Walking The River

[yaknar]

Walked down the James, Shelvin to Hootentown, today. I brought my kayak along, I dont know why, I could have just brought along a lawn chair. Caught a lot of 10 in bass but not much of anything else. Since this is my 3rd time using soft plastic, I thought I would put them in a ziplock bag with a craw scent mix in and let them stew over night. I couldnt tell much difference. Does anyone use scents on their lures? Mine didnt have any already added. And if so, what? As you can see, I did find a logperch in the river today. And if my fishing skills are not improving...my trash collecting is.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Once again, way to go! It is always a treat to catch a logperch or two.

[RSBreth]

#1 - That section of river is pretty hard hit by this time of year - everyone floats it. Historically, I've never caught big fish consistently there.

#2 - I do use some scents, but it kind of depends on both the plastics and the scent you use. For jig trailers and such I just use PowerBait - already stinky enough.

#3 - Good job picking up the trash - like I said, it gets hit hard from Hootentown floaters.

[Aaron J Scott]

Yes, kudos on the trash pickup. Thanks for setting a good example!

[yaknar]

When I'm fishing the James, I see gars surfacing in some of the deep holes I fish in. I have read how to make and use rope lures for gars.I thought I would make one this week and try it out. My questions are:

Has anyone used a rope lure?

Is it hard to pry open the mouth of a gar?

Is it hard to remove the rope lure?

What glove would you buy at BPS to handle the gar?

Do we want gars in the river?

[Chief Grey Bear]

I have used a rope lure. They can work really great. I like to use a nylon type that will fray much like barbie doll hair.

It is not hard to pry their mouth open. It is not as dangerous as it would seem. But do use caution.

It is not too bad to remove the rope. We have the capability to pull up or down from the top and bottom jaws. The gar don't. But they can and occassionally do get away.

If you want to wear gloves, really any old pair of leather gloves will work.

Why wouldn't we want gar in the river? They have been a part of the ecosystem for a few million years and have not done any where near the damage man has done in the last 100 years.

[exiledguide]

I have used a rope lure. They can work really great. I like to use a nylon type that will fray much like barbie doll hair.

It is not hard to pry their mouth open. It is not as dangerous as it would seem. But do use caution.

It is not too bad to remove the rope. We have the capability to pull up or down from the top and bottom jaws. The gar don't. But they can and occassionally do get away.

If you want to wear gloves, really any old pair of leather gloves will work.

Why wouldn't we want gar in the river? They have been a part of the ecosystem for a few million years and have not done any where near the damage man has done in the last 100 years.

You can get a jaw spreader used for Northern or Muskie.

I agree with Chief they are part of the system why would anybody want them gone. If you every are lucky enough to hook one hang on.

[RSBreth]

Just for fun I've tried catching gar on Clouser minnows and jerkbaits - both work. I was once towed around in my solo for about 10 minutes by a huge gar near Springfield lake on the James. He finally came off, and we were both relieved. They will chew your lure up - I don't think I'd try to catch one on a Vision 110.

I'll take native gar in the over carp any day. One tip - although it isn't very scientific - I've never caught very many fish in any hole that has a lot of gar in it. I don't know if the smaller fish vacate the area or just hide - but that's been my experience.

[Daveinozark]

Just for fun I've tried catching gar on Clouser minnows and jerkbaits - both work. I was once towed around in my solo for about 10 minutes by a huge gar near Springfield lake on the James. He finally came off, and we were both relieved. They will chew your lure up - I don't think I'd try to catch one on a Vision 110.

I'll take native gar in the over carp any day. One tip - although it isn't very scientific - I've never caught very many fish in any hole that has a lot of gar in it. I don't know if the smaller fish vacate the area or just hide - but that's been my experience.

I've noticed that too, about not catching bass where there's gar.

I found a pretty good gar hole, down from Delaware town access. It's on google maps, listed as Blue Hole. Last time I was there, there were a bunch of gar. I only caught a few smallies there and watched gars chasing my lures.

[Arofishing]

Touche on the gar = no bass. Never caught a decent bass or many bass in a hole where gar are prevalent.

And gar may not be very attractive to us as sport fish, since they don't readily bite our lures like bass and other sport fish do, and when they do they frequently break our gear, but they serve important ecological functions. They deserve our respect, despite our lack of interest. If they didn't merit a place they wouldn't still be around.