Susky River Rat

I have a few different set ups. More so just match the weight of the lure vs the rod rating. Other than that chuck and wind

What river are you looking to fish the susky or Potomac?

I leave on what I had from last trip and pound it till it doesn’t work

I bought my 2024 G3 18’ CCJ in October 2023. For those who do not know it’s a center console with an aluminum tunnel hull and outboard Yamaha 115/80 jet. A terrova quest and garmin strikers bow and console. My boat runs between 30 and 32.5 depending on load, current, wind etc. which is plenty fast for a rocky shallow river. This boat is not built for speed, luxury or comfort. It is function built as most river jets are. It gets on plane in about a boat length and a half which is very important. It is a very dry ride. Generally the only spray I get is from the trolling motor being stowed. Nothing from actually running the boat. Handling is very different than even my previous jet boat. It tends to skate out hook up and than have to counter steer it back straight. To combat this I will run about 13/16 throttle than to straighten out in the direction I want go to full. This negates the over steering issue. It does not like any kind of chop and gives a very rough ride. fishing out of this boat is a joy. I can walk all around it. I have a great vantage point into the water. It is very stable and drafts extremely shallow. I have a few minor rock bumps with it but no major damage. This boat gives the confidence to go shallow. My biggest complaint about this boat is loading it onto the trailer. It does not really self center and is very heavy to winch up. I try to keep it within about 1’ of the winch. Also being such a shallow drafting boat it will easily float over the bunks. Overall this boat is exactly what I wanted and does everything I need it to do extremely well. I even catch fish out of it sometimes!

I can promise you welding is not a good choice.

The new tundra looks pretty darn good towing the G3

Personally I go when it’s comfortable now. I am not near as diehard as I used to be lol

The susky! I would go try and fish that tournament in texas. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. I also have a mind set if I do not get there now I might not ever get there. It’s easy to put it off because it’s further or you just don’t have the time. Make the time and go enjoy it!

I want to learn to catch fish. Other than that I am hoping to be working all I can between thanksgiving and April

There also comes to a head what do you want. Big fish or numbers. They usually do not come the same way. People catching the biggest fish are putting in a lot of time. I am by no means a big fish hunter like @A-Jay . Fun and rewards come in many different ways for each of us. Sure, I want the biggest fish I can get. In that same note I am not going to target only big fish. Fun for me is catching fish enjoying my day and relaxing.

I will pound an area till it dies. If I am running and gunnin you can sure bet I’m having a tough day. When the different areas in a certain stretch of river start to die out I will head to another stretch. You bet I will get back to the original stretch eventually and get them. Your “honey hole” is someone else’s milk run. Just remember that.

@woolleyfooley hook sets are free……till you lose tackle.

I set the hook as hard as I can. Into fish, limbs, rocks, weeds, trash, brush. Whatever feels different to me I swing for the fences. From ned rigs and drop shots to T rigged in slop.

One thing is you need to fish where bigger bass are. That might be one reason. We there it’s body of water related or structure related. The thing is you found where the smaller bass hang out and how to catch them. Which is great. Now you need to find the bigger ones homes.

I use white and silver spinner and similar rage tails here in PA. We crushed them the other week on white flukes. Don’t over think it. Throw white if they eat it throw it. If they aren’t that day change color. I consider white, silver and black universal for fishing.

Or David Allen Coe. I try my best to avoid anyone fishing from the bank. Now if am fishing a high access bank area from a boat, you walk up and want to fish I won’t budge. Get there earlier than me or wait for me to leave. I am extremely rude to people who fish off the boat ramps. 9 chances out of 10 there is a sign saying no fishing from ramp. The ramp is for loading and unloading boats(I guess I’ll include kayaks just for Koz). Not for fishing, swimming, sight seeing or smoking dope.

I think we over complicate fishing. I think if we look at all our fishing days as a whole they 50/50 prove or disprove theories. It’s always easy to blame why we didn’t catch fish. The reality is someone somewhere on that body of water was crushing it. No different than when your buddy in the boat is crushing it right next to you and you can get a bite from a mosquito.

My only hesitation is if the engine blew what else wasn’t taken care of? You could get the engine rebuilt or drop a new one in but, find you need 3k in other stuff that is shot.

The river is the lowest it’s been all year. Still lake fishing

The susky, it’s long wide, powerful and shallow. Endless areas to explore. Some not for the weak hearted or some you just have to be a complete bone head to. It offers just about anything anyone could ever want out of a fishery. Whether from boat, kayak or wading. (Other than bogs)

I’ve had great days on sunny calm days. I’ve had great days cloudy and windy. I’ve had great days in the rain. Great days in clear water and great days in chocolate milk water. I don’t really get to “pick” when I fish so it I only went on what the weather was doing I’d never fish. can’t catch ‘em from the couch

Mapping is useless in that river till you get down to the pools and tidal. It all depends on the level too. I think it was around 4ft for that tournament. Right now it’s 3.4 or lower. It doesn’t seem like a big change but 4ft and up I can run most places in my boat. 3.5 is the danger zone for me. At the very least I think it would be very enjoyable and different for you. My only word of advice is make sure you’re in a stretch with someone else.

@Kozdo the susky one if they have it there next year!

Just have fun! Don’t measure your success to others. It’s easier now than ever to see other peoples catches. Try to measure up to them. The fact is you have no clue how long they fished or how many fishless days they had to get that monster bag. I know some do enjoy going for monster bags. Which, if that’s what you enjoy and have fun with do it! Just do it for you not to impress others or measure up. Ive had a lot more fun just fishing than every trying to best this or that guy.

@TnRiver46 you ain’t kidding 😂😂