heavyduty

Thanks @deaknh03 for making this happen. Was a good time seeing all the baits gifted.

Palomar here also

Made me laugh out loud!

Get you a roll of this from Amazon or Walmart. Wire tie them. I do this to all my spinnerbaits I purchase that are not wire tied. Good winter project. https://www.amazon.com/Darice-Craft-Wire-NonTarnish-Gold/dp/B0018N9I5Q

Tubes by far for smallmouth followed by Zman hula stick and spinnerbait. If bite is very tough, I'll drift a weightless 4" senko with the river current.

@wisconsin heat, received today and thank you! Everything looks great, all lures I'll use, and those homemade jigs are fantastic!

Enjoy! It is a custom paint and does well for smallies here in stained water.

6', 300lbs.

Mine went out today. I pull from what I have that I use and have confidence in. I know what works for me for LM and SM in my area. Hope it works as well for my recipient. Merry Christmas!

I use the P-line duo lock snap on all of my set ups. #1 size. I have never had one fail me. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_Duo_Lock_Snap/descpage-DLSN.html

I fish the 3/8 in these and I have been wearing out the smallies recently. This is the 1/4oz version https://www.***.com/elite-series/14-oz-bluegill

The James is usually referred to in 3 sections; upper, middle, and lower. Upper is the headwaters down to Lynchburg. Middle is Lynchburg down to the fall line at Richmond. Lower is the tidal waters below the fall line at Richmond to the bay. I've not fished the upper but have several friends that do. They fish from Iron Gate down to Snowden. This is for the most part canoe/kayak waters and excellent fishing. As far as a guide, Rock-On Charters (Ken Trail) is very knowledgeable on this section of river. There are several outfitters along this section but I have no personal experience with any as far as canoe/kayak rentals. My friends have their own. The James is not like the Susquehanna in PA regarding state owned/marked campsites. Most outfitters on the upper section have their own private camping areas as part of their float packages. I've fished the Middle James for 40+ yrs. The quantity of fish (catch rate) has declined over the yrs but there are sections that still produce but not in comparison to the Susky. There is good fishing around Lynchburg down to Joshua Falls and there is a canoe/kayak take out near Joshua Falls. I assume any outfitter in Lynchburg would consider this one of their float trips. This would be a good day trip. Next ramp downriver would be Bent Creek. There are some good ledges above this landing if you want to paddle upstream 1/4-1/2 mile. Bent Creek down to the James River State Park is starting to get alot of river traffic since the State Park uses Bent Creek as their starting point for their livery service, BC down to the park. Still some good fishing and the park has cabin rentals and campsites. Day trip here as well. I could go on but I'll skip down to the Hardware River Landing below Scottsville. Hardware to Bremo Bluff/New Canton is an excellent canoe/kayak trip. River is loaded with rocks and small islands. Some flat water below the islands and a day trip here. Hatchmaker Guide Service (L.E. Rhodes) is an excellent river guide in this area and I would highly recommend him. He also guides on the Shenandoah River. There are also a couple outfitters for canoe/kayak rentals. James River Runners and James River Reeling & Rafting. Their floats are primarily from Howardsville to Scottville and is good smallie water. I'll stop here but if you need more info, PM me.

I fish rivers 99% of the time and need 1/2oz to get it down enough with current. I do throw a few 3/8oz in slacker water

Tube for me with Smallies.

A little late but I may be able to help. By Upper James, do you mean above Lynchburg, VA? If not, what stretch have you been looking at?

River Rock Custom Baits 25% off thru November 11

I had glide slicks on carpeted bunks on my trailer when I bought it. I fish the river 99% of the time and need the ease of roller bunks to launch and load during low water conditions. I got these from Etrailer. Galvanized rails lagged to salt treated 2x6's. The rollers do not have bearings, just a bolt through, so there is a little resistance. You still have to push the boat off the trailer but much easier for one person.

I'm a few posts short but I'll join if allowed.

Snagler Tackle is in your neck of the woods http://www.snaglertackle.com/Tube-Lead-Heads_c31.htm

What's your impression? I'm waiting on the XXL to come back into stock, at least I hope they will. They have the XXL in the full finger but not 1/2 right now.

River Rock. They have a sale going on now with their standard tubes

Fanatik Baits. They call it a corkscrew rig https://www.fanatikbaits.com/products/corkscrew-rig

River Rock out of Waynesboro, VA. Not the most durable but that may be the reason they work so well. Their laminate tubes sell out quickly.

Sleds look great!