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Post by smlfishing on Jan 19, 2016 9:49:55 GMT -5
Went to the New River for the first time this year fishing for Muskie. We decided to try something new inspired by striper fishing and use some live bait. We rigged up some trout on redi floats out both sides of the boat. We would throw hell hounds, jakes baits and bull dawgs and figure 8 them towards the live bait to catch the eye of any following deep. We were unable to move any fish this trip and in a place we have done well in the past. Over about 7 hours we did not have a single follow and nothing touched the trout. I believe with the warmer weather the fish are still scattered and have not moved to the deep holes for winter. Hoping with the cooler weather it will get better.
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Post by prodigal on Jan 22, 2016 20:25:36 GMT -5
If you're going to fish the NEW for musky, you have got to go to Eggleston, VA. Just before the bridge, turn right handed and go to the campground. After crossing the tracks, go left handed. There is a house that sits on the left in a right hand curve. Stop and place an envelope with $5 and your vehicle info in the box for the ramp fee. Float down the river from the ramp and around the first left-handed curve to the first set of shoals. You would go back I assure you!
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Post by smlfishing on Jan 25, 2016 8:02:01 GMT -5
We were in Eggleston and I agree it is usually a great spot and we have caught some good fish, but this time we just did not move any that we saw. For New River we usually go below the dam usually try to catch when the water is rising, behind Radford university and float to whitethorn or we go to Eggleston. I really wonder if we concentrated too much on floating the trout which is kind of a PIA as they get all tangled up (which I wonder if you could use planer board with the current pushing them out) and not running the banks just throwing lures and not staying in one spot for to long. We will be going back this weekend and will give the live bait a try one more time, just not sure where or if we will hit the James. I am just wondering the water conditions with all this snow.
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Post by prodigal on Jan 25, 2016 13:40:12 GMT -5
Sounds like you have it figured out. Below Bluestone Dam in Hinton, WV is a great place as well. Once you cross the bridge, take a hard left over the bank and under the bridge. Put in there and go out to the next to last pier. That is a great hole of water.
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Post by smlfishing on Jan 26, 2016 9:07:26 GMT -5
I appreciate the information from another person who enjoys slinging 12oz baits till your shoulder hurts. I must say I know a few places we have caught some over the years but I am far from having it figured out. I will let you know how we do this weekend.
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Post by Jason54 on Jan 27, 2016 9:43:52 GMT -5
Good luck this weekend. I'm totally new to musky fishing. We went one time in January and had one hit on a top raider but the water was way up and wind was bad. We do some bass fishing in the spring and usually put in at dudlys landing and float down to whitethorn.
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Post by smlfishing on Jan 27, 2016 11:43:24 GMT -5
Thanks Jason. I like that float and have caught some good fish. I have my degree from Radford and we would small mouth fish until we saw our first musky and it was game on. I can recall missing a few classes when the bite was good.
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Post by Jason54 on Jan 27, 2016 12:59:33 GMT -5
We may try to go sometime next week. I have never caught one. My son had a good one on a couple of years ago while we were small mouth fishing but it broke him off at the boat. A 40" plus fish on 8lb line with no leader didn't work out so well. Since December I have bought several different baits to try I just haven't had a chance to go but once.
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Jan 27, 2016 13:02:12 GMT -5
Nice report
I'm afraid to go fish the New River - I live in Christiansburg now and it would be so much closer for week nights but all I keep seeing is $$$
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Post by Jason54 on Jan 27, 2016 13:14:42 GMT -5
I live at the Floyd/Montgomery county line and work in Christiansburg. It is definately closer than sml but I sure love sml striper fishing.
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Post by smlfishing on Jan 27, 2016 15:56:47 GMT -5
You definitely need a good leader. We just use 80lb fluro and crimp them. I have several if you need any. Hell Hounds take practice but seem to work rather well. Nice to practice in clear water to get it to cut left and right with each tug but have to keep some slack so it glides easy. Jake are good as well. I have several Bull Dawgs and have had follows but never caught one on them. Bait are big and expensive but made solid and durable so they seem to last forever. I wish F18 were the same I have quite a collection my son has hit in the rip rap and the bait is solid but the blade breaks right off so they do not dive anymore. I live on Gills Creek so the James or New are a pretty good haul.
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Post by Jason54 on Jan 28, 2016 6:19:37 GMT -5
I bought plenty of steel leaders. I bought several different lures. a couple 9" suicks, a 190 whopper plopper, a top raider, and a couple of magnum bull dawgs that are by far the heaviest lure I have ever thrown. I really need to upgrade my rod for throwing them.
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