Pre-Spawn in Va?

[Luna2406]

Went out for three hours this evening and the water temp was 58, 10 degrees warmer than this past weekend. Decided to fish shallow and I saw something interesting. I got a bite, it was a 2lb bass, then I missed another fish. I moved on from that spot that was in 4 FOW, about an hour later I came back to it after not getting any more bass (caught a 22" pickeral) and second cast I  hook up to a 1lb bass. Three casts later I get a bite and bring in a 5lb babe. I'm thinking they are starting to move shallow and making their nests. Gonna go back tomorrow morning and give this theory a shot.

[flyfisher]

I don't think they are making nests yet but the spawn isn't a short window either.  there will be early and late spawners every year.  

I'd be curious to see what water temps are on the lakes i normal fish because i went out last saturday to a lake with the deepest spot being about 5-6ft and surface temps peaked around 49.

 

Either way, good looking fish!!  go back and get her when she is fat

[RoLo]

 

Congratulations on your catch 

 

It's fair to say that Virginia must be in the 'early' pre-spawn period.

Here in central Florida (27th parallel) nests are still few and far between

where the spawn is not in full swing until March.

 

Roger

[quanjig]

It's been a really nice winter so far having the ability to get out just about every weekend. Here in northern va, we have been able to target fish consistently for sure with water temps around 50 so far this week. Not sure it's "pre spawn" per say. I think more along the lines of a number of fish taking advantage of nice weather!!!

[saamyb]

I fished Great Creek watershed today, I caught 5 , the deepest was about 2 foot.

[Wayne P.]

I was catching bass in less than 4' and some in less than 2' Friday with 55 degree water temp.

The "big mammas" were eating.

 

Saw several shad schools at a distance in less than 3' depths with the 360. Water to dingy to visually see them.

 

 

 

[TGaff]

Awesome catch Wayne!!! Briery? 

[Wayne P.]

1 hour ago, TGaff said:

Awesome catch Wayne!!! Briery? 

 

Yep

[WdyCrankbait]

Luna, was that Newport News Res?  Great place to fish, difficult to figure out until you do and it will rain bass. 

[Sam]

The warm weather as the bass somewhat confused here in Virginia.

 

Watch the dogwood trees. When they bloom the bass are on their beds.

 

I will look at my dogwood and note if it has buds. If so, then the bass are starting to move up into the shallows.

 

Otherwise, they are seeking warmer water before the spawn begins.

[Steelbill]

I finally gothe one in VA this afternoon 

 

 

[VAHunter]

The bass have definitely moved on the waters I fish regularly.  We have been catching nice fish in water so shallow it's amazing you can't see them.  We have surface temps in SE VA right about 60, with some backwaters a bit warmer than that.  I'm sure there are still fish out in their winter pattern, but you can't argue that some are on the move.

[Luna2406]

On Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 10:29 AM, WdyCrankbait said:

Luna, was that Newport News Res?  Great place to fish, difficult to figure out until you do and it will rain bass.

No it was Harwood mills, but yea I agree I've had great days at Newport news res, other days I've gone there and wondered where all the fish went lol

[WdyCrankbait]

^  YEP!  Rapala Yellow Perch jerkbaits do well at NN res.

[TravisVirginiaAngler]

The bass in larger ponds I fish are gorging on shad. Water boils and swells right on shore. Big mamas too! If it's not pre spawn this weather must just have them super active! 

[WdyCrankbait]

I went to the river yesterday, fly fishing from a pier.  I saw them, but they were out of my reach.  That will change next time because I'm taking my casting rod/reel then. 

 

Great catches!  Good to see the bass are starting to show up.  I guess the groundhog was wrong this year.  I'm ok with that.

[Sam]

Woody, you need to camouflage better.

 

You know that if you can see them then they can see you.

 

Wear dark clothes; watch your shadow; and stay as still as you can after the cast.

 

If that doesn't work, get a shotgun and ........................

[WdyCrankbait]

Sam,

    These fish are way out there in the middle of the channel.  Plus, I have caught one with a canoe putting in right in front of me.  Lets get your boat out there one early Saturday morning and you will see what I am talking about before I sell off my bass gear.  It really is impressive!

[Luna2406]

6 minutes ago, WdyCrankbait said:

Sam,

    These fish are way out there in the middle of the channel.  Plus, I have caught one with a canoe putting in right in front of me.  Lets get your boat out there one early Saturday morning and you will see what I am talking about before I sell off my bass gear.  It really is impressive!

I'll carry the tackle if I can come! Lol

[WdyCrankbait]

Luna,

   I might be moving back down to NN, I have a house down there I can't sell plus I am out of a job (engineering).

 

Sam,

    Got out to Robious Landing Park about 30-45 minutes before sunrise and you will see a topwater display as you will never see anywhere else!

[TravisVirginiaAngler]

Top water is on right now in VA??? Really? Right at sunrise or sunset?? Im excited. The rebel PopR and the booyah pad crasher frogs i've been dying to throw!!! 

[WdyCrankbait]

I'm not sure if that is true for say lakes or LMB, but the smallies in the James River behind James River High School, yes.  It really is an incredible display to see early in the mornings. 

I know a lot of people state there are not any fish in that part of the river, but they are wrong.  The problem is reaching them from the shore.

 

Wdy

 

[Darren.]

2 hours ago, WdyCrankbait said:

Luna,

   I might be moving back down to NN, I have a house down there I can't sell plus I am out of a job (engineering).

 

Sam,

    Got out to Robious Landing Park about 30-45 minutes before sunrise and you will see a topwater display as you will never see anywhere else!

 

Well then, we'll have to hit NNPK and you can teach how

it will rain bass there!! LOL. Every time I have Lee Hall

figured out, it just decides, "well dang it, we'll have to do

better next time" and tells all the bass to shut their mouths.

 

I haven't tried your Rapala yellow perch, tho. I'm one who

has better luck on the softies, jig, and spinnerbait there.

 

Tho I *rarely* have a skunk on Lee Hall, I don't always 

catch a bass to defeat the skunk, either. Usually a pickerel

helps out there.

[WdyCrankbait]

Yeah, it can be tough.  But, if they bite you can mop up there!  I am only saying that Rapala yellow perch jerkbait was my best producing lure there. I would much prefer to catch them on senko type baits.  However, finding them in the middle of the day is just impossible. 

 

I fished one time off the boat dock @ Lee Hall (I dont have a kayak or anything, I was across the street from the ranger station).  One guy showed up with a watermelon senko, cast for 30 minutes in one specific hole and caught three.  It was really impressive to watch. 

[Luna2406]

6 hours ago, WdyCrankbait said:

Yeah, it can be tough.  But, if they bite you can mop up there!  I am only saying that Rapala yellow perch jerkbait was my best producing lure there. I would much prefer to catch them on senko type baits.  However, finding them in the middle of the day is just impossible. 

 

I fished one time off the boat dock @ Lee Hall (I dont have a kayak or anything, I was across the street from the ranger station).  One guy showed up with a watermelon senko, cast for 30 minutes in one specific hole and caught three.  It was really impressive to watch. 

Best day at lee hall I caught 20 in about 4hrs and I had to leave! The spinnerbait bite is on right now there. Still only catching *** bass a trip there right now, can't figure them out lol