Logan S

It's not bad to say, I have anywhere from 14 to 20 rods in the boat depending on when/where I'm fishing....And sometimes picking up a different rod is the easiest thing to do. But if I want to change the line on a specific combo, I can do it quickly with the spare spools. Like most guys I don't carry nearly as many spinning rigs as casting rigs, usually 4 or 5 at the most...So being able to switch out lines on them is a benefit to me. Not a regular practice for me, but it's nice to have that option. I completely missed that the OP could be referring to a casting reel, but the idea is the same I guess.

Most of my spinning reels can share the same spare spools so I keep them all loaded with my common main lines (6lb/8lb flouro and 10lb braid)...If I get a wind knot deep in the spool or some other damage to my line I can just swap it out with one of the spares. I've only had to do that a handful of times, but it's nice to not have to ditch the reel for the rest of the day. Since I keep them all in the boat and they are interchangeable, I can also switch between 6lb and 8lb or between braid and flouro on the same rod/reel combo quickly if I want/need to...Have done that a few times as well. I've never gone out of my way to buy a spare though, I can only think of 1 spinning reel I've ever bought that didn't come with one.

I get by fine with Seaguar Red Label in 6lb and 8lb on spinning tackle. Invisx is a little more manageable but also more expensive. You'll eventually end up with twist/management issues with straight flouro on spinning tackle no matter what line you use...How fast it creeps up depends on what baits/techniques you use. Keep an eye on diameter too, not all brands/lines are the same diameter...For example, 8lb Trilene Flouro is thicker than Seaguar 8lb Flouro Thinner = More manageable.

Don't own any Dobyn's, but I do own both Orochi XX models you listed. You would probably find both to work well for you. Both have a very similar taper, the SS is noticeably more powerful though... I use my JBS mostly for larger jerkbaits since I have a 110 Stick for my primary jerkbait rod...The JBS handles baits like the Ito Shiner and 110 Magnum just fine for me, so it's not going to be under-powered with your typical topwaters and/or squarebills. For the 2 specific techniques you listed, I'd pick the JBS.

I've sort of hoped for a 'Mid-Atlantic' region to be carved out one day...NC, VA, MD, WV, PA, DE, NJ shares a lot of fisherman...It's not uncommon to actually see boats from most (if not all) of those states in one day during the spring on the Potomac . As someone that's bass fished from FL up through to Ontario, I'd argue that the 'Mid-Atlantic' region is relatively unique when compared to the true southeast and true northeast...Just my opinion though. Not my site though, so I'll continue to happily use it as is . You gotta draw the lines somewhere, if it were changed I'm sure just as many people would want it changed back.

I did some homework and figured out how to get way upriver on the lake my next tournament is at. I was getting sick of all the jet boat guys bragging about the awesome smallmouth fishing that us glass boat guys couldn't get to....Nothing gigantic but a lot of decent sized smallies were caught and they are a ton of fun up in that current . We'll see if I can give them a run for their money this weekend!

All of those places you listed are on our club schedule and we have several guys with 16' and 17' AL boats that get around just fine. On the larger bodies of water they are somewhat limited in range and can be limited by weather, but they don't stay home and they all catch fish . As long as you don't try to cross the main river on a day the wind is blowing hard you'll be fine. Should be a great boat for this area.

The type of jig/head makes very little difference in terms of skipping ability. Any quality jig that you like will be fine. I use Siebert's Dock Rocker becasue it's a well made and very universal jig....I also really like how the paint doesn't chip if I miss and smack a dock post . The trailer can make a noticeable difference. Starting out, make sure you use something with a wide/flat body like a Sweet Beaver or Rage Bug. As you get better this will matter less and less and you'll be able use thinner trailers if you wanted to. Skipping is like 90% angler skill and only 10% tackle/gear...So don't worry too much about what you're using and just practice, practice, practice. If you're having trouble skipping a jig, the chances are very high that the change you need to make is not at the end of your line .

Deps Bull Flat 3.8" ETA, Jig is a @Siebert Outdoors Dredge Dock Rocker. Trailer is a Ring Craw.

C'mon guys where's the fish in these pics? Several good ones on this A bunch on this... As always, tons on this...but not always picture worthy... And a few on both baits in this pic

I do like using the old #11 UJ Pork quite a bit and the hook is good at keeping it in line, but I thread on plastic trailers just as often. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like that bend keeps a threaded-on trailer in place a little better too. A big percentage of my jig fishing is skipping docks (with threaded trailers) and it seems like I do less trailer adjusting/replacing since switching to this head. No scientific evidence or anything, just what I see on the water .

Dredge Dock Rocker is my favorite. Best jig I've ever used, very universal....I use it in all the scenarios you listed, many times on the same lake on the same day. He has several head styles and then different hook and/or skirt options available for most, thats why there are so many options . Just as an example, the Dredge series is just the Deep Throat hook option for each head.

I use different rods for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. For spinnerbaits I use the relatively standard MH/MF (mine is a 6'10"). I've used MH/F as well and it worked fine. For chatterbaits, I'm in the heavy-power glass rod camp. For me it's not really about hooking and/or losing fish, it's about how the rod handles and works the chatterbait itself. For some reason it makes the bait to come through and pop off grass a lot easier, which allows me to fish it more efficiently/effectively. In open water or around hard cover it might be a different story, but for the type of chatterbait fishing I do (shallow tidal water, heavy grass) they seem to be made for each other. I also got the idea from Brett Hite. When the nearly unanimous choice for the best bladed-jig fisherman on earth talks, I listen . Reel doesn't really matter, both are pretty easy to cast so just use what you like...I like 7:1 gears. I use 15 lb Flouro for line.

Unfortunately, if you're going to pay someone to do it that's about the going rate. I did mine last year and it was about $350 total in supplies for my 20' Stratos...It took me 4 full days to complete. It's the labor price that drives the cost up when you have someone else do it. The carpet itself isn't really expensive. You could try to have them quote you a price with out any materials to see if buying the stuff yourself makes it any better...But I'd guess it would come out to roughly the same total in the end.

With that budget you have a lot of options. Throw a couple more dollars at your budget and pick up a Megabass Orochi XX - Extreme Mission Type-F ($299 retail). The EMTF is the most versatile rod I've ever used...and I've used a lot. It's 7'5" and rated as a MH/Fast, but IMO the action is somewhere between a MF and Fast. The EMTF is the Swiss Army knife of bass rods . I use mine mostly for Texas-rigs and swing-heads, but I'm not exaggerating when I say it can do almost anything well. It's a unique rod, I've never used or felt anything like it. Only potential downside is that it's a little longer at 7'5" than most rods, but if that's not an issue I'd seriously consider it. Frogs might be a stretch for it, but if it's lighter cover and you're using braid I'm sure it could handle it (I like a true Heavy power for frogging so I wouldn't use the rods you listed either). Megabass also makes the EMTF in their Levante line which is priced at $200. Both the rods you initially listed are also great choices, although you may consider bumping up to the LTB over the Avid since the LTB would also fit in your budget at $270. I have several LTB's including a few 7' and 7'1" MH/F models and I love them, but I'd still say the EMTF is more versatile. I don't use Dobyns rods, but they get plenty of positive reviews so I doubt you'd go wrong there either.

Aquia is a pretty easy run from Smallwood, about 15 miles. You'll be fine as long the wind stays 'normal', just be aware that if the wind is blowing against the tide it can stack the waves up higher than you would expect. Lots of mega-yachts run around on the weekends and they throw some pretty big wakes, so keep an eye out for those too. Since you'll be running around, don't limit yourself to Aquia. Check out Potomac Creek which is just below Aquia. Mallows Bay/Wades Bay/Blue Banks are worth also worth a stop as is Chickamuxin Creek which is just below Mattawoman. These areas are in between Mattawoman and Aquia so you can hit them on the way down or back. Tons of other cool areas to check out, but these are all in the same vicinity you are talking about. High tide = Inside edge and over the top. Low Tide = Outside edge and first dropoff. That's obviously a big time generalization, but it should point you in the right direction. Frogs will work pretty much anywhere there's grass, although some times/places are better than others. If nothing else, early in the AM is a good bet. Otherwise, a lot of times you'll just 'know'...You'll see activity in the mat or hear the popping/splashing of baitfish.

That boat should be fine for running around Gaston the vast majority of the time. It can get rough with a heavy wind, but for most normal days a 17 footer is more than enough to get around.

Aquia receives essentially the same amount of fishing pressure that Mattawoman does. Everywhere on the tidal Potomac gets a ton of pressure, I wouldn't base decisions off that....Bassboats are just part of the scenery . Both those creeks have plenty of fish in them, as does the rest of the river. Pohick is another option to check out, good ramp and good fishing close by. Add a frog, chatterbait, and senko to the 3 suggestions Turtle had and you'll have all the bases covered on the Potomac.

Different weekend man , fishing got better each day I was there from Wednesday on. You guys had the tougher fishing last weekend. I fished downlake, Stonehouse was the furthest uplake I went...But I essentially fished everything between there and the dam. All the major creeks plus a bunch of main lake cuts/coves on both sides.

Two toads from Lake Gaston this past weekend. These 2 anchored a big bag that helped me jump from 14th after day 1 all the way to a second place finish. If I could have just made one more cull on the first day I would've probably won the whole thing . The big one was 6-1, the other one was around 5. Both caught on a @Siebert Outdoors Dock Rocker jig .

What types of cranks are you throwing on the 7'7" Zillion? I've had my eye on the 7'7" Tatula/Zillion....

Blown way out of proportion. Both guys fished there day 1, which means both guys spent enough time there in practice to warrant driving 100+ miles each way to fish it when the tournament started. 63rd ain't last, it's close to making the cut. For all we know, Boyd could've 'found' it in practice or pre-practice before Carl did...Carl could've just had a better launch number on day 1. I'm not going to armchair-QB his day, but he just didn't get it done on day 2. I don't have anything against Carl and I'm also not really a fan of Duckett for other reasons...But this was a non-issue.

Good job! I love that lake...I'll be heading down there first thing Wednesday morning for a 2-day tournament this weekend . Good luck at Kerr...I've got some time on Kerr, feel free shoot me a PM if you want some info about the lake (assuming that's allowed).

PVC ain't foolproof either...I recently bought (err..attempted to buy) a Legend Extreme rod from another site. Received this. I called UPS and thanked them for carefully delivering my empty PVC tube. Seller was above board and had a good reputation, swore it was packaged tight with end-caps and I believe him...Only way this happens is intentionally. He was nice enough to refund me and he eventually got his money back from UPS. I've also had USPS 'lose' a rod for 3 weeks, only to have it finally show up unannounced. These things happen, but it's a reason that when it comes to rods I'm only a buyer and not a seller! The prices you can get nice gear on the used market is good enough that I put up with the occasional headache.