TOXIC

Smith Optics is a great company. Used to be sponsored by them when they were Smith Action Optics. My Oakleys have been very good but they are prescription. I was able to get updated lenses the last time I had an eye exam even though my style were discontinued. Wrap around lenses with progressive Rx are expensive and difficult to make.

Don’t forget you also have to adjust your retrieve based on what type of lure you are throwing. A rattletrap style bait, especially in the larger sizes, will act like a fulcrum and are easier to throw. Dropshot, especially with heavier weights for fishing deep are the same. You can also overplay a fish and actually wallow out the hole made by the hook.

Here is my setup and from just my personal experience, the light wire weed guard doesn’t hinder catching. As a matter of fact, after 5 or 6 fish it usually get broken off anyway?

If you want speed go with the Triton, if you want fishability go with the Ranger. My best advice is to go sit in each one. One of them will “fit” you better than the other. Better yet if you can get a ride in both.

Welcome to my world. First and foremost I am a finesse fisherman. I had to become one because the catch rate on the lake I guided on got so pressured that by switching to finesse tactics it increased the catch rate and upped the fun factor for clients. Fighting a 2 or 3 lb bass on finesse gear is very thrilling for clients. The fish feel much bigger. When you step up to bigger fish with finesse setups you need more skill. Make no mistake, I can and will throw 65lb braid pitching heavy cover in Florida and 35lb braid on bedding smallmouth in the reed beds but I’ll also have my finesse rods right there next to them. Those same 4-5lb smallmouth out in open water will get a Ned on 6lb test mono all day. Both of these fish were caught on finesse rigs. The Snakehead was 14.9lbs and was caught on 6lb mono and a Senko. The Blue Cat we didn’t weigh but it also was 6lb mono but a Ned made with a trout hook. I just love finesse fishing.

I’m 64 and smoked from 17-24. Quit cold turkey and never picked up another one. When I started fly fishing at age 30, I was told by other fly fishermen that a cigar would keep the black flies and other biting bugs away…..and it did. Then I found I enjoyed the cigars so much, I started 1 or 2 during the week and 1 or 2 during the weekend. I bought a humidor and enjoyed trying different brands. Promised the wife I would give up the cigars before I retired and haven’t had one in the last 4 years. Do I miss it? A little when I stop and think about it because I enjoyed the taste and it had nothing to do with kicking the nicotine. That was a non issue for me. I don’t crave them, I miss them, so it’s been pretty easy to give them up. No health issues.

I was a late comer to the cranking world but got tired of being schooled by a fishing partner who loves his cranks. It started on St Clair and as most do, clipping the tops of the weeds with SPRO Little John’s. Then got into Walleye on the deeper divers in more open water and different colors. Locally here on the Rappahonock we throw medium divers into the shallow banks and dig them out to a short weed line, slow the retrieve and let them float up then crank them down the drop. Usually throw them every outing unless the catfish are keying in on them. This pic was from this Saturday.

Just a little add on for those that fish out of Hopyard Landing. There was some internet banter about the launch going private since there is now a housing development being built and for us fiberglass bass boat guys it’s the best access to the upper river. Here is the exchange: So there was a bunch of talk about Hopyard being turned into a private launch once the new development is finished. To clear it up I sent an email to John Odenkirk a Fisheries Biologist at Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (see below). His answer is quoted below. He also forwarded my question on to John Kirk who is the Virginia Statewide Access Coordinator. Even though his response is a little more vague as far as far as future plans, I think we can put this rumor to rest once and for all. My initial question: Mr. Odenkirk, I was wondering if you could shed a little light on some internet comments regarding Hopyard Landing Boat launch. Those of us who are fiberglass bass boaters and like to fish the upper river have very limited launch points. Because of my location in Warrenton, Virginia I am partial to Hopyard. The Little Falls ramp is pretty unimproved and the parking is sketchy. City Docks is unusable at low tide. That leaves the next downriver launch at Hicks as our only option. This leads me to my reason for contacting you. With all of the new development going in on the access road to Hopyard, it has been said that the state gave the property back to the county and they plan on making it a private launch. Is there any truth to this? Is there anyway Hopyard Landing could be made private? His response: This is news to me, and I am very doubtful it's true. Sounds like one of those classic rumors that gets started. I agree with you that the tidal Rapp has very poor access which is one of the reasons we all pushed so hard to acquire the Hopyard. I've copied two of our facilities folks to be sure I'm correct on this.... Thanks. The Statewide Access Coordinators response: All, Hopyard Landing is still owned and being maintained by DWR. There hasn't been any change. So there you have it. Looks like Hopyard will be available for the foreseeable future. Parking is tight and will be very tight if tournaments start using it more.

There’s an old saying that says “The first thump you feel is the bass sucking in your lure, the second thump you feel is him spitting it out”. Another factor is to fully understand what your lure of choice is doing in the water and that’s why so many high level fishermen end up being recognized for one style of fishing. Even as simple as you may think Senko fishing is, when I am fishing it on my preferred rod and line and I make a cast, the world around me goes blank, just like changing the channel on a tv, in my minds eye, I can visualize exactly how the Senko is falling, the action it is creating and adding in a lot of extra information like wind, cover, current, etc. I can feel when there is a single sprig of grass on the bait. I can tell when anything is out of the ordinary. That comes from fishing them for over 40 years and on a lot of different gear and presentations. My point being, when you can refine your skill with a specific bait to a high level, you don’t need the super sensitive gear as much. Actually I find it hinders me because I start getting too much information to process. That’s why I don’t like tungsten and prefer lead for dropshotting or bottom contact baits.

Made it out 2 days back to back on the river. Heavy lunar tides have the water very churned up. Day 1 was a struggle, only managed 3 bass and some catfish. Day 2 was much better. We fished upriver from Hopyard Landing. There was a tournament out of there and we saw 2 boats all day so I assume they all went downriver. Baits that worked: Ned, dropshot, crankbaits. Locations that worked: deep water close to the bank on outside river bends.

Personally, I don’t want anything metal anywhere near my gel coat. You talked about using a carabiner and I got chills. I have and use the ones pictured in conjunction with bumpers and have docked for a week straight on the lake in some pretty bad weather. There is also a product called “Dock Sticks” that have a solid center piece to keep the boat away from the dock.

Daredevil spoon.

This topic usually brings some strong opinions out and can get out of hand pretty quickly. Thankfully that’s not the case here. Just for a little perspective on what I would have to charge for an all inclusive price. In order to determine what would be a starting point I would have to take all my expenses, add them up and divide them by the estimated number of trips in a season. Then add in what would be a fair profit margin. Let me run down a partial list of costs, most expensive first… Boat payment - nobody wants to go out in an old beat up boat. Insurance - lots of expense here. Boat insurance, truck insurance, liability insurance, health insurance if this is my only source of income. Maintenance - truck expenses for oil, tires, insurance, boat maintenance for motor, insurance, repairs, tires and brakes on trailer. Licenses - Captains license if required, fishing license including other states if like me you are in a tri state area, business licenses to conduct business in some counties. Fuel - Can be a major expense for both truck and boat and fluctuates so it’s hard to estimate cost. Launch fees - Differs between locations and bodies of water. Gear - Many clients do not have gear or baits. Has to be factored in. Rods/reels of different levels of skill. Business Expenses - Phone, website, business cards, advertising. Promotional Expenses - Trade show participation including booth space, display cost. Clothing - Weather specific for both me and clients. Thats just off the top of my head. Although some of these costs are one time fees and others can be offset by sponsorships, you then add in another facet of expenses including working shows for sponsors, doing seminars, writing articles and in my case traveling all over the country doing grand openings for Bass Pro and Cabelas. Granted some of those expenses are covered but as with a lot of costs my time is worth something and that is not considered profit. So, a waiter or waitress who gets tipped is not on the hook for all the costs the restaurant owner has. As a guide you are the restaurant owner, waiter, busboy, cook, etc…. Goes back to the old saying, “How do you make a million dollars as a fishing guide? Start with 2 million.”??

Weather will play a huge role in your range. I would pre fish or plan on fishing the nearest creeks and bays. Look for grass.

Couple of things, although I said earlier that I never expected a tip, be advised, if I passed on every cost I had to be a guide, you would never book me. We work on a quantity basis to make up the shortfall of the per trip cost. I understand the waiter/waitress profession and not to derail the post but what do you think about this……I am throwing a party for my wife’s 60th birthday party. We are catering in a brunch here at the house and then loading a party bus and going out to a local winery. When I booked the bus included in the upfront cost was an 8% “partial gratuity” for the driver. Now keep in mind we are just being shuttled to the winery from my house. No drinking on the bus, no extra stops. The bus was not cheap and if I tip in the 20-25% range it’s a big chunk of change. Having been on the other side of this coin I understand the need to tip and I had a roommate at one time who was a limo driver so I know what they do. Every time I tip it’s based on effort/work. What are your thoughts about tipping a driver who takes you 30 miles round trip?

As a guide, I never expected a tip. If I couldn’t make it obvious that I was doing everything in my power to make your day enjoyable and put you on fish, then I feel like I didn’t do something right or no matter what I did the client wasn’t going to tip anyway. Some of my best tips came from clients when the fishing was super tough. All that being said, most clients did tip. Note: I guided for catch and release only unless it is for panfish and crappie. I did not clean fish.

I had my one and only at 55. Funny story, I went into the,prep area of the hospital, the nurse came in and set the IV in my arm and then the anesthesiologist came in and it was a lady I had met at a party the weekend before…….talk about embarrassing. She thought it was hilarious. ??

Zako is now available in a paddle tail if you like the colors and size of that trailer. Gives you another option.

Rule of thumb for me is that the deeper the target, the heavier the weight. Hitting your target at that depth with a swimbait would require at least a 1/4 oz head or more depending on what your line is.

I use a 4.0 EWG, Gamakatsu hook for my DShads. It is a light wire hook. Light is a relative term. I have never straightened or broken a thin wire Gamakatsu hook. I even punched heavy vegetation with it in Florida. The DShad is heavier than most fluke style baits so I don’t need any help with the fall rate. I throw my DShads in open water, wood and on top of heavy vegetation all on 6lb test mono so I will go get them if I need to and I can guarantee you my line will break before the hook. Finally, I like the easier penetration of the thinner wire both through the plastic and the fish’s yap.

I’ve seen plenty of private ponds and river access shut down because of trash. Used to be a good spot on the Shenandoah where you had to drive 1/2 mile off-road to get to. It was private land but the landowner was good about letting people fish there. Then a certain “element” discovered it and there were beer cans, food wrappers, clothing, dirty diapers, fire spots with the remains of the days catch cooked up. Just trashed the place. Landowner finally just chained off the only access point. These same folks then started cutting the chain so he posted the land and started calling the sheriff. It wasn’t unusual to pick up 4 or 5 large trash bags full of garbage every time I went there but it just became too much for the landowner.

Never and I mean never hit the water without a weightless Senko Texas rigged. The other weightless baits I throw are a Yamamoto DShad, Swimming Senko and Yamafrog.

I have no firsthand experience but a look at who runs these boats would make them worth a look to me. http://reconboats.com/team-recon/

Do you feel more informed? ?

Florida has the slickest ramps I have ever been on and there’s nothing that helps. My preferred fishing shoes are shimano evair and they have a gum rubber sole. While good for being tough and light and not marking the carpet, they are like waxed skis on wet docks and ramps. If I had to choose, I would go with Keen sandals. They have more of a lug style sole.