JCrzy4Bass

Thanks Roadwarrior. I appreciate the info. I saw that after I had bought my previous reel that I didn't need to get one that big in weight. Also is it ok to actually put higher test than the reel is designed for with these? Like by 2-4lb? Just curious.

my mistake, it's the SE4000FB (Sedona Model). Only changes are 3 ball bearings, and some extras that the reel offers such as Cold Forged Aluminum Spool provides increased strength and durability. Spare Cold Forged Aluminum Spool (except model 750) S-Concept (only on model 750) represents Shimanos initial philosophy on which many of our spinning reels have been designed. The three basic ideas that are inherent in the S-Concept are Smooth, Silent and Strong. Slow Oscillation (only on model 750) lays the line in a parallel pattern for excellent castability and control. Maintenance Port (only on model 750) a sealed plug that can be removed using a screwdriver to easily lubricate the drivetrain without disassembling the reel. S-Arm Cam (only on model 750) a protruding surface on the bail arm keeps slack line in contact with the line roller to reduce the chance of tangles and line cuts. Fluidrive uses the successes of Fluidrive, but also uses a polishing process to increase tooth contact for increased efficiency. So I guess this reel is pretty nice, but what would be the next apporpriate step up for what I had in mind?

Hey guys, I use mainly Shimano products and have since I started because I love the quality. For any of you Shimano Spinning setup guys my current setup is: -Reel SON4000FA: Line retrieve per crank is 28, 8/240, 10/200, 12/160, max drag lbs is 17.0, 2 ball bearings, 1 roller bearing, gear ratio of 5.1:1, 12.7oz is reel weight -Rod SMS60M-2: 6'0", Medium, Fast, 6-12lb test, 1/8-1/2 lure weight, 2 piece I'm looking to upgrade for my second rod and reel. I don't want to go too much more expensive and I'd like a lighter reel, as well as a bit faster of a retrieve. I love the sensitivity of the rod that I have and wouldn't change it for the world, so I need a rod comparable to that. I don't like anything over 6'6", don't need a heck of a lot of backbone since I mostly catch 1-3lbers around here and don't fish extremely dense vegetation. I'd like to be able to use swimming jigs, senkos, and carolina rigs with the new setup as my other pole is mostly for spinners, senkos, topwater, and inline spinners. I also want a two piece rod to help break down easier in my car. Any ideas on what I should look into next without going way deep into my wallet?

I have to think in an area of dense vegetation and weed beds on the Occoquan, or Potomac for that matter that these will fare well. Seeing as not too many people from this are ahave tried this or even posted anything on these lures in Northern Virginia (as far as threads I can find), it is definately worth a shot. We know from watching FLW Tours and such that the Potomac holds some BIG bass and there are definately areas where this would be interesting to try out such as creek mouths, pads, brush, etc. I have some decent hopes for these things (not HIGH but decent) and think these may produce some bigger bass than what I am used to catching (1-2 lbers and dinks). I figure if the senko worms action is this appetizing, as well as the ribbon tail which has a very distinct wiggle and swaying movement to it these stand a chance. The videos are probably shot in areas where there are naturally BIGGER bass, but someone has to try these things out around here. GOOD LUCK!!! Ps: I guess I'm kinda excited since I'll get to use em' too lol.

Watchin the FLW Outdoor Tour on tv, it seems like those guys have a blast. Laughing, joking... really enjoying pitching into grass and pads with plastics and stuff. I've never been to an event on the Potomac but if it comes back next year I want to try and make the weigh in for a day or two and see some of these guys in person.

I don't understand how a pro doesn't like a place where he can pull a bag of 17-18+ on TWO seperate days in the tourney. I understand they have to make some long runs, but the water on the Potomac isn't that harsh so it doesn't really differ from other calm rivers. Also isn't Potomac suppossed to be like the best bass fishery on the east coast as far as a river for Largemouth?

I haven't really used it deep water too much. Just picked up my third pack last Saturday from Boater's World in Woodbridge, Va. I LOVE the pumpkin color. I've only been using them about 2-3 weeks and I've caught 4-5 LMB with them in water ranging from 2-5 feet deep. I love the action on these things. It tailors to my style a bit more since I hate waiting for the senko to sink ALL the way to the bottom in deeper water (unless I'm using 1/8 or 1/4 ounce weights). This bait allows me to slowly swim it back to the boat and add a new dimension to the bait. Awesome job on GY for creating another AWESOME bait. Long live the senko worm! Good luck with the testing, I'm sure we will hear nothing but good stuff from you when you get back. Drop shotting or C-rigging?

Looks like the same stuff my dad and I pull up EVERY time we go to the Occoquan River. Our anchor is normally covered with it because a majority of the ground there has those weeds everywhere. Might not be the same EXACT milfoil, but it looks darn similar to what we pull up.

I'm actually very interested in reading a book like that. I read all over the place that reading a book like that is highly beneficial. One thread I read over a long time ago said there are two types of bass fishermen. One starts off by buying a really nice rod, reel, some expensive lures and a dvd about techniques and goes out to start fishing. The other buys a decent rod and reel combo, some less expensive lures, small little tackle box and a book ABOUT bass and their behaviors and instincts. It goes on to say that the second of the two NORMALLY would end up being the more successful fisherman. I do not mean to open up a can of worms here and start a debate, but I feel as that is true basing that off the fact that I went out and spent a lot of money to get started and didn't see great results. But now as I've been learning about structure, depth, bass instincts and such the past couple of months on here and in magazines (Bassin') I feel a lot more confident and knowledgeable. So I think I'd love that book and I'll definately look into it. Thanks dude.

What other books have you read since? Any by pros? If so who are the authors and what are the titles? I'm interested in learning more about different pros and their strategies now as well as their life on tour. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks man.

I hear you on Gamakatsu hooks man. All I use. I will try out my box and see what works weel in the Occoquan and Potomac, and lakes around here out of my variety I have. Ps: Do you think if I'm sitting this thing in a shallow channel with decent current that a floating worm would provide more action on the lures part? I figure if finesse worming and wiggling the worm works well, maybe it would be the same for carolina rigging? Also, how do you run this rig? Can you hop it like a jig? Or do you just feel the contact with the bottom and lift it over cover like more of a dragging technique? I'm off for two weeks taking care of my girl after her surgery so I just wanna try some new stuff when I go back out and I want to get all the info I can.

Hey guys, I normally wacky rig and texas rig my plastic worms, but there are some areas around me that I heard carolina rigs can work well and I was just curious what you northern va guys normally use as far as lizards and worms when you carolina rig. I normally texas and wacky rig senko worms, and I normally texas rig creature baits or use them in conjunction with a jig head. For my finesse worms I normally use zoom pumpkin or watermelon colors with 1/16 and 1/8 ounce jig heads. Will any of these work well with carolina rigs or should I use a different type of setup? Ps: I already have all the barrel swivels, leader line, and beads I need to set it up. I just would like to know what you guys prefer on the hook.

I'm thinking of making one of my own. Gamakatsu Hooks, Senko Worms and Creature Baits, Original Floating Rapala Lures, and White and Red Mini-Strike King Spinner Baits. All my go to weapons when all else fails.

Anyone had a chance to read this book? I never honestly heard of him until a few weeks back on tv, but I thought he had a very new school feel to him and introduced bass fishing to a younger teenage and adult audience. While the older guys, vets, and seasoned pros reign supreme, i think it's cool how the new age people are getting into the sport as well. I thought he did a great job explaining how to really concentrate on the water and make the most of every cast. He provided a lot of in depth analysis on how to read current, wind, water color, temperature, shade, baitfish, etc. He also provided a good look into how to pay attention to depthfinders instead of using them primarily to locate fish. He really opened up his personal life to explain the advantages of being a pro bass angler, but also about the personal life hardships that go along with it. He seems like a great guy to relate to as a younger generation angler. I like his confidence level and he really makes me feel like I need to boost my self esteem out there, think out of the box, pay more attention to detail and just let go. I think it was a great read (read it in a day), whether you like him or not, I think that this book will open up a lot of windows to any angler out there and really make you think about where, and how you'd like to fit fishing into your life, or mold it into your career. I will be following him a lot more now after reading this just because I think he's a guy who knows where he wants to be, hes a run and gun kinda guy like I am, and he makes the sport fun for himself, and the audience. And... most importantly he's all about building up the sport to the next level!

Maybe that explains why I pulled up a 2 and a half pound catfish on Lake Mercer two weeks ago with a white/red Strike King Spinnerbait. I had been in a slump too and only caught a catfish, warmouth, and bluegill on spinners for almost two weeks at my local lakes. Then I hooked up with two pbs, both 2lbs. One at Occoquan and another at Fountainhead in the corner of a dock. I know two pounds isn't much but I was happy with it. Weird creatures those cats are. Fun to catch nonetheless though. Funny story man. Good job on the fish though.

You can launch at Lake Ridge and rent boats there. It's right off Smoketown Road. Look up Lake Ridge Virginia marinas online and you'll find it. Decent Jon Boats, trollin motors and batteries. Also if you wanna fish further up you can hit fountainhead off of route 123. Rentals are expensive there though and the one I rented almost had me treading water there. Got a free rental for next time though. Hey guys if you don't mind me asking, what were you throwing out on the water there? I don't wanna ask bout' the spot but the biggest two I've caught off occoquan this year went for two pounds. One at fountainhead by the corner of the boat dock shore fishing. Another fishing the boat dock by the occoquan park launch ramp. Both caught on senko worms rigged weightless. Just curious cause I'm lookin for a new pb and my dad just bought a bass boat two weeks ago so I'll be hitting that water a lot. Caught my first bass 1lb on the boat last saturday fishing the weed beds up by belmont bay before it opens up. Good lookin' fish guys. Maybe we can hook up sometime and you can give me some pointers.

Now THATS BIG BASSIN'! Jesus that thing is a monster! Have you been reading the pointers in the Professor section? Lol. So I guess I'll be the one to ask... what did he catch (the one you brought out to pre-fish)?

Sorry for the confusion guys. Yea I did mean lucky craft. my mistake. I only saw them briefly in bass pro and got it mixed upw ith stuff I was looking at on line. Yea my dad just started fishing again and ordered some megabait swimbaits hes going to try this weekend up at lake ridge. He's real excited. I'm going out to buy him a new pole for fathers day tonight. His quantum he has been using forever and its missing a rod guide, and the reel is in some bad condition. Time for an upgrade especially since he's serious about this. He pulled out all of his fathers lures and rooster tails he used to use. Bought a new tackle box from walmart last night and organized everything out. I'm excited to start fishing with him, We went out of Lake Ridge last weekend and boatd the occoquan and had a blast. Mostly sunfish, but he caught a lmb, and i lost two. Bunch of perch, etc. He switched to live bait after 3 hours cause he said they weren't hitting lures. I stuck with it but couldn't reel em' in. Anyway, yea I waste so much money on cranks cause i've lost so many as a beginner. Spinners I can control much better and they rip through stuff easier, haven't lost but 1 out of the 4 I have right now in weeks so. I just want to get better at accuracy and casting before I spend money on higher end stuff. I'm going to try out some of the rapala suggestions you guys threw out at me, see how they do as I've already caught a few on lures made by them. But maybe in the future when I get better at cranks, I may try some lucky craft seeing as the advanced fishermen in here have made some good points about them. Good luck if any of you guys go out this weekend. Looks like it will be two solid MORNINGS of fishing around here. Sunday afternoon is gonna get hot though so I'll prob be done by 1.

I'll try one of the minnows and DT's as you suggested when I pick them up tommorrow night along with the Bandit Footloose. I have to get a few spinners too and I'm running low on plastic worms. Man, I'm gonna drop 30-40 easy lol. Anyways my tackle will be up to date after that and as long as I have a good weekend (haven't been losing as much lately) I should have plenty for a while. Thanks for all the help man. Talk to you later man.

Thanks for your reply as well DS. I am going to try that technique with my suspending shad this weekend by the bridge if I see they are holding a bit deeper than the first couple feet. Other wise I'm gonna be ripping my spinners and throwing my t-rigs. But any other rapalas you recommend besides the shad rap for working mid-depth levels between 4-10 feet or so? I do like the shad jointed suspended I have now even though I haven't caught anything on it, the rattle action is good and watching it swim through the clear water in the reservoir last weekend made it look like it HAD to work. I really haven't stuck with it much lately but I will work it some this weekend. I do also enjoy the rapala floaters in minnow style or fire tiger. They just plain work.

Thanks man, I may pick one of those up to try this weekend for Saturday and Sunday. Any certain colors you find that work best for med/heavy tree cover, bridges, boat docks? What sizes work best for rivers with medium-heavy current flow?

Hey guys, I just started bass fishing in the last couple of weeks. I have only cuaght two fish on crankbaits, one on a Rat-L-Trap and another on a Rapala Floating Lure f-5. I was at Bass Pro in Hampton Va and saw some Lucky Strike Lures and was just curious what the difference quality wise was between the two companies as far as crankbait. Is the 7-8 bucks extra worth the product you buy? I know it is preference as well but I was just curious. I like the fire tiger and silver lures of rapala. Mostly floating F-5's for topwater cranks, and then I use Shad jointed as runners. Other than that I have not used much of an arsenal as far as crankbaits. Sometimes I use Rat-L-Traps but not often. Would there be any lures you guys recommend if I happend to try Lucky Strike out? I only use crankbaits so often as I mostly fish spinners and t-rigged worms but I'm just trying to find my niche in each type of bait. Also if anyone knows any good Bandit lures to use if you could let me know as well. Thanks guys. I also have a question on using suspended lures and husky jerks. How do you run these as oppossed to floating or deep running lures?

Thanks man, I was considering looking into one of those anyway, now I have a reason to give the wife lol. I'm gonna be fishing Leesylvania in the morning by the bridge before the boat launching dock, doing some bank fishing for smallies, but I'll have my dad tivo it so I can watch it Saturday evening before I start drinking. Thanks for the heads up man. Who are the favorites for Smith Mountain?

Was that at Quantico Creek? Speaking of, since you are on base there. I was curious, are there any spots of possum point road to fish quantico creek at? I've never been down that way but looking at google earth it looks like there may be spots along it to fish. Have you been down to tim's river shore yet?

Hey man, just wanted to say that last bass is a beaut. Wish I could pull some in like that. Need the experience first. Keep reelin' em in man! You'll find your biggun'