Stonewall Jackson Lake WV, Biggest fish of my life!!

[@GuitarGuru357-rz9eb]

I live in Elkins, and I try to make it there every weekend that I can. SJL is one of the most relaxing places on earth, for me. If bigger fish aren’t biting, I’m happy to catch crappie all day. If they aren’t biting, I enjoy the ride from Vandalia boat ramp to the resort. It’s a win/win every time. Traffic can get a little rough on the lake, but it’s never terrible.

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Yea, it's my favorite WV lake. Mainly because of the muskies, but I enjoy catching those really big bass that reside there. For some reason, I fish the skin creek side more than the resort side. Next spring ima force myself to put in on the resort side and fish it.

[@GuitarGuru357-rz9eb]

@@fishingwithjc8475 I most definitely prefer Skin Creek for the fishing aspect. Once you get near the dam, it seems like there’s a lot more recreational boating going on. There’s a few good coves up that way and what not, but there’s a lot more water disturbance with all the PWCs and Pontoons zipping around. But, that’s just my personal preference. The best luck I’ve had at the lake has been near Hog Hollow Bridge on Skin Creek.

[@fishingwithjc8475]

@GuitarGuru357-rz9eb I fished that area this spring. I went under the bridge and fished to the left. There's a nice flat with a drop off. Nice water.

[@OldTimersBassChaser]

good video

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks, I really love that lake.

[@ashleyhockenberry2187]

A+ Patience and persistence paid off !

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks, and it's still my biggest fish. I'm hoping to change that this year. Fingers crossed 🤞.

[@cmurphy2026]

Awesome fish and vid !

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks, and thanks for subscribing!

[@scottvaughan5529]

That's my home lake

[@fishingwithjc8475]

My favorite WV lake. But I like Leesville and Piedmont a little bit better.

[@chuckratcliff2429]

Beautiful fish,congratulations!!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thank you very much.

[@Kfxmnn]

love seeing people from home making vids you have everyone down south we need more up north im in Charleston its 2019 cant wait to head that way

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks. SWJ is a great lake and I plan to fish it again this year. I'm definitely not a very good film maker, but I enjoy it. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@morquezstafford1984]

@Jason fish grow bigger down south due to very high metabolism which means they eat more and grow faster cause of the warmer weather.

[@Dark30Outdoors]

Awesome fish man!!! Way to go!!!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thank you. It's still my personal best.

[@illmuskyhunter3313]

Glad to see you using musky gear and possibly catching bass and not vice versa like most. Having the right net, tools and gear are the most important parts of musky fishing

[@fishingwithjc8475]

You're exactly right! I replaced my net after that fish, the one I was using was just too shallow and it tore it fins to pieces. I was so pissed! But she seemed to recover so I think she did okay. Fish on!

[@johnnyboysky2274]

Great job buddy!!!! I'm headed there this labor day and yessss great job keeping it alive

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks, catch a giant.

[@johnnyboysky2274]

Any tips that would increase my chances line tackle ect.

[@fishingwithjc8475]

@@johnnyboysky2274 as the water cools they will be heading to shallow water. I'd try main lake points, bay mouths, and wood/weed structure. There's an island on the east side of the lake, hit it hard. Use typical musky gear with 65-80 lbs. braid. Throw larger baits and slow down your retrieve. Good luck!

[@johnnyboysky2274]

You tha man I will follow ur advice to a t and thanks for getting back to me!!!!!

[@mountainmetalhead6664]

I grew up fortunately to have stonewall Jackson lake as my back yard and I can surely tell you there are some true giants roaming that water !!! Nice fish

[@fishingwithjc8475]

David Rowan I have only fished there a handful of times, but I must say....I really like that lake.

[@oledahammer8393]

One thing to think about, is water temperature. Muskies Inc. and some other groups are funding a study currently looking into post release mortality when Muskies are caught at and above the top end of their normal tolerable or preferred range of temperatures. I'm a former fish pathologist and life long Musky fisherman. Once I began to learn about fish physiology, I quit fishing Muskies when the surface temps reach 80F. While the fish may swim away, I have always felt there could be enough stress to cause immunosuppression and leave them open to pathogens they would normally be able to fight off. It might take them a week or two post-catch to succumb to something like Saprolegnia (A fungal infection of fish) or one of a number of common fish pathogens or gill parasites. I believe the study is going to be conducted in West Virgina. Lastly, you need a larger net. Spend the money if you can and acquire an oversized Beckman or Frabill made for Muskies. Your fish barely fit in that net, and that is hard on them too. We've been fishing them in Wisconsin more over a 100 years, we have had lots of time to learn from our mistakes. Great fish!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

I totally agree. I learned a lot from that fish catch. The water temp was right @80 and I saw how much stress it put on that fish. I haven't fished for them in temps over 78 since. I also agree on the net, and I went out the next week and bought a Frabile Conservationist net. We typically only see mid-thirty to low-forty fish here in WV, so I only use that smaller net on my kayak/creek boat. I felt so bad after I saw how red her fins were. I'm hoping she made it through. Thanks for the comment and the info!!

[@weeewooo777]

Randomly found this clip. Fucking awesome brother! I wish you well!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks! It's still my biggest musky.

[@liljakewestvirgina]

How often have you fished here, and how is the bass fishing overall?

[@fishingwithjc8475]

I fish there quite often and it has a great bass population. Gizzard shad is the main forage, so throw white, black and silver. Jigs are deadly year-round. Good luck.

[@stephenadams1714]

Move over Bill Dance, love it good job Chris!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks Steve!

[@royfraser1]

Thanks for your videos, I have watched the one about your boat. I am considering the 1652 for trout fishing in the rivers, and using it a little in the lake. Are you pleased with the 1652? Any regrets? Thanks Roy

[@fishingwithjc8475]

I have absolutely no regrets with it. It has exceeded my expectation and then some, and I highly recommend it. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment. Tight lines!!

[@thomasstauffer6191]

nice fish I live up here in muskie country the st lawarence river I got a tipe for next time you get a big one go to shallow water the fish can revie its self better they go right to the bottom in deep water tyey die

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks for the tip.

[@uncleheffe309]

11:00 I guarantee he is over 40"

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Yea, I was pretty excited. It was my first 40" musky, so I was freakin'. I hope to get another one this year.

[@uncleheffe309]

@@fishingwithjc8475 caught one in Charleston about a week ago.

[@fishingwithjc8475]

@@uncleheffe309 which river? Kanawha or Elk?

[@uncleheffe309]

@@fishingwithjc8475 Elk, but remember, BIG WATER=BIG FISH. I definitely hit the bigger water when it's right.

[@ryanfitzwater6426]

@@uncleheffe309 not always true. The state record length of 53 1/2 inch came from the Little Kanawha where it's only about 20 yards wide or less

[@TBassFactory]

great video, that is some awesome looking water. that was definitely a good day on the water. I just subscribed, I hope my channel has as good of content as you have on here. keep the videos coming!

[@fishingwithjc8475]

Thanks!! I'm still a newb but hopefully they will keep getting better over time. Stonewall is one of my favorite lakes to fish.