Richmond VA fishing spots

[Andrew Trauth]

Hi. My name is Andrew I just moved to the Richmond area. Have been fishing at pump house park and byrd park. I have caught one largemouth and a few small bluegills and stuff but keep on getting skunked as of recently. Does anyone have any recommendations on different spots or techniques that I should be using please? So far I've been trying some rapala crankbaits but no luck. Have only caught on night crawlers. Thanks 

[Sam]

Hey Andrew and welcome to Richmond.

 

I will be back with you, and get Wdycrankbait to chime in too, plus Black Bill Dance, to give you some suggestions.

 

First, we need some data about you in addition to introducing yourself in the Introduction Section.

 

We need to know the following for starters:

Do you drive and have a car as you need to be able to cross the river to the southside?

Do you have a paper map of the city and surrounding counties? If not, we can use Google Maps.

What is your favorite techniques and baits?

Ever thought of joining a bass club to learn ramps, techniques, baits and other information from the members?

 

Get back to us with the above plus any other information about yourself so we can give you some good advice.

 

Looking forward to giving you some suggestions.

 

 

 

[WdyCrankbait]

Well Andrew, like Sam said Welcome to Richmond and great to see another VA member on the forum.

 

Yes, there are some great places to fish here in RVA (Richmond, you will learn that abbreviation.)

 

First, "Swan lake," holds them.  I have not fished that one much, but I know there are fish there.  Boat Lake is barren, tell your father-in-law to fish there.  If you do have a car you are really in for some good fishing!

 

Look to Echo Lake in Glenn Allen, the twin lakes out in Powhatan (about 40 minute drive), of course the James river.  Southlake, off Southlake Blvd. in Southside (I think I just set a new world record for the word "South," used in a sentence.)

 

Second, lures and colors that work well in VA.  Soft plastics, Green pumpkin throughout the year until the cold months, then Black/blue, and Junebug in the summer.  Hardbaits, Rapala (DT) Helsinki shad does a lot of damage in RVA.  As well, the whopper plopper, but with the colder weather upon us stick with them above.  KVD 1.5s are good as well.

 

Personally, I am starting to force myself to use spinnerbaits and they do well in RVA.  Typical colors.

 

Finally, the most important thing.  Find your way to Greentop Sporting Goods in Ashland.  Just north of RVA on 95N.  Probably about a 15 minute drive, if that.  Find Freddie there and ask him about fishing RVA.  Now Freddie tells me the good stuff, but not Sam.  So, don't mention Sam's name, just mention Woody sent you, Lol!!  No, Sam is a legend up there, everyone knows him.  

 

Again, welcome to the forum!

Wdy

 

PS:  Wait until the spring and the smallies in the James river get active!!!!

[Sam]

And Andrew, one other secret this time of the year: bulk up and upsize your baits.

 

The bass are getting lethargic but they know they need to fatten up for the winter so they are looking for a nice, big, juicy, easy to get to meal. Like going to McDonalds or Burger King and sizing up your order.

 

Add a trailer to your Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits.  Go with a magnum size worm. Check out some of the GY beast baits. Throw the larger lipless baits plus go to the 2.5 or larger crankbaits. Throw a swimbait.

 

Get back to me when you visit this site again.

 

And stay home this week as it is way to cold to be outside.