rivafishn Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Nice fish Riva!. I went out this morning and meet Pepe Le Pew. Nothing in the reeds. Tried looking for some at the 10-15 FOW using cranks and jig but nada. Thanks! I was able to get into the top 20, but couldn't manage to catch all those monster bass! I did better at the upper potomac event on saturday, finished 8th. Got on the reservoir early this morning, got a few bass but unfortunately got hooked into a snakehead. It will be interesting to see what they do to the ecosystem in the reservoir. Was anyone at Fountainhead yesterday afternoon? My daughter and I arrived at the launch at around 4pm and there were several firetrucks and rescue vehicles on scene and it looked like a couple of rescue boats as well. No details in the local paper or FB pages. I'm assuming it was either someone falling out of a boat or a mountainbiker getting evac'd. I read a story that there was an accident on one of the steep banks and that two individuals were hurt. They took them out on a boat as it was easier then getting them back up the hill. Quote
Huntrava Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 If you are considering saltwater use, then checkout the Hobie Outback. You can stand on that for the most part and it can handle saltwater with no issues but I'm not sure about your dog being on it. A PA 12/14 would probably be better if you want your dog to come along since it's ultra stable but it's heavy. I have seen people put it on top of their SUVs tough. I tried cartopping my PA12 for about a month and gave up. I'm 30 years old and in good shape, but it was too much of a hassle. Kinda like moving a refridgerator shaped like a kayak. Sure, you can do it yourself, but do you want to? The PA is superior in terms of space and stability, but you can get the same comfort and 90% of the stability on an outback. Plus it's half the weight and a little faster on the water. 1 Quote
HokieDJ Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 That's the reason I got a Outback but now I also have a pickup truck. I'm wondering about the PA12 now since I would love to be super stable while standing. I can manage with the outback but I can see how it can be dicey if you don't have a good sense of balance. Quote
novafx4 Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 That's the reason I got a Outback but now I also have a pickup truck. I'm wondering about the PA12 now since I would love to be super stable while standing. I can manage with the outback but I can see how it can be dicey if you don't have a good sense of balance. I've got a PA14 and a pickup truck. It's heavy, but manageable with a tailgate extender. The only issue I've had with my PA is the wheel of the cart was rubbing the underside of the hull. The fix is to cut a couple of pieces of 1" diameter PVC about 3/4" long and place them behind the adjustable collars on the cart. I've done that and have had no further issues with the wheel rub. I'm 5'11" and ~240lbs and can stand and fish in my PA without any issues. It takes a bit of practice, but I had it mastered after just a couple of outings. If you're interested in any further details feel free to PM me. Steve Quote
Kyle46N Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Gentlemen, I am planning on heading to the res tomorrow for the first time. I have a few questions. Is the gate to Fountainhead (is there a gate?) open at first light in the mornings? Also, what are the rules for running an outboard on the lake? I've seen references to a 10hp engine. But even in this thread there are comments about wake and kayaks. I've even seen youtube videos of guys running outboards on the lake. Seems like a long lake to fish with trolling motor only. Thanks! Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted August 4, 2015 Super User Posted August 4, 2015 Yes, Kyle. 10HP limit. No other motor rules that I'm aware of. Fountainhead gates generally open by sunrise; sometimes as much as a half hour prior. Good luck! Quote
novafx4 Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 From the VDGIF website. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=97§ion=regulations Occoquan Reservoir - RegulationsAnglers fishing from boats may use gasoline motors up to 10 horsepower. Largemouth Bass The daily bag limit for bass is five per day. There is no minimum size limit. Bluegill Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish may be harvested without size restriction. Anglers are limited to 50 per day in aggregate (combined). Crappie Black and white crappie may be harvested without size restriction from Occoquan. The daily limit is 25 per day in aggregate. Catfish (Channel and Flathead) There is no minimum size limit for catfish, but anglers are limited to 20 fish per day of each species. Northern Pike The minimum size limit for northern pike in Occoquan Reservoir is 20 inches and anglers are limited to 2 fish per day. Quote
Kyle46N Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Yes, Kyle. 10HP limit. No other motor rules that I'm aware of. Fountainhead gates generally open by sunrise; sometimes as much as a half hour prior. Good luck! As in, anything bigger than 10hp on the back of a boat, and that boat cannot be put in the lake? Or cannot use the motor? Have you seen anyone running an outboard on the lake? Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted August 4, 2015 Super User Posted August 4, 2015 Not every day, but oftentimes there'll be big boats out there running TM only. One day last September, there was a group of about 6 or 8 boats; Skeeters, Tritons, Rangers, etc. came out together and all just ran TM. Not sure if you're supposed to disconnect the fuel line and raise it out of the water or not. There was a guy running a big boat earlier this year at high speed, but its the only time I've seen it. I never ran into warden until this year, but I have a few times this summer and I'd like to think they'd have something to say about it if/when they encounter it. Quote
rivafishn Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Kyle - I have seen boats in there with motors bigger than 10 HP, but they don't use them, they leave them up and out of the water. i have seen some that have a 55 HP right next to a 9.9HP. You can use a motor that is 10 HP or less. We have been talking about wakes because when you have an aluminum boat with a 10 HP motor on it they can put out a decent wake at times. Quote
quanjig Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 You can fish the res with a big boat. Supposed to be trolling motor if anything over 10hp. I see no issue with anyone with a bigger boat wanting to idle from spot to spot. Just don't get caught by the man!! Quote
Kyle46N Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 You can fish the res with a big boat. Supposed to be trolling motor if anything over 10hp. I see no issue with anyone with a bigger boat wanting to idle from spot to spot. Just don't get caught by the man!! Yeah, that's the issue I guess. Just seems like a lot of lake for a TM. I TM on Burke without an issue, but obviously it's not near as long as O res. I'm in a 16 ft Carolina Skiff JVX with a 60 on the back. Thanks for the input everyone. I'll post up a report if I go. Quote
DJ 6_6 Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Not to hijack the thread, but selling my boat used for fishing and crabbing and figured everyone on this topic is local and someone might be interested. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/5157587975.html comes with Trailer and 9.9 HP Mercury Mariner. Eager to sell $1900 / obo Quote
quanjig Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Not to hijack the thread, but selling my boat used for fishing and crabbing and figured everyone on this topic is local and someone might be interested. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/5157587975.html comes with Trailer and 9.9 HP Mercury Mariner. Eager to sell $1900 / obo Didn't you just get that not too long ago?? Quote
DJ 6_6 Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Didn't you just get that not too long ago?? 3.5 years ago, primarily got it for crabbing, but the crabbing sucked last year and having a 20 month old now, I don't get to go as often as I would like. So I'm looking to part ways with the it. Was hoping someone local was interested. Quote
quanjig Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 That's right!! Hope everything is going well!! Quote
rivafishn Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 This post has been quiet for some time. There is no way nobody is hitting the occoquan! I got out last night for awhile and managed two dinks and lost a couple more. I also had an issue where I snapped the line on one of my baitcasters twice. I will be investigating that more tonight. It was frustrating because I was out fishing deep and got a couple of good bites and when I went to set the hook, pop! It was not right at the hook or near the fish either, it was closer to my rod and one was just in front of my reel. Hopefully everybody has been out catching fish!! Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted August 28, 2015 Super User Posted August 28, 2015 riva, I've been on the rez trolling out of Fountainhead a couple times since my last post...and two or three times kayaking out of Bull Run Marina. I've been working pretty hard on the deep fish, but results haven't been great. The odd 2 pounder here and there, but I'm a long way from feeling confident about it. I usually take a break from probing the depths and pick up a few with jigs on the deep drop-offs close to shore. Fairly reliable that I can get a couple/few that way, but nothing to pull the scale out for lately. Bull Run has been much more enjoyable, but not a LOT better for fishing lately. The LMB's I do get in the skinnier water have been the ones that are really tight to cover - and the occasional SMB hanging out below rock bluffs. I never get past the feeling that I'm just a couple more bits of experience and knowledge before I start hammering them on the rez. There's very few spots that I can pull up to and feel confident that there's sure bite there. But, no question there's a lot of good fish in there. I'd love to fish waters where I know I'll catch more fish, but I still enjoy the challenge of the Occoquan. Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted August 28, 2015 Super User Posted August 28, 2015 riva, what line are you breaking? I use Yo-Zuri a LOT, and that sounds like a problem I've had after I mange to 'kink' it. If I get a backlash that causes a hard 'fold' or 'crease', it can break pretty easily. Really the only negative I've found with it. Quote
rivafishn Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 Chop - I have Bass Pro XPS on it right now. That is going to change tonight. I don't recall having any issues with backlashes on this set-up as it is usually my setup for jigs and heavier bottom run baits. I had one case out about 25 yards and down in about 20 feet and it broke before the first eye on the rod. I am going to make sure there are no knicks in the eyes on that rod and if everything looks good with where the line is running replace the line. I am not a good deep water fisherman either, but have been working on it more this year. I hooked one in about 15 feet of water last night and lost it right at my kayak. He was probably about 15" or so, nothing big. The bites I snapped off on were in the 20 - 25 foot range. Hopefully that won't happen again and I can catch some fish in some deep water. Hopefully the cool weather will help out. Quote
Huntrava Posted August 30, 2015 Posted August 30, 2015 Hit Occoquan today. Hooked some big fish. They are in there, and they're deep. Quote
JStevens Posted August 30, 2015 Posted August 30, 2015 Huntrava, what are you catching them on if you don't mind me asking? I've been fishing strictly with spinners to gain confidence but that slowed down. I haven't been catching anything lately. I mostly fish the Accotink Bay and tributaries nearby as I live on Fort Belvoir, but I'm going to have to check out Occoquan. Quote
Huntrava Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 Here's a 21 inch largemouth I took out of the water on Saturday at Occoquan. If you look closely, there's also a 26 inch catfish on the deck lol. Both caught and released. @JStevens: check your inbox! Happy to help out- 1 Quote
marvinlee718 Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 Hey guys, I have fished the reservoir quite a bit and couldn't find a pattern in any of those days. Skunked about half of those days. I have a modified Jon boat with a 8 hp motor. I have tried to fish points/drop offs , but haven't been able to find out how to fish deeper water especially in the summer at all. How do you guys locate the fish and target them? I launch out of fountainhead. Any tips and help would be greatly appreciated. Quote
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