Relatively New Fisherman, Have a few questions

[MichaelDavid]

Hello everyone. My name is Michael, and i live and fish in central jersey, as well as in my girlfriends area of northern Virginia. I've been fishing since i was young, but only recently have become a bit more serious about it.

A few weeks ago we went to a small lake nearby my home and i threw in my line for the first time in a few years. Great feeling, and i caught about a dozen blue gills. We were using some nightcrawlers with a bobber, and it worked well enough for my first time out in some time. I've been back to the various small lakes around about 2-3 times a week since then.

Then last week i was in Virginia and we took a ride to the Potomac River, at Riverbend Park.

This was a very exciting and rewarding experience. The first day we stayed on the banks of the river throwing lines in and just hanging out. I caught my first fish ever on a river, as well as my first fish ever using a lure. I was using a green popper, and the smallmouth exploded on it the instant it touched the water. It was a nice fish, about 14", and the first bass i'd caught in many, many years.

The following three days we spent 5-8 hours on the river, wading out to a large flat rock with our tackle, poles and lunch, and fishing from the area. All in all, between me and Chelsea, my girlfriend, we caught about a dozen small mouth bass.

Now, i have a ton of questions to ask, but i'll start with just a few simples ones.

First of all, i have been attaching all my lures directly to a swivel, with the swivel tied to my line.

Is this an efficient method of attaching the lure? Through a bit of research i've discovered that it may detract from the lures action.

Secondly, i was wondering how to best fish a moving river. That's not such a simple question i realize, but an important one. I really enjoy being on the river, wading about, being secluded. I used a popper to catch one or two bass, but the only time i could get them to hit it was when it was cast. All my other fish were caught on a small minnow, i believe it to be a crankbait, that stayed about a foot under the surface.

I'd cast the minnow through the rapids in the area and quickly retrieve it. This method worked very well after i'd seen a fish jump and placed the lure in the area, but i feel like i'm doing many things wrong, and could be catching so many more bass.

Okay, i'll stop rambling for now and see what kind of responses i get. Thanks in advance for all your help.

-Michael

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

BassResource.com has an extensive library.

Spend some time in "Fishing Articles" at the

top of the page. I think you will be surprized

at all of the contributions and wealth of useful

information we have available for you.

8-)

[JShrock07]

Hello Michael,

Welcome to the forums!!!

First off I would learn some knots, not just overhand knots. Look up the polymer knot. It is the strongest knot out now and has been proven.

I would stop using swivels all together. They will mess up the action of the lure.

The popper, are you actually popping it our just realing it in?? Cast it out and pop it 3 times and pause then pop another three times and pause and continue this.

While fishing a moving river try using a baby 1- they have a good action. try a rat-l-trap they are good to. Any other questions just ask.

[MichaelDavid]

Hi guys =)

Thanks for the quick responses. Yes, i was popping it, but it wasn't until after our river excursion that i read about popping it 2-3 times then letting it sit. I was continually popping it along. so maybe i was out running the bass? Or there was just no allure to it perhaps.

I have many more questions, but i will see what is answered by the articles first =)

NitroMan, i notice your profile said you mainly fish the potomac, may i ask where?

[skillet]

WELCOME to the forums!!!

                             As Ever,

                              skillet

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam]

Welcome to our forum.

Just keep asking those questions.

In the meantime, read, read and read.

The correct spelling of the knot mentioned above is PALAMOR.

It is a simple, overhand knot that is very secure.

Check it out and after tieing it a few times you will get the hang of it.

As for topwater poppers, tie your line directly to the lure.  You do not need a swivel.

And use Monofilament line as it floats.  

If you have light rods and reels go with the 6 to 8 pound test.

If you are fishing heavy gear for larger fish you may want to go with the 10 to 12 pound test.

Fishing for smallmouth on light rigs using 6 to 8 pound mono is a blast.

Just throw your lure into the current and let it float back to you as you reel in the slack.

Try twin tail grugs on a 1/32 jig head (orange if possible) or a small white grub on a 1/64 jig head.

If you find some open water you may want to consider throwing a 1/4 ounce chrome with a black back or a blue back Rat-L-Trap.

Just read the articles and the posts.  You will up and running in no time.

And have you head of the Bait Monkey?   ;D

[MALTESE FALCON]

Welcome to the best fishing site on the net.

My two favorite knots are, the clinch, and palomar.

Falcon

[slomoe]

Welcome to the forum!

[JShrock07]

Sam,

I didn't mean to miss spell the knot's name. I guess I should have looked it up to give a better description. Sorry

But Michael I fish out of Aquia Creek on the Potomac River. I usualy fish there at least 2-4 times per week. I prefer to fish during the week, unless I have a tournament, since all the pleasure boaters and tournaments are on the weekends. If you would like to go let me know and we will try to arrange a time. But I do not wade out there I take my boat.

-Nitro

[roadwarrior]

The correct spelling of the knot mentioned above is PALAMOR.

Palomar Knot:

http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#Overhand

8-)

[bigbasser121]

I fish the upper potomac from time to time and The smallmouth go crazy with any in -line spinner that has a red tail. I try and stay away from swivels because I have lost a few fish due to them bending or breaking. If I use swivels I buy the owner brand swivel.