VABasser

I appreciate all the feedback, it definitely helps me think through what exactly I'm looking for. Logan, I fished the tidal Potomac for about 6 years but now I'm down in VA Beach and have been focusing on Back Bay. It's got a fair amount of grass coming back but nothing like the Potomac a few years ago. I guess I'm not so concerned about getting a rod to rip baits out of the grass because I've already got a couple that do that well, although I usually throw spinnerbaits or chatterbaits on those, I guess I shouldn't be scared to put a trap on them too. Anybody have experience with a 7' or 7'4" medium power/moderate action for throwing square bills? A big thing that is important to me and my biggest complaint about the crankin stick was sensitivity. Where I fish I need to know if I'm ticking the tops of grass, if I'm bouncing off a piece of wood or the bottom, if I'm catching the top of an emerging lily pad, etc. Maybe I'm just used to fast or extra fast graphite rods, but that was near impossible for me with the crankin stick (~8 year old one). Granted I never tried braid with it and maybe that would've solved a lot of my frustration.

Haha, as could be expected everyone has their favorites, and I'm sure they are all solid options. Looking around on TW I've realized just how many choices there are out there. I previously hadn't looked at the Mojo glass rods, but I see they recently got a revamp. I'm kind of leaning towards the 7'4" Crankster model, gotta make a decision tonight...

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new cranking rod and need some help, I've read through a bunch of old threads but still uncertain what my best option is. Cranking is probably my least developed technique, and to some extent it's because I hate throwing them on my current setup so I avoid them. It's an old BPS Crankin Stick, which really seems to struggle throwing anything under 1/2oz consistently and accurately, not to mention I can hardly feel a thing sensitivity wise. So let me tell you first what I'm looking to do with it 75% of the time it will be used to throw shallow cranks (like Manns Baby Minus), traps, and squarebills. The other 25% shallow-medium diving cranks (<10ft) and an occasional jerkbait. I fish in a shallow, tidal fishery, so there is a lot of grass and wood. I've looked at the Abu Garcia Winch 2.0, the Tatula's, even the Phenix glass and X-series (a little more than I wanted to spend). I want a quality rod, but was hoping to keep it under $150. I'm very interested in the Kistler Magnesium TS "Crank, Rattle n' Roll" that is on sale at TW right now for $109, it's a 7' MH moderate fast, does anyone have experience with this rod? How about some of the others I listed or haven't? Any specific insight as far as glass, composite or graphite rods for my applications I'll be using this for? I've never fished a glass rod. Thanks for any help y'all can provide

Hey guys, anyone here fish the Knotts Island/Mackay NWR/Back Bay/Currituck Sound area? I think I covered all possibilities lol. I'm looking for a little info on that area. I live in Virginia Beach and have been fishing the northern part of Back Bay for a little over a year now. Recently I've become interested in learning more about the southern part of the bay, into NC and the Knotts Island area. I generally focus on largemouths, but am intrigued with catching some stripers. I've read a little bit online and it sounds like the Corey's Ditch/Knotts Island Causeway is a pretty good hotspot for stripers throughout the year. Any other spots I should check out? What are the seasonal patterns of stripers in Currituck Sound and Back Bay area? Are they migratory or live there throughout the year? Sorry for all the newb questions, I don't know much about stripers so any info you'd be kind enough to pass on I'd appreciate it. Also, can you get a bass boat underneath the Knotts Island causeway bridge and is Corey's Ditch a safe place to run on plane? I assume it is but better to ask before finding out otherwise. I appreciate any help and am happy to trade info if you're interested in north Back Bay.

Because it's fun to and you can still glean useful things from people not fishing the exact body of water you are. In my opinion a Florida lake is closer to what I fish than a lot of other bodies of water in this country. Catt you're down there in Louisiana, certainly you've got some experience in tidal waters as well as lakes

I fish shallow, tidal bodies of water for bass, many of which have a lot of vegetation in them. One thing I continue to try and improve is my efficiency and ability in finding those "spots within a spot" I hear pros talk about. Their ability to eliminate areas that are more likely to be unproductive, when to the average angler there may be little to no noticeable difference. One factor I feel like plays a role, I just haven't always known how much or how, is bottom composition. This year I have been paying more attention to the bottom composition of the areas I fish, where I'm at it's generally either a sandy or mucky/silty bottom, there are no rocks. I was just watching a video from mikeybalzz on YouTube and he made a comment about avoiding the areas with mucky bottoms in the natural Florida lakes he fishes. I thought I'd ask you guys what your experience is in fisheries like this with sandy or silted in bottoms. If a firmer bottom is generally better, why is that? From my standpoint it seems like aquatic vegetation will grow in both types of bottom. Thanks guys for any insights helping me improve my game

How many miles is it from Bobs to the state line?

Thanks for the reply Brayberry. Is there a particular section of the river that is better than others? Do a lot of guys run down into the NC portion? How about aquatic vegetation like milfoil, is there much or any of that? Any dangers I should be aware of in terms of running the river? Basically any info you can pass on would be much appreciated

Hey guys, I'm now living in the Virginia Beach area and have been fishing Back Bay for just over a year now. I've recently grown interested in the Northwest River which isn't too far from me. I read everything I could find online about it (which isn't much), but am still wondering how the bass fishing is in the river? I'm about 10 minutes from my launch ramp at Back Bay, Bob's on the Northwest is 30-40 minutes from my house. Is the fishing worth the further trip? Thanks. If anyone has experience fishing in the VB area let me know, I have an open back seat fairly often, or I'm happy to ride along with someone and cover some gas to learn some new areas

Hmm, sounds pretty inconsistent on TSA's part. Some guys have issues, some haven't. I'll probably buy anything I need out there, and borrow anything else I need from family to be safe.

Did they tell you it had to be checked, in person, over the phone? I've flown with reels in my carry on all the time, same with plastics. I've just never tried hooks or lures with hooks

As you all may guess I'm looking for some firsthand info about fishing tackle in a carry-on. I'll be flying out to Idaho on Sunday and will be doing a fair amount of fishing out there. TSA's website is pretty unhelpful, they say that "large hooks" are prohibited, while small hooks like flies are ok. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment Is a hook on a Jackall frog "large"? How about some 2/0 Gammys? Ya'll get the picture, it's so subjective. What is your experience with bass tackle on planes, do you take it? I would hate to bring some of my favorite stuff and have it confiscated at the gate. Talk about a bad way to start a vacation. Thanks for the help

Yeah $700 is steep. It's a tempting thought however, especially if they end up dropping the price some. A power pole would be so clutch for the waters I fish. I'm not sure my boat falls in the 1500lb range though, my guess is it's a bit over that. It's a Tracker 185 with a 60 horse. Three optima batteries in it because we've got a 24 volt TM. Ww2, what kind of boat do you have?

How do you guys remember the weights of your spinnerbaits? If you take a sharpie and write it on a blade will it stay on?

Yep Hannover it's Back Bay here in Virginia Beach. I've watched some of Charlie's vids, good idea to give Boyce a call. Rolo, are there particular types of grasses that clue you in to suitable bottom composition better than others?

I'm getting ready to start fishing this spring a new body of water where I've recently moved. It's a 20,000 some acre tidal bay that's got a lot of SAV making a comeback and that's bringing the healthy bass fishery back as well. From what I've read the tide is not lunar but only wind driven. My question is mostly concerned with spawning habitat in a place like this. What areas would you look for, more specifically what kinds of bottom composition? In a tidal bay my guess is there's a lot of mucky bottoms. With fluctuating water levels a place that wasn't too shallow and would dry up would be important. Just curious what you all would look for as far as prime spawning habitat in a place like that?

Checked them, they are fine. Finally found the right allen wrench and took the side plate off. Of course Ardent has all the gears and parts inside of a side-plate case so it's not an easy look to see if my eye catches anything wrong. Never seen any other reel like that. I got frustrated and didn't want to go any further. I was hoping it'd be an easy correction verses driving back to the shop, but may have to

Got a question for those of you who understand reel maintenance. For a number of years I did my own yearly service of my reels, I would follow a How To book that ReelMech sold. I'm not sure if ReelMech is still around the forums but he used to be a staple back in the days. Last few years I just don't have the time to, so I get someone else to do it. Tried out a new tackle shop locally and just got them back today. One problem that I need some help troubleshooting. Ardent XS1000- Everything functions as it should except when you crank the drag down to a level you'd fish with it at. As you tighten it, there's more and more resistance to cranking the handle, to the point where it's not functional. I don't have the right sized allen wrench to take the side plate off to investigate, thanks Ardent for not using a normal screw. Anyone have an idea what's going on here? I want to say this has happened to me a few years ago, but I don't remember what I had to do to fix it

I'm looking to replace a 6'6" M Compre that USPS broke for me last year. At least I had it insured, but it was a hassle getting them to pay up. Anyways I've been looking at the Veritas. Heard plenty about them and fished with one briefly last summer and was impressed with its sensitivity. I'd like a 7' M action that I'd use mostly for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits but also the occasional lighter jig, t-rig. What threw me off a bit is they only offer the 7' rod with a Med-Fast action (at least at TW). For spinnerbaits and chatters that shouldn't be a problem although I've always thrown them on a Fast action, but I'm a little concerned how that med-fast action would affect a hookset with a jig or t-rig. I think all my rods are fast-x fast. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Am I worried about nothing or would I be disappointed with a med-fast action given the versatility I want that rod to have. Thanks guys

Thanks guys I'll give a couple of those shops a call. I've got Shimanos, Lews and Ardent so a little bit of everything

Fellas, Anybody have a recommendation for a local Hampton Roads tackle shop that does a great job cleaning reels? I used to break them down and clean them myself but just don't have the time to anymore. I've sent them off to DVT before and they do a great job, but shipping and insurance gets expensive. I haven't lived in the Virginia Beach area very long, and so not really sure what the area has to offer. Any insight would be appreciated

Hey guys, got a question for those of you who have fished Back Bay for bass. I live in the area now and I'm looking at bringing my boat down this coming spring to fish it. What is the salinity content like, and has anyone ever had a problem running a freshwater outboard there over time? I fish the tidal Potomac a lot so I'm well acquainted with brackish water: I'll usually flush the outboard after each trip. But I've heard some words of caution about Back Bay salt from people, although they aren't locals and don't fish it so I haven't taken their concerns too seriously. I think they hear it's tidal and they get scared. But regardless I just want to be sure I'm not setting my boat up for failure. Thanks

Well that sounds like it settles it

Got another travel question for you all. What's the policy as far as fishing lures and hooks on carry-on's? I looked on the TSA website and they never really gave a definitive answer, just that "large hooks" needed to be sheathed, and small flies were ok. That's mostly a worthless answer: I'd consider a saltwater hook for sharks as large, but they might think the hooks on my KVD square bill are "large". Anybody have some knowledge about this? Appreciate it ya'll

Thanks guys, it sounds like shipping them might be the way to go.