Nova - Inflatable Locations

[romeo]

Hey All,

 

Just received my registration back from VGDIF.  I have an Intex Excursion 5 Boat Set - 2013 Model, mount, and 30# TM.  I took it out on Fountainhead a couple weeks ago and it did pretty well with two 200+ lb guys in it.

 

I've read that inflatables are just not too safe to put in the Potomac River so I am wondering where else I could go and scope out...  How is Burke Lake Park?  Can I use my TM there?  Any other places that would be inflatable boat friendly?

 

I would eventually also like a place to go catch bluefish/stripped bass some day if anyone knows where I can head to.

 

Thanks.

[shimmy]

i took my inflatable out on Burke with no problems. Even easier to launch when the water is down. Haven't gone in over a year. I hit Beaverdam reservoir and lake frederick for 2 years and had no problems. It is very stealthy and was much quieter than my 10 foot jon boat. One thing i do advise, get a boot for your inflatable. With hooks flying around and hitting unexpected rocks and trees, a boot is a life saver. I would not launch without one. Not worth it. I always kept an anchor with me. However my anchor was a rusty old hammer but that is neither here nor there. I'd mention other lakes but these two are the only ones i have hit. I also advise creating your own floor boards and placing them in the bottom. Made it possible to stand in the boat and not worry about fish fins on the bottom and hooks. I had the fish hunter 360 sevylor which was nearly identical to what you have. I had the floor boards sanded off and everything so it would sit nicely in the raft. It was an awesome boat and only traded it to cut down on inflation and deflation time when hitting a lake. I also used a 30# thrust and it handled heavy winds like a charm.

[romeo]

sounds great shimmy, thanks. I plan on making a floor.  Do you take one or two batteries with you? I went by Bull Run Marina after work today.  The gate looks like it is opened during the day time. Beaverdam res is 2.5 hour drive

[romeo]

was looking at googlemaps and lake fairfax and lake anna are near me.  Anyone ever go there?

[s freud]

I think bull run is always locked. I have even seen people get locked in there. You have to buy a season pass through fountainhead for a key. I have been out in parts of lake Anna on a kayak so an inflatable should work fine, don't know anything about the main portion though. Should be safer now that most of boating season is over.

[shimmy]

sounds great shimmy, thanks. I plan on making a floor.  Do you take one or two batteries with you? I went by Bull Run Marina after work today.  The gate looks like it is opened during the day time. Beaverdam res is 2.5 hour drive

 

I used to and it worked just fine. One of my batteries died so i haven't done it recently due to only having one. The boat is so light and it just glides that an extra battery does not cause problems. My batteries were roughly 50 pounds each. Yeh, Beaverdam is not worth a 2.5 hour drive and barely worth the 1 hour drive i take to get there, nevertheless there are some decent size fish in there and the lake is slowly producing bigger bass than it has the past 8 years. 

[CMG]

 Beaverdam res is 2.5 hour drive

 

Beaverdam Creek Reservoir, not Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir.  It's between Leesburg and Ashburn.

[BassinBee]

Lake Pelham (2500 acres) and Mt Run are two reservoirs as part of Culpeper's water supply.  They are electric only and would be good options.  Culpeper is about 40 miles south of Gainesville on rte. 29.  You need a fishing permit and boat permit issued from the town of Culpeper if you fish these lakes. The permit can be purchased from the town office. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Dave

[caq]

How hard was it to get it registered?  I have an Intex Ecursion 4 with a 30# trolling motor.  I went to Walmart when I first got it and it was a hassle to obtain the 30 day permit because I bought it off of Amazon and I didn't have proof of certain information like the year of the boat.  I talked them into just entering 2013 since it was brand new but knew that woudn't fly with the state. 

 

I launch off of Ft. Belvoir into the Accotink Bay and fish along the coast.  If you look at google maps, you'll see Little Rd.  Switch to Earth view and you'll see the channel that runs along there.  There are a ton of bass and catfish running along there.  The only bad part is that it's no real secret.  I went out last saturday and there were 3 bass boats out there pretty much claiming the whole thing. 

 

I know you might not have access to Belvoir but knowing the spot is half the battle.  I'll let you figure out how to get there.  May through Pohick bay?

[romeo]

I have a CAC so I can get there

 

It was easy to register.  Just go to intex webpage and you use the info off the certificate of origin to use with the VGDIF new boat reg. I sent it in and 2 weeks later, all the paperwork came back.  I just put on my application that the boat was a gift (which it was) to avoid the taxes.

 

The 30 day reg i went to Dick's for that.  The goobers at wally couldnt figure it out.

 

I went to algonkian park last sunday...  Very clear water but tons of grass.  I kept getting caught in it.  I also got skunked, hehe.

 

Did you make a wooden floor yet for your boat?  It's really easy to do and makes it epic to put a bucket upside down with a cushion for a nice seat.

 

If you want to see a copy of my paperwork, let me know so you can see how I filled it out.

[caq]

I've been using the floor that it came with.  It's actually made up of several boards which allows it to be rolled up and secured with a bugie cord.  I drive a GTI so a full size floor wouldn't fit in my car even if I split it in half.  It works pretty well.  My buddy and I can both stand on it and cast with no problems.

 

There's also a lot of grass near that channel but it's still some good fishing.  I thought last weekend was going to be the last one for the boat but I might just take it out a couple more times.  Especially over to Mercer.

[romeo]

cool man. I am going to Occoquan tomorrow morning rain or shine.

[caq]

let me know how that goes.  I'll be down at Mercer this afternoon.

[romeo]

i got a 3 lb lmb and a crappie today