Calling all Virginia guys

[MassYak85]

So I have been fishing Massachusetts almost exclusively all my life, but this summer I will be down in the Virginia Beach area for a few months. I was hoping I could get some pointers from some of you that fish the area frequently. I'll be heading down mid May which for MA would be right around the spawn but I assume it's fair to say the fish will be well into post spawn or summer pattern? Some of my biggest questions are what is the main bait fish forage down there? Up here it's primarily bluegill and most of my current lure arsenal reflects that. Are the waters typically clear, stained, murky (obviously it will depend on the body of water but for example usually water up my way is pretty clear)? Are the bass down there Florida strain, Northern strain, a mix? Basically I'm just looking for some tips you might tell someone who has never fished farther south than Connecticut. I will most likely be limited to the bank as well, any critters of the poisonous variety I should be concerned about? Any info at all will be appreciated. 

[cport0519]

I would go to Back Bay in the Currituck Sound. Freshwater marsh, lotsa grass. Top choice there is a Johnson spoon fished over and through the weeds in a skittering manner. Punch plastics work well too. Do you have a boat with you? 

[Sam]

I'll be heading down mid May which for MA would be right around the spawn but I assume it's fair to say the fish will be well into post spawn or summer pattern? - Dogwood trees starting to bloom and the bass will hit their beds the weekend of April 9th and continue to spawn for at least 30-days.

 

Some of my biggest questions are what is the main bait fish forage down there?- Shad. Grizzard shad. Bluegills, bream, yellow perch and crawfish.

 

Are the waters typically clear, stained, murky (obviously it will depend on the body of water but for example usually water up my way is pretty clear)? - All of the above. If it rains the water can get like chocolate milk. Depends where you fish to be ready for clear, stained and dirty.

 

Are the bass down there Florida strain, Northern strain, a mix? - We have Florida bass in the Chickahominy and Historic James Rivers. We have smallmouth and largemouth bass in our fresh waters.

 

Basically I'm just looking for some tips you might tell someone who has never fished farther south than Connecticut. - Obtain a free copy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries booklet, Freshwater Fishing & Boating in Virginia.  Answers to your queries will be satisfied plus you will learn a lot about places to fish, the different types of freshwater fish you can catch and a lot of information.  Copies are free and you can pick up one at the Hampton Bass Pro Shop.

 

I will most likely be limited to the bank as well, any critters of the poisonous variety I should be concerned about? Any info at all will be appreciated.  - Just copperheads unless you head down to the Appomattox and then look out for water moccasins.

 

Welcome to Virginia. Are you in the military?

 

 

[Darren.]

6 minutes ago, Sam said:

 

I will most likely be limited to the bank as well, any critters of the poisonous variety I should be concerned about? Any info at all will be appreciated.  - Just copperheads unless you head down to the Appomattox and then look out for water moccasins.

 

 

 

Both copperheads and cottonmouths/water moccasins

are prevalent in Hampton Roads. A Ranger at NNPK was

bit on the elbow by a cottonmouth in the last 5 years 

when doing surveying...

 

And I've got video of a huge cm at the docks at Harwood's

Mill. Belligerent snakes, best to get out of their way, as

they own whatever ground you happen to be on at the time.  

My brother took my (then) young sons and I out snake hunting

at HWM and he caught a juvenile CM. Copperheads abound, 

too, but they're much more shy.