Northern Virginia (Nova) Fishing Discussion/reports

[Choporoz]

27 minutes ago, SeeNoSun said:

I took the yak to the Rez out of Fountainhead yesterday (4/18).  Extremely muddy conditions and 56 degree temps.  Going to try again next Monday and hope it clears up some.  No rain in the forecast before that.  Anyone know how long it usually takes the muddy conditions to improve on the Rez in the spring?  Any ideas on lures/patterns for cold water that looks like coffee with too much milk?

Should be somewhat clear in mid-September.  Seriously, its never really  a very clear lake.  Yoo-Hoo, is what someone on here called it.  The floating debris can be a bigger hindrance than the clarity.  Not just for motoring.  I was trying to fish a point last spring and the log jam that came in went from shore to shore; I couldn't even get a lure to the bottom.

   Jigs are always my favorite there no matter what the color of water.  When the mud is worst, I tend to go in two different directions -- chatterbait if they are even a little active; and shakey head when they aren't. 

[SeeNoSun]

Thanks for the reply... I should probably "clarify" my post.  I would consider the usual water conditions on the Rez as pretty stained.  I have only fished it for a year and have launched out of Bull Run, Fountainhead and Lake Ridge.  I found it can be more "Yoo-Hoo" ish throughout the season out of Bull Run.  Conditions tend to improve around Fountainhead down to Lake Ridge, however, I did not start fishing those areas until after the post-spawn last season.  The conditions I saw yesterday were the muddiest I have ever seen from Sandy Run up past Fountainhead to Wolf's Run. I'm hoping it is just the recent heavy rains.

 

I've had success on Jig/Pig and Spinnerbaits throughout the lake.  For a noisy lure I like Buzzbaits but its a little too cold for that IMHO.

[Riazuli]

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Where are you headed out from?  I'm pretty conflicted right now

I'm heading out from Leesylvania state park - Powells creek and Neabsco will be by focus for now. I am planning to drive over to the Maryland side to give Mattawoman a swirl when I can. 

4 hours ago, SeeNoSun said:

I took the yak to the Rez out of Fountainhead yesterday (4/18).  Extremely muddy conditions and 56 degree temps.  Going to try again next Monday and hope it clears up some.  No rain in the forecast before that.  Anyone know how long it usually takes the muddy conditions to improve on the Rez in the spring?  Any ideas on lures/patterns for cold water that looks like coffee with too much milk?

I just asked the same question in another thread - it was basically confirmed that I am going with dark, loud/strong vibration, and big for chocolate milk, which the Potomac is the color of right now.  I had also asked when that might clear up... It's been really windy and rainy consistently but things are looking to calm down this week, so I'm hoping we get some clearer water within a couple of weeks (the grass getting bigger will help too).  

[sc1978]

I use spinnerbait for muddy/stained waters. slow retrieve. 70% of the time it works....muddy waters are all around us for now since that last storm we had. I have been out to 3 different places since storm, like brittle, Rez (bull run), my local ponds are all muddy/stained. For now I think Im going to focus on fishing me some trophy stripers down lower potomac (below 301 bridge) this sunday. Good luck to all of us...

[Riazuli]

10 hours ago, sc1978 said:

I use spinnerbait for muddy/stained waters. slow retrieve. 70% of the time it works....muddy waters are all around us for now since that last storm we had. I have been out to 3 different places since storm, like brittle, Rez (bull run), my local ponds are all muddy/stained. For now I think Im going to focus on fishing me some trophy stripers down lower potomac (below 301 bridge) this sunday. Good luck to all of us...

Saturday is looking good as far as wind goes, fellas.  I'll be out all day if I'm able to.  Does anyone have any idea if I can launch my kayak from Neabsco without a fee?  I've got a state park pass for Leesylvania, but I'm hoping to try the other side of the park - seems like there might be access through the park. Will call tomorrow.  I likely be getting a pass for the rez/lake ridge too

[bigfruits]

burke lake can be cruel but she gave me a nice treat yesterday in about 4 ft of water. 5lb 15oz.

[Choporoz]

Holy cow!  My experiences on Burke have been....challenging....and small...:)

 

Fellas, don't let the brown water of the Rez dissuade you.  I had one of my better days on there Saturday.  Yesterday was much slower, but still hooked a couple decent ones.  I'm interested to see how the tourny weigh-in went.

[SeeNoSun]

9 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Holy cow!  My experiences on Burke have been....challenging....and small...:)

 

Fellas, don't let the brown water of the Rez dissuade you.  I had one of my better days on there Saturday.  Yesterday was much slower, but still hooked a couple decent ones.  I'm interested to see how the tourny weigh-in went.

I went out today.  While it was stained (closer to what i would consider normal) it was nowhere near the muddy conditions on my 4/18 trip.  I actually prefer stained water but still didn't have much action today.  It was pretty windy so yak positioning and casting accuracy was really tricky.  I'm thinking Friday afternoon may be my next trip to the Rez.  Not sure if I'll launch out of Lake Ridge or Fountainhead yet. I'm leaning toward Lake Ridge since I haven't been down that way this season.

[RichF]

Is it worth paying for the key to Bull Run??  I'm getting bored puttering around Fountainhead.

[Choporoz]

 

49 minutes ago, RichF said:

Is it worth paying for the key to Bull Run??  I'm getting bored puttering around Fountainhead.

Just got my new key Sunday.  To me it is worth WAY more than the $20 it cost me.  Just kayaking different water would be sufficient.  But what makes it so valuable to me is that I get to control when I arrive or leave.  You can hit BRM at 4AM...or leave at midnight.  When I go after work, I've been known to stay out until 10-11 o'clock.  Getting on the water 90 minutes before sunrise is pretty special, too.  

    Going up river is a nice paddle, if not always productive.  You can also access Occoquan River above the splits, which generally is quite productive.  I like paddling from LR and Fountainhead, but I prefer BRM to both.

[RichF]

15 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

 

Just got my new key Sunday.  To me it is worth WAY more than the $20 it cost me.  Just kayaking different water would be sufficient.  But what makes it so valuable to me is that I get to control when I arrive or leave.  You can hit BRM at 4AM...or leave at midnight.  When I go after work, I've been known to stay out until 10-11 o'clock.  Getting on the water 90 minutes before sunrise is pretty special, too.  

    Going up river is a nice paddle, if not always productive.  You can also access Occoquan River above the splits, which generally is quite productive.  I like paddling from LR and Fountainhead, but I prefer BRM to both.

Thanks for the info.  Do they have boat rentals up there too? 

[Choporoz]

Nope.  Locked gate, ramp with pier on either side and somewhat limited parking.  Some HS crew teams practice there afternoons and it can be a little crazy between 3:30 and about 7, but I've never had any problems with them. 

[RichF]

Bummer.

[Choporoz]

oh...sorry..I thought you might also have a yak....when I was limited to rentals, I found:

Fountainhead, and Lake Ridge on the rez.

Hunting Run - in Chancellorsville - great water

Brittle - I've never done well

Burke - always tough for me

 

And these which may or may not still rent -

-Pohick - Jon boats - no motors, but you can byo; limited hours, but can be lights out...or skunksville

-Motts Run - don't think I ever had a bite there

-Anna - I used to rent rowboats from Sturgeon Creek marina, but their web site didn't list them anymore last time I checked

-If you're military or DoD, you can rent boats on AP Hill

 

edited to add:  Almost forgot - canoe and kayak rentals on the Shenandoah - We love Front Royal Canoe - great service, reasonable prices and great fishing -- you can float down and they'll pick you up; or, they can drop you upriver and you can float back to them.

 

 

[simek3ru]

Never gone out of Bull Run.  Can I launch my boat out of there?  I know you said Ramp, but is it wide and deep enough?  Trailer parking onsite? 

 

Also was thinking of hitting Pohick, as I've never been there either.  Are there outboard motor restrictions like FH?

[Choporoz]

4 minutes ago, simek3ru said:

Never gone out of Bull Run.  Can I launch my boat out of there?  I know you said Ramp, but is it wide and deep enough?  Trailer parking onsite? 

 

Also was thinking of hitting Pohick, as I've never been there either.  Are there outboard motor restrictions like FH?

Pohick is on Gunston Cove (Potomac River)

 

Bull Run is part of the O.Rez, so 9.9 restrictions apply.  The ramp is more than sufficient for the average 12-16' rez-size boats...probably bigger ones, too.  Trailer parking avail, but somewhat limited at the ramp - more up the hill.  You do need a launch pass and a key, however.  BRM isn't 'manned'.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

oh...sorry..I thought you might also have a yak....when I was limited to rentals, I found:

Fountainhead, and Lake Ridge on the rez.

Hunting Run - in Chancellorsville - great water

Brittle - I've never done well

Burke - always tough for me

 

And these which may or may not still rent -

-Pohick - Jon boats - no motors, but you can byo; limited hours, but can be lights out...or skunksville

-Motts Run - don't think I ever had a bite there

-Anna - I used to rent rowboats from Sturgeon Bay marina, but their web site didn't list them anymore last time I checked

-If you're military or DoD, you can rent boats on AP Hill

 

edited to add:  Almost forgot - canoe and kayak rentals on the Shenandoah - We love Front Royal Canoe - great service, reasonable prices and great fishing -- you can float down and they'll pick you up; or, they can drop you upriver and you can float back to them.

 

 

Great info. I really appreciate it.  

[Junger]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

edited to add:  Almost forgot - canoe and kayak rentals on the Shenandoah - We love Front Royal Canoe - great service, reasonable prices and great fishing -- you can float down and they'll pick you up; or, they can drop you upriver and you can float back to them.

 

 

That sounds like an amazing weekend getaway that I think I may be able to cajole my wife into doing with me.

[Choporoz]

Yep!  @Junger, its an easy sell for me.  Lots of long weekends up there.  We've stayed at the 8 and the Hampton Inn, in Front Royal and at the Hotel Strasburg a few miles west; you've also got the park right there if you camp.  Nice thing about Strasburg, if you need to help close the sale is that the 'Emporium' there is one of the biggest, most reasonable antique markets in the region.  Side trips to do the Skyline drive or casino/races up in Charlestown.  We spend a lot of time out that way, but almost always with one or more days on the Shenandoah.

[Riazuli]

I paddled Neabsco creek all day yesterday, and just as I was about pack up with a skunk on my belt, I landed this guy...on a spinnerbait   At first I thought I had my new pb bass, but instead I ended up with my pb (blue) catfish 

 

Look at that bowling ball in its belly!

 

 

[sc1978]

9 hours ago, Riazuli said:

I paddled Neabsco creek all day yesterday, and just as I was about pack up with a skunk on my belt, I landed this guy...on a spinnerbait   At first I thought I had my new pb bass, but instead I ended up with my pb (blue) catfish 

 

 

 

good job. to me, that is the most hated fish to land..

This was on Monday @ my neighborhood pond ultralite tackle, before I had to meet my roof guy...

 

 

[Riazuli]

22 minutes ago, sc1978 said:

good job. to me, that is the most hated fish to land..

This was on Monday @ my neighborhood pond ultralite tackle, before I had to meet my roof guy...

 

 

Landing it was a pain for sure... Thought he was going to tangle up in my transducer arm for a bit and then he gave me hell as I had to one hand manage him, my action cam which had full memory and I didn't know how to take snapshots with yet, and not bring him in the kayak cause I didn't want his slimy mess in there lol.  With his size and occasional flopping, it sure put a number on my hand!  Also reminded me to keep my grippers close by next time... Luckily my pliers were!  

[Choporoz]

Grippers are a must.  I also keep a pair of spreaders handy.  Works on flatheads, less so on blues, but great for snakeheads.

[SeeNoSun]

Today (4/27/18) on the Rez.

 

[Riazuli]

At a pond in Lake Ridge area today...after waiting for the 3 foot long snake to go away ?