osbornj2

As promised, here is Jack's big girl.....

This was my first smallie trip this year, and, boy, did we pick a good day! Air and water temps have been rising all week (finally ;D ), and today was the warmest all week. Overcast skies, with a little breeze all day...mmm mmm mmm ! Got my new PB - 19.75 in. / 3 lbs 12 oz. Also caught an 18.5 in. / 3 lb 2 oz. Both on lipless cranks in deep pools. But, the big catch of the day was my uncle Jack's monster! She went 21.0 in. / 4lb 5 oz. I swear, when she rolled beside the boat, I thought it was either a carp or a big walleye! I was much more excited than Jack was (this was not even his PB, even though it by far qualified for a citation in VA). He caught her on a LC pointer in the same deep pool that I got both of mine in, and all 3 were within an hour or so of each other. This pic is of my 18.5 in. fish. The stupid battery went dead on my camera right after Jack's fish, so we weren't able to get a pic of my new PB :'( :'(. Well, atleast I have a witness! I still am not techologically advanced enough yet to be able to post multiple pics at the same time, so I will reply to this post with a pic of Jack's fattie!

Normally, I would be embarrassed to place a pic of this fish on this site, what with FourBizz and Hawg Caller lurking around and all...but, I figured...what the heck! Somebody's got to represent the Commonwealth I'm glad that we will be able to "upgrade" as the weather permits, but I did not want to score a big goose egg, so here she is: As you can clearly see, she was a whopping 1lb 14 oz. (1.875 lbs). VA record LMB is 16lbs 4 oz (16.25 lbs). Therefore, my score was: 1.875 / 16.25 = .11538 x 100 = 11.54 total points. I know that you CA guys throw swimbaits bigger than this fish, so I don't need a lot of grief, ok !!! ;D ;D

Great fish, Wayne! She looks fat and healthy. Congrats again, and thanks for being willing to share your insights!

Cool...I'll definitely check it out before I head up there. Tks for the heads-up!

VA - you 'da man! Thanks again so much for the valuable insight. You know I will post a report if/when I head up there! In fact, I bought one of those new Hummin'bird side-scan sonar units, and my boat is currently at the shop, getting it installed! It should work PERFECT in trying to find that submerged island that you were talking about! If I am able to find the island (or any other pertinent structure), I will try to record the GPS coordinates and can send them to you so you'll always know exactly where it is! Again...I really do appreciate your willingness to share your info so freely. This is what this Forum is all about...brothers helping brothers find more fish. Tight Lines, Jeff

Chris - awesome fish! Do you realize that the state record LMB for Virginia is only 16-4 ! And, that was caught over 20 yrs ago! I don't really know where I am going with this :-? , except to say that your game is SO totally different! Great fish, and happy hunting !

Jay, Hat's off to you ! You know, you Cali. guys really make us sick, ya know ?!? You go throwin' an 8" hunk of plastic in a lake here in VA, and the bass start running up in the back of the creek channels, trying to get away !

Like Yogi Berra says, "Half the game is 90% mental" !

Hey guys...thanks for all the GREAT input! You know..this is the main reason that I joined this site in the first place! You all have been wonderful, and I really appreciate it. I don't mind at all driving for 4 hours, if: a) it is a beautiful place to visit, regardless of how exceptional the fishing might be or; there is a decent chance of catching nice fish, esp northern pike! If it's scenic, and I get skunked...well, that's ok. Or, if it's ugly, but I catch a bruiser, well, that too is ok! But, if it's pretty AND you have a decent shot at catching quality fish...then count me in! So, is it easy to get the day pass? Can you just buy it when you arrive, or should I try to get it in advance ? I have a jon boat that I will bring, but I think that I read that you can only use the electric trolling motor, which is fine by me. Thanks again for all of your input...it really did make a difference to hear from "live", local folks that I feel like I can trust.

Hey, I was wondering if any of you NoVa guys have ever fished at Motts Run Reservoir? I was reading on the VA DGIF that apparently it has a decent population of Northern Pike and that it doesn't get a lot of pressure (lots of wooded banks and slopes steeply). The Fredericksburg area is about 3.5 - 4 hrs away from my home in Roanoke, so I'd definitely like the 411 before I made a day trip out of it! Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

And I thought that maybe I was the only one in the world who loves V&M ! It's like a cross between black licorice (anise, I guess) and pork fat...MMM MMM....makes me wanna go out to the garage right now and grab a bag!! In addition to most of the things that you guys have already mentioned (i.e. a spring rain, outboard exhaust at 5 am, that "fishy" smell on your fingers [and it usually ends up on my jeans too!]), I also love to occasionally enjoy a cigar out on the boat, and I love that smell too (almost as much as the smell of brand new tires at the tire store!)

Burley, I wasn't sure that they taught you guys how to read and write down there ! Just kidding, my friend! I tried keeping a fishing log for a couple of seasons, but it was really more like a diary (i.e. I would just sort of "free-hand" some info that I thought was pertinent, rather than having an actual log book like the one referenced in this thread). After printing a copy of this log, I am committed to using it more regularly and maybe even trying to create a spreadsheet on Excel so that I could search by key features periodically. I would love examples if someone has already converted this into Excel format (pm me and I'll send you my email address) and/or if I ever get around to creating it, I will be glad to share it

How very true...in fact, this might be the best bit of advice posted so far! (of course, this is easy to preach while you're sitting there, all nice and safe and warm in your home or office, typing away....it all changes, though, when you get to BPS and that nasty little creature, Mr. Bait Monkey (notice how his initals are the same as Bowel Movement ?!?! ;D ) jumps up on your shoulder ! Stay strong and keep the faith !

While I agree that Smallies do put up one heck of a battle, and I do love fightin' 'em, I would have to say that, of the list, that stripers are certainly the hardest fighters. But, I have never caught a bowfin, and from what I'm reading from some of you, I need to try soon!

I'm in! Representin' the Commonwealth in the LMB division! None of my pics could do the venerable Avid any justice whatsoever, but I found one that might work! Look out...we'll be posting soon ! Tight Lines...

By this time, this reply may be a little bit of over-kill, but, hey, you asked for our 2 cents' worth, so here goes...I used to not understand the devotion that some folks had to Shimano...that was, of course, not until I owned one myself. Now, I'm a sell-out too! I have several Castaics, a bunch of Chronarchs, and mostly Curados. To be totally frank, I like the Curados actually more than the Chronarchs, as they feel "heavier" to me...as in, more durable and solid feeling. Don't get me wrong, I love my Chronarchs...just more for lighter cranks, top-waters, small spinnerbaits, etc. It's nearly impossible to backlash (notice, I said "nearly" ! ;D ), and they are smooth as butter. But, the Curado just feels "beefier" to me, so I prefer them for jigs, worms, swimbaits, etc. If you have a choice, go with the 200/201 DPV (Power Version), or if you're looking for a big bait reel, the new 300 series is AWESOME ! No offense to the good folks at BPS...but, to me anyways, this is not even a fair debate. Go with the Curado for confidence and years of trouble-free ownership. But, be careful...you will want to convert all of your reels over (that bad little Bait Monkey is evil!).

I've had bats hit my line quite a bit while fishing at dusk. Also, I've caught turtles, too. Never any otters or beavers, though ;D Come to think if it, one time my dog did bite a lure after I retreived it and was preparing to cast ! Poor thing...got a huge lip full of trebles! Fourbizz - you mentioned getting bullfrogs on poppers ??! Wow! That's pretty crazy! Out here in the mountains of VA, we get a lot of newts (kinda like salamanders, 'cept different!), and in the spring when they are "spawning", they'll get all OVER a curly-tail worm fished t-rig or c-rig. They'll be all wrapped around it, trying to mate ! Ahhh....spring is the season for love !

Wayne, hey, I'm not above using a lure retreiver!! I'm kinda geeky anyways! Heck, for a Mattlure, I might just go swimming for it ! 'Cause, you're right...I certainly don't need to spend $22 for another anchor !! I don't mind breaking off a t-rig worm or even a jig now and then...but a LC or one of my new swimbaits..uhh uhh! But, back on point...you mentioned catching them in shallower water. If you don't mind...what were you throwing? And, I could easily find this out, but I'm too lazy to go look , are you fishing near the dam, or up in the upper end by the other boat ramp. The "upper" ramp is where I always launch my boat, and I assume that it probably warms up a little quicker on that end as well. Thanks for all of your advice... 8-)

I am certainly going to defer to Wayne as far as current info goes...he certainly knows the lake better than I do. But, I am getting ready to make my first run of the year down there too, so I was anxious to see all the responses to this post! It's a little over 2 hours from my home (Roanoke), so I just make it a long day-trip too. For what it's worth, at the new Sportsman's Warehouse here in Roanoke, they have a "current conditions" board posted where they give info re: what's hitting well currently and how you can catch them. I don't know exactly who is providing the 411, but it is saying most fish at Briery are still coming from deeper water, either on deep cranks or even drop-shotting. I don't care what any of them say, I can't wait to launch my new Mattlures Ult. Bluegill and see what happens ! ;D Good luck when you go, and make sure to send us a report! Just make sure that you throw Momma Hawg back so the rest of us can rattle her lips too !

Four and Hawg - Thanks for the kind words. Especially coming from two big-bass idols like you two! It's not EVEN funny when I look at your pics! It's actually rather disgusting !! Haa Haa Seriously, you guys will think this is a hoot, but I am really gonna set my sights on catching atleast one 8 lb'er this year. That's considered a citation (trophy) largemouth here in Virginia, and I've never got one quite that size...almost, but not quite ! But...I have never been equipped with a big, fat Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill before, or with nice guys like you who actually don't mind sharing tips and advice (I guess you don't have to worry about a VA yokel catching all your fish out in California!). So, I'm ready, Coach...put me in!

You guys are just a lot tougher down there near WV than us "city folk"! ;D ps - you didn't even mention the spelling of "squirrely", although I did notice afterwards that I said me wife, instead of my wife!

I got a chance to head out to the James River yesterday afternoon after church with a buddy. We took the canoe and a box of big baits and lots of hope! I managed to find this girl with a Squirrely Jake (Burley, please do not bust me too bad for the spelling :-/ ) in about 3-4 feet of water. We about dumped the canoe trying to land her! Good thing we didn't, as water temp was probably low 40's! The best part of it all was being able to come home and tell me wife, "see all those afternoons piddling around the garage, changing out split-rings, re-organizing boxes, adding lines, etc. really did pay off! Aside from being a master organizer of things fishing, I can actually catch a fish every once in a while !" ;D

Randall, first of all...AWESOME shot! Like Fourbizz said, it looks like she is choking on it ! Thanks for the suggestions. I will be sure to check out some of the baits that you mentioned. And, also, thanks for the heads-up re: rod size and line type. It definitely sounds like 7'0" is a bare minimum, and is actually maybe a little too short. Most everything that I have read so far indicates that 7'3" to 7'8" Fast Heavy is the optimum. Looks like the Bait Monkey just WILL NOT get off my back ;D

For a novice that is anxiously awaiting his first Ultimate Bluegill, what advice do you offer concerning the best type of rod and line for throwing "big baits" (or whatever it is that we're calling them now ;D ) ? Also, I stand the risk of completely embarrasing myself here, but here goes :-? ... I haven't heard anyone mention the Strike King King Kong (hardbait). I rec'd a BPS giftcard for Christmas or something, so I decided to go a little "wacky" and bought one. It looks like it will have decent action in the water, but I haven't really fished it yet. Should I donate it to 4Bizz for his new painting business , or would it be worthwhile to keep ? One last question for you diehard "swimmers"...do you ever use more "traditionally sized" baits, or is all of your fishing time dedicated exclusively towards throwing the big stuff? Just curious. Thanks!