vaparrothead

Avid: I've got a 9' 6" bass assassian pond boat that I put in the back of our Town and Country; sticks out a bit and have to bungee cord the back end down but no need for a trailer.

Thanks Avalon; just the kind of good information I can always find on this site. I'll find some Bandits and give 'em a try.

Did a search on subject and didn't find anything to help me so here's the question. I've been using a Mann's minus one crank for shallow fishing. I don't know of any other cranks that run that shallow; can anyone recommend any other shallow running cranks? Thanks,

For just staying dry (not necessarly warm) Frogg Toggs are just great; light weight and easily packed. They do NOT keep you warm but do deflect some wind.

I have a 9.5ft Bass Assasian plastic boat. What I especially like about mine is the high seats; like on a regular bass boat. In the picture you have it appears that the seats are even with the top of the boat (not sitting high) which I think you might find a disadvantage. Overall I really like my boat; fits in the back of my Town & Country; I can pull it out, attach the trolling motor and seats and be fishing in less than 5 minutes.

You've asked too general a question. There is a topwater bait for almost every situation. Chuggers/Poppers that make noise as they are jerked back; buzzbaits are topwater baits; stickbaits which normally are "walk the dog" back to the boat and let's not forget floating plastics-- worms and frogs, very good going across pads and thick slop. Each can be used effectively.... it depends on the situation. Many studies/fishing stories show that you can fish topwater all day with good results.... again it depends on what the fish want. If you see bass breaking the surface you can pretty much count on a topwater bite... but which one you gotta expeiment and let the fish tell you what they want.

Haven't seen one positive vote for Berkley bladedancer; agree with that. Has anyone had any luck with this lure? If a lure isn't popular the manufacture will pull it; maybe that's why we don't see many "worst lures" they get pulled if they don't sell.

I've been some Pro tips that they take off the split rings from crankbaits and replace them with Cross-Loc snaps. One of the reasons given was line sometimes gets in between rings which throws off the retreive. Anyway how many of you change out the split rings? What size cross-loc do you replace it with and more importantly does it make a difference in function? Thanks

Thanks! Guess I'll keep looking

I know that St. Croix overall makes a good rod but does anyone have a valid opinion on St. Croix Triumph casting rods? Dick's has them on sale but would appreciate any thoughts from our esteem members before I make a purchase.

Palomar and Trilene; neither one has ever failed me.

I'm not sure how the law would know where the fish came from. The fish ain't talking and unless they follow a boat around all day no one would know which side of the river the fish came from. Sounds like one of those impossible to enforce rules. Understand what they are trying to do-- keep invasive species out but whether the fish came from the Maryland side or the Virginia Side of the Potomac; it's still in the Potomac and therefore already present. Moving the fish (or even the water from the Potomac that might be in live wells on boats) to a completely different lake/river is another issue entirely.

Our N.VA club moved our first tournament from the Potomac to Lake Anna this past weekend. The move was based on high winds and small craft advisories on the Potomac. Weather at 7:00am on Anna was VERY cold with high winds 10-20mph. Of the 20 competitors from our club only 5 boated any fish. I got two with a total weight of 4.38 lbs and came in 4th place. Not bad for my first official tournament, especially as non-boater. My boater (also the club president) got 4 for 2nd place. All our fish were caught on jerkbaits (mine was X-Rap; think his were the same) green with white belly. For the usual clear water on Anna it was muddy. Nobody caught any fish till after noon when the sun finally warmed up some of the water along the banks that were out of the wind in small coves. That's where all the fish were caught.

Always remember "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office"

Berkley has a recycle program for monofilament see link below. http://www.berkley-fishing.com/about_conservation.php#brp

Good to know about trimming the brush hog; just got one myself but haven't had the chance to fish with it yet.

If you just need rain gear and it doesn't have to keep you warm then Frogg Toggs are the way to go. However if you need/want something to keep you warm and dry then Gore-Tex suit is the best solution. Down south in the summer you can be out in a rain storm and temp will still be 70+; if you're wearing Gore-Tex you'll sweat so much you may as well be standing in the rain. You need to decide what the gear you're buying will be used for--- rain (stay dry) or warmth.

I have a small Plano softsider with 4 boxes inside; easy to carry and lightweight.

Concur with all the above comments. Had two different sizes/colors and never caught anything on either of 'em.

Every club I know of has non-boaters but you should check the clubs website to make sure. As a non-boater you will fish from the back of the boat and are EXPECTED to help pay for gas on the boat. There are several good articles about non-boaters on this site you should read 'em.

Site won't work for me either

We used a guide in N WI that took his two black labs with us (3 paying customers, the guide and two dogs) in a 20ft jon boat. Surprized that it wasn't crowded or uncomfortable; the dogs were very well behaved and laid down when we moved the boat. I'd say give it a try without fishing one time and see how the dogs behave. Next trip do a little fishing, the next time more and more until they are used to it.

I know there';s been a lot of discussion about baitcasters; but have new question (at least I think it's new) which do you guys like/prefer centrifugal or magnetic brakes or does it make any difference? I have three baitcasters; one with cent and two with mag. I prefer magnetic but is there really a difference in performance?

Agree with all previous posts; had two of 'em looked great going through the water but couldn't get a fish to take it.

Caught two fish on one lure. Using a Rapala Shallow Shad Rap with two treble hooks; got a small largemouth and a crappie at same time. Have picture somewhere; if I can find it I'll post.