Richmond Smallmouth

[Shif29]

does anyone know any good places for smallies other than the james that are around richmond? even an hour away from Richmond is still fine. 

[Bird]

Not sure of the distance from Richmond but have caught good numbers of SM from Claytor lake and Philpott lake.

 

Both places have campgrounds.

I always go to camp and fish for several days and always have a blast.

 

 

[CountryboyinDC]

About the only other place that comes to mind is the Rappahannock above Fredericksburg.  Access is an issue for part of it, but if you get an outfitter to take you, you'll encounter some less pressures smallies (no giants as I've seen).

[Sam]

4 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

About the only other place that comes to mind is the Rappahannock above Fredericksburg.  Access is an issue for part of it, but if you get an outfitter to take you, you'll encounter some less pressures smallies (no giants as I've seen).

X2.

 

Get a GMCO map of the Rapp showing the entire river including the Fredericksburg area at the upcoming Richmond Fishing Expo or Bass Pro Shops. Look at the Fredericksburg area of the river.

 

Great smallie fishing in this area of the river heading east.

 

Also, you can put in at Watkins Landing west of Richmond on Route 711 and head west towards Charlottesville for some smallie fishing in the rocks. You will need a jet motor or a kayak to do this. And you may catch some smallies around Watkins Landing.

 

The Pony Pasture has some great smallie fishing but it is best to go in the summer. The area is extremely dangerous and you need to take a partner with you. Water may be too cold for you to walk out into the rocks now but just wait for the summer and the river to get warm. Great smallie fishing in this area west of Richmond on the Historic James River.

 

Being in Amelia you are close to Wayne Knabe in Powhatan, who fixes rods and reels and always has an interesting story to share with you. Call Wayne, mention my name, and ask him if there is any good smallie fishing in the Appomattox or the Amelia Wildlife Management Area, 804.239.6751. And go see him and have him clean your reels. They will work as never before. You will have a friend for life. He is a great guy.

 

Ask Wayne about the Powhatan lakes and if he knows if there are smallies in them.

 

At the Richmond Fishing Expo (go to the post in this section for dates and times) ask some of the guys at their booths about smallmouth fishing near or within an hour of Richmond. One of the seminar speakers discusses smallie fishing in Seminar Room 2. Check it out on the Internet for seminar details.

 

Pick up a copy of the VG&IF 2020 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia free booklets and look at the list of places to fish around the state and if there are any smallies in the rivers and lakes listed.

 

Good luck and let us know how you do.

 

[Shif29]

17 hours ago, Sam said:

X2.

 

Get a GMCO map of the Rapp showing the entire river including the Fredericksburg area at the upcoming Richmond Fishing Expo or Bass Pro Shops. Look at the Fredericksburg area of the river.

 

Great smallie fishing in this area of the river heading east.

 

Also, you can put in at Watkins Landing west of Richmond on Route 711 and head west towards Charlottesville for some smallie fishing in the rocks. You will need a jet motor or a kayak to do this. And you may catch some smallies around Watkins Landing.

 

The Pony Pasture has some great smallie fishing but it is best to go in the summer. The area is extremely dangerous and you need to take a partner with you. Water may be too cold for you to walk out into the rocks now but just wait for the summer and the river to get warm. Great smallie fishing in this area west of Richmond on the Historic James River.

 

Being in Amelia you are close to Wayne Knabe in Powhatan, who fixes rods and reels and always has an interesting story to share with you. Call Wayne, mention my name, and ask him if there is any good smallie fishing in the Appomattox or the Amelia Wildlife Management Area, 804.239.6751. And go see him and have him clean your reels. They will work as never before. You will have a friend for life. He is a great guy.

 

Ask Wayne about the Powhatan lakes and if he knows if there are smallies in them.

 

At the Richmond Fishing Expo (go to the post in this section for dates and times) ask some of the guys at their booths about smallmouth fishing near or within an hour of Richmond. One of the seminar speakers discusses smallie fishing in Seminar Room 2. Check it out on the Internet for seminar details.

 

Pick up a copy of the VG&IF 2020 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia free booklets and look at the list of places to fish around the state and if there are any smallies in the rivers and lakes listed.

 

Good luck and let us know how you do.

 

Will do! Thanks for the info buddy!

[WdyCrankbait]

X2 for Pony Pasture in the summer, but you have to get there early!  Once that sun breaks the treeline, done!

 

There is a state park out 60 West in Amelia or Powhatan on the James river.  I haven't fished it only because the river was high and water was stained pretty good.  I don't like wading in new places where I can't see the bottom.

 

Also, behind James River High School.

Edited December 19, 2019 by WdyCrankbait
I forgot a piece of information to add.