DaveButch

Thanks!

Hawg is 100% correct. According to the link he provided, the scales have to get calibrated (not certified) BEFORE the fish is weighed. Looks like I'll have to wait until I catch the next big one before I apply for a citation. However, it took me 73 years to catch this one, so I may run out of time. Thanks, everyone, for the input.

I recently caught my PB largemouth in a farm pond. It weighed 8.7 pounds on my cheap Chinese scales. It will qualify for a state citation if I can get the scales certified as somewhat accurate. is there somewhere around the Richmond area that can certify scales?

Thanks, Sam. I was using a morning dawn Senko that day. I'll try the blue/black if it's muddy next time.

John - I took my first trip to Chesdin a couple of days ago. I put the boat in at Seven Springs Marina. The lake was fairly muddy from the recent rains and a bit breezy. I was in a bass boat, so the wind didn't bother me, but it might if I had been in a kayak. I fished some of the shallow coves going up the lake and both sides of the bridge near Whippernock campground. I probably fished 3 or 4 hours and didn't get a bite all day. I was using a wacky rigged senko and tried a topwater and a spinner, but had no takers. Mostly, I explored the lake to find sites for next trip. I live in Bon Air, so I'm very close to the Huguenot Flatwater area and Bosher Dam. I used to have a canoe I put in there. I didn't have a trolling motor, just a paddle, and never had trouble overcoming the current. Putting in at Watkins Landing or Robious Landing, you'll have to put up with powerboat traffic, especially on the weekends. However, you can go upstream from Watkins Landing, where it's too shallow for power boats, and have the area to yourself.

Been reading the forum for a couple of months, joined a month ago, but just now getting around to introducing myself. Glad to be here. I've been bass fishing since I was 12, but stopped when I went off to college. Fished off and on through the years, but really didn't get heavily back into it until I retired in 2015. Bought a used boat, which I seldom use, but hope to change that soon. Now, I can finally afford decent tackle and have been making the most of that situation. Gone are the days of having one rod and reel combo and a small tackle box of lures. I mostly fish in lakes and ponds but occasionally get into the James River.