Pacemaker Fishing Forum

drxfish · May-22-24 6:10PM

I planned to go out early and try for topwater and then get off the water by noon. Beautiful morning.

Started with the Whopper Plopper. Caught one on first cast as they were fighting to get it.

I went on to hook smallies on every cast for at least 30 minutes. Many missed the lure, but others would grab it. It was crazy! Fish ranged from 12-16 inches mostly. I took pictures just to keep track. I will post just a few for reference.

When the topwater cooled, I tried the flatworm. Bite every cast!

When that got tore up, I switched to the Big TRD. More bites!

A few fish later, this happened! After a super tough fight that went upriver and around the boat almost twice.

It was 20.5" and weighed 4.85 pounds! I was shaking.

Right back at it for a few more. It did finally die down after 4 or 5 more.

I decided to make a run. Nothing at first stop, so ran further. Thiis spot was not on fire, but paid off. I caught a couple on the TRD.

Then THIS happened: IT was another tough fight.

21.5" and 4.29 pounds!

I caught a couple more, but it was slower. I decided to float. I ended up running back and caught 1 more 14 incher before calling it quits. I caught at least 32 and lost about 10 more, including a couple at the boat. I also saw a Bald Eagle swoop down and grab a fish as I was running upriver. Epic day, and off the water before 12pm.

hookup · May-22-24 6:45PM

That last fish looks spawned out. Nice one

Bryan · May-22-24 7:05PM

What an awesome day! That 20.5 is seriously fat!

Ernie · May-22-24 9:14PM

They say the Potomac is dead…I guess you proved them wrong!!

According to the solunar calendar, today was supposed to be an excellent day to fish…I guess you proved them right!

And, you had a near full moon! Throw that theory out the door.

Congrats!!

drxfish · May-22-24 9:47PM

My arm will be bruised from the butt of the rod digging into my right arm and I scraped the skin off my knuckle on my left hand reeling the baitcaster fighting the WP fish. Somehow, the front hook on that plopper is gone now. Fish were just sharking the bait, most missing. That will change over the next month when they hone their skills. My heart was pumping so much, I just could not stop though. Best fishing workout ever for me (except maybe amberjack). Memorable day for sure.

Oubassman · May-23-24 12:59AM

That is an unbelievable day to say the least. Congrats on the 20 and just laying the smackdown.

AndrewDo124 · May-23-24 11:34AM

wow! that's an epic day of fishing! These are the trips that make you keep coming back haha

hookup · May-23-24 4:18PM

drxfish wrote:
My arm will be bruised from the butt of the rod digging into my right arm and I scraped the skin off my knuckle on my left hand reeling the baitcaster fighting the WP fish.

Getting injuries from catching to many big fish is definitely a blessing. Sometimes the fish have to score one too!

Memorable day for sure.

Love day's like that. In surfer lingo, we call that a "Cinderella session"

Somehow, the front hook on that plopper is gone now. F

We were talking about this a couple days ago. We both agreed that the snap rings manufacturers are using are crap. Good thing you only lost the treble and not any big smallies. I don't normally change snap rings until I change hooks but may consider buying quality stainless steel snap rings and using them in the future to avoid a heart break from loosing a big fish

Ernie · May-23-24 6:58PM

George- can I assume that what you are calling a snap ring is a split ring?

drxfish · May-23-24 7:31PM

I change out a lot of hardware on my lures. I am pretty sure I had changed that split ring. It is taking the hooks out where you have to be careful. A Smallie will not pull out a 30 pound split ring. I have had the snaps open on me. I still like to use them, but just check them.

Ernie · May-23-24 8:05PM

Again, to be clear: A snap goes in front of the lure and you tie your line to it. A split ring between an eye on the lure and the hook. Yea or nae?

drxfish · May-23-24 11:20PM

Split ring to attach hooks. Many lures do use them for line ties also.

Last edited by drxfish (May-23-24 11:21PM)

Ernie · May-23-24 11:54PM

drxfish wrote:
Split ring to attach hooks. Many lures do use them for line ties also.

Yep. That was unclear (to me anyway) in your guys responses. But a snap can be added to the front of the lure as well. Some swivel and some don't.

backtofuturetoyota · May-24-24 12:07PM

Epic! and it looks like you caught them on a huge variety of lures. Congrats!

hookup · May-25-24 1:59PM

Maybe? You have to "split" split rings to install. Snap rings have a snap to quickly install a hook

Or that's how the vendors I order them put it

But hey, I don't care if you call it La Cucaracha. it's the ring on the eye of the bait you tie to or the ring that holds the hook on a hard bait

drxfish · May-26-24 12:57PM

backtofuturetoyota wrote:
Epic! and it looks like you caught them on a huge variety of lures. Congrats!

Only 3 lures. Fun stuff though.

darbrewe · Jun-09-24 5:08PM

The Upper P is fishing as well this year as I've ever seen it. My last 3 times out were all over 2 dozen fish outings. So happy to see it back.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 May-22-24 6:10PM

River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#2 May-22-24 6:45PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#3 May-22-24 7:05PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#4 May-22-24 9:14PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#5 May-22-24 9:47PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#6 May-23-24 12:59AM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#7 May-23-24 11:34AM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#8 May-23-24 4:18PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

drxfish wrote:

#9 May-23-24 6:58PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#10 May-23-24 7:31PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#11 May-23-24 8:05PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#12 May-23-24 11:20PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#13 May-23-24 11:54PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

drxfish wrote:

#14 May-24-24 12:07PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#15 May-25-24 1:59PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

#16 May-26-24 12:57PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

#17 Jun-09-24 5:08PM

Re: River 5/22/24 Best day EVER?

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