JCrzy4Bass

Hey man, Don't feel bad. The public side can be very tough and frustrating. My dad and I have fished it over a couple handful of times and we haven't had the best luck. Though last year in the fall we found a few productive places. The biggest part of it is locating the fish and learning how they pattern on Anna. I would follow Teddy Carr's website and Charlie Bowles as they have them patterned up pretty well most times throughout the year. Their reports can be found on sturgeon creek marinas site, High Point Marinas site and by googling either of their names. Once summer patterns start you have to fish fairly deep on Anna. What's deep? Subjectively on Anna its anywhere from 15 - 25 feet deep. Believe it or not Charlie said in one of his recent seminars down at BPS you can't fish deep enough in the summer. You want baits that are gonna get down fast and work the bottom or close to the bottom when you find fish. He also said when you find one work that spot as good as you can because typically they will stack up. That's what I heard at the seminar at least. Deep diving cranks, jigs, drop shots, swimbaits, and other heavy lures such as plastics with heavier weights. Keep in mind sometimes these fish may suspend so you want to vary your fall rates until you figure out what they want. As far as spots go, there are alot of them on Anna and once you locate a few you should really focus on breaking them apart as good as you can. That's the best way to learn Anna. You can't figure it all out in one day, let alone a week. Other advice: Think outside of the box, remember to go natural as this is 90% of the time a pretty clear lake in most parts. There are coves and areas where water runs in where it can muddy up, don't know how good patterns like that work in late spring on Anna but it may be worth a shot to find off colored water if possible. Also go natural with your bait selection. Shad, herring and perch run the lake so those types of colors and lure imitators are good for starters. I forget what the primary forage is for bass but I'm sure shad are a good portion of their diet. If you contact Charlie Bowles he can let you know about that. I know early to mid spring which is probably fading fast (as summer approaches) jerkbaits, lipless baits, senkos and swimbaits are solid selections from what I've heard from other anglers. When summer gets here I'd go with some of the above mentioned baits I stated earlier. I am by far no expert on Anna and probably never will be, it's unforgiving most days, but this should be able to help you at least some what. Like I said use the resources (guides, locals, tackle shop folks, etc to help you out as much as possible). Also invest in a lake map. Later bro.

Simons turned into a fish catching machine... I think I'm gonna call him Robo-fish! Lol. Nice catches bro.

Go ahead Steve! Is that the spot we talked about over at Terrapin that one day that we both said we had hooked into nice fish at? Seems familiar. Those are some beautiful fish dude. Looks like you got it figured out for shore. All that anticipation to get out on the Potomac was worth it after all huh? I'm back out this am but hitting the shore over at the same place we fished last time we hooked up. Looking for some spawners but I'm thinking they might be a little shy this morning... we'll have to see. Be over there around 8:15 if you're interested. Great job though dude. I knew you'd get on em'. Congrats on a heck of a day.

Occoquan River where Dan mentioned at the Regional Park has some good fishing. So that pohick/occoquan pass may be worth it, it's really up to you. Do you wanna venture across river (not that bad a trip but on windy days... maybe not so) or would be fine to be contained to the occoquan and the bays (belmont, occoquan, gunston, accotink, etc) and make the occassional run to the main river (potomac) if you are fully gassed up. I know of some great spots on the Occoquan River that I could put you on if we get the chance to get out. Most of them produce probably 8 - 9 months out of the year. Hope this helps.

Hey man, where in Dale City do you live? I live around the Minnieville area and have fished probably every puddle in the area. Maybe we could hook up sometime and do some damage? I'm getting out tommorrow morning to fish for some spawners if you're interested. Pm me for details and location. Name is Jason.

I knew I wouldn't be counting you out for smallie action Andy We will get a date set probably early next month.

You wanna catch pick... go to Lunga. Period. Most pickerel in any lake I've ever seen. Throw swim jigs and cranks (lipless). Done! Lol. Anyway, Steve nice fish. What Preach said man, that's too dang on funny. That fish is like cheesin' for the camera lol. Good stuff. I didn't even know Anna had pickerel. Crazy. Can't wait to get out with you again bro. We need to figure out a date so I can take off work. Anna or the Potomac. Don't matter which to me.

Yo Andy, I just woke up this morning and got a pm from one of the guys on here who has his own boat and hes gonna take me out to Frederick that day so we will have to look to another as far as hooking up. I'll shoot you a call after work. Ps: Those spinners you sent me a pic of last nite look sick dude. I think the bait monkey is gonna have my number when I get paid on the 15th lol. If for whatever reason our plans fall apart I'll hit you up and keep you in mind dude.

I've heard seaguar is pretty solid. I always see their stuff in both Bassin' and bassmaster. Some guys who used to work at Boater's World before they closed down swore by that stuff. So anyway, I saw we all keep an eye on the guage (height) and the temps in reports and get something together when the time rolls around. I'd assume probably early - mid may. But I guess play it by ear.

Hey guys, just got word that I am gonna be off on this Friday since I work Saturday that particular week (rotating schedule with one - two sat's a month). Anyway, I want to go ahead and hit up either Lake Orange or Lake Frederick. I'm looking for someone to roll up with me, split rental and spend the day fishing. Orange is 35 for full day rental jon (w/ trolling motor and battery), I'd imagine Frederick isn't too much more. Both have a good shot at some big fish this time of year. Let me know fellas. I'm trying to put it up early so I get max amount of interest.

Dan, BPS and the Vanish stuff in that black/blue container. Those two I had a lot of frays, snaps and easy breakoffs with. Don't get me wrong, I know flouro can be used with a lot of applications in bass fishing. Just my experience with it. I do use P-line which has been pretty awesome for largemouth and haven't had any issues with it yet, just haven't tried it on smallies. I may this spring/summer. Just suffix elite has never steered me wrong on the rap. I fish it a lot during may - september. Maybe just the two lines i tested out?

Andrew: Pm Sent.

New, Trying to pm you but it says I'm now on your ignore list. Lol. So if you wanna look into it and let me know I can try sending again?

Dave, Any medium or medium heavy rod with a fast action is good. I'm short so I don't like longer rods but I use a 6' 6" and it does fine. 7' for wading may make for a harder time rigging up during the wade (without dunking your reel). You can get away with a medium in the river here because once the bass takes the bait a lot of the time the current and the way the smallie fights will help that hook drive further into the fish without a heck of a lot of effort. You still wanna set the hook obviously and be very careful to play the fish so it stays in the water. These guys are known for their aerial shows they put on! For line avoid braid as there are too many snags and you will be cutting off baits all day. I don't like flourocarbon a lot because the line sinks and with all the hangups and rocks and stuff the line gets caught up and beat up easily (imho flouro deteriorates quicker than mono). I like a line with some stretch and decent diameter. I use Suffix Elite 10 or 12lb mono (awesome for this type of fishing), but I have also used Trilene xtra tough and smooth casting as well and had plenty of success. Pick yourself up some gitzit tubes from walmart (they come in packs with tube weighted hooks already provided), if you want bigger fish buy some larger tube head hooks and some Strike King Coffee Tubes or Venom tubes. These things will get you bigger fish. Other baits: Mepps or Joe's flies inline spinners, 3 - 4" pearl colored grubs and small jig heads (1/16 or 1/8), plastic lizards, 4" senkos, or some finesse jigs. In my opinion you don't need much more in a smallie tackle box. Maybe some small hard jerkbaits and small spinnerbaits...

New, do you know of any access points (from shore without treking through a forest) north of the route on bridge that you can get to by foot? Not looking for specific honey holes just relative areas that have open shoreline. I know a lot of the shoreline is pretty wooded once you pass that campground on Falls Hill Ave. I usually fish this time of year down at the intersection of Falls Hill and River Rd along the paths there or a little further down on River Rd where it almost meets the tidal portion. Not much luck but I have caught some in the past. I just can't wait to wade, I was doing real well at a few different spots last year and have some specific cover pegged that almost always holds fish. Plus I'm sure those winter storms and flooded water this spring probably uprooted new trees and got more cover into the water. Should be good this year. You can shoot me a pm instead of throwing up info here if you want, or not. It's cool either way. But I can put you on some great wading spots this spring if you wanna help each other out.

Actually just found it: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=01668000 3.31 feet. I've waded in water this high before and it's not too bad, some places would be tough to get into though. Ideal is 3.25 or 3.20. Anyone actually fished from shore along the parks or paths along the river as of late and had any success? I know this early in the year the smallies here can be a bit tougher to find. Especially with limited acces on shore. The temperature readings at Fredericksburg have been discontinued due to problems with their readers at that location per an email I recieved from one of the guys at USGS but he said you may be able to figure it out based on water temps at other locations along the rap (mean/avg). Have to try and figure it out. Latest Report (just found): Rappahannock River Date 25-Mar-10 Conditions : Rappahannock River: above Fredericksburg: Contributed by local guide Peter Pfotenhauer, who works with Tee Clarkson and Virginia Fishing Adventures, (540) 498-0966. The fish are starting to wake up! The river is a beautiful green color and water temps over the last week rose to near 50 degrees. Levels are too high for safe wading, and temperatures too low to avoid serious risk of hypothermia, but well equipped expert canoeist and kayakers can access fishing locations. Smallmouth are increasing their activity levels as the waters warm, but as temperatures see saw up and down from weather events, expect the fishing quality to mirror the rise and fall in water temps. A few nice fish have been landed on deep diving crankbaits and tubes, including the 21 incher by Matt Gookin of Richmond. The fish weighed 5 lbs even before Matt released her so she'd be in the river for the upcoming spawn. Fishing slowly in areas with slack current can produce the biggest bass of the year for the careful angler. It's too early for any shad to have shown at City Dock or in the Falmouth rapids, but it won't be long now before these feisty fighters start bending rods. We should try to set up a group wade once temps rise above 65 degrees or so and it becomes comfortable. I know of some pretty good spots around the area and wouldn't mind showing people who are up for some good smallie action. Not the biggest inthe world but some 2 - 3 lbers mixed in depending on how far up we wade and how long we have in the day.

Any of you guys know the water levels of the Rappahannock right now? Clarity? Temps? I'm talking above the route one bridge (non-tidal portion). Just curious if smallmouth season may start a bit early (for us waders) this year with all the record heat lately. I would love to actually get out sometime before May this year if the water permits.

Looking at buying a trolling motor. Mostly to fish a local reservoir with fairly decent current. Will also be taking it on some local lakes. My car cannot tow more than 1,000 and I do not own a boat but I decided to do this and buy a good battery so I don't have to pay 40 - 50 dollars when I rent for a day and instead just 10 for the jon itself. Will end up paying for itself within a trip. Any advice? I know to look for a transom mount as it will be used for a jon. I don't know what thrust or what shaft length to get. I really like the Minn Kota Endura. It is in my price range, seems like it is built tough and is good quality from what I understand. Plus most I have talked to said Minn Kota's are a great TM. Any advice guys? Also what kind of battery would you guys pair with it? I want to make sure I don't get out on the water and run out of power before I get back to the launch. I know to keep oars in at all times in case the battery does die and to keep a life jacket and all that stuff. Been out plenty just trying to get myself some boat stuff so I can save money in the long run and not fish from shore much anymore. Later. Thanks for any help.

1 fish. 4 other bites between 2 ponds. Fished from 8:15 til about 2:30. Too d**n hot and the places I was fishing I could see the bass cruising but they wouldn't hit anything. Just a tough day. Had a few of those lately. Wished I coulda got out in a dang on boat. I'm buying a TM and battery either next month or the month after so I can rent and only have to pay 10 or 11 bucks or whatever it is for the jon itself. Hopefully have the setup soon. This shore fishing stuff is for the birds with all the ticks and wooded areas around here. On the plus side my farmers tan is looking mighty fine haha. Good luck if you guys get out. I can't wait for Saturday, my dad and I are headed south to a big ole pig lake near Charlottesville that gets VERY LITTLE pressure and has some nice fish in it. Be on the boat all day fo sho. Out.

On my way out. Most of you guys got my cell, so if your plans change hit me up. I'll be out most of the day. Later fellas.

No prob guys. Looks like at this point my time's almost up. Will probably end up just shore fishing again. I found some fish getting ready to spawn at a local pond this weekend, I may head back there or check out some of my other holes and see whats going on around the area. Anyway, thanks for the interest. If anyone else still is looking for a fishing partner tommorrow I'm a til' the last minute type of guy so feel free to drop me a line up until tommorrow am (around 7 or so).

Anyone? Just wanted to bring this post back up to the top.

Sam's right on. As usual with his dogwood theory. Myself and two of my buddies found three males either fanning out nests or protecting them the other day. Couldn't get them to bite a thing though. All defensive strikes pushing the baits away or they were so fast trying to get the bait away that you couldn't set the hook. I tried on one by setting as fast as I could and the fish flew out of the water on my jig lol. We put the baits right on their head (jigs of different sizes, worms, plastics) but nothing. They would swim right back up every time if they swam off too. Just roaming around the same spot. Should be any day now before the females move up and it gets good. That's just one pond though, haven't seen any activity like that on any other lake or anything around my place. I'd imagine most of the ponds are gonna hit that time frame of the spawn before the larger lakes. Though obviously many factors are gonna play into that (water clarity and sun penetration, size of the lake, depth, etc). Any one else see any signs of bedding fish or at least the start of the process? I may hit that pond again one morning or evening at low light here soon to see if I can get on some of the females. Nothing beats sight fishing, except smallie fishing that is...

Anyone free to split a rental? I'm looking to fish from am til about 3 or 4 then head up to work for the night shift. Fountainhead of course. I think they are the only ones that rent during the week at this time. Pretty sure Lake Ridge is after memorial day. Can someone confirm this? Anyway let me know fellas. Don't even have to have fished with you before. I'm just up for having fun and getting out there enjoying nature. Of course figuring out the fish is nice too. But I am definitely not the best rez fisherman out there. I've had some success but most days I'm grateful to pull in 2 -3 fish. Later.

Thanks for the update on water conditions man, I'm headed out that way to a place fairly close by that I know of today and was curious what types of patterns they might be on. This helps. I'm gonna bring my thermometer so I can see what it's like in the spot I'm going too. Congrats on gettin' yourself a limit together. Looks like we may have some early spawners this month after all.