Virginia Beach/hampton Roads Area

[justin apfel]

Has anyone been fishing in the Hampton roads area lately? What's working, any patterns? I have actually been getting a lot of defensive hits in frogs and flukes lately

[StinkyBass]

Senko's (4" and or 6" watermelon w/ black flake and june bug fished weighless) have been working reeeeally well! ive also had hits on Netbait's baby paca craw in orange/brown color. ive had an occasional but reliable bite on spinner baits yo-yo-ed off the bottom too. Where are you fishing? maybe i've fished it before. i fish all over the peninsula and southside. i know the peninsula better, but i am looking to find some good lakes to fish on the south side. something good for shore fishing when im in a pinch for time and something i can put the boat out on when i have all day...

[justin apfel]

I live in vabeach so I fish a lot of little neighborhood lakes, but other than that I fish newport news resevoirs like harwood mills which has a lot of nice bass in and the chick occasionally.

[WdyCrankbait]

Justin, make sure you have some good line on. Stinky (Sean) and I use to fish there a lot. I have moved away, but Sean can and will help you out. Also, try Mariners Museum, AWESOME fish in there!!!! Good luck!!!

[Jim Ansell]

If you can get down this way, Knotts Island has some decent fishing... Not too far from you... just across NC line... tons of honey holes... most of the island is a wildlife refuge. I've been tearin' em up with Johnson's Beetle Spins and 6" Berkley Power Worms (black w/chartreuse tail)... Largemouth and Crappie... caught the biggest crappie I've ever seen a few days ago...

[RantinRaven]

Fishing for the fourth time from a Kayak today in Harwood Mills (opposite side of boat ramp). Caught a couple smaller bass, lost 3 at the yak using senkos. Threw out what is becoming my reliable crank bait (Rapala DT 03) for trolling (2 pickerel, 2 yellow perch and a white perch). Wasn't long before the rod bent over and I had a nice fight on my hands. Didn't think a catfish would hit a crank bait. Hope it won't be too long before I catch Mr. Bass trolling.

[StinkyBass]

Justin, try the canal between neighborhoods off of South Independance. It's just past "Barkley Meadows" sign on the right (not the left) heading towards the ampitheater. I fish that for 20-30 minutes before I head to my second job (7" junebug culprit worm t rigged works well) . My PB in that little place was only 3 lbs but it's an easy place to fish AND it's public property! Maybe you've already fished it? BTW, do you fish Smith Lake? I've been wanting to fish it with my kayak but haven't made time yet.

[StinkyBass]

Fishing for the fourth time from a Kayak today in Harwood Mills (opposite side of boat ramp).

RantinRavin, i really shouldnt tell you this, but fish the other side for a better bass bite.

[RantinRaven]

Sean Let's just say I owe you one in advance. I used the boat ramp once last year (just to get some exercise). It's a lot easier unloading into and out of the water from the truck bed then setting up the trolley.

Tanks

Dave

[StinkyBass]

And it beats picking up your yak and all it's gear and hauling it across the road (twice!)! Less grass on the boat ramp side too! Great for senkos and cranks... If your up to it we should try to meet up some time...

[AndrewS]

the big bass we still under docks and piers when I fished my last tournament in Hampton. Cranks were working well to they are slowly moving to beds though so try some weed lines if you get the time. Also, you want to try out sandy bottom nature park. The lake you can fish hold some hogs and renting a boat is 15 bucks a day either way they are biting

[OutKast Actual]

Have any of y'all ever fished the North West River? I'm getting stationed in Norfolk (will be living in Suffolk) & have heard some good things about the NW River. Looking to launch out of Bob's Fishing Hole, there's also tournaments on the river & is hosted by Bob's.

[justin apfel]

Justin, try the canal between neighborhoods off of South Independance. It's just past "Barkley Meadows" sign on the right (not the left) heading towards the ampitheater. I fish that for 20-30 minutes before I head to my second job (7" junebug culprit worm t rigged works well) . My PB in that little place was only 3 lbs but it's an easy place to fish AND it's public property! Maybe you've already fished it? BTW, do you fish Smith Lake? I've been wanting to fish it with my kayak but haven't made time yet.

Justin, try the canal between neighborhoods off of South Independance. It's just past "Barkley Meadows" sign on the right (not the left) heading towards the ampitheater. I fish that for 20-30 minutes before I head to my second job (7" junebug culprit worm t rigged works well) . My PB in that little place was only 3 lbs but it's an easy place to fish AND it's public property! Maybe you've already fished it? BTW, do you fish Smith Lake? I've been wanting to fish it with my kayak but haven't made time yet.

Is this by the honeybee country club? And no I have never fished Lake Smith, but I definitely would like to go sometime. I have a kayak as well and I fish a lot of places like harwood mills and there are tons of good neighborhood lakes around my house. I really have one friend that fishes with me so let me know if you would like to go sometime.

[justin apfel]

Have any of y'all ever fished the North West River? I'm getting stationed in Norfolk (will be living in Suffolk) & have heard some good things about the NW River. Looking to launch out of Bob's Fishing Hole, there's also tournaments on the river & is hosted by Bob's.

The NW River is kind of a tough body to fish. There is a lot of laydowns and cyprus trees. In the late spring, early summer I would use creature baits and senkos around the cyprus trees. The roots provide a lot of good cover and shade from the summer heat and it is usually a great place for bass to ambush prey. Let us know how it goes.

[OutKast Actual]

The NW River is kind of a tough body to fish. There is a lot of laydowns and cyprus trees. In the late spring, early summer I would use creature baits and senkos around the cyprus trees. The roots provide a lot of good cover and shade from the summer heat and it is usually a great place for bass to ambush prey. Let us know how it goes.

What is the average water depth down there on the NW River?

[justin apfel]

What is the average water depth down there on the NW River?

I'm not positive, but I would say on average it's probably around 5 feet. It gets pretty shallow toward the bank, and I believe there is a pretty deep channel in the middle. I wouldn't take my word for it but it isn't a very deep body of water.

[StinkyBass]

The NW River is kind of a tough body to fish. There is a lot of laydowns and cyprus trees. In the late spring, early summer I would use creature baits and senkos around the cyprus trees. The roots provide a lot of good cover and shade from the summer heat and it is usually a great place for bass to ambush prey. Let us know how it goes.

i agree with Justin, i've fished NWR with good success. he said it as far a what baits to use. i like to "power fish" the banks with the cypress trees and bushes. there are longnose gar there too! fun to catch if you can hook them...

[OutKast Actual]

Good deal, thanks gents! My main concern is being able to safely operate my Suntracker Fishing Barge Pontoon w/a 60hp Mercury on the river. No worried so much about trolloing the banks in shallow water with my trolling motor, more concerned about running depth in the center of the river when I'm running the main/outboard motor. Have you seen bass boats or pontoons running fast on the river? Thanks in advance for the additional help!!!

[justin apfel]

Yes it is far deep enough for bass boats and sport boats. I've seen people wakeboard out there and everything. You just have to stay in the channel and you're golden

[OutKast Actual]

Yes it is far deep enough for bass boats and sport boats. I've seen people wakeboard out there and everything. You just have to stay in the channel and you're golden

OUT-FREAKING-STANDING!!! Thanks for the info!!! I've done research, looked at some pics of catches from the river on Bob's Fishing Hole website & got to say that I've seen some very impressive fish. I plan on making the NW my go to body of water once I'm up there next month. For vacations & extended weekends I'll probably migrate to Kerr/Buggs Island & give it a shot.

What's the water clarity in the river? I've heard that it is a dark, tanic type color? Is the darker lure colors the way to go in the river? Just trying to get all the info that I can so that I can come up with a good game plan. I'm not fishing tournaments or anything...however, I have a 12 year old son & also my wife likes to fish & I'm the one who has to put together a pattern so that they can have a good time. To me, ensuring I do all I can to make sure my wife & son have a good time & enjoy our fishing time is far more important to me than a tournament or even me actually catching fish....just as long as they do!!!

Thanks in advance both Justin & StinkyBass for any help that y'all can give me!

[justin apfel]

Again I haven't fished the NW river too much but I do fish back bay occasionally. I believe they are the pretty much the same type of waterway though. In back bay white is the color; white buzzbaits, white jerkbaits, white everything. I would definitely have something white tied on to a pole or two when you go. Other than that I would try green watermelon red flake. I think I remember having luck on that color when I went a year or two ago. Just experiment when you go, but have confidence in white. Hope this helps

[Brayberry]

Anyone fish the Suffolk Lakes (Prince, Western Branch, Cahoon, Lone Star, etc). Thats where I'm usually at, though occasionally I'll hit the Mariners Museum, Trashmore, or a few other area places. Lone Star is my home lakes, where I've been going for 20+ years. I know those lakes like the back of my hand.

[OutKast Actual]

Anyone fish the Suffolk Lakes (Prince, Western Branch, Cahoon, Lone Star, etc). Thats where I'm usually at, though occasionally I'll hit the Mariners Museum, Trashmore, or a few other area places. Lone Star is my home lakes, where I've been going for 20+ years. I know those lakes like the back of my hand.

Me & my son fished Lone Star this past Saturday (20 April 2013), that was only the 2nd time fishing the lakes there. We were fishing from the bank. Only caught one that was on a bed by sight fishing. I see that Lone Star is your home lakes & that you prefer the Chowan River. How good is the Chowan?  

[Brayberry]

What lake did you fish at Lone Star?  I personally love Lone Star, I know all the lakes well, as well.  Fantastic fishing can be had at most of the lakes once you learn them.  As for the Chowan River, It's more of a quantity fishery then a quality fishery.  I like catching numbers of fish over a few big ones.  What other lakes around the area have you tried? 

[Hanover_Yakker]

Anytime any of you are interested in hitting up the lakes in kayaks down there, shoot me a PM.  I'm game for any of them and plan on hitting Harwood Mills, Lone Star and others throughout the year.