybody still have an open seat? It looks like I'll be in town Friday/Saturday...

Rob, if you end up getting that rod, let me know. I'm looking at the 702C for my next setup and would like to see the 703c for comparison.

holy cow! looks like an awesome place to fish!

x2

That sounds about right to me

^ what he said.

wait, so they already opened?

I have no idea about the James. I have seen some muskies from the Shenandoah but I have absolutely NO CLUE how or where to target them. I know there are some deep holes that COULD hold them, but I don't know any that do for sure. I am pretty sure I have seen a couple of Muskie swimming in the South Fork close to its origin but I didn't get a good enough look at them...they were long and skinny unlike carp and seemed to have stripes... Here's what the VDGIF says about Muskie in the 'Doah: "The VDGIF annually stocks fingerling-size musky at several sites on the Main Stem Shenandoah River. There has been no evidence of muskies reproducing naturally in the Shenandoah river, therefore they must be stocked to sustain a fishery. Adult musky densities are low and closely resemble numbers seen in a wild, reproducing population. The area directly downstream of Warren Dam is the best location to connect with a musky on the Main-stem Shenandoah...." I do not know where Warren Dam is though, I assume in Warren County near Front Royal somewhere, though. I honestly think the best place to start is with the some of those guys from MD and PA that post pics from the upper P'mac. Some of them should be able to help you out. Other than that, maybe try Burke. I know there are musky fishermen that catch them there but I don't know how consistent or quality of a fishery it is. Let me know if you find any other information because I would also LOVE to catch a muskie.

From the VDGIF website: Best Fishing [for Muskies] Rivers: James, Clinch, Shenandoah and New. Lakes: Smith Mountain, Claytor, Rural Retreat, Burke, and Flannagan. I have heard Burke has a good population. I also have heard that Lake Shenandoah down here in Harrisonburg has a good muskie population. If I were you, though, I'd try the upper potomac. There are some guys here that catch some monster muskies way up towards WV and PA on the Potomac. I think you're going to have to go pretty far upstream to get to the good muskie spots, though.

Me and a buddy had 42 between the two of use while wading one time. Most were under 1lb but we had a few up to and a little over 2lbs.

Just remember it's gotta be on top of some vegetation that will help hold it at the top, otherwise, you will have to reel too fast to keep it on the surface.

Just wanted to let you guys know that I've been having success using ikas type baits as topwaters. It really only works over mats of vegetation, though. I rigged the ika like I usually do (skirt on the hook's eyelet) and I cast it out onto the mats. I would slowly drag it across, giving the ika a few pops and the water resistance of the skirt in front of the bait (because it is rigged upside down) would make it spit a little like a soft plastic popper. I've been popping and shaking it across and into the weed cover and patches and even into open water right off the mats and catching a few bass when other things wouldn't work. When the bass hit it, they CREAM it, too. Anybody else every done this?

wait a minute now. I get the whole "big bait-big fish" idea, but didn't you say that you initially hooked her on an inline spinner? Don't rule out a whole pattern or size of bait that has proven successful. You should try the same lures, big lures, and maybe other small lures as well. Basically, don't just get stuck on big baits if this fish has already hit a small one.

Not really an option where I drive, too much traffic, it would be a pain. I wish I knew how though, I feel like everyone should know.

Amazing, way to go Big O, Strike King, and Russ

ooo, i was closest, what do I win? ;D

I'd say at or around 3lbs

But Greentop is! ;D As usual, thanks for the info Sam