Holliday's World Famous Fishing Thread - 2026 Version

[Lotte Skoring]

Got the first of my Krocodiles today.
... It was the pink ones - so appropriate to the day.
Should be getting the balance of my orders within the next 4 days.
So far, I rate this winter as...SUCKS.
..so little things like this count.

 

[oldslowandugly]

My grandson is visiting. We got a lot of work done on the fish board. I used four 2x3 sections to reinforce the underside. Glued and screwed. After that cures we will seal and paint it. This is going well. It will be big enough to almost cover the top of the dock box. The last one was a bit narrow and fish would slide off. I need to get down to the dock to take some measurements. I am upgrading the charging system for the boat battery. I am sure the docks are covered in ice right now, like everything else.

 

[Lotte Skoring]

My grandson is visiting. We got a lot of work done on the fish board. I used four 2x3 sections to reinforce the underside. Glued and screwed. After that cures we will seal and paint it. This is going well. It will be big enough to almost cover the top of the dock box. The last one was a bit narrow and fish would slide off. I need to get down to the dock to take some measurements. I am upgrading the charging system for the boat battery. I am sure the docks are covered in ice right now, like everything else.

Wear your crampons.

. Meant to ask - do the Krocodiles in the larger sizes you use come new with the red plastic dangler piece on them? Do you leave those on or remove them? I have no idea if they add strikes but they seem cheap and fruity so I tend to eliminate them. Thots?

 

[oldslowandugly]

No crampons. I gave up jetty jockeying many moons go. I stay on the sand now. The only Krocs that had the red thingy were in the smaller sizes. Johnson's Sprite had them too as well as some other things like small skirts. At one ounce it is just a treble hook with a single barb hook included in case you want to change, as I do.

As far as attractors go I am as guilty as anyone thinking they help. I use glow skirts on all my Fluke rigs. I use grubs, worms, and tails on my lead heads. My buddy and I used all kinds of fancy crap on our rigs thinking it was better. Then my old Polish neighbor would out fish us with a bare hook. Very humiliating.

More snow last night. But this week should melt most of it away with rain and warm weather.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Remember you saying you got some Striped Bass way up by you? I have a Salt Water Sportsman book about Striped Bass. The Delaware Bay and River used to be a big Striper source until pollution screwed that all up. They said spawning used to occur from Philadelphia as far North as Port Jervis. Since the 80's they have been working to clean it up. They say that the Stripers are actually spawning again in Delaware Bay near Philadelphia. They also stated that the fish can roam up to 150/200 miles inland. Some have been recorded on both the East and West branches of the Delaware. So those fish you caught were not strangers.

 

[Lotte Skoring]

Remember you saying you got some Striped Bass way up by you? I have a Salt Water Sportsman book about Striped bass. The Delaware Bay and River used to be a big Striper source until pollution screwed that all up. They said spawning used to occur from Philadelphia as far North as Port Jervis. Since the 80's they have been working to clean it up. They say that the Stripers are actually spawning again in Delaware Bay near Philadelphia. They also stated that the fish can roam up to 150/200 miles inland. Some have been recorded on both the East and West branches of the Delaware. So those fish you caught were not strangers.

I had heard about them being caught up this way for some years but have only caught them the last 3 years.
I have recently heard of them going up as far as the Roebling bridge where the Lackawaxen flows into the Delaware (Lackawaxen PA).

 

[Holy Holliday !]

. Finally received the lures. They went to Tx, San Antone for some form of blessing I presume so they are sure to catch some beauts. Spring will come, and the fishing will be done in nature's natural order.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

We got mighty fair weather coming the beginning of next week.
. I might even get down to the river and sling a few lures for a while.
Not saying I will, but I might.

Will be getting some Gulp Minnows 2 1/2", with 1/32 oz jig (wire keeper) for the trout this spring. Saw a nice vid this week. Looks like a good drift technique.

 

[MANCID RILKO]

We got mighty fair weather coming the beginning of next week.
. I might even get down to the river and sling a few lures for a while.
Not saying I will, but I might.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Looks like you could use Annette for those.

 

[MANCID RILKO]

Looks like you could use Annette for those.

Annettes are a no~no in Brazoo

 

[Holy Holliday !]

. I ordered some black 1/32 ball heads (#6) to pair with the Gulp Minnows (Emerald Shiner 2 1/2"), then ordered these ACC heads in the 1/32 oz, 1/24, and 1/16 oz in the silver. They all have a nice wire keeper. Starting to get excited. Getting close. Got my Sawyers Permethrin also. Gotta have tick repellent.
. Now some of you may say, how good can a crappy jig head be.
Well these come highly recommended for the application.

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[MANCID RILKO]

Do you put on those large clown-style jumpers and get into the rivers, H.?

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Do you put on those large clown-style jumpers and get into the rivers, H.?

No, I fish nekked, particularly on w/ends when all bikini girls are canoeing by.

Nah, but really, I wet wade. Never use waders.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

. I ordered some black 1/32 ball heads (#6) to pair with the Gulp Minnows (Emerald Shiner 2 1/2"), then ordered these ACC heads in the 1/32 oz, 1/24, and 1/16 oz in the silver. They all have a nice wire keeper. Starting to get excited. Getting close. Got my Sawyers Permethrin also. Gotta have tick repellent.
. Now some of you may say, how good can a crappy jig head be.
Well these come highly recommended for the application.

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I am also hearing these Mule jig heads are good for this.
.They too have a nice wire keeper and a mushroom style head.

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[Lotte Skoring]

I got my Mule and ACC jigs, an extra bag of Gulp Minnows 2 1/2".
. I ordered a very nice net holster from Amazon. It was supposed to come tomorrow, then this morning I get a message that it is delayed an won't be here till April 9. This, while I am also waiting for another item, a book, that I had ordered and was also in stock, that too now is many delayed. I blame Trump and his stupid fucking tough guy military campaigns making a mess of things. Now Jeff Bezos can't afford the price of gasoline to keep his delivery trucks running. Oh yeah, let's make war so everyone knows what a tough guy president bonespurs is.

The net holster looks like this: (similar, only nicer)

 

[Lotte Skoring]

Now this morning I get notice it will ship and be here by March 28, which is good since April 1 is the first I would use it trout fishing. Carrying a net in hand or having it on a lanyard sucks so the holster will be good.
This is the actual one:

 

[oldslowandugly]

That is a cool idea. I just got a net for small fish and I also hate hanging it where it will be a headache. A holster makes a lot of sense. I am also on the lookout for a hand gaff holster. I have an old one that the rivets rotted away. They used to be available locally here but not anymore.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I used to have one of those clear rubber nets. It got all gooey and sticky. I tossed it. I think it was the Sun or salt water that caused that to happen. This time I got a black rubber one. I will keep it covered when I am gone. I am done with the old stitched nets. We use treble hooks on the Knucklehead poppers. They get tangled like crazy. My grandson had nailed a real nice Striper, and when I netted it, the hooks were super tangled. Before I could undo it- he nailed another! I had to cut the lure off and net the second fish with the lure still entangled. THAT second lure got hopelessly tangled too. Now we were out of poppers so we called it an evening. The solid rubber net was great until it got slimy.

 

[Lotte Skoring]

. I did get down to the river today. There is a little spot I know where the Walleye come into in March. Sure enough got 2 of them. Lost one of my Shad lures though. Bummer, man.

Oh, I also ordered a magnetic net holder. There's cheap ones and expensive ones, but those orient the net handle up. I got a cheap one so I will be buying crazy glue at the store next I go, and have a couple of better carabiners to replace the shit one it comes with. Should be a better choice than the holster for wet wading the river if I chose to use a net....which I never have before....so....maybe....wuddoo I know.

 

[Lotte Skoring]

.. The magnetic net release thing came today - swapped out the carabiners and will purchase crazy glue in case the magnet separates from the shell as is reported in reviews.
.. Works pretty nicely though. Interesting option.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Wait- the magnets are the only thing holding the net to you? I'm thinking it will let go at the worst time. Unless they are some pretty strong magnets. I used to have a magnetic car keys holder. It let go in the parking lot at work. Good thing my buddy found them.

 

[Lotte Skoring]

Wait- the magnets are the only thing holding the net to you? I'm thinking it will let go at the worst time. Unless they are some pretty strong magnets. I used to have a magnetic car keys holder. It let go in the parking lot at work. Good thing my buddy found them.

They are indeed strong. One reviewed said be careful not to get a finger between them when reattaching.
. I was not careful. They will pinch. But yeah - they are plenty adequate for holding even a heavy wooden net like mine. Additionally, my net has an elastic tether as backup.

 

[The New Holliday]

Okay - good goin - 2026 Version.

. So I got up to a buddy's place for the ballgames, went early to show him some early season Bass techniques on his lake, and picked up a couple of largemouth in no more than 1 hr, probably less time than that. Caught them on a 1/4 oz willow leaf / colorado blade tandem spinnerbait. Those are my first Bass catches of the year on my first outing targeting Bass.
.Will try to get out for Trout later next week.

 

[oldslowandugly]

The NY DEC just announced that it is OK to eat fish from the lower Hudson River. That is all the way down to lower Manhattan. They are finding much less PCB's in the fish after 50 years of testing. Striped Bass the safest. But they said NOT to take the Smallmouth Bass? I wonder why? Carp, Catfish, Eels, other bottom feeders I can see- but Smallmouths?

 

[The New Holliday]

The NY DEC just announced that it is OK to eat fish from the lower Hudson River. That is all the way down to lower Manhattan. They are finding much less PCB's in the fish after 50 years of testing. Striped Bass the safest. But they said NOT to take the Smallmouth Bass? I wonder why? Carp, Catfish, Eels, other bottom feeders I can see- but Smallmouths?

Huuumh - don't know why. I heard something about the recommendations out of the corner of my ear yesterday.
. Bass often have worms if that's a problem. Maybe to do with fattier fish or ones that spend all their time in the freshwater areas of the river. Stripers only come up river to spawn so they have far less exposure to PCBs.

 

[The New Holliday]

LoLz - I am a nice fellow but with limits.
After fishing yesterday I started thinking, let me see what I have in my old tackle that I can give this fellow to fish with. I remember I've got these old Shoestring Tornado Spinnerbaits. Don't make those no more. I'm about to dig them out and decide to look on ebay see what they have. Very few there, all in used condition, and up to 40 bucks.
.....I'l find something else for him though.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Here is what I have been doing.

This is the correct Under-The-Flywheel CDI/alternator coil assembly. To the right of it is the correct outside the flywheel alternator coil assembly. Both installed properly. Look the same, right? Holding them together you would swear they are identical. Nope. Just a hair difference and they don't interchange. Very strange for OMC. They are usually more interchangeable than GM. This part was pretty hard to find and NOT inexpensive. It checks out with the multi-meter. Keeping fingers crossed.

I 'could' use the outside mounted CDI unit on the right, but would have to fabricate a mount. I believe the starboard bypass cover on later motors does have the mounting bosses. My points motor does not. I prefer the UTF style as the power pack and trigger sensor are a single unit. Larger motors have more space under the motor cover. These 9.9/15 motors are cramped. No place for the power pack.

Do you know why the 9.9 exists? Why not just 10 hp? A lot of places set a HP limit, had to be UNDER 10hp. Thus the 9.9 was born. It was a 15hp, with a smaller carb. That is the only difference. In fact the model numbers say 10 - the motor cover says 9.9. You will not find a 10hp motor made after the limits were put in place. This 15hp I have was actually a 9.9. I just swapped a 15hp carb I had onto it. Then I added electric start and battery charging. It is a pretty strong little motor and very dependable. Moreso now with the CDI ignition.

 

[The New Holliday]

.. Got out today for the first on a local wild trout river. I had no expectations of catching anything so I was not disappointed. I never have done well with wild trout this early in the year although the river was very nice in level and clarity. Very sunny day. Good hiking along the river and hopping on the rocks which really is half the fun.
. Tried those lite jigs and the small Gulp minnow. It moved very naturally and will be a winner.
May get out for some Bassin tomorrow. NJ opens for trout tomorrow too.

 

[The New Holliday]

Got back out for Bass today. Private lake then a local camp pond/lake.
. They sure are abitin. Spinnerbait and chatterbait - 15 in 2 hrs, but only one at 2 LBs the rest 1 lb or less.
Lotsa small ones out there. These are Largemouth. Haven't got out for the Smallmouth yet.