what

[jbo225]

what are yall using to produce fish here in VA

[Fishin Ethan]

just a little south in NC texas rig and jigs

[Sam]

jbo, you are in Cumberland so you have to travel to hit some good spots unless you have your double secret pond or are fishing Bear or Briary Creeks and Sandy River.

The secret to a good answer is "what is the water temperature?"

Do you have a swimming pool thermometer to use to check water temps? If not, it is a good investment. Bass behavior is impacted by water temperature and you need to know how they are "supposed to act" at different temperatures and how long it takes for a bass to digest a minnow at various water temperatures.

Now, I say "supposed to act" since bass do not read magazines or watch TV. So what is supposed to happen when the water temps are in the 50s or 60s may not happen. This is a piece of the puzzle you have to figure out.

Now, what to throw? Depending on the water temperature, which could be in the 50's by now, I would suggest spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, Chatterbaits, Carolina Rig, square bill crankbaits and jigs for starters. Always have a Texas, wacky or shaky head ready to go for your plastics. And know the forage in the body of water you are fishing. Maybe an orange or red treble hook bait for crawfish; a lizard for the bottom; a black/blue jig with a big blue plastic jig for bluegills, or a swim bait for shad and herring. You have to experiment.

The bass will still be deep and in about  6 to 10 feet of water out from the bank. Schools will huddle farther out and both schooling and individual bass will hit the bank for some warmer temperatures and a good meal.

The bass are supposed to hit the northwest corner of your lake or pond since that area receives the most sun and therefore the water warms up the fastest attracting the bass. However, bass do what they want to do (the "supposed to act" factor) and you have to be prepared for anything.

Hit structure, piers, docks, ramps, boat houses, cover and anything where the bass will be holding, waiting for a nice meal to swim by. Fish off from any dead grass. Look for the spawning flats.

And don't forget your needle nose pliers!

Let us know how you do.

Good luck and watch those state troopers on Route 60!

 

 

[HookdUP]

I've been catching all my fish on hardbaits since Jan 1. I won't throw a jig unless I'm fishing for money these days . 

 

But 3xd's 

Rogues 

flat sided crankbaits 

shad raps 

lipless 

 

ive been living in va now two years and I've noticed fish like a much smaller more finesse presentation at almost every scenerio here than Florida where I'm from. example I get more big fish on tiny crank baits here than Fl. 

I water temps are still in 40s but should hear up this week. 

[jbo225]

Thanks y'all I'm probably going to hit a smaller body of water family friend owns. And Sam have you ever fished Swift Creek Good/Bad?

[HookdUP]

I didn't catch a fish all day so I had to throw the jig because if my confidence bait. Had a huuuuge fish miss swimming it just under the surface . Then caught a little chunk ... I then got my confidence  back and started throwing a 75x  my wife tells on the lake that her dinner is almost done .. And to bring the boat in at least 20 min.... And then I  caught the biggest fish I've ever caught in va ...