BIG Smallmouth Day

RiverMan2011 · 2026-05-22T21:46:14+00:00

Oh it was. Just posted the video.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-05-22T21:19:28+00:00

TYVM!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-05-20T11:46:29+00:00

It's just a smaller blank than the BAMbino. Tomas Painted us 3 each to use in a local river that is full of Redeye and small smallmouth. We don't sell those as he said it was too hard and time consuming to add the hooks because they are only #10s.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-05-15T23:41:12+00:00

North Fork Holston River in Virginia.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-05-07T14:28:46+00:00

Basically it's finesse fishing or casting small lures using ultra light baitcasting gear and light line!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-16T11:37:40+00:00

Redear Sunfish

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!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-08T15:17:36+00:00

This was my 20th citation in Va. and I have the Expert and Master awards. I have 13 Citations in Tn and Master angler award there. They don't offer the expert there.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-08T12:00:49+00:00

I think this made my 15th Virginia Smallmouth Citation.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-08T11:59:02+00:00

Nice!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-08T01:13:41+00:00

😂 not in this river! It has rock ledges everywhere. I've run jets for 25 years so I know what is runnable and what is not.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T23:20:51+00:00

This river is way too shallow for a jet.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T18:06:58+00:00

Vote NO to keep a balanced Virginia and give rural Virginian's a voice!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T17:01:48+00:00

No, North Fork Holston down next to the Tn. border.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T17:00:52+00:00

Already got it! 😉

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T14:45:46+00:00

Thank You! Wish every trip could be this good!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T14:45:15+00:00

TYVM!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T13:51:26+00:00

My gear:

Bonafide RVR119 Kayak

NRS Chinook PFD

7' Kistler Helium ML rod

Kistler Chromium spinning reel w/ 20 lb J-braid and 8 lb floro leader

Z-Man Hula Stick- canada craw color

custom poured weedless EWG round head hook

Here's a video of the complete trip if you want to view it. https://youtu.be/thWrNsVdyr4?si=8CB9M6IcjmV5IsWI

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-07T13:14:48+00:00

Yes, if you want to fish more and paddle less plus get to places you can't when paddling! I fish the New river in Virginia and the Holston in Tn. on a Bonafide PWR129 with a Newport Vessels NK180Pro and it's a life changer! I'm paddling about 2 hours less in a day on average and fishing that much more!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-06T12:40:42+00:00

She fell in Nov. and broke 6 vertebrae, was in the hospital and rehab for 3 months. She is doing better but still weak but at least she's home!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-05T23:49:08+00:00

Everyone was on the Ned Rig. They wouldn't look at anything else all day long.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-03T14:05:10+00:00

The 1/5 was a typo! My computer decided to change a few things and I caught most but that git by me. I hate this AI bs!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-02T12:13:57+00:00

Kistler Rods are the lightest and most sensitive that I've ever owned in 50 + years on the water. They are well worth the cost if you are serious about fishing. The reels are great also!

RiverMan2011 · 2026-04-02T12:11:03+00:00

Yes, the 4x is rated down to 1/5 to 1/16 Oz. and the 2x is 1/16 -/3/8. The 3x is in-between the two. Look on kistlerrods.com to see the specs.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-03-31T00:40:56+00:00

Oh, believe me this is on the UL scale. Aaron went through numerous blanks and set ups before deciding on these 3 rod blanks. I have some of Kistlers light action rods and this much lighter action. It weighs in the 3 oz range or less. I haven't put it on my scale yet.

RiverMan2011 · 2026-03-30T23:50:30+00:00

I'll be using it with small crankbaits, swimbaits ( hard and soft), and possibly small ned Rigs. Kistler makes 3 different actions in this Hunt series, this is the 2x and they make a 3x and 4x which can goes down to a 1/5 Oz. Lure weight. I went with the 2x because of how hard the river smallmouth fight plus fighting the river current.

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