WdyCrankbait

Little Johns so in spring craw in the spring does very well for me in Virginia. 6th sense cranks look solid as well.

I went out yesterday Sam. Nothing, ugh! I will call you soon. This is about the only thing positive during this here in Virginia, socially distancing. But, the bass are practicing that as well! Wdy

X2 for Pony Pasture in the summer, but you have to get there early! Once that sun breaks the treeline, done! There is a state park out 60 West in Amelia or Powhatan on the James river. I haven't fished it only because the river was high and water was stained pretty good. I don't like wading in new places where I can't see the bottom. Also, behind James River High School.

Yep! I have watched that one a couple of times already.

Hello everyone, I wanted to ask a pretty simple question here. It's getting cold and I am starting to pick up a chatterbait more and more to use for largemouth bass. To ensure the bait runs true (with the BPS Kitech swimmers) I tied my line to a barrel swivel which has a hook at the other end to attach to the bait. Do many of you guys use a similar set up to help support the chatterbait to run straight and not leaning to one side on retrieve? Thanks, Wdy

I loved the movie "Posse," with Mario Van Peebles.

Hey everyone, I am starting to learn Ned rig fishing and shakey head fishing, but with the weather finally starting to get cold here in Virginia I wanted to know if that tactic is worth continuing to pursue. I have a lot of Zman heads, TRDs, Craws, etc. as well shakey head set ups. So, my question is this, does shakey head and ned rig produce in cold, clear water with the hydrilla dying off? If it does, can you recommend particular baits as well that maybe I did not mention? Thanks for the advice everyone, Wdy

Well Andrew, like Sam said Welcome to Richmond and great to see another VA member on the forum. Yes, there are some great places to fish here in RVA (Richmond, you will learn that abbreviation.) First, "Swan lake," holds them. I have not fished that one much, but I know there are fish there. Boat Lake is barren, tell your father-in-law to fish there. If you do have a car you are really in for some good fishing! Look to Echo Lake in Glenn Allen, the twin lakes out in Powhatan (about 40 minute drive), of course the James river. Southlake, off Southlake Blvd. in Southside (I think I just set a new world record for the word "South," used in a sentence.) Second, lures and colors that work well in VA. Soft plastics, Green pumpkin throughout the year until the cold months, then Black/blue, and Junebug in the summer. Hardbaits, Rapala (DT) Helsinki shad does a lot of damage in RVA. As well, the whopper plopper, but with the colder weather upon us stick with them above. KVD 1.5s are good as well. Personally, I am starting to force myself to use spinnerbaits and they do well in RVA. Typical colors. Finally, the most important thing. Find your way to Greentop Sporting Goods in Ashland. Just north of RVA on 95N. Probably about a 15 minute drive, if that. Find Freddie there and ask him about fishing RVA. Now Freddie tells me the good stuff, but not Sam. So, don't mention Sam's name, just mention Woody sent you, Lol!! No, Sam is a legend up there, everyone knows him. Again, welcome to the forum! Wdy PS: Wait until the spring and the smallies in the James river get active!!!!

Welcome to the forums! Glad you joined up!

Fair point. Thank you for letting us know. I was interested in one of those reels, but no $$ now (getting divorced).

Bass Junkie, There is already a thread going on about this reel in this sub-forum. Search this forum and you should be able to find it. Wdy

Gavin, One other item, since you're from LA my guess is you have not been smallmouth fishing. If not, you need to go. Head up to Scottsville, or Lynchburg area of the (in @Sam voice, "Historic James River") and hook into a 4lb. smallie. Life changing if you are a bass fisherman! Good luck and keep us up to date about your fishing adventures, Wdy PS: Freddy at Greentop is the man!

As well, I am in Newport News, VA now. So, if you want to meet at BPS for me to point out some lures let me know. There are some good fish in those Suffolk lakes!!

Gavin, Welcome to VA. I used to live in Louisiana (Alexandria) so, I might be able to help you out. First, fishing up here is totally different! Second, downsize like crazy!! The light side of fishing line down there say, 15# (At least) is way too heavy. Third, I know this goes against the Cajun mind set of fishing, but buy a spinning rod an learn to finesse fish. (Go at least 7'2" with a high speed spinning reel.) Drop shot, shakey head (murders up here), 4" weightless senko etc. It is a finesse game up here, not power game. There are some hogs up here, but the water is pressured more and the bass don't get to eat as much. The bright side, you're heading back to LA with a whole other style of fishing in your bag! Now, I have fishing Toledo Bend out of Many, LA and Black Lake up near Nacatrash and I received a couple of funny looks bringing a spinning rod on the boats, but once I showed I could take a 4" senko and skip it way under a cypress tree and catch them, game changer!!! Last green pumpkin for soft plastics and Rapala Helsinki shad colors for hard baits. @Sam is from Louisiana and has made the change well. Message me if you want or need to. I'll be happy to get a bag of Community coffee, or your best gumbo recipe! Lol!! Good luck!! Wdy PS: as you might know there are no Academy Sporting Goods stores up here, but Dick's is pretty close. There is a BPS in Hampton, and if you're up for a trip to Ashland (just north of Richmond) I would go to Greentop Sporting Goods.

That centrifugal brake system is one of the best I have ever used and I own a family of Curado E's. Almost bullet-proof! Wdy