Winter Wading

[smallmouthjoe]

Bought a new pair of hip waders last week and wanted to try them out so I hit The James today to see what I could come up with. Fishing was slow which is to be expected in the middle of winter, but i did manage to catch four fish. The biggest of the day was a 14" smallie and the second biggest was a 12" LM and I also caught two spots that went around 10" or so. I missed what looked to be about a 15-17" LM because I can't set the hook properly, but I'm satisfied with a 80% landing rate. All fish were caught on a homemade 1/4 football head jig in green pumpkin with a flash of yellow in the skirt and a green pumpkin chigger craw as a trailer.

[tjulianc]

I just picked up a pair of hip waiters last week, and will be giving them a try later this week. How did yours do? What brand are they? I got a cheap pair made by Magellan, so I hope to get my money's worth out of them this winter/spring.

[Guest]

All fish were caught on a homemade 1/4 football head jig in green pumpkin with a flash of yellow in the skirt and a green pumpkin chigger craw as a trailer.

Ain't nothin like homemades....

Got any pics of that jig?

[smallmouthjoe]

I love this jig, just a good looking jig. I would eat it if I was into invertebrates.

[RSBreth]

Boy, just hip waders? I wear them for duck hunting in shallow places, and when I'm just screwing around at Taney or Crane, but I have over the years got wet just up to the nether's enough to wear chest waders in cold weather.

I suppose you probably know the area your fishing well, so it's not a big deal.

[Guest]

I love this jig, just a good looking jig. I would eat it if I was into invertebrates.

Interesting.

I've never seen that strand of yellow in a brown/green skirt.

Looks very natural.

Excellent