JCrzy4Bass

Nice hog dad. Way to work that vegetation over there at Mattawoman. I really wanna get back there as I've only had about 10 minutes of fishing tiome there total because how quickly friends wanted to bolt last time we went (they were fishing for cats and didn't like all the vegetation). But that is a pretty nice spot over there by Smallwood. I'm jealous seeing you and Andy catch these monsters. I've got numbers this summer but I'd trade it all for hogs like that. My pb is only 2.5 lbs and I haven't been able to top it in months. Hopefully I'll be able to with fall fishing around the corner. Good job today. You'll have to take me to thats pot on the boat before the season is over. Later dad.

Andy, No prob boss. Tell you what just that one lost fish I had built my confidence up in frogs completely. Before I swore that this pond was spinner central and that's pretty much the only bait other than a senko I'd tie on here. Buat after watching your technique with those frogs and getting a nice bite myself I have built up my confidence completely in another lure and I'm determined to become a decent topwater frog fisherman so can add that specific tool to my arsenal in situations of heavy vegetation like these. Good job this morning dude, we'll do it again soon. Nice lil pond eh??? Just remember this spot is sacred.... lol. NO FISHING PRESSURE at all. And I wanna keep it that way. Good job again boss. LUNKERVILLE BABY!!!

I thought I was going to be a carp fisherman. The first two times out (early spring of this year), I was dragged along cause a couple of my friends who hardcore fish, like almost every day said I needed to at least try it. Before then I always asked them why they wasted their time and came home all dirty and smelling nasty from the fish and the bait. Well the first day I caught about three white perch at Occoquan. Thought it was cool but was like ehh... the next day... same thing. Well a week later before work one of the guys that started out with me asked if I wanted to fish on the army base, so he drove me and one other chick up to Ft Belvoir to do some catfish fishing. Well I just casted out a nightcrawler on a bottom rig and launched it as far as I could out into the river. About 15 minutes later as I'm talking to my buddy and trun my head from my pole I feel my pole almost drag me into the water. My pole was a 7'0 mh shimano fx. My pole looks like a donut by this time and my drag is set so tight I swore my pole was going to break. Well my friend said to loosen the drag just a bit so he came over and helped very gradually letting some of it out. It felt never ending because as soon as he did that all you heard was zip zip zip zip zip zip zip for eternity. Finally after playing the fish and letting it run all over I started reeling very gradually when it would slow down and start to turn in torwards me. After about 10 minutes I finally landed the fish. I had no clue what it was but my friend knew right away. He's like whoa dude you got a carp. The colors were so pretty the reds oranges and greens and stuff. Very unique looking fish. That fight was so amazing. To this day I still fish for them occassionally at a local lake just for the fight. Throw some corn on a bobber rig and leave it next to the shoreline about 10-15 feet out. They are just an awesome fight!!! Anyway the fish ended up being 22" long, we didn't weigh it but my buddy suspected somewhere in the 6-7 pound range. It was a great day and I talked about this fish for such a long time after that that people started to think all I cared about was fishing... well... lol, j/k. I do care for family and friends first, but other than that I don't think there is anything I'd rather be doing than wetting a line for smallmouth bass and wading in the river, fishing from the bank for bucketmouths, or lookin' for the perfect spots in my dad's boat. Fishing is my life.

That's a nice fish buddy. I like how you go back to those holes that normally don't treat ya well and then end up literally stickin' it to em'. Good job out there boss. Way to work those bigger baits. My friend Andy uses those red shad 10" power worms and has good luck with em' but I can't find em' anywhere local. Looks like I'll have to drive a few towns up and pick some up from Dick's Sporting Goods one day in the near future.

Haha, I just bought that same tackle box two days ago since I just started smallie fishing. Enough to fit my tubes, weights, senkos, jerkbaits, finesse jigs, spinners, topwater and cranks in. I use that little box that comes with it, plus two binder type plastic holders that fit everything else and fold them up and put them in the pockets. Pretty sweet setup actually. I can even fit my waterproof camera in it. Can't beat that for $10 either. Nice job out there Trout and don't let people pick on the tackle. Haters lol.

Hey guys, Take a look at that Burke Lake pic. Now look at all of the other ones posted. You wonder why people call Burke Lake "over-pressured"? Prime example. I'm assuming that pic was taken on a weekend Slomoe? Anyway beautiful lakes guys. If I get out tommorrow I'll grab a few of one of my spots (either Mercer, Neabsco Creek, or Lake Accotink).

I'm gonna try here and further up the rap (upstream) to a more secluded spot if I'm not getting anything. I'll post pics and results some time early next week. Hopefully have some good pics. Wish me luck fellas.

Hey Bryan, thanks dude. After I fished about a 1/2-3/4 miles stretch (wading) on Riverside Dr I was contemplating taking a ride down and following it down to Mott's Run to see if there was access and fish another 1/2 mile stretch or so. Appreciate the info buddy. I will give it a try man. Good fishing in this spot?

Hey CC, With all the information you learn here you should be improving your game ten fold and really taking it to those bass. Ask any questions you got and I promise at some point or another one of the regulars in here will be happy to provide their experiences, viewpoints, and assistance. Great bunch of guys here, almost like a bass club itself for those of us who don't belong to one. Hope it's as much use to you as it is to me. Good luck and tight lines boss.

So far I've found 4-5 new fishing partners up for shore fishing the Nova area who I see on a fairly regular basis. I've learned of new fishing holes and good spots to fish in the Northern Va area. I've learned how to work many different lures, which ones work better over others, and where I can find a lot of lures that aren't at my local stores. I've learned so many different techniques and really got a good grasp on the beginning stages of bass fishing (so I think). I've found some great areas in my state to fish for smallies that I never knew even existed. This place is unbelievable. The people here are always willing to help regardless how dumb a question may be (the person posting may think so). Even the videos that some people post up about how to work certain lures. I can honestly say I've addapted some styles into my fishing and tried many of the techniques I've watched these successful fishermen demonstrate. I've got to say I honestly do believe in this place as a club as I haven't joined one yet. I appreciate the job that the mods do and the dedication of the vets and regulars that patrol this place who have been at it for years and don't mind sharing pointers. You guys are all great! I just hope one day I can be as useful and knowledgeable as you guys and help someone else learn all that I have got from this site and the people that are a part of it. Thanks so much guys. P:s: Even some of my best friends that I bass fish who actually showed me the ropes when I first started can't believe how well I am doing and all that I have learned. I even have some of them asking me for ideas and stuff. I could not have got this far (even though the progress may be minimal) without your help. Bassresource.com ROCKS!!!

Hey guys, I've been around the forum a while and fish mostly for largemouth but after a couple smallie outtings I am really starting to love these bronze backs. I fished the James one day at Pony Pasture and came up with two, lost three others and had a bunch of bites. I fished the upper Rappahannock another day earlier this summer in early June right at the Line where the route one bridge is, fished the nontidal portion on riverside dr for about 1/4 mile stretch. I fished a jig mainly for the two hours I was there and caught a rock bass and had a few other hits. My question to you is out of the three Virginia Rivers (not parts in Md): Potomac, Rappahannock, and James, where would you say the best smallie fishing lies (particularly wading wise, not in a boat). Also on these rivers where are one or two of the best spots (not secret spots, just common ones) you guys would recommend checking out? As far as Rappahannock River Campground, does anyone know if the water there is wadeable and if it costs anything to fish there? I crossed a few bridges going by there one time, is there anywhere around there to park and walk down and fish? I'm really interested in areas in or around Fredericksburg as its only about a 30 mile drive for me to make. I would appreciate any information you guys have or could share. Thanks for your help fellas.

I don't think upset is accurate. Did we not see Mcnabb play last week? Apparently he is not the same since his injury last year. If you ask me, I'd rather have Garcia back. Love those Philly fans though huh? Booing Mcnabb on every pass that was either behind, ahead, low, high, etc. What fair weather fans. Anyway, back to the point. With Mcnabb playing this poorly in both games (though he looked great in preseason), you gotta wonder how Philly is gonna rebound from an 0-2 start when they were a favorite if Mcnabb was healthy. Westbrook is carrying that team right now as far as the run game is concerned. Cooley finally got involved this week, it was just a matter of time. With the Eagles focusing on shutting down both Moss and Randle El (who punished it last week) it left Cooley open to make some great plays over the middle of the field. Campbell actually looks like he has learned a lot over the last year and I think he's become a solid leader out there. Portis needs to step up his injury prone butt though. Ledell Betts has been performing great just as he did last year and you gotta wonder... if your Gibbs, how much longer do you ride your star back? Betts has proven he's an assett out of the backfield running and recieving the ball. He is the back tailored more towards making a big play. All this is coming from a Broncos fan! I cheer both for and against the skins depending on who they are playing. I think they finally have a team that looks like it is coming together. They have some good leaders on that team, they are playing team football and they are not making as many mistakes as they have in years past. While it's early in the season I almost want to call them my number two sleeper team in the NFC besides Green Bay (who I called in the pre-season). P:s: You guys looked like you didn't miss Jon Jansen too much last night. Good win fellas.

Pic 2: Raydin decided to give me a tude' check out that tongue action!

New and most recent pictures of Raydin at one year old (in 4 days):

Hey Sam, I'd like the info if you got a sec to send it. Wouldn't mind traveling an hour or so south to Richmond depending on schedules, how many tourneys and where the fishing took place. Thanks in advance boss.

Yea I gotta admit I've been slackin' lately, I think I held it twice last month lol. I need to take that thing out more so it doesn't get aggressive. It's never EVER bitten me and even if it did I heard it doesn't hurt at all unless they are adult size. Example: Adult cornsnake bite = equivalent of baby python or boa bite. Anyway, yea I'm gonna focus more on it. It's been hard with the wedding, work, spending time with friends, family. Fishing. All that. So seein' this thread kinda reminds me, hey the snake needs time too lol. Well, hopefully you guys will enjoy the pics later. Like I said, give me til' tonight and I'll have some good ones up!

Hey Basshunter, if your referring to the "topwater" snakes. Take a look at Doug Hannon's site. Some cool video footage of him catching BIG BASS on these. They cost 40.00 a pack though. Only buy them if there are indeed LUNKER or HOG Bass in your area. Little bass or even average size bass will HIGHLY unlikely take one of these lures. Make sure you have the right gear to throw them as well as I hear they can be difficult to cast. You may want to take a look in the tackle section and look for threads about Doug Hannon's snakes before you decide to purchase and see if it is worth it for you. Later bud.

The Pats got off easy. Money is crap to these guys. It would have been better to suspend him a game because that would have interfered with the calling on the field and them possibly being the team with homefield advantage in the playoffs. Now the Pats will still probably give it to the Chargers this week and another big AFC team will have a loss under their belt. I know cheating is probably common place to some teams in the NFL and I bet some do it better than others. And that is the same reason why Mangini came out and stated he knew about the Pats cheating when he was in New England... ok isn't that pretty much giving away the fact that he may have been a part of it? Maybe he still uses the same tactics? There are too many coaches that defended NE's coach for this and lead me to believe that it is going on in way too many other franchises. If you ask me there needs to be a full league investigation into what materials these coaches are using to prepare for games. They need to be checked before and after getting off the field and that includes any staff, or type of coach coming on the field with the team. The only video cameras on the field should be the reporters, and the ones taping the game. Give the game back to the players... the only technology worth a crap now is the "challenge booth" the refs use for instant replay and the feeds that allow HD to come into our houses.

Thanks Basshunter and Raul. The show that they hold at the Prince William Fairgrounds here in NOVA every 3-4 months has some awesome python, cornsnake, and kingsnake morphs. Plus many others. All the Beardies you could dream of, all sorts of turtles and tortoises. Really cool and informative show. Many of the breeders are really cool there. If anyone is around Manassas and interested in reptiles and hasn't heard about it, they should check it out. Like I said I'll have pics up later of the progression Raydin has had. Now that he's a year old you will definately be able to see how much brighter the oranges get in the main body color, and how much thicker and clearer the white outline on the saddles becomes. Albinos make for very pretty snakes later on. Eventually someday when I get my new apartment after January I will get a Lavender, Pewter, or Silver Queen Ghost for a new tank. Put em' side by side, then start breeding years down the road. That was my goal eventually. There is only one other close breeder here in NOVA and I know that this is a fairly decent market for these guys if you know how to setup a decent web page and pay system. Anyway, later guys. Good link for those who love corn snakes. I haven't been on in forever but these people know their stuff. I think the forum on cornsnakes is just as well done as here: www.cornsnakes.com Enjoy.

One more...

Hey man I own a corn snake, named him Raydin after Street Fighter. He is a year old on Sept 18th. Feed him two thawed mice about every week and a half to two weeks. He's an albino (amel), no hets or anything. Picked him up from those stupid people at Petco who don't know how to take good care of their snakes. I was gonna get one of the only snow's they had but they looked real thin and in bad shape and god knows whether I could have gotten them to eat or not. Mine is pretty cool, haven't been feeding him a lot lately so he has prob lost some of his bulk, but speaking of I'ma give em' a good feedin' tonight. Should start bulkin' the poor guy back up. Haven't measured him in forever, but if you want perspective as of about January 06 (5 months old)... check these out. I'll take more pics tonight or on Sunday and post the progression so you can see the difference that 6-7 months makes in these guys. Plus he just shed so he will be perty! Anyway, awesome lookin' corn. And I love that kingsnake. I always wanted to get a black mexican king. Those things look beast, especially the ones that have BARELY any yellow in them. Hard to come by (at least the ones that are that perfectly black). Later dude.

I was surprised at how big the market was when I started fishing this summer. It's incredible how much gear there is out there. The different tackle manufacturers, rod and reel companies, strictly bass boat manufacturers, etc. When I went into Bass Pro the first time it blew my mind. I spent 84 bucks and I had only been fishing for bass for about a month at this point lol. And that was JUST TACKLE!!! Haha. It is an awesome experience. I'm glad we have all these tools now though, books, dvds, knowledgeable staff at SOME STORES like Dicks, Bass Pro and Gander Mountain. Thanks to all these we are able to learn at a much quicker rate than the older guys who have been at it forever and picked everything up through trial and error and process of elimination. These guys are the true heroes and vets we all admire. But with this much info available to us now, and sites like this on the net we can learn quicker than ever. All it really is is practice, practice, practice. Like learning to "walk the dog" or "hop, drag or swim a jig", how to "dart" grubs, etc. However, bass fishing is so complex now as far as what lures, what colors, what rigs, what size weights, what leader line, what kind of swivel, etc to use that it is really fun to learn all these different techniques and become good at all the different methods so you can employ them in any given situation. I must say it's a lot different than the bobber and hook setup I used as a kid. Crazy!

Dang on' Bizzle! That is a pig. His head is bigger than yours, he could probably swallow you face first up to your neck!!!

Yea let's see all the projects currently going on in Northern, Va shall we? First and foremost the worst and craziest project of all, the springfield interchange on I-95. Next we have the widening of 123 and the Occoquan Bridge (almost done, thank god). Then we have Minnieville Road (fairly new project) being widened on both sides. The never ending phase one part of widening Route One by the Dale Blvd, Rippon, and Neabsco Road area all the way down past Quantico. I hate to see what this nightmare is going to look like once everyone sells their land and construction begins. Not to mention the previous pw parkway turn lane construction and the dale blvd turn lane construction at Darbydale a month or two ago. If you ask me, they take on too many d**n projects at once. NOVA traffic is freakin' horrible.

Nice fish. What she go for? 3lbs? Showin' the senko love! I normally t-rig either weedless or tex posed, but wacky rigging can get some monster hits. Good job out there!