CBNMO

Seth I looked at the Power Pro, but decided on 80lb Stren Super Braid. I got the yellow high visibility. It seamed a little smoother than the others. I'm thinking the rougher lines may be wearing against each other and fraying the line to the point that it breaks when I hit a fish. Just my idea, I don't know for sure. Then I saw some 50lb mono, and decided to buy it also. I'm gonna use the 80lb braid and tie that to a heavy duty swivel, then try using the lighter mono to tie on the hooks and sinker. Hopefully the smoother mono won't fray and break as much? Also when I snag a tree or bottom, the lighter mono ($7) will break off and leave the heavier braid ($30). That's the idea anyways. I'll get to try it out in a few days.

When you cast out a long ways with 40lb mono, there is a lot of stretch in the line when you snag and hit a fish out int the middle of the river. Therefore I like a stiffer pole when fishing with mono line, that sets the hook better, and when snagging with braid line that has no stretch, I might go with a little more flex in the rod tip. I also like spinning rods for snagging. I prefer at least a 10 foot rod. It allows a longer cast and also a longer snag stroke. 12 and 14 foot rods are even better, but they are also more work. As I get older and more aches and pains, I pay more attention to these things. Especially the day after. I guess the length really depends on you. How far you want to cast out and how much work you want to do. You can increase your casting distance by switching to a small diameter braid line, no matter what rod you get. It won't double your casting distance but it will make a big difference. The smaller line also cuts through the water easier, and is less tireing during the snagging, and it's just easier casting too. I use cheap ($35 - $50) rods with no problems. I did break a tip but it got into the truck door. I don't think an expensive rod will do anything my cheapos don't do? Not much help huh?

I stopped at Bass Pro today and they are charging $5.49 for one 8 ounce sinker ! ! ! Or two 4 or 5 or 6 ounce sinkers for the same price ! ! ! $2.75 for a 4 ounce sinker! I asked the clerk if it was a mistake and he said no, the price of lead is up. This is also the price on the Bass Pro web site. Fin and Feather sold 6 ounce sinkers today for 89 cents each, and I think the 8 ounce were $1.09, Not $5.49 ! ! ! I called Crossroads Store, going down to Cape Fair and they were close in price with Fin and Feather Prices. They had plenty of 6 ounce sinkers but no 8 ounce today. Fin and Feather had plenty of all. Why such a big price markup at Bass Pro?

I'll stop by Bass Pro and check out the line. The braid is smaller and it has less stretch too, making you hit the fish harder. I thought that would be good, but it may contribute to the line breaking too.

I really think it was 50lb spider wire too. I like the smaller line because it pulls so much easier. I've landed 70 lb fish with 20lb mono from a boat, snagging one hook in Oklahoma and a 4oz sinker without any problems. Just have to retie the sinker every so often. The spider wire just kept breaking.

Rainbow, McCord Bend is upstream from the bridge. I don't have a map here but it might be 10 miles up stream? You go past Poing 15 (Flat Creek coming in from the left, boat ramp there and another up Flat Creek about a mile), stay on the James, go past another boat ramp on the left (the channel gets narrow and shallow at times, and crosses the mud flat from the right to left side of the river across here), go on up and the river makes about a 180 degree bend to the right, McCord Bend is another 3/4 mile? Just before you get to the McCord Bend boat ramp is where the river usually gets shallow again. This time it is creek gravel instead of mud. If you would rather drive to McCord Bend, the ramp is ok. A 4X4 is nice at times depending on how heavy your boat is. They have field camping there and day access too.

Seth, it sounds like you had a great trip. I was planning on going this weekend but the weather is not cooperating. There will be too much debris on the James and the river is going to be moving on. Perhaps going down stream from Cape Fair would be better until the river settles some? The James is supposed to crest near or break an all time high tomorrow. I was told it may be up on the bottom of the old Y bridge at Galena by tomorrow? Do you mind sharing how you rig your lines? Mono or braid? How many hooks? Spacing? How heavy weight? And how do you tie on? I tried braid for the first time last year and we tried to tie it on like mono and we kept breaking off. Not sure if it requires a different tie or we just had bad line or maybe we were just doing it wrong? We use two 12/0 hooks about 2 or 3 feet apart, and 5 to 8 oz sinkers anywheres from 8 inches to 2 feet from the last hook. Thanks and good snaggin