drakesndrum

Yes! Thanks

Can anybody point me in a good direction for LC Pointer 78's in Aurora Green Perch color? I cannot seem to find them anywhere. Thanks in advance!

Tatula Elite 7'3" arrived yesterday, paired with an SV. This is going to be a great all-purpose stick, even with 3/8-1/2oz jigs, swim jigs, etc. Can't believe Midway had that sale!

Apparently its 50 on my favorite stretch. Yesterday it was hovering at 49.6-50 up from 42-43 a month ago when I was there last. Had incredible fishing yesterday; fish were up in 3-6', hungry, and FAT. Interesting note was they were holding well back from any current breaks but near the seams, not sure if that's has to do with the flow rate through there ...it would make sense.

Spro RKCrawler for me as well, they cast a long ways and don't snag like some others do. I throw true square-bills in shallower water, KVD 1.5s, LC 1.5, Rapala Roccos, etc. Deeper (8'+) water calls for the Spro.

Banner day yesterday. Best five went 93.75", probably 21lbs. Weighed two, 5-9 and a 4-5. Phone went swimming before anything was saved ...puke.

Yesterday the water had gotten up to 50 degrees and a fairly aggressive retrieve was the ticket. 2 second pauses.

Unfortunately nothing was sent to iCloud, I'm guessing due to lack of service in that area. Considering another GoPro, will see.

Lucky Craft Pointer 78, this morning. 5lbs 9oz, 21". Then my phone took a swim. Never been so sick in my life. River fish.

Yessir mailed that yesterday as well.

Received my 7'1" H yesterday, looks awesome and has plenty of rear-end for what I'm going to do. Went ahead and ordered the 7'3" MH as well, for that price it's the best deal going. I need a bigger garage ...

I have several of those rods already, the 7' MF spinners are my go-to river smallie rods and they are awesome! I'm a sucker for real cork grips. I've fished more expensive rods in the same range and always come back to my Tatulas.

I have no idea, I've never fished a Magdraft. Rod will be here tomorrow, I'll throw some stuff on it and see what it handles.

What a deal! Ordered the 7'1" H just now for $92 shipped, hard to beat that. I'm always tinkering with gear so I'll probably end up with a couple more rods to try.

Thanks guys, I'll check them all out.

I fish from a kayak 99% of the time, so I'm looking for something in the 7'3" range since anything longer gets a little unwieldy. Pitching/flipping/casting/swimming 3/8-1oz jigs, and maybe some light punching in deep grass. Will be using 30lb or 50lb braid on a Daiwa Tatula SV 7.3:1. I'm partial to Daiwa and St. Croix but open to suggestions in the $150-200 range. Looking at ... St. Croix Victory Flip'n 7'3" HMF 3/8-1oz Daiwa Tatula (cork handle) 7'3" MHF 3/8-1oz Thanks!

Have had good luck with the Daiwa Tatula CT reels. You can find them under $120 if you look. Smooth and lightweight with good drags.

Got a few Rod Gloves, Rage Menaces, JackHammers, a Savage Gear Glide bait to try, VMC swimbait heads, etc. Looking for a new jerkbait rod and a new jig/pig rod now. Also may try the new KVD Elite jerkbaits.

Have tried them all at one point or another and have settled on the Aftco Samurai hooded sun shirts. They're not overly expensive and the fit is more athletic for me. The hood is a must if you're short on hair like me! Pants/shorts wise I use a bunch of different ones, just make sure you get stretchy material, it'll be more comfortable.

First pic worthy fish from yesterday, river water temp 41.4. Dragging a fluke on the bottom in about 8' of water. 90min drive to that spot, worth it every time.

River smallies rule! I don't live too far from you, probably 40mins depending on which part of Richmond you live in. I primarily target smallies myself, welcome!

His sleds work very well for dragging soft plastics in rocks and not snagging as well.

Have had good luck with these, basic black. https://northbranchtackle.com/products/hand-tied-living-rubber-jig?variant=43101572202704

Berkley X9 15lb, Seaguar Basi-X 12lb leader, FG knot. Works like a champ. The knot is time-consuming but when I do get snagged I usually break off at the lure and not the leader. I fish smallies in rivers 99% of the time though, so a FC leader is a must. I've found Seaguar FC is more abrasion resistant than regular mono which helps in and around rocks. Your mileage may vary. Good luck!

I toss mine(SS127) in the bed of my truck all the time, its a great boat even in river current. With a proper paddling technique I can get 3-4mph out of it. It is a bear in the wind, but most kayaks are. The addition of a motor has changed all that, however.