Graham

She ate the wacky rig up shallow by this structure Took a few quick pics, weighed her and she was on her way. She weighed in at 5lbs

I’ve caught them on cranks and an assortment of soft plastic baits. Sounds like some of you have caught more cats on artificials than I have bass ?

I don’t know about you, but getting treble hooks out of a catfish is one of my favorite things in the world!

I don’t always peg my weights, but when I do I use a toothpick

The other day a friend of mine asked me to help him with some "field-work" for his biology thesis. When he told me to bring a rod and reel i knew it was going to be an awesome day. We packed up the truck with everything we needed and headed to a private farm that hugs the James River. After about an hour of taking samples we decided it was time to wet some lines. The farm has a dike system that cuts a fingerling creek off from the main part of the river. This dike system provides for an interesting fishing opportunity because when water is being released from the creek, the predator fish gather for the all you can eat buffet of bait fish that are washed out. The biodiversity was unreal. I caught two new species that day, one being the common carp, and the other being a striped bass. Also caught a decent blue cat. Interestingly enough I didn't catch a single LMB, which was what I was targeting. Cant complain though, sometimes not knowing whats on the other end of your line is more exciting. Anyways, heres a picture of my first carp! It was caught on a senko (Foul hooked its dorsal fin while bouncing bottom!) Very interesting day to say the least, and I wanted to share. Forgot to mention both the blue cat and the striper smashed a menace grub burnt adjacent to the bank. Here’s my first carp, Post some crazy catch pics of your own if you like!

Fishing has been on the past few weeks here around Richmond VA, we’ve been catching them up shallow. Black and blue has been killer for me with the frequent rain. Have yet to stick a giant this season but I’m gonna drop the yak in tomorrow and hopefully catch some on beds. Hope things get better for you. Looks like you caught a sizable one on that rasta set up so keep em coming!

Thanks for clarifying, I was referring to the little pond right by the entrance to the campgrounds. Didn’t know the chickahominy Lake was a thing, just thought it was a river.

On the river? Surely not that tiny pond...right?

Way to frequently. Unfortunately that is just the way I am. As soon as I buy some new gear I’m deciding what’s next!

Repping Richmond properly! I’ve got to step my game up, beautiful fish Travis!

Welcome Chuck!

Never used a KastKing, but i can speak on the Abu Garcia blackmax, great little reel for the price.

Sorry @sully420 my original post is not going to be useful to you as my experience is not with a true copolymer line. @WRB thanks for the info, what would be an example of a true copolymer and what would be the difference of it from what I’m using (coated line)?

Broke off and lost my favorite glide bait, really was a bummer. I admit I wasn’t using the proper equipment... I agree with your philosophy on fishing big baits. It’s a dedication and an obsession. I’m new to the big swimbait game, and I’m going to invest in the proper equipment so that I don’t have to worry as much. Got ahead of myself, and I feel like a fool, but I’ve got to admit where I’m wrong.

@WRB is a florocarbon coated mono a true copolymer?

In my experience it behaves similar to floro (sinks a little slower), but has less memory than a true floro. I have my all purpose rod spooled with copolymer, and really like it. I use p-line (it’s cheap and gets the job done) while it’s not my go to line for any specific technique, it does a lot of things well and is fairly abrasion resistant as well.

Haha I love it, you sir are whacking them this year congrats! also, that story read like a novel haha, when’s your fishing book hitting the shelves? ?

I sometimes forget my two piece rod even is one.

I don’t see why you couldn’t or shouldn’t.

Total slab haha nice

Braid with a 12# floro leader for me.

2 on for my shimano reels. set and forget, good to go...

I use a 7' mh/f and a 6:3:1 reel backed with 50lb strike pro braid and a 15lb mono leader.

another nice trailer option in this pattern is the green pumpkin/blue rage menace, personal favorite.

Welcome!