Bass fishing tips in Richmond, Virginia

[RdmaoRVA]

I've started fishing again, something I used to do as a child a lot, and am lookin for some help. I am currently located in the city of Richmond and want to catch Bass as i've only ever caught 2 and one of which was yesterday in three lakes park (First day fishing/only fish so far). There is some good info on here about different ponds public and private from some other locals which is great. Plenty of places all over Midlothian, state parks around the city, and parks within city limits which I have noted, but would like some tips for just above and below the tidal line on the James. I went out this morning on the James around Brown's island and the 14th street bridge but had no luck. I do not have access to a boat/kayak so I will be strictly shore fishing, and really am not looking for huge fish while I am starting out, just want to catch some fish. My new supplies include a few soft plastics (senkos, brush hogs, rage craws) along with some various crankbaits and a jig but I really have no idea what works around here. I'd like some tips on the best times of day to fish and the best baits ya'll suggest I go out and pick up to have in my box. Not real sure how temps/weather/times affect what is biting and what to use so I have just been tossing different things. Thanks in advance!

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum. There are several members on here in your area that should be able to help you with your fishing questions.

[RdmaoRVA]

4 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

Hello and welcome to the forum. There are several members on here in your area that should be able to help you with your fishing questions.

I've followed a few, thank you for the welcome

[flyfisher]

Lots of places to fish really.  The james is fun but it is always pressured and catching fish isn't always the easiest.  I have had some success wading under the nickel bridge.  There is also some good wet wading of small streams around too.  Just go to the DGIF website and take a look at boat launches, particularly the hand carry ones, many you can safely wade nearby and catch some fish.  

[Sam]

Search Richmond Virginia in the search bar above and see the various posts.

Good luck.

[RdmaoRVA]

4 hours ago, Sam said:

Search Richmond Virginia in the search bar above and see the various posts.

Good luck.

Been searching back a good ways, plenty of spots i'll be checking out. Todays venture was Fountain lake at Byrd park, got there at 6 so still 90 degrees and sunny, no luck on a trigged baby brush hog, but boy are there plenty of weeds to reel in, also very shallow along the bank. Maybe I should go out and find a chatterbait, local user named Black Bill Dance had luck with that a couple years back it seems from my searchin.

[RdmaoRVA]

Hit up Loch Lothian, and the Grove Hill road neighborhood pond across the way. Another hot one, no luck at the Loch, a few guys said they tried every thing with no success as well. Grove Hill pond had a couple guys as well, one of em caught a decent fish from what I could tell, seemed like the fish were pretty tight in the center deeper water though but I had a couple bites.

[Otis85]

As many times I’ve been bass fishing I’ve yet tried the james. Every time I’ve attempted to there’s always so many people around or can’t find parking. Always stuck with ponds and creeks in the area. Or gone to the Appomattox river. 

[RdmaoRVA]

On 6/26/2020 at 9:25 PM, Otis85 said:

As many times I’ve been bass fishing I’ve yet tried the james. Every time I’ve attempted to there’s always so many people around or can’t find parking. Always stuck with ponds and creeks in the area. Or gone to the Appomattox river. 

I plan on wading upriver for smallmouth eventually, but it is so much easier to drive to a pond nearby on any given day.

[RdmaoRVA]

Hit the "ponds" at Stony Point apartments this evening to no avail. Tough little stretch but a resident said he caught a 4 pounder near where the community pool pokes out over the water a few years back. 

[KayakJimW]

Check out Echo Lake.  You won't catch a trophy, but there's plenty of hungry 14-16" bass in there.  Try deadsticking a 4" senko or slow-rolling a small square bill (or 100 series sized) crankbait.  Keep in mind the dog days of summer are usually tough fishing, and early morning or evening bites are more likely.  

 

https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/echo-lake/

 

https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/2017_Echo_Lake_Popular_Report.pdf

 

 

[Rohrimoto]

I've caught smaller bass at Echo Lake. I just lost two monsters, probably 3-4 pounders the last two times I was there. Both threw the treble hooks right at the bank.

 

Try the middle lake at Innsbrook. I catch the most fish there. Dark creature bates have worked the best for me there.

[RdmaoRVA]

On 7/17/2020 at 10:54 AM, KayakJimW said:

Check out Echo Lake.  You won't catch a trophy, but there's plenty of hungry 14-16" bass in there.  Try deadsticking a 4" senko or slow-rolling a small square bill (or 100 series sized) crankbait.  Keep in mind the dog days of summer are usually tough fishing, and early morning or evening bites are more likely.  

 

https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/echo-lake/

 

https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/2017_Echo_Lake_Popular_Report.pdf

 

 

Decided to try out Echo this morning, it has been on my radar so I went with your advice. Caught a total of four fish but two beat my previous PB! First one was just over two pounds and the second right at the 2 line, the other two were a baby bass and a bluegill. Started with the bone Whopper plopper and got the baby on the far side where the wooden walkway is, and saw 3 big ones swimming around but couldn't get them. The two big ones went after a crankbait, both around the fountain area. Thanks for the advice!

On 7/17/2020 at 11:14 AM, Rohrimoto said:

I've caught smaller bass at Echo Lake. I just lost two monsters, probably 3-4 pounders the last two times I was there. Both threw the treble hooks right at the bank.

 

Try the middle lake at Innsbrook. I catch the most fish there. Dark creature bates have worked the best for me there.

Gonna put the Innsbrook lake down to visit here soon, as I just mentioned I landed two nice ones (for me) at Echo this am, crankbaits ftw. Interestingly the lighter one was definitely longer than the heavier one.

This was the heavier of the two.

[Black Bill Dance]

On 6/9/2020 at 8:55 PM, RdmaoRVA said:

Been searching back a good ways, plenty of spots i'll be checking out. Todays venture was Fountain lake at Byrd park, got there at 6 so still 90 degrees and sunny, no luck on a trigged baby brush hog, but boy are there plenty of weeds to reel in, also very shallow along the bank. Maybe I should go out and find a chatterbait, local user named Black Bill Dance had luck with that a couple years back it seems from my searchin.

 

I know I'm about a year late, but welcome to the forum @RdmaoRVA , I am a bank beater as well and these guys on this platform has always giving me some good advice.

 

Byrd Park lakes are very tricky, they are heavily pressured and constant disturbances from the geese, dog walkers etc. But try to hit Fountain Lake during the Spawn and Spring. It would be your best shot of catching 5+ pound bass relatively easy cause the algae and slime hasn't began to take over and the bass are literally next to the walls guarding beds.

 

And yes, the Chatterbait is my new favorite lure, lol.