Waller Mills Reservoir

[justin apfel]

I have a tournament this weekend at a place called Waller Mills Reservoir in Williamsburg, VA. I won't have a chance to prefish it so I was wondering if anyone has fished it recently or even ever. What kind of structure is there? Good population of large bass? Good bait fish population?

Thanks!

[Darren.]

Waller Mill is a nice fishery. There are some big ladies up there. I believe the record was 12.4 or 12.6lbs.

They also stock hybrids in some serious weights.

There's great shoreline all around the reservoir, some with steep drop offs and lots of bushes/trees.

Also some rocks where the "canal" is that runs under airport road. Have caught some nice bass there in the past, even while paddling through the canal.

There are loads of excellent coves on both sides, I've caught fish on both, but I tend to fish the north side of the res, canal side. I've thrown wacky rigged worms into shad runs (awesome in the fall) and caught some ladies.

And yes, a great baitfish population - and they don't have toothy critters like pike, pickerel, so the predators are the bass and hybrids.

[AndrewS]

you fishing the CNU tournament? try crankbaits run parrell to the shoreline along the drop offs. Weightless senko's work very well also along with finding balls of bait and fishing through them (although u may catch hybrids) lots of fish in this lake and the tunnel(cannal) is a hotspot where alot of decent fish go through. Also try the riprap on the far side of it alots of perch and bass hold along that

[justin apfel]

So I guess cranks and senkos are key. And yes I am fishing the CNU tourny...just trying to do some homework before heading over there. But what do guys think about flukes or magic shads right now at waller mills? Also have you guys fished there recently? I was wondering where the baitfish are right now...in the canal...back in the coves? Thanks for the help!

[vafisher1]

I agree with the above posts but figured I would offer my $0.02 as I have been out there the past couple weekends. The tunnel is definitely a hotspot, but it is also a community hole that gets a lot of pressure. There are some pretty nice points just down from the boat rental that have some nice stumps on them usually good for a fish or two, you will see the stumps on the shallow parts as it extends out but they are present deeper as well. The deeper coves down by the dam have always been my favorite and I did well there this past weekend with 12 quality bass (2 lb+) and one that weighed in at 4.68 lbs. From what I have seen the baitfish are still mostly on the main lake but are starting to group up. Definitely not in the backs of creeks but remember on smaller reservoirs like this they will be anywhere shallow water meets deep. Personally, I target these coves and areas with baitfish with a jig and pig. Sometimes I feel like there can almost be too much bait and the bigger fish really key in on that jig. I can usually get some to hit a surface plug this time of year but haven’t had too much luck on that lately. For me, it’s been a jig around the overhanging cover in areas with baitfish by the dam. Green pumpkin has been key color, a senko definitely sounds like it would work also but I haven't tried that yet.I was planning on heading out there again this weekend but if you guys have a tournament there I'll wait till next week and hit little creek instead. Go catch them up, college anglers rule!

[chickvet]

I agree with the above posts but figured I would offer my $0.02 as I have been out there the past couple weekends. The tunnel is definitely a hotspot, but it is also a community hole that gets a lot of pressure. There are some pretty nice points just down from the boat rental that have some nice stumps on them usually good for a fish or two, you will see the stumps on the shallow parts as it extends out but they are present deeper as well. The deeper coves down by the dam have always been my favorite and I did well there this past weekend with 12 quality bass (2 lb+) and one that weighed in at 4.68 lbs. From what I have seen the baitfish are still mostly on the main lake but are starting to group up. Definitely not in the backs of creeks but remember on smaller reservoirs like this they will be anywhere shallow water meets deep. Personally, I target these coves and areas with baitfish with a jig and pig. Sometimes I feel like there can almost be too much bait and the bigger fish really key in on that jig. I can usually get some to hit a surface plug this time of year but haven’t had too much luck on that lately. For me, it’s been a jig around the overhanging cover in areas with baitfish by the dam. Green pumpkin has been key color, a senko definitely sounds like it would work also but I haven't tried that yet.I was planning on heading out there again this weekend but if you guys have a tournament there I'll wait till next week and hit little creek instead. Go catch them up, college anglers rule!

x2 on the jig and coves by the dam.

Bill giving away all his secrets? never thought i'd see the day . I don't fish there too much this time of year it's time to be on the chick, been trying to convice Bill of this for years! In all seriousness, Bill is a very good fisherman and def knows waller mill well.

DarrenM and AndrewS both described the lake well. I like the idea with the senkos in bait, and the overhanging trees are great for skipping baits under them. Good luck

[justin apfel]

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll have a rod set up with a jig, senko, crank, fluke or magic shad, and my new favorite...a nice 12" juicy worm haha. I'll be planning out my locations soon, hopefully my partner and I do well

[justin apfel]

Also I meant to ask...where are the points you are talking about located in relation to the boat rental? I'm looking at a map and I'm not sure which points you are referring to. And the "tunnel," is it when airport road crosses over the reservoir?

Thanks again!