Teal

Rick Clunn has fished a few events with a Tracker boat. I think he fished out of it at his last classic Aluminum boats are very common in tournaments here. While glass boats make up the majority there all always tin boats in the mix. They are so common that nobody really turns their noses up at them because its usually the little old man in the 16' aluminum boat that will take everybody's money.

I'm partial, but I invite you to try a Lews tournament pro. It willl save you a little money and they are awesome reels. I fish mostly lews now. Not taking away from Chronarch or the Revo. I have fished,with chronarchs and they are wonderful. I fished with the gen 2 premiers and they are also great reels. Lews also makes two more reels in the 250 to 300 range but I have not used them.

I do actually use them for flipping but it is a situational type bait. I'll flip them if the water is stained to murky. There are too many other great baits to use in clear water. I like to flip the around fallen and standing timber when the water is murky. The tail gives a lot of vibration. I use them more often for buzzing as top water around or over vegatation.

I don't winterize. But what I do is pretty much standard throughout the entire year. Charge your batteries after taking it out, and always put motor all the way down. If I miss a week of fishing, go outside and run your boat for a 10 mins. And always always always use an ethanol treatment. I use StaBil. I do this year round as a habit so even if I miss 3 weeks of fishing, my boat is top notch. If I go that long I touch the batteries up... Basically keep in mind, keep motor down in winter and make sure there is A fuel treatment in your gas tank. The best winter treatment you can give your boat is to RUN it

I personally have not had carbon light reel. But I have had problems with every BPS reel I have ever owned. I have never had an issue with Lews reels. I would look at the price of the reel, what the qualities of the reel that draw you to it and research other options in that price range. I'm not saying that bps reels are bad, but I am saying that I wish I would have been given this advice 10 years ago ...would have saved me a lot of money.

Took the words right outta my mouth. If it is a close pitch or flip normally ill see the hit by watching my line rather than actually feeling it. Very important to always pay attention and don't get into a monotonous casting or pitching pattern. Always expect the bite to happen on the fall. Just remember bass fishing can be expensive, but hook sets are always free

Caution don't let it get too hot. The strands will stick to the plastic and ruin them. I don't know what you call the material but I use one that has the black non sticky type plastic..feels like it it coated with Teflon. My buddy uses one with the clear plastic he is just really careful not to leave it in the boat afterwards. Should fine if u tale it inside or in your shop/garage as long as it doesn't get to hot. I say this because I ruined 2 dozen spinner baits a couple years ago when I left it in my boat for a couple weeks (was unable to fish for a few weeks wen my son was born in June of 2010)

You got understand, you can probably fishy finesse type worm on a heavy weight and heavy line but then your are killing a lot of the action that the worm was built for. I'll flip and pitch finesse worms into dense cover but normally it's lighter weight if it is weighted at all. On that rod usually use no higher than 14. Lb floro. Sorry for the second post I realized u were referring to finesse worms.

When I first started bass fishing as a kid I used a bunch of the 7 inch zoom u tail worms.. And I used everywhere. 20 years later, I've grown into a really diverse fishermen and I'm a lot funnier about when to use a worm now. Of all the techniques out there, I probably spend 40 percent of my time flipping and skipping ( jigs, craws, creatures) With all that said, there are times when ill take a Ribbon tail worm with 1/2 tungsten weight and pitch around dense cover or vegetation. I like Berkeley power worm, zoom ol monster, zoom u tail, zoom speed worm and the paddle tail senkos. I will caution using really big worms like the ol monster around really thick submerged brush as the tail of the worm can get snagged on a limb during the fall. That's where the speed stick or paddle tail senior can shine.

On the boat mine is well behaved. Once the trolling motor goes down she will go lay on rear deck

Oh... Mine has a super high drive too. But she also is very well mannered and she listens very well. Mine knows that she will get a spanking in front of everybody if she acts up. Lol. Mine chases and catches squirrels on a daily basis

Yeah she is brindle with a black mask. I don't have a good picture of her on my iPad. Malinois are super hi strung...almost on a psycho level. She wouldn't give me a chance to take a good picture. Lol. I'll probably bring her with me on our Potomac trip.

Haha. She is a Belgian Malinois. (Offshoot). Excellent dog. She is my fishing partner. The jack Russle in the picture doesn't go often as she likes to jump off the boat In the water. Takes up to much time fishing her out..lol.

I saw the threads for the pickwick trip and may is too soon for me to plan a 12 hr trip. But I can be anywhere in VA in 4 hrs or so. I saw where Lake Gaston And Kerr Lake/bugs was on the original list and they are my home lakes. I fish and work on gaston and Kerr lake on a daily basis. Gaston is literally 7 miles from my house. I thought that it would be a good chance to meet other fishermen and fish other lakes and have a vacation all at the same time. Potomac is a little more than three hours for me to drive. Not far at all to me. I also see this as a learning opportunity. You guys can count me in as another boat too. Maybe more non boaters can come. I sure don't mind sharing the boat I'm just really happy that I finally got on the forum so I could meet a bunch of like minded guys.

No. I live 10 mins from VA. On the carolina side off of 95. I am fairly familiar with VA. My parents live 20 mins from Smith Mountain Lake in Roanoke Va. I have fished several lakes in VA including the Potomac River. I also work for a Lake Management co. So I have been to most of the lakes in NC and VA at least a couple times. Is this just a thing for you guys in VA or guys like me who aren't far away at all

Good deal. Count me in

Ok thanks.

I have fished a couple jigs over the years and have had some success with them. I don't see as many on the market. I have been fishing with Dirty Jigs for a few years now and I am super pleased with them. I consider flipping and pitching jigs to be my main technique. I was hoping somebody would shed some light on the pros and cons of living rubber in a jig and when you would use them versus when it would be undesirable. I currently have a few heavier football jigs with living rubber that I use in deeper off shore stricter and around rocky bottoms... I do like them

You know that you live in Gods Country when the best and really only bass tackle place in my town is the locally owned Drug store. Nice mid level and high end stuff. The manager s a tournament fisher and he is very knowledgable. And whatever he doesnt have he can order and have in a few days. I normally do all of my shopping online from TW or sme of the other small sites. I don't really care for bass pro unless I'm passing through Richmond VA. It's got too much of a box box feel and hardly any of the young men in the fishing section are serious bass fishermen. I have met a couple of employees tho who were knowledgable but it is few and far between.

I'm really glad you said that. I haven't been watching the weather. Has anyone been catching any of those lurker on shearin harris lake?

I am lucky that I am able to have a nice bass boat, but my hat is off to all you guys who kayak and canoe fish and are consistently on the fish while dealing with the limitations and challenges that kayaks/canoes add to the task of bass fishing which is already difficult. I really want to buy a kayak and start fishing on the Roanoke River here in NC. I think it would def add a set of challenges... I'm think I'll add that to my resolutions

When you are the only Deputy in the history of the Sheriffs Office to get written up for fishing on duty...then written up again when they find a two piece rod in the trunk of your patrol car during an inspection. True story.

Both of those are quite true here too.. Only my son plays with a Zara spook with no hooks.

1. Continue a close walk with Christ and continue to spread to word of God and his promise of new life. 2. Continue to evolve as a fisherman and become more well rounded and efficient. 3. Learn at least two new things every time every time I go fishing. 4. Obtain side scan imaging. Lol