JCrzy4Bass

You guys forgetting about Meredith Bay up on Lake Winnepesaukee? The most beautiful lake period in my opinion. I remember my last vacation up there... incredible area. My dream is to own a house on that lake when I retire and have my own boat slip and triton or nitro bass boat. Yea I know... I'm living in fantasy land. Anyway... lovely area, especially at sunset and in the morning with the sun coming up. Yea it is getting more built up but it's not a top rated attraction in NH for just that reason. I can't wait to get another vacation up there. Great Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass and Salmon fishing up there too.

The last Bassmaster Issue I got I read about Boyd Duckett fishing one of those for a brief moment in the "day on the lake" article. If it's the same Poe I'm thinking of. All it said was "he tied on a Poe's Crankbait" and I thought to myself it must be one of those prototype lures or custom lures these guys give input into building, or they found a real good crafty lure designer and took one of his hands. Anyway I'd like to know too, pics would be awesome. I take it these things are hard to come by?

Yea I thought that may be it. I had a silver one a while back but found that the casting with it sucked. It's like casting a small original rapala. I use great line for my cranks (suffix elite) and I can cast my mann's and my rat l's a mile. Just didn't like that aspect of the yo zuri. I guess it's more of a reaction type bait where the action is what you pay for? You able to cast it decently? I wonder if a split shot or something by the lip will help...

Hey perfect man, at least you got three fish on one senko. That's awesome when you don't have to waste em' so quickly. Normally they are only good for one or two fish depending on the size. But dang on, those things will catch fish under any conditions. I love GY. Ps: The bait monkey wants to know what kind of lure that is in the second picture lol. I like the coloring on it. And it looks like a slashbait or jerkbait... no? Rapala?

Have to throw some of my DT's too then. Last two weekends I understand have had tourneys on the water, same this weekend. So we should probably look for more "unpressured" spots since a lot of the fish will have been taken already from sure looking spots. Looks like I might have to pick up a couple of deep divers as I don't have many in my selection as of yet. Appreciate the info about Duke's Charlie. We will let you know how we make out.

Dad, Check out Airbornes reports. He has three very good ones (one from each of the last three weeks). It's on another website, you can pm me for it as I can't post it here because it won't show up. He fishes there regularly and is really thorough, providing water temps for different areas, info on where the fish are, breaking up patterns, etc. I've been following his reports for a while and usually they are pretty good. Lots of info. The one for High Point is real generic and kinda covers the whole month so it's harder to relate to your next trip because then the fish could be totally different. My conclusions from reports... it looks like the fish will mostly be caught in 5-10' of water on cranks and plastics. I'm gonna plan on covering shallow suspended fish with a Mann's, the rest of the water with a trap and a Rapala Jerkbait (might pick up another at the marina since I'm down to two). I'll probably throw some original rapalas if I see surface activity and maybe a spinnerbait weather/water condition permitting. Plastics I'm gonna home in on the almighty senko baits. Also another thing I've drawn from reports is that the fish are holding fairly close to cover. Might be time to press those docks/ rip rap areas again. Can't wait!

Thanks Vekol. I need to buy a few poppers to try out soon for that. I haven't had success with the jitterbug and the buzzbait yet although I've only tried them the couple times I saw good activity on top. The mann's is killing them though. Just trying to see if you guys had had any luck. Best of luck this spring guys.

Indeed Micro, refer to first post. You good to go? 71, I only fished the parking lot area (wading around there) the last time I went. Only been once. I basically was casting a 4" Venom tube in pumpkin, another in watermelon and another in black cherry (Strike King model). I caught 3 fish in about 2 and a half hours. I lost another two, go figure the biggest of the group. I fish it the same as the rap. Cast upstream and let the bait come back downstream with the current. The one difference I found to be here is during the summer/early fall the smallies will really sit right inside of whatever grass you find. Same thing applies as normal smallie fishing too, look for boulders that break current and cast in front of them allowing them to drift by. I got many bites this day but it was only my second time smallie fishing and missed a lot of them (including the two bigger fish I had hooked). They jump like crazy!!! Can't wait to get back. I didn't have grubs at the time but I will try these next time as well as small hair jigs since the water will still be warming up. Hopefully see you there.

Hey Bed, my sister works there as a research technician. I'm gonna have to ask her about that as she probably saw him around... it's a big hospital though, but she may know something. I know a lot of famous people bring their children or family there, as it's one of the top children's hospitals in the country. Sorry for the hijack fellas, just found it interesting... back to Bill Dance. I think Bill is one of the most detailed pros I watch. He really picks apart the situation and is always providing you with information even when he's not landing fish. His shows have taught me a lot about weather patterns, bait fish, structure, line, baits, etc. He is one heck of a bass fisherman.

That sucks dude. Put it this way though, at least your dog is ok and you didn't have the hooks bury into your leg so hard you didn't need additional help to get em' out. As long as your both oj that's the most important thing. I'm sure she may get back in the boat with you eventually, just clear a spot rod and reel free for her to lay down back deck or something. That's something you don't hear everyday though. Real pretty dog. Black Lab?

Hey guys, is anyone in Virginia (northern parts) catching bass on topwater lures yet? I know that jerkbaits, rat l traps, jigs and cranks seem to be top producers right now but how many of you have actually pulled out a topwater? I think it's still too early and I was just curious around what time of the year do you guys pull these out and start making use of em'? I'm figuring post spawn will be about right after the bass come out of their laziness from doing their thing. Am I close on this? I have some topwaters I really wanna get going that I'm itching to throw but I know I probably need to wait a while. If any of you guys have had success can you clue me in on what types of techniques you are using to draw the fish up?

Wow, now thats a heck of a steal. Great color combos too. I like the DT bluegill pattern one (least that's what it looks like). I need to get some more of those, the action is awesome on them. That and you gotta love the slash/jerk baits Rapala makes. Good going.

If your having this problem use one of the Rapala Floating Rattle Traps, much better for shallow water conditions. Or use a smaller version of the Rat L Trap so it doesn't sink so fast. You should be able to burn it right over top once you figure out the depth. Pulling the grass off is just part of the game. If you have a fast action reel and really get that ripping action the grass on your hooks should be minimal. It's worth it when that hog slams your lure. You can also downsize your hooks, but I wouldn't go too far. This is one of the greatest big fish tools in bass fishing.

Dan pm me your number. I'll call you later this week after I talk to my friend and I know exactly where in Waynesboro I will be. That would be sweet to meet up and do some fishing together. Anyway if not, hopefully you'll be around for May 10th. Later man. Anyone else in?

Dan, As always, most informative sir. I appreciate it. I'll be checking it out on my next week day off. Probably April 25. Unless I get a *cough* between now and then lol.

Hey KY, I like a majority of the pros sponsored by Strike King and I love their products. Where do you find that journal you speak of? I may check it out. I learn the most from Bassin Magazine with columns from Hank Parker, KVD, Mike Iaconelli, and more. Sometimes Jimmy Houston shows his face in there too and they have great guest columns every now and then. But they have some great articles and tips for alot of different baits. I do have three of KVD's dvds. They came in a set, they are insightful as well but it's been a while since I watched em' so I'm not sure if I put any of his ideas to use yet (at least from this set of dvds). My dad and I watch alot of Bill Dance and I LOVE his blooper dvds. Anyway, he is very much like my great grandfather according to my dad (though I never got to fish with him). I like the way he REALLY breaks things down and shows you exactly how to go about fishing in each situation he finds himself in. The other thing I like is he focuses on ONE bait for each show (most of the time), so you really get a feel for what he's doing with that particular bait while not clogging your head with how to use 3 or 4 other ones.

One uped myself on Saturday at a new lake as well as got my pb. Not much of a difference but this fish DOES weight more. He weighed in at 3' 0 even on a Rapala Digital Scale. Caught it on a Strike King Red Eye Shad at my feet after missing him the first time (persistence), paid myself off 10 minutes later when he hit again. So 3/16.25 (Virginia State Record) x 100 = 18.461 or 18.5. Are we rounding the tenth place decimal? Anyway... fishindaddy, do you think we can get an update on like the top ten or something and up to date stats in the first post? Just seein'.

jcrzy4smlmth Yea, even on video games I still use bass usernames lol. I play Rainbow Six Vegas 1 on Live all the time. Not buying part 2 until I achieve the rank of Elite and beat story mode. Gonna be a while. Right now I am Staff Sargent and working hard. Pretty good I guess. I've unlocked a lot of the individual achievements. Dan do you have Rainbow? I'll add you later on, you can actually sign on your gamertag from a pc on xbox.com in case anyone didn't know.

Hey guys. I'm thinking about heading down to Pony Pasture on the James River in Richmond on May 10th for my first smallie trip of the year. If anyone is interested I can fit four in my car and each of us can probably bring one small tackle bag and one rod. I was planning on being there for sun up so probably leaving at like 615am from my place. I can give directions here and we can go together if you are in the Woodbridge/Dumfries/Dale City area or wanna come further to meet up thats fine too. I know places to park and this is a TROPHY SMALLMOUTH fishery. I love this place. Anyway I know the last outing was actually kind of small and we didn't have everyone there but this is a second chance. I'm gonna assume the water will be pretty cold still and it will be tough to wade but I'm probably gonna try as long as the water is not too high. At least get out to the middle and find some good rock islands to cast from. Whoever is interested chime in. Let's make this a fun trip. I know my dad's been wanting to go so I'm assuming he can drive car two if we need one (so we can all carpool). Those closer to Richmond can just meet us there if they want. So if anyone is interested in fishing this fantastic fishery, hit me up. We will start getting it together now. We got less than a month for this one guys so let's get it together. Anyone? Micro, I changed the date. You just made me see how I screwed up on my calender, I work that Friday AND Saturday (what I meant to put down), as well as the following Saturday. May 3rd I will be down in Waynesboro for the weekend fishing on a friends property for trout and smallies. So yea... May 10th. Sorry for the confusion fellas. I double checked and that IS a Saturday. Anyone?

TPayne thanks for the tip. I would have but my second reel was acting up today (jig/plastics pole), the anti-reverse didn't work. But yea, I have caught a few at Mercer like that but still am practicing that 1-2 punch. Thanks for the comments guys, your right this fish felt great and I was real excited. Now I'm ready to one up it and get some nice pbs like I see you guys showing off! Time to GO TO WORK!

Nice fish 71. Can't wait to try out that spot this year. Looks like you guys catch smallies on a regular basis up there? Did you take the hike through the needles and trashy water? ;D Looks like fun man. Have to meet up sometime for some smallie fishing. We are thinking of setting up a trip to pony pasture on the james in richmond later next month, keep your eyes open in the forum for the thread. Will be posted in this section. How far up 28 is that if you hit it from Liberia Ave? I'm coming from the Prince William Parkway. And do I take a left or right onto 28? Just curious. I'd love to check it out sometime. I love me some smallies. Though I much prefer to hit the Rapp, but who knows a trip here may change my mind.

Differences have been worked out from my end. Dan it was cool discussing stuff with you out there. Andrew I'm glad you got on the fish we missed. And to think I was persistent. Tried Rat L-Traps, Spinnerbaits, Worms, Jerkbaits, etc. Tough lake I guess. Maybe once it warms up I'll try again. I just like fishing shallower places right now because they warm up better than anything else. In case anyone is interested Woodglenn Lake is at 52 degrees (temp on the bottom of the lake), some kid was there doing a study for his class and let us know. He had a pole rigged up with temperature reading stuff. The surface temp probably would be more I assume. If anyone wants directions to check the place out, in a few weeks it should be on the verge of spawn and has a nice clay bank that outlines the whole left side of the lake. Looks like a great potential bed hot spot. Pm me and I can let you know how to get out there. Ps be ready to walk through some thorns and have your legs ready for a hike if you park where we did. Later fellas. Dan, I'm feeling a smallie outing in April at Pony Pasture. I'll start a new thread on this later, got family time to tend to. Have a good easter fellas.

Hey guys, had a decent outing today catching two largemouth in a couple hours at a new secluded lake I had found on mapquest. It's in a public community area and is NOT PRIVATE and totally surrounded by trees so you can't see it from the road. Not too many know about it ;D Anyway I refer to it as Lake X. Well here is the picture and the story - I was at the dam area and I was fishing adjacent to the spillway and the shoreline structure (mostly rocks). Water temperature was 52 degrees. Slightly stained. I was throwing the KVD Strike King Red Eye Shad on my crankbait rod. After 4-5 casts I saw this big green and white blob surface as I pulled the bait to my feet out of the water. I was so mad I pulled too quick. He swam away. I collected myself, caught my breathe and then started casting again. I covered the shoreline left/right, out ahead of me searching for him. Around the rocks, down the laydowns out there, everywhere. Finally after about 12-13 casts I got him on and he fought pretty good for being hooked within 10 feet of the shore. I was so excited as I'd been working on getting a 3lber since last year. Weighed in on the Rapala Digi at 3' 0. Finally got it. I know it's not much but it was huge to me. Now to break that 4lb threshold. Hopefully soon. got one trip to the Potomac and another to Lake Anna (Dike 3) late this month. We shall see. Guess I'll be throwing that Shad bait some more though

Good job Andrew. Glad to hear someone caught something out there today. I saw quite a few dinks but I guess we bolted before we saw any of size pulled in. Nice seeing everyone out there today, Rob, Paul, Dan, Andrew. Have to do it again when the weather gets better. My dad and I bolted at 10am and hit a new pond we found a ways back. I ended up getting bit by a 3lber and missed him at the shore (saw him surface). Kept at it for 10 minutes and was finally able to pick him off. First good fish this year and a new pb. So pretty exciting day for a few of us I guess. Definately nice to meet you Dan and Paul. Dan man we have to hook up for smallies. Sorry I bolted without saying bye fellas, we were close to my car and were trying to get in one more spot before wifey needed me home. Here's my big fish of the day. 3 even on the Rapala Digi. I caught another dink a little under a lb after but nothing else.

Yakfish <--- That is great lol.