I got a chance to head out to the James River yesterday afternoon after church with a buddy. We took the canoe and a box of big baits and lots of hope! I managed to find this girl with a Squirrely Jake (Burley, please do not bust me too bad for the spelling :-/ ) in about 3-4 feet of water. We about dumped the canoe trying to land her! Good thing we didn't, as water temp was probably low 40's!

The best part of it all was being able to come home and tell me wife, "see all those afternoons piddling around the garage, changing out split-rings, re-organizing boxes, adding lines, etc. really did pay off! Aside from being a master organizer of things fishing, I can actually catch a fish every once in a while !" ;D

We about dumped the canoe trying to land her! Good thing we didn't, as water temp was probably low 40's!

 

One reason I leave the canoe at home in the winter.  Even with neoprene, Gore Tex, and Thinsulate there is too much danger there.

Nice fish though.  

Don't you know you can lip those small ones?  

Man! If we had those here, i wouldn't bother fishing for bass!

Don't you know you can lip those small ones?

You guys are just a lot tougher down there near WV than us "city folk"! ;D

ps - you didn't even mention the spelling of "squirrely", although I did notice afterwards that I said me wife, instead of my wife!

Nice looking Musky. That is something I really want to try to fish for this year on St.Clair at least once.

man i'd really love to catch a pike or musky one day.  pretty fish dude.

Nice musky there.  I'm guessing 32-34".  They get pretty fiesty at that size.  I hope get into them pretty good this year.  I saw several 50 plus inchers last year.  I plan on boating several this year.

Four and Hawg - Thanks for the kind words.  Especially coming from two big-bass idols like you two!  It's not EVEN funny when I look at your pics!  It's actually rather disgusting !!  Haa Haa

Seriously, you guys will think this is a hoot, but I am really gonna set my sights on catching atleast one 8 lb'er this year.  That's considered a citation (trophy) largemouth here in Virginia, and I've never got one quite that size...almost, but not quite !  But...I have never been equipped with a big, fat Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill before, or with nice guys like you who actually don't mind sharing tips and advice (I guess you don't have to worry about a VA yokel catching all your fish out in California!).  So, I'm ready, Coach...put me in!

thats a nice muskie you got there ,,, good job .... when i see them bad boys ( pilke or muskie ) i always try getting my bait outta there ,,, olny because i dont like handling them .... they sure are good lookin fish tho ....  ;D