SeeNoSun

Really? You are making things more simplified then they are (at least on my lake). I would think asking about which color side works best for others when it is up or down is a part of "figuring out what they want and how they want it."

Thats what I was thinking - Thanks!

As I said... the details in the mold are the same on both sides. I plan to flip but also hop along the bottom in deeper water. I certainly can (and will) experiment. I was just curious about the thoughts of others here on BR.

I have a craw trailer for my flipping jig that is solid black on one side and black with heavy blue glitter on the other side. These are similar to a Netbait Paca Craws so other than the color they have identical features on both sides. Would you use them with the black side up or the blue glitter side up? My initial guess is black side up. The jig trailers I used in the past were Zoom chunk style that were black with blue glitter throughout the entire bait so there was no variation in color on the top and bottom.

That was one of my concerns. I'm not so sure The Fish Grip would be secure enough. One method I have used was to unhook them and return it to the net so the bottom is in the water but the top is out. I hold the net handle under my legs while I set everything up. This method is pretty cumbersome and I'm not sure it is 100% secure either. Ultimately I need to have two hands, a secure and safe fish while setting up to document the catch and a healthy release. I'll check out youtube. Thanks!

Yesterday I was out on my Kayak (Old Town Predator PDL) and I pulled in what may have been my PB for my kayak fishing on the Occoquan Reservoir. The hook was extremely deep (not swallowed) with the barb lodged in some very tough tissue. It took quite a while to get the hook out. I was concerned for the bass and decided to get it back in the water as soon as the hook was out. I felt that the additional time to weigh, measure and set up to photograph the bass might put its survival from the traumatic event at risk so I put him back in the water and he swam off. Needless to say missing the opportunity to know how big the bass was and capture a photo of what may have been a fish of a lifetime was disappointing to say the least. Being on a kayak the options are limited compared to a bass boat equipped with a live well. So I began to think about a better process for handling a big bass (even when hook removal is simple) while setting up to measure, weigh and photograph my catch. I have "The Fish Grip" which is great for handling toothy fish but have rarely used it for Bass. This is the American made (black) version by Kahara not the cheap (orange) version which is just called "Fish Grip." My question is... would it be safe for the bass to secure the catch in the water by attaching "The Fish Grip" to the bass' lower lip and secure it with a short lease to my kayak? I'm thinking this may be the best way to free up both hands so I can set up quickly with a low risk to the life of the bass or the loss of an opportunity to document the catch. Thoughts on this idea and the reliability of this product (or others that might work better) would be appreciated.

It is 15" minimum and extends to 47"

I use the Selfie Stick in the link below. I put it inside a rod holder attached to my milk crate. I had to use half a pool noodle tightly taped to the handle to make it snug in the rod holder. Electrical tape worked best. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQFU8OI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Today (4/27/18) on the Rez.

I went out today. While it was stained (closer to what i would consider normal) it was nowhere near the muddy conditions on my 4/18 trip. I actually prefer stained water but still didn't have much action today. It was pretty windy so yak positioning and casting accuracy was really tricky. I'm thinking Friday afternoon may be my next trip to the Rez. Not sure if I'll launch out of Lake Ridge or Fountainhead yet. I'm leaning toward Lake Ridge since I haven't been down that way this season.

Thanks for the reply... I should probably "clarify" my post. I would consider the usual water conditions on the Rez as pretty stained. I have only fished it for a year and have launched out of Bull Run, Fountainhead and Lake Ridge. I found it can be more "Yoo-Hoo" ish throughout the season out of Bull Run. Conditions tend to improve around Fountainhead down to Lake Ridge, however, I did not start fishing those areas until after the post-spawn last season. The conditions I saw yesterday were the muddiest I have ever seen from Sandy Run up past Fountainhead to Wolf's Run. I'm hoping it is just the recent heavy rains. I've had success on Jig/Pig and Spinnerbaits throughout the lake. For a noisy lure I like Buzzbaits but its a little too cold for that IMHO.

I took the yak to the Rez out of Fountainhead yesterday (4/18). Extremely muddy conditions and 56 degree temps. Going to try again next Monday and hope it clears up some. No rain in the forecast before that. Anyone know how long it usually takes the muddy conditions to improve on the Rez in the spring? Any ideas on lures/patterns for cold water that looks like coffee with too much milk?

I must have left too early. I pulled out around 4pm both times.

I hit the Rez on 3/29 (along with everyone else with a rod and reel) and water was 50 degrees. No luck. I went back on 4/1 and it was still 50 degrees but there was hardly anyone else on the water. A nice quiet afternoon! Here is my report for both trips. I launched out of Fountainhead and hit every cove, main lake point and secondary point all the way up to Wolf's Run. I'm on a pedal Yak so the ground I can cover in an afternoon is limited. I did not see any activity in the back of coves, on secondary points or main lake points. I did see huge clouds of baitfish on my FF in the main lake channels suspended just above the bottom. Anyone else having anything to report?

I went yesterday. Not much action with water temps at 44.5 but it was great to get on the water again.

Anybody hit the Rez in March 2018 yet? The yak is out of hibernation and ready to go. I'm planning a trip on 3/19. I can't wait!

If the reel unspools a lot in the beginning of the cast then it needs more of the internal weights moved to the out position. If the reel overruns after hitting the water you need to adjust with the casting control knob. I have six internal weights on my Chronarchs. I typically have three pushed in and three pulled to the out position (specifically, I pull every other weight to the out position). All other adjustments are made with the casting control knob and vary based on the lures weight. I hold the tip of the rod shoulder high and tighten the casting control knob until you can press the clutch bar and the lure does not drop. With the clutch bar engaged, loosen the casting control knob until the lure starts to slowly drop. If the lure hits the floor and the reel does not overrun it is ready to go. If not, repeat the process. You want it to drop as fast as possible without overrun when it hits the ground. I get really good distance with this set up and rarely have a bird's nest. I think I had two for the entire season last year.

I have three Chronarch 100a that are almost 20 years old. Just got them back from their annual service. Original bearings still nice and quiet. I replaced the drag washers with Carbonex washers. These reels are awesome and still work like they did when they were new. I'm keeping them forever. You can still find a pretty nice Chronarch 100a on ebay. Pick one up and have it serviced, install a carbonex drag washer and if it needs it replace the bearings with Shimano OEM Bearings. PM me if you want to know details about where I send mine for service.

you forgot this one.... "We're gonna need a bigger boat." (aka The Sheriff Brody Method)

A couple of late season Yak trips to the Rez paid off for me. 11/15/17 - Launched out of Lake Ridge Marina. Water Temps: 52 Size: Just under 20" / 5# Lure: Spinnerbait Location: Middle of a cove in submerged timber. 11/30/17 - Launched out of Fountainhead. Water Temps: 47 Size: 20.25" / 5.5# (PB for the 2017 season) Lure: Jig & Pig Location: Main Lake Point

Leashes for everything you don't want to lose what doesn't float.

A couple of late season Yak trips to the Rez paid off for me. 11/15/17 - Launched out of Lake Ridge Marina. Water Temps: 52 Size: Just under 20" / 5# Lure: Spinnerbait Location: Middle of a cove in submerged timber. 11/30/17 - Launched out of Fountainhead. Water Temps: 47 Size: 20.25" / 5.5# (PB for the 2017 season) Lure: Jig & Pig Location: Main Lake Point

I bought this one on Amazon for $20.00 and love it. PLUSINNO Fishing Net Fish Landing Net , Foldable Collapsible Telescopic Pole Handle, Durable Nylon Material Mesh, Safe Fish Catching or Releasing https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KPD3JX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I saw this on Charlie Taylor's Fishing Report for November 3, 2017: LAKE ANNA - Largemouth bass are being found at all depths and the better baits are jig 'n pig, Hopkins Spoons, Shaky Heads, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Best action downlake seems to be in 30 feet of water, where the fish are taking jigged Rat-L-Traps or Hopkins spoons. Bass are also to be found on rocky points. Uplake, the bass are found shallow in *** feet of water in willow grass where they are taking spinnerbaits, Senkos and small crankbaits. Above the Harris Bridge, the grass is dead and the bass have left the grass beds.

The best place to launch the Kayak might be Christopher Run Campground. Turn left and go way up the creek. The water is a couple of degrees cooler then the main lake. You can also launch the bass boat there and take it up the creek using the trolling motor. Some nice bass up there that don't see as much pressure as other parts of the lake.