SWVA

I fish mostly spinning, use 15 or 20 lb PowerPro and 6-10 lb leader depending. Use to always use 5-6-8 lb Maxima UG, but last 2 spools were awful. Was touring the 5lbs strength to a bud at work. We had both bought a spool at diffeeent places the following week…honestly snapped easier than some 2lb test I’ve used before. 20 or 30 lb on the casting reels, PowerPro again here, with 8-14 lb leader. Mainly Biggame.

Sounds like you should be giving advice instead of asking, nice fish! Jigs, fat impacts, spinnerbaits and ned here in my water. Jigs 80% of catches lately it seems.

I edited that last part out. Though true, it Didn’t really add anything to my story, and didn’t want it to sound like I would ever condone anything like that, or sound like I thought it was deserved or whatever.

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Absolutely! Everything takes a back seat to family. Did get out for a bit yesterday evening, long walk and didn’t get to fish long. Snapped a pic of the water, this hole has produced some big bass in the summer. Only caught 1 with any size at all, guess they haven’t made it up here yet. So many people walk by a ton of fish, some sizable, in small water. I’ve had good luck though, walking farther and finding spots that don’t get fished to death.

Yea, we don’t have much big water locally. Kid has baseball going on and Im not able to get to the New River much anymore, so I’m stuck with what’s around here for now.

I never count the wraps anymore. I just put however many I can with the line I’ve pulled out. Usually ends up 7-10. Always used 6 before and never had issues, I’d say you’ll be fine with 5.

I’ve been struggling a bit this year, but the past week things are starting to look up. The small river I fish isn’t known for big fish, but I’ve managed to get a few decent(for here) to bite. Black/blue 1/8 oz jigs and 3.3 Fat impacts have been my main baits. I as hoping this warm weather would get them hitting cranks and Ned’s, but haven’t had much luck yet. I ain’t much on taking pics, but these are a few of the better ones. Between Friday and today, im at 47 total, 5 LM and a handful of red eyes, mostly dinky SM so far. Got a place I’m headed to in the morning that used to hold some good ones though!

I’ve tried to make it work several times, but the inconvenience of re-tying isn’t near the aggravation of trying to carry another rod. Between the deep water crossing, in/around/under trees, most times I have ended up just stashing the extra and grabbing it in the way out. On more open water it may work fine, but in our small, often wooded rivers here, it’s downright awful.

2500 for me on all but ultralight setups.

I might pick up a couple rkcrawlers to throw this year. Only issue is here, I’m usually wading and a lot of places can’t go retrieve the lures when they get snagged bad and can’t pull off. Good looking crank though. Wow, added to above post, was just looking at Bandits…they have went up as well. I think I bought about 50 on sale a few years ago at $3.99 a piece. Guess I shouldn’t have given so many away!

I have caught more smallmouth on Bandit 200s in Rootbeer color, here in our shallow rivers, than any other crankbait. Rapala F7/9 and Rebel craws were the plugs of my youth and I still use them at times.

Been using this one for similar uses that you describe and don’t want for anything else. Loomis SJR 781 6’6” Light/fast. Stradivarius 2500, 15lb PP and 5-8lb mono leader. I throw a ton of 1/8 oz jigs on this rod. Before I used an IMX mag-light that I loved, but it was only 6’ and I wanted a little more length. I’ve liked the light and ML IMX spinning rods for a long time, and have picked a bunch up used, but in great shape for $150 or so. Sadly after 20 years I’m moving away from Shimano and Loomis rods due to their warranty being a joke now. Oops, meant to attach pic.

I need to hit the New River more this year. Usually when I have half a day + to fish we go to South Holston or Boone though. 40+ at Boone is an awesome day! I haven’t been in 3 weeks but had some luck on the A rig and jigs last time out. Stripers we’re busting but we couldn’t get on them that day. You guys ever throw the Nikki Hellgrammite? Was thinking about the younger days of fishing with live ones and how good they worked. The Nikkos look pretty good, might grab a few bags to try when the water is warm enough to wade. Still slow going. Struggling to catch 5 per day so far. Should heat up soon though. 2 best from the river this year:

Only thing I’m 100% done with is fly fishing.