Virginia Beach locations

[DazHavoc]

Hey everyone,

just wanted to post on here and get some advice from someone with knowledge of the Virginia Beach area where are some good locations to bass fish in the Virginia Beach area and also Norfolk and Chesapeake areas as well. I’m still somewhat new to bass fishing coming over from saltwater but really have taken a liking to it but really want to find some more spots to fish. I’ve been to lake Christopher, Mt trashmore, back bay, tcc to name a few. Wanted to see if there any places I’ve missed or hidden gems out there. Thanks again in advance for any help!

Also I’m bank fishing currently, looking to get a boat but probably won’t be able to this season. So the places need to be accessible by foot.

[RSmall]

See the link for DGIF's ranking of reservoirs in the Tidewater region for bass fishing: 

 

https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/largemouth-bass-lakes/

 

 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

A number of folks here who fish the Southside will chime in

soon. But do check the VDGIF @RSmall linked to above.

Lots of good info there.

[Sam]

20 hours ago, RSmall said:

See the link for DGIF's ranking of reservoirs in the Tidewater region for bass fishing: 

 

https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/largemouth-bass-lakes/

 

 

Thanks, R, great post.

 

R's list includes the large bodies of water.

 

May I suggest you go to BPS or Dick's and get the 2019 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia publication from the Virginia DG&IF.  It is free.

 

Then, try to a locate a paper map of the Virginia Beach area and look for the smaller bodies of water around schools, shopping centers, buildings, building complexes, subdivisions, etc. These are the "unknown jewels" of the area for bass.

 

 

[DazHavoc]

Thanks everyone I appreciate the help!

[MassYak85]

I lived there for a little less than a year but I fished Lake Smith and the Suffolk reservoir system from my kayak while I was there. I saw and heard of people catching good fish there...but I didn't lol. Suffolk doesn't have great shore access but there are some spots, Lake Smith has a nice public park and a fishing pier. 

 

Also, if you're from the bank...I'll just say that my most productive spot was a drainage ditch/pond. So don't overlook anything. 

[IgotWood]

If you can save a couple hundred bucks and get yourself into an inexpensive used kayak, you will have tons of access to some fantastic bass fishing all over Hampton Roads. Stumpy Lake is fun and holds some bruisers. The Suffolk lakes allegedly hold lots of big fish, and all the tidal creeks down there fish well too. Unfortunately shore access is very limited around here. 

[Spy]

The drawback to bank fishing here is that with limited access the available spots get hit pretty hard. Sure, there's no one around when you arrive but that's due to the other dozen or so anglers who've already hammered it that day having left in disgust!

 

Out of the way retention ponds seem to be the winning ticket for consistent action and actually produce decent fish though any fish is better than none at all in my book!

 

 

[DazHavoc]

On 4/20/2019 at 12:47 PM, Spy said:

The drawback to bank fishing here is that with limited access the available spots get hit pretty hard. Sure, there's no one around when you arrive but that's due to the other dozen or so anglers who've already hammered it that day having left in disgust!

 

Out of the way retention ponds seem to be the winning ticket for consistent action and actually produce decent fish though any fish is better than none at all in my book!

 

 

Any specific retention ponds you can list? I tried one behind Landstown commons but security kicked me out saying it’s not allowed.

On 4/17/2019 at 8:41 PM, MassYak85 said:

I lived there for a little less than a year but I fished Lake Smith and the Suffolk reservoir system from my kayak while I was there. I saw and heard of people catching good fish there...but I didn't lol. Suffolk doesn't have great shore access but there are some spots, Lake Smith has a nice public park and a fishing pier. 

 

Also, if you're from the bank...I'll just say that my most productive spot was a drainage ditch/pond. So don't overlook anything. 

Where was this drainage ditch/pond you speak of located?? Lol

[Spy]

Try the pond at the Lynnhaven Mall next to the old Toys 'R' Us, my buddies have caught nice fish there, one went +6 lbs!

[James Janousek]

Anyone doing well at Back Bay this spring?  Just read an article (https://kayakanglermag.com/stories/conservation/the-rebirth-of-legendary-back-bay-bass-fishery/) and it sounds like it has made a big comeback.  I'm in Richmond so it would probably involve an overnight stay/camping or a long day of driving.  Any decent campgrounds in the area?

[froghair3]

A few years ago while stationed at Oceana We used to get a lot of bass in Pungo out of the West Neck Marina in west neck creek and also in pogutty [sic] creek. Also a ways down river by the beach and bridge. there is a horse shoe bend with a ski jump ramp and a side creek that goes back a long way into the swamp.

[Choporoz]

It has been some 14 years since I was stationed there without a boat or kayak.  But, IIRC, I rented boats at probably a half dozen lakes, most on the peninsula  ....no idea if any/all still have rental boats:

Cohoon and/or Meade, Lee Hall, Newport News Rez, Harwoods, Waller Mill, Bethel

 

Bank fishing was tough -- mostly around ramps and some golf courses.

If you have base access, you certainly have some more options

 

 

[Brad Reams]

I've been wanting to try Lake Whitehurst in Norfolk, it was closed from 2009-2018 some FAA BullSheet!! 

it was the best rated in the state for walleye 

 

I've been fishing Bethel some, and it's not the fishery it was 10 years ago.   Way too many Carp~! 

 

no idea about Back Bay, it's coming back, slowly I assume.   

It was once as good as it gets! 

I've heard many Old timer stories from the 1970's and BassMaster Classic in adjacent Currituck Sound, they said that Back Bay/Currituck Sound was better than Florida bass fishing! 

 

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

It has been some 14 years since I was stationed there without a boat or kayak.  But, IIRC, I rented boats at probably a half dozen lakes, most on the peninsula  ....no idea if any/all still have rental boats:

Cohoon and/or Meade, Lee Hall, Newport News Rez, Harwoods, Waller Mill, Bethel

 

Bank fishing was tough -- mostly around ramps and some golf courses.

If you have base access, you certainly have some more options

 

 

yep Cheatham Annex has some good fishing access with atleast 2 ponds/lakes. 

that's where I'd go. 

good luck, tight lines!

On 3/14/2019 at 10:06 AM, RSmall said:

See the link for DGIF's ranking of reservoirs in the Tidewater region for bass fishing: 

 

https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/largemouth-bass-lakes/

 

 

I don't think DGIF has sampled/surveyed Whitehurst since it was reopened.  

it's only been open 1 year,  very tempting!

shhhhhhhhhh ?

[Dieselguy416]

Good luck at Whitehurst I've tried a dozen times or so and haven't had much luck. Finally gave up and started the saltwater thing. 

[Brad Reams]

7 hours ago, Dieselguy416 said:

Good luck at Whitehurst I've tried a dozen times or so and haven't had much luck. Finally gave up and started the saltwater thing. 

well I gave up on saltwater, so I hope you you can figure out saltwater better than me. 

good luck 

[Ryan Sarko]

I’m late to the party,  but back bay is absolutely coming back!  Probably my favorite place to fish the area!  Whitehurst is good, can be tough and Suffolk is always good!  Lone star lakes are great!