Bank fishing in Hampton Roads/fishing buddy with a boat

[LShep]

Hello I am new here and I haven't really seen much on bank fishing in Hampton Roads. I have used Google Earth and so far most of the spots I have found either had no trespassing signs or the fishing didn't look as prime as I thought from Google Earth. I currently fish Lone Star Lakes in Suffolk and have had reasonable success. I catch 1-2 almost every time I go. But I am looking for more spots. Also are there any good night time fishing spots in the area for freshwater. Thanks. 

[LShep]

Nobody in Hampton Roads huh? Im not looking for your honey hole or to eat all the fish. I catch and release everything I catch and I leave the place cleaner than I found it.

[VAHunter]

Welcome to the board LShep!  With the exception of neighborhood ponds, there aren't many shore fishing areas around.  Do you live on the Peninsula or the Southside?  If South, I would continue your Google search.  Even if the spot you found doesn't look as good when you lay eyes on it, fish it anyway.  Almost all the ponds down this way are loaded, you just have to fish them at the right time.

 

I see you have already tested out the Lone Star Lakes.  I've been here near 20 years and still have not been to one of them.  I fish all the water supply reservoirs in Suffolk regularly.  As previously noted, bank fishing is not a very viable option for any of them.  However, they are all loaded with quality fish.  Lake Smith and Little Creek are also top destinations.  However, Smith has not produced very well this year.  I believe it could have something to do with pressure, but it's been off. 

 

There is also the Northwest River in southern Chesapeake that offers limited shore fishing.  Around here your best option is to have a boat if that fits your current situation.  I kayak can work, but it's somewhat impractical on the larger reservoirs. 

 

Welcome again and good luck.

 

Kevin Mills

[Jonathan Evans]

On 7/19/2016 at 6:41 PM, LShep said:

Nobody in Hampton Roads huh? Im not looking for your honey hole or to eat all the fish. I catch and release everything I catch and I leave the place cleaner than I found it.

If you can save like $250 you can get a fishing kayak from Walmart and that will open you up to more fishing. That is what I Plan on doing.

[LShep]

On 7/21/2016 at 9:30 PM, Jonathan Evans said:

If you can save like $250 you can get a fishing kayak from Walmart and that will open you up to more fishing. That is what I Plan on doing.

Yeah that seems like the plan for me too. 

[LShep]

On 7/21/2016 at 11:35 AM, VAHunter said:

Welcome to the board LShep!  With the exception of neighborhood ponds, there aren't many shore fishing areas around.  Do you live on the Peninsula or the Southside?  If South, I would continue your Google search.  Even if the spot you found doesn't look as good when you lay eyes on it, fish it anyway.  Almost all the ponds down this way are loaded, you just have to fish them at the right time.

 

I see you have already tested out the Lone Star Lakes.  I've been here near 20 years and still have not been to one of them.  I fish all the water supply reservoirs in Suffolk regularly.  As previously noted, bank fishing is not a very viable option for any of them.  However, they are all loaded with quality fish.  Lake Smith and Little Creek are also top destinations.  However, Smith has not produced very well this year.  I believe it could have something to do with pressure, but it's been off. 

 

There is also the Northwest River in southern Chesapeake that offers limited shore fishing.  Around here your best option is to have a boat if that fits your current situation.  I kayak can work, but it's somewhat impractical on the larger reservoirs. 

 

Welcome again and good luck.

 

Kevin Mills

I am Southside. Churchland area. All the ones I found close to me I am pretty sure didn't have any fish. I didn't see any baitfish. No baby bass or bluegill. But I will keep looking. Lone Star has some decent fish. The one in my avatar was caught there. And I catch 1 or 2 like that almost every time I go and quite a few dinks. You have any pond suggestions for Chesapeake? Like a general area to start. 

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate it. 

[VAHunter]

LShep, I have not fished many ponds in Chesapeake for some time.  I live closer to the state line and there a bunch between you and me.  It's probably not very good right now with the heat, but the ponds in front of Greenbrier Mall have some very nice fish in them.  There is also one behind a car dealership on Battlefield Blvd.  I think it's the Toyota dealership, but don't quote me on that.  From your way if you go south on Battlefield off 64 the dealership is about 1.5 miles down on your right.  The pond is in the woods behind that.

 

Oh yeah, there is also Oak Grove Lake.  It gets quite a bit of pressure, but there are still some nice bass in there.  If you hit up that one, I'd suggest showing up very early to take advantage of the topwater bite.  I also used to fish many of the ponds south of Volvo Parkway.  It's basically a semi-industrial area, but there are several waterways back there that have good bass.

 

Hope this helps.  Post up if you find some success and good luck.

[Sam]

LShep, please get your free copy of the VDG&IF Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet and look up Region 1, Eastern Virginia, and the Southeastern Virginia list for places to fish.

The Hampton BPS plus tackle shops and Peckers has them along with Wal-Mart.

You can try Mount Trashmore but it is not user friendly.

Good luck.

[Robalt9]

There is a lake by Harbor view behind the hospital i haven't fished it but it looks good then there is the one over by the apple-bees that you can try  

[LShep]

On 7/27/2016 at 4:50 PM, Robalt9 said:

There is a lake by Harbor view behind the hospital i haven't fished it but it looks good then there is the one over by the apple-bees that you can try  

I've fished the one behind the hospital. Well I didn't really thoroughly fish it but I didn't see any signs of life except a ton of frogs. I might try one more time. The one next to Applebees I already scouted and it is on private property. Joint Force Command Complex. I guess if I worked there i could fish it but that is the only way. Thanks for the suggestions though. 

[chmeyers]

Hey everyone, thanks for the invite LSHEP.

 

Finally some local people to talk to. Im in Chesapeake and you name it Ive fished it. Like Va Hunter said the lakes around the mall are pretty decent. There was another guy on here I referred to Hooter by the mall. The next day he thanks me for his PB. He caught a (lb hawg i front of Hooters. There are a lot of small ponds that like you I have found on google maps some paid off. That round mouth I have in my profile pic was in a little pond off cedar rd.  I love and hate bank fishing, there times I like finding a little spot nobody would ever fish and pulling out a 3 or 4 LBer, Like others have said your limited, Ive been shopping kayaks myself last few days and Im torn on what to get.  Heres a list of my chesapeake spots.

 

Oak Grove - high pressure, very hit or miss and a lot of junk in the water, 

 Greenbrier Lakes -  some big ole pigs there, just need to find the spots that aren't abused

FBI Building - lake in middle of the business park off clearfield, off kempsville, new fbi building is there, i have fished there a lot recently and have done fairly well.

Chesapeake city park - in the very back behind the dog park, i went there one evening bored, and first 6 cast caught 6 fish.

Cedar rd- theres a farm fresh at cedar and 17, tiny pond behind it, they kill top water back there. 

 

If you'll ever out here and see a giant black suburban, thats me. Say hi and teach me something,, please

[LShep]

On August 5, 2016 at 7:59 PM, chmeyers said:

Hey everyone, thanks for the invite LSHEP.

 

Finally some local people to talk to. Im in Chesapeake and you name it Ive fished it. Like Va Hunter said the lakes around the mall are pretty decent. There was another guy on here I referred to Hooter by the mall. The next day he thanks me for his PB. He caught a (lb hawg i front of Hooters. There are a lot of small ponds that like you I have found on google maps some paid off. That round mouth I have in my profile pic was in a little pond off cedar rd.  I love and hate bank fishing, there times I like finding a little spot nobody would ever fish and pulling out a 3 or 4 LBer, Like others have said your limited, Ive been shopping kayaks myself last few days and Im torn on what to get.  Heres a list of my chesapeake spots.

 

Oak Grove - high pressure, very hit or miss and a lot of junk in the water, 

 Greenbrier Lakes -  some big ole pigs there, just need to find the spots that aren't abused

FBI Building - lake in middle of the business park off clearfield, off kempsville, new fbi building is there, i have fished there a lot recently and have done fairly well.

Chesapeake city park - in the very back behind the dog park, i went there one evening bored, and first 6 cast caught 6 fish.

Cedar rd- theres a farm fresh at cedar and 17, tiny pond behind it, they kill top water back there. 

 

If you'll ever out here and see a giant black suburban, thats me. Say hi and teach me something,, please

Man! I was planning on fishing pretty much all those you named soon. I work  in Chesapeake and I noticed all those spots just couldn't fish them on the job. But good to know there are fish in them. I'm definitely gonna hit them up. I might go this evening if I get done with the honey do list in time. Lol 

[chmeyers]

18 hours ago, LShep said:

Man! I was planning on fishing pretty much all those you named soon. I work  in Chesapeake and I noticed all those spots just couldn't fish them on the job. But good to know there are fish in them. I'm definitely gonna hit them up. I might go this evening if I get done with the honey do list in time. Lol 

You could also check out, the lake beside Wawa on Woodlake, watch out for the homeless people, most of the time their cool. Every once in awhile you get one wasted at 9am who wants to be a jerk. Another spot Ive had some good luck at, is 2 little ponds in front of the hotel off Battlefield beside the new Kroger and Field and Stream store. They're next to where Kroger is putting there gas pumps in. 

[LShep]

5 hours ago, chmeyers said:

You could also check out, the lake beside Wawa on Woodlake, watch out for the homeless people, most of the time their cool. Every once in awhile you get one wasted at 9am who wants to be a jerk. Another spot Ive had some good luck at, is 2 little ponds in front of the hotel off Battlefield beside the new Kroger and Field and Stream store. They're next to where Kroger is putting there gas pumps in. 

I got a decent fish from city park today. im gonna bring my bush knife next time so I can clear a path. or wear long pants and boots. I had shorts and flip flops on. But I found a area clear enough and got that 1 and a dink. 

[chmeyers]

Awesome, Yeah its a little over grown! I thought about going back their one morning early with a weed wacker, but I didn't want to make it so we aren't allowed to fish there..

[VAHunter]

Nice catch, LShep!

[Gary Rose]

Anyone know if boats are allowed in Oak Grove Lake? kayaks, inflatables? Thanks.

[LShep]

On August 11, 2016 at 3:45 PM, Gary Rose said:

Anyone know if boats are allowed in Oak Grove Lake? kayaks, inflatables? Thanks.

I don't think so. Then again I've only been once and I didn't read the signs. Best bet would probably be to call them and see

[VAHunter]

On ‎8‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 3:45 PM, Gary Rose said:

Anyone know if boats are allowed in Oak Grove Lake? kayaks, inflatables? Thanks.

No boats allowed, not even a tube.  However, the city can hold skiing competitions on the lake!

[LShep]

I was fishing today. A pond in Newport News. I saw big bass chasing bait fish in the shallows. For some reason I couldn't get them to bite anything I offered. They followed a spinnerbait, and a swimbait but wouldn't hit. I tried everything and got nothing. It was fustrating as hell because they were good size. Probably at least 6. Any suggestions?

[VAHunter]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 0:58 AM, LShep said:

I was fishing today. A pond in Newport News. I saw big bass chasing bait fish in the shallows. For some reason I couldn't get them to bite anything I offered. They followed a spinnerbait, and a swimbait but wouldn't hit. I tried everything and got nothing. It was fustrating as hell because they were good size. Probably at least 6. Any suggestions?

You can try what I do, shake your head in disgust!  Sometimes those schooling fish are so easy to catch it doesn't seem fair.  Then there are times like you just had that even things out in the end.  I've seen bass so keyed on a specific bait, or size of bait, etc., that nothing I throw works.  When confronted with those situations, I stay with reaction baits and hope to catch a few off-guard. Sometimes the faster you work the better the better your chances.  Trust me, you can't reel too fast, a bass will catch your bait if it wants it bad enough.

[LShep]

first time fishing in awhile. got a decent one in a small pond in Va Beach. Near Lake Trashmore. 

[LShep]

First decent ones of 2017. Both choked the KVD squarebill. Both probably about 3lbs...the bottom one might of been closer to 4. Super chunky and nice fighter. 

[dicklarson]

Some great info here, thanks LShep!