osbornj2

Will that affect the balance of the lure, or change it's action in any way? I would certainly feel more confident with the bigger hook, but I wouldn't want trade "action" for my weak confidence!

kayl, thanks for the link...that was a great article! It gets my blood pumping just thinking about it! We're going on a trip to a new lake on Wed. for trophy ("supposedly") smallmouth, so I'm jacked! From another buddy, I got a link to Huddleston's homepage, where there are several videos posted on rigging it, and it sinking right-side up. You can see them here: http://www.huddlestondeluxe.com/huddlebug.html And, yes, I did have to go back to Sportsman's tonight to pick up a couple more goodies, thanks to the recommendations I have already rec'd (darn Bait Monkey just will NOT get off my back ;D ), namely some football jigs, a couple Spot Removers, and, of course, those little mini size 4 and 6 dropshot hooks...I don't know how you're supposed to keep a fish on the hook with one of those little squirts! I am still open for any more advice, as I know that there are a lot of experts on here! I really do appreciate it, and I will be sure to post a review of how the trip goes on Wed.!

Many thanks, Jay...you 'da man! I appreciate the help!

So, we finally get Huddlebugs at the local Sportsman's Warehouse, and I CANNOT wait to throw them, after reading all the great reviews from you "big bass" guys in Cali! But, here's the issue...they are pre-rigged with weights protruding from the bottom side and a small "line tie??" coming out of the bottom near the crawdad's head (please see attached photo). I know that I am a complete amateur, but I can't help but feeling like I should know how to rig this ! However, I just can't figure it out by myself. :'( So, I just turn to you guys, because I KNOW that you guys know how to use them properly! Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Well, I'm not positive that Burley even KNOWS how to fish, but don't tell him that I said so!! ;D The other gentleman that you referenced was Five.Bass.Limit, and yes, he is a moderator. He fishes SML quite a bit, and I consider him an expert. Send him a PM, and I know that he will reply to you. Best of luck to you, and be safe on the lake as it can get crowded sometimes.

What a beauty! I bet SHE doesn't give the bass any breaks!! Nice fish!!

Mike - thanks for the kind words ! : So, you think there is a chance I could pick up some dates doing this ?!?! ;D Just kidding ! I really am glad that there are a bunch of us that seem to feel the same. I know that something like this would probably take up a lot of bandwith, and would require some additional maintenance, but I really think that it would enhance the membership in this site.

Glenn, this whole thing about the 15k members video has got me thinking about something....could we create a searchable, updatable, photo gallery of all the members, maybe grouped by state or something similar? I know that I enjoy looking at everybody's avatar, and it is fun and helpful when you are PM'ing someone to know what they look like. A lot of folks use different graphics for their avatars, and I love most of them too! However, it might be cool if there was a central gallery that you could go to to see a pic of the guy (or gal) that you're chatting with (or that you're considering purchasing something from on the Flea Market). You already have a lot on your plate, but any consideration would be appreciated! Thanks, and Tight Lines ps - congrats on the INCREDIBLE milestone pps - one other thing that I was thinking of that might be helpful was that if we could somehow incorporate one of those "Invite a friend to join" radio button banner links on the site. You know...those cheesy little email messages that you can send to your buddies straight from the site, that if they click the link in the email, then they will be taken directly to our sign-up page. Just an idea. I know that I have several buddies that, no matter how many times I tell them about the site, they won't go on their own to check us out, but would reply to an email that provided a direct link

Glenn - I'm not sure if I've ever taken the time to actually say "Thank You" to you for all of your hard work and dedication in building and maintaining this site...for free ! Like most, I suppose, I log in every day (most days it's multiple times !!), and I guess I kinda take for granted all the efforts that have gone into making this site as strong and successful as it is. So...here it is....a GREAT BIG, PUBLIC...THANK YOU !! ;D ;D With that being said, I also built upon your idea and tweaked the log a little bit. Is there a way that I could share it with you and/or the other members of the forum that might have an interest in using it? I have it saved on my PC as a Word doc file (Word 2007). I think that it could be used in the "field" to record observations and statistics, and then when you return home, you could record the data into a program like Swami so that it could "crunch" the data for you, so to speak. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks and Tight Lines ! Jeff

Paragon - tks for the awesome recommendation! What a cool site! I just created a paper version for logging results, but I don't really understand Excel well enough to make it give me back results like I would like to! Low and behold - it looks like Swami does all the "dirty work" for you...and free, to boot ! Welcome to the site, and thanks so much for posting Swami to this forum! Tight Lines... Jeff

Welcome !! Glad to have you here on the site! Thanks so much for being willing to share good quality, current info! This is what makes this forum work so well. Congrats on your many fish, and I'll look forward to more reports as the season progresses ! Tight Lines !

Thanks for all your replies! Looks like the majority indicates either a Med or MH, but definitely Fast action. I'm kinda leaning towards the MH, since I will be using it for Stripers some. I appreciate all of the great feedback!

I have one Airrus Co-matrix 457, and I absolutely LOVE it !! Would love to have a dozen more! They definitely get the nod from me!

I'm thinking about a different rod for throwing flukes...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Primary use is for LMB, secondary is for SMB, and thirdly for Stripers / hybrids. Thanks !

Ron - great fish, and an even better story ! Congrats, and keep on whackin' 'em ! Tight Lines, Jeff

Some of the guys and gals on this forum would KILL to have enough sun and warmth right now to get a burn like that !! (i.e. namely your "northern" brothern!!) btw- great fish...congrats. And, yes...nice bass like that bruiser are ALWAYS worth it

What a Brute! Beautiful colors too! Very nice fish! We went striper fishing last night, and I got a nice smallie on a Red-fin (always a nice bonus ), but it wasn't nearly as nice as yours! Great job!

Great fish, Ron! Glad that things are finally heating up here in the Old Dominion! Those were some fat bass, my friend. Can't wait to see you blow your pb out of the park this spring! Tight Lines, Jeff

WRB - thanks for posting this formula! I'm writing it down and saving it for later use ! Does this formula apply for all LMB strains? Is it specific to any locale ? ( i.e. can I use it accurately in Virginia, or is it specific to, say, California bass). If Paul (Hawg Caller) uses it, then it is valid in my book!! Are there similar formulas for other species? I would love to have a listing as I fish for multiple species. I always take along my Rapala digital scale, and it seems so far to be fairly accurate....but then again, I have never gotten a true "trophy"-sized fish that I have been terribly concerned about getting a very accurate weight of either. Thanks again for putting this info out here! btw - b@ssman: AWESOME fish! Keep on whackin' 'em!

Thanks, Wayne! 8-) See, Possum - this is the kind of guys that you will be associating with here on this site! Guys that aren't afraid to share new ideas, tips, tricks, reports, etc. This is what makes this site so great in my opinion...just lots of good quality people willing to help each other out!

BTW - I almost forgot...Wayne posts current reports to another site. Wayne, could you please a link to the other site that you use? Thanks!

Possum - welcome to the site ! I can see already that you are going to be a great addition to "Team Virginia" !! I live in the Roanoke area, but I love to fish Briery too. I have only fished it 2-3 times, but have had luck every time. I haven't fished Sandy yet, but I intend to try it this year. Thanks for posting current trends, and I'll commit to doing the same thing as I fish them. Take care, and Tight Lines... Jeff

RW - I had hoped to get a bag like your avatar photo before I posted any pics of me with a smallie here, but this one will have to suffice! Thanks for the kind words. As far as the questions re: boat and motor size....I confess that I am NO expert on the New...I know enough to know that it can be a fairly dangerous river (LOTS of big rocks, fast currents, deep holes, drop-off shelfs, etc....all the things that contribute to it's being a world-class SMB fishery) With all that being said, it continues to be a very productive river, year after year. Many people fish it successfully from the bank and by wading. Because of the natural topography, and because of land-use restrictions (i.e. the Radford Army Arsenal), it can be difficult to either fish from the shore or to launch a boat. I am fortunate that I have an uncle who has lived in Radford for most of his adult life, and now that his children are grown and he is retired, it affords him the luxury of being able to specifically pursue larger fish (opposed to "numbers"); and, naturally, I benefit from his experience and knowledge! He has a 16ft, aluminum, flat-bottom, jon with a 15hp ob (short shaft), and he knows the river extraordinarily well...so we rarely have any major issues. As I mentioned in the earlier post, we put in at the Pepper's Ferry Bridge, and then motor down to the railroad tressle. You can launch a canoe, kayak, raft, or anything that you'd like at this area, although it is not an "improved" ramp (i.e. the gravel road just sort of ends in the river...it is not concrete, and there are no docks, etc.). There is some parking under the bridge, and usually there aren't too many people here. Getting down the river from there is usually not terribly difficult, esp if they are running water from Claytor Lake dam. Although in the heart of the summer, sometimes even going downstream can be tricky. It's the coming back up, even with a 15hp ob, that can be difficult. We always take hip waders, in case we have to get out and walk the boat back up some of the riffles. There are some professional guides that are also starting to use this area quite a bit, namely because it has the potential to produce some very quality fish, and it is a little more "difficult" to get to (i.e. the college students can't just come down there and wade the area!!). Some of them, I understand, use rafts with outboards, and some use jet motors. If you know what you are doing, and use a little practical common sense, you can be safe and successful. Please also note that you CANNOT exit your boat and go ashore on the long stretch that passes through the Aresenal property (they do have armed guards posted in towers !!). In fact, right after 9/11, they completely closed off this section of the river (i.e. steel cables all the way across the river!!) to all users...but the fishing community rallied, and it has since been reopened. So, if you are planning a true "float", meaning a canoe, raft, or kayak...just be prepared to float for a good while before you can get out and go on dry land! The next main area downstream is in Whitethorne, which is probably a little closer to Blacksburg. By the time you get down there, the water has flattened out a little, and you'll need to paddle quite a bit. However, this is where a lot of the muskies are caught! Next main area is Parrott/McCoy Falls. This is an EXTRAORDINARILY popular area, esp with students from both Radford Univ. and Va Tech. It is relatively shallow and flat, so there is a lot of wading, tubing, swimming, etc (read - Lots of partying and drinking...not that I ever did any of that while I was in school at Tech !!) Well, hope this helps anyone who is thinking of fishing the area. Don't forget to get the skinny on the water levels, as the Army Corps releases water regularly from Claytor Dam, and it can have a very signifigant impact on the fishing and your ability to navigate successfully. I don't know where right off hand, but I am sure that you could find this online somewhere....? Maybe someone who reads this will know more about it and can provide a website or phone number that you can call. Tight Lines....

Thanks Dan and Scott. We put in at the Pepper's Ferry Bridge (just outside of Radford...between Radford and Blacksburg), and floated down to the arsenal area. There is a train tressle that goes over the water, and we usually fish the big long stretch below the tressle. We take Jack's boat, which has a 15hp outboard, so we can get back up. Some people make this float in a canoe or kayak, and will float all the way down to either Whitethorne or even to McCoy Falls, and have a vehicle waiting down there. You just have to be ready for a full day if you do that, because you cannot stop and go ashore onto the aresenal's property, so you just keep on a'floatin', all the way down! You may want to check the local water conditions if you're thinking of coming down from the Richmond area, as they run water pretty regularly out of the Claytor dam, and if the water is up and/or moving pretty quickly, it can get pretty scary sometimes (even though this particular area is some 10-15 miles downstream from the dam). Jack lives in Radford, so he can just go over there and check it out (plus, he's lived there for 30+ years, so he generally knows the cycles!), bu I'm sure that the Army Corps probably posts the generation schedules somewhere online ???? Anyway...best of luck to you if you head down! There will be atleast 3 decent fish that are still in that hole this evening !

Well, I never really technically entered the SMB division I don't think (unless signing up for the LMB gets you in by proxy), but I caught my new PB smallie today, so I thought that I would post it anyways !! (besides, it is far bigger than the dink LMB I entered a week ago !! ;D ) So, here goes...My biggest fish today went 19.75 inches and 3 lbs 12 oz. (i.e. 3.75 lbs). The VA record SMB is 8 lbs 1 oz. (i.e. 8.0625 lbs). Therefore, by my calculation, my score is 46.51 I am not too terribly concerned about entering it into the contest, since I didn't originally sign up for this division....I just wanted an opportunity to be able to brag about my fish a little bit !! (not that it's huge or anything...but it is MY biggest smallie !)