2009.03.19
It's time for big river smallmouths
Mike Buchanan, owner of Souvlaki's Restaurant in Blacksburg, pulled this great smallmouth bass from the New River during a March 9 float trip with his friend Doug Goldsmith.
Rivers are up a bit from the recent rain. As they come into shape, they could offer some awesome action for prespawn bass. You probably won't crush them, but the fish you catch will be decent.
My favorite lures for prespawn river smallmouths are suspending jerkbaits such as the Smithwick Rattlin' Rouge, and Rapala Husky Jerk and X-Rap. If the water has some color I like spinnerbaits with big Colorado blades.
Has anybody else hit the James or New for smallmouths yet this year? How'd you do?
Hitting the New or James this weekend. Will report back. I'm pre-fishing for the Furlough Fishing Festival.
--Good luck. Speaking of the FFF, I have additional interest from a fellow scribe whose paper just got hit with furloughs. The field is growing... mt
Comment by scott — March 19, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
Caught 6 smallmouths 3-5 lbs and 1 largemouth about 5lb using Jymsu Hydro Spinnerbait 3/8oz. in white/chartreuse & a Terminator Red series 3/8oz. on 10lb flurocarbon line. Using 6"6 Plueger rod combo Citation Reel all purchased at Sportsman Warehouse. Prior to going out of business sale.
Caught 3 nice fish under bridge area on 114 and under bridge at Bisset Park lost 2 Hydros to trash in water but since fish were hitting stuck with it till losing 2nd lure.
Switched to 114 and caught fish, If you try either area be prepared to lose a lure or 2 to junk floating down the river.
Water started to recede from nearby rocks by then fishing went cold
Tried Pandapas Pond no luck. Some fisherman there still catching 1-2 trout.
The Hydro Spinnerbait creates so much vibration you can feel it in the handle of your rod willow leaf blade with tiny holes drilled through both blades.
SW had a ton of these and no one touched them because of the holes in the blades, I'm a sucker for anything different.
Buy Em'.
Comment by Stactic Lines — March 19, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
landed 5 that where 14 to 17 inches on March 7th on the New River.
Comment by Cliff — March 20, 2009 @ 3:23 am
I moved from the area in 94. Never had fishing like the times I had on the new. Managed a citation there and miss it. Catch one for me!
Comment by Keith Hankins — March 20, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Pigg River stocked on Wednesday. Good time to hit the smaller stocked waters for trout.
Comment by scott — March 20, 2009 @ 1:21 pm