Lake Chesdin beginner

[JohnCal]

Hi everyone.  New member here.  Moving to Richmond Short Pump area and am looking to fish Lake Chesdin as it appears to be a good fishery from what I read.  I was wondering what portion is best to fish for bass coming from the short pump area.   I have a kayak with trolling motor.  Looking for good boat ramp that would work based on my location.   Any help is greatly appreciated.  

[Sam]

Free ramp on the Dinwiddie side but it is a long drive from Short Pump to this ramp.

 

$10 ramp fee at Sevens Springs marina which is a good option.

 

And check out Lake Chesdin campground. I have no idea if they allow individuals who are not staying at their camp grounds to use their ramp.

 

No idea if there is a ramp fee at Whipponock Creek Marina but this is your best option.

 

Living in Short Pump you may want to go with the Seven Springs ramp as it is safe. Only problem for you is that it is located by the dam and you need to hit places other than around the dam. So this brings us to the Whipponock Creek Marina ramp.

 

GMCO no longer makes Lake Gaston maps which puts you behind the 8-ball. I don't know if you can find any Lake Gaston maps so if you stumble upon one grab it. And you can contact GMCO and find out when they will have a new map ready for release, https://gmcomaps.com/ So use your computer to find out how to get to each ramp and then put the addresses in your WAZE iPhone app and follow WAZE to the ramps.

 

Now, places to fish. If you put in at Whipponock Creek Marina you can fish above and below the bridge. Bass boaters like this area so they will arrive sooner or later in the day. But you get to Whipponock Creek marina early and start fishing the grass and pads before you go under the bridge and then after you go under the bridge to beat the big bad bass boaters.

https://www.discoverdinwiddie.com/index.aspx?nid=142

Only problem is that if you want to venture out into the lake you have a ways to paddle and then you have to watch the wind as the lake can become dangerous with white caps when the wind starts to get stronger.

 

Go on Google maps and Google Lake Gaston so you can see the layout and what roads to take to either Seven Springs or Whipponock Creek marinas. You can then put the Sutherland, Virginia address for Whipponock or the Petersburg address for Seven Springs into your WAZE program to find the places. 

sevenspringsmarina.com 

 

And it is not easy to find them as you will be going on the back roads.

 

Just beat the bank and have some fun.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

 

 

[JohnCal]

Thanks Sam.  That is some great info to get me started.  So it sounds like the best bet is from Whipponock and then further upriver.   I guess maybe with a kayak I’ll look for lower traffic areas on the lake.   As you indicated I’ve heard Seven Springs is safer.  In what context, car break ins?  Drug dealing or drunks?   
 

thanks again for you great advice.  

[Teal]

I may have some Lakr Gaston maps, I can mail you someone if needed.  I believe I have some for kerr/buggs island as well.  

[Sam]

4 hours ago, JohnCal said:

Thanks Sam.  That is some great info to get me started.  So it sounds like the best bet is from Whipponock and then further upriver.   I guess maybe with a kayak I’ll look for lower traffic areas on the lake.   As you indicated I’ve heard Seven Springs is safer.  In what context, car break ins?  Drug dealing or drunks?   
 

thanks again for you great advice.  

John, family boaters at Seven Springs are from around Chesterfield County. Plus the fact that the lady who manages the marina is there to collect the $10 ramp fee or give you advice on where to fish, etc. Chesterfield County police make rounds at Seven Springs during the day. And there is a restaurant plus very nice boats stored at the marina.

 

The free Dinwiddie ramp has some nice people, too. However, no one manages the ramp. Dinwiddie sheriff deputies visit the ramp on weekends from time to time. People play in the water and this is where the jet skis are launched.

 

I know of no drugs or vehicles being broken into or anything stolen at any of the Lake Chesdin ramps.

 

Whipponock Creek Marina may be easier for you to access and if you know the back roads in Chesterfield/Amelia Counties. You can get off 288 at Hull Street Road and then drive west to Route 153 and turn left (can't turn right) and then follow your WAZE to Whipponock Creek marina.

 

You can also put your kayak in at the Robious Park Landing ramp on the Historic James River off Robious Road just pass James River High School.  Very nice place to launch your kayak as it is designed for kayaks and the James River High School rowing team. Take the road past the high school and keep going until you hit the parking lot at the park. Get a map of the Upper James River and also use Google to find the park and how to get there.

 

At Flatwater at the foot of the Huguenot Road bridge crossing the Historic James on the south side of the bridge you will find where kayakers launch their kayaks. There are a lot of kayakers that enjoy this part of the upper Historic James river. It is not tidal so it is easy to go towards Richmond to the Z-Dam and then back to Boshers' Dam. And this section of the Historic James is one of the best fisheries in the state but don't tell anyone.

 

You can see the Flatwater landing from the Huguenot Bridge as you cross into the City of Richmond. Look down on the south side of the river and turn off Huguenot Road as you exit the bridge. You can also see kayakers and paddle boarders enjoying the river, too.

 

However, if the rains hit above the Historic James then this part of the river can get flowing fast and have debris in it. Boshers' dam will help protect this section of the river but stuff does get over the dam. Heavy rains up river also will cause problems if you put in at Watkins Landing.

 

Watkins Landing. Off Route 711. Watkins Landing Road is about 2 miles after you cross 288 in Powhatan County on Route 711. Nice ramp; nice people; great place to launch; good section of the river towards Boshers' Dam. Look it up on Google.

 

Go to Dick's in the Short Pump shopping center and pick up a copy of the free booklet, Freshwater Fishing and Boating in Virginia. It has other places you can launch your kayak safely plus lot of information about fishing.

 

Also Google all the ramps from your house to see how to get to them.

 

Please take Teal's offer on the Lake Chesdin map. Teal is a great member of the Forum.

 

And don't forget the local rivers. Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock. Finding their ramps is not easy and that is why I suggested you purchase maps of all rivers and lakes you plan to enjoy. 

 

Good luck and post pics of your catches.

[JohnCal]

Thanks Teal, do you mean Lake Chesdin or Lake Gaston?   I think I’m going to start with Chesdin.  very generous offer.  
 

Thanks Sam for the additional info including the James.  So minus a rain you can put in and head up current without too much of a problem?   I have fished the James near Scottsville and had a blast. 

[Sam]

1 hour ago, JohnCal said:

Thanks Teal, do you mean Lake Chesdin or Lake Gaston?   I think I’m going to start with Chesdin.  very generous offer.  
 

Thanks Sam for the additional info including the James.  So minus a rain you can put in and head up current without too much of a problem?   I have fished the James near Scottsville and had a blast. 

Only problem with the Historic James is that you are blocked in due to the dams other than up at Watkins Landing. But the dams make it possible to head up current. You can go from Flatwater to Boshers Dam.

 

At Watkins Landing you have the rapids about a half mile from the ramp as you head towards Charlottesville.

 

Robious Landing is a good place. You can head west to the rapids or east to Boshers Dam.

 

Get the GMCO map of the Upper James River at Bass Pro Shops and you can then have a visual of what I am speaking about.

 

Have fun.

[Teal]

Sam said Gaston.... I have Gaston maps.

No chesdin maps.  But if if dont mind driving 1.5 hrs. Gaston is a good lake to fish.  Holler any time you want and I'll take u or we can kayak fish.... just got a kayak last month 

[Sam]

1 minute ago, Teal said:

Sam said Gaston.... I have Gaston maps.

No chesdin maps.  But if if dont mind driving 1.5 hrs. Gaston is a good lake to fish.  Holler any time you want and I'll take u or we can kayak fish.... just got a kayak last month 

Senior moment.

[Teal]

Lol it's ok I have Gaston maps lol 

[JohnCal]

Will do, thanks!

 

[reb67]

John my advice would be if you are going to be fishing the lower end of the lake near the dam. I would focus on early in the morning or late in the evenings. The boat traffic this time of year is bad even during the week right now. My suggestion would be to  Whippnock Marina, the ramp fee is $8.00 and don't forget to sigh the bass book. It takes 10lbs to win the pot, it could happen.

Also if you put in at Lake Chesdin Campground the ramp fee is $7.00 (last time I was there) this will give you the biggest and safes area to fish out of a kayak. You have access to the old river channel and two creeks with in eye sight of the boat ramp.

If you don't have it I suggest loading the navionics app. The lake lay out, channels and contours are very accurate.

With all that said this lake is very pressured and can be very tough. 

I fish this lake all the time. If I can help you out just let me know.

Welcome to the form.

[Sam]

John, as Richard said, sign that bass book.

 

I caught a six-pounder to the left of the bridge heading towards the main lake right after going under the bridge on the pad line.

 

Caught her on a Senko.

[JohnCal]

Will do, thanks everyone.  Great info and I can’t wait to get started.   I’ll let you know how it goes.  One post and I’ve got a great head start.  Much appreciated!

 

[Sam]

26 minutes ago, JohnCal said:

Will do, thanks everyone.  Great info and I can’t wait to get started.   I’ll let you know how it goes.  One post and I’ve got a great head start.  Much appreciated!

 

John, in return we want you to stay on the Forum and not disappear.

 

So introduce yourself in the Introductions Section, if you haven't already, and keep those questions and experiences coming.

 

Chime in on your thoughts about different posts.

 

And post pics of those big ladies you are going to catch, too.

[Sam]

Hi John, did you venture out over Labor Day?

 

I traveled across the Huguenot bridge on Labor Day over the Historic James River on the way home from Bass Pro Shops around noon and counted 7 kayakers in the river. That is all I could see on the western side of the bridge.

 

On the way to Green Top around 10 AM on Labor Day I avoided getting on Huguenot Road and take the safer Southampton Road to Riverside Road and then go up the ramp to the bridge and I saw cars parked on Southampton Road near the park and saw a girl carrying her kayak over her head and walking with her dog on a leash.

 

Did you hit Lake Chesdin? Let us know.

[JohnCal]

Hi Sam, 

just got moved in last weekend in Goochland County.  I plan on either hitting the James or Lake Chesdin in the next few days. I guess I will either start with Watkins Landing on the JAMES or Whipponock at Lake Chesdin.  Excited to try it out.  

[Sam]

7 hours ago, JohnCal said:

Hi Sam, 

just got moved in last weekend in Goochland County.  I plan on either hitting the James or Lake Chesdin in the next few days. I guess I will either start with Watkins Landing on the JAMES or Whipponock at Lake Chesdin.  Excited to try it out.  

Good luck, John.

 

The best fishing will be on Lake Chesdin, in Whipponock Creek before and after you go under the bridge.

 

LMB fishing on the upper Historic James River has not been that great due to the rain we have had. However, give it a try and compare this part of the river with Lake Chesdin.

 

Let us know how you do.

[JohnCal]

Going to drive to Lake Chesdin today to scout it out.  Also one more question on the JAMES.  If I drop in at Watkins Landing or Robious I can go up and down the river with my kayak trolling motor with no problem.  Is the depth ok and a fairly light current?   Also if I go past Boshers dam, same question, I will have my kayak with trolling motor.  Which section should I explore first in your opinion?

 

thanks again

[JohnCal]

Also, when I go to Chesdin to fish, what spot would you pick for first trip, Lake Chesdin Campground or whipponock Creek?  Both are same distance from me.  

 

thanks

[DaveButch]

John - I took my first trip to Chesdin a couple of days ago. I put the boat in at Seven Springs Marina. The lake was fairly muddy from the recent rains and a bit breezy. I was in a bass boat, so the wind didn't bother me, but it might if I had been in a kayak. I fished some of the shallow coves going up the lake and both sides of the bridge near Whippernock campground. I probably fished 3 or 4 hours and didn't get a bite all day. I was using a wacky rigged senko and tried a topwater and a spinner, but had no takers. Mostly, I explored the lake to find sites for next trip.

 

I live in Bon Air, so I'm very close to the Huguenot Flatwater area and Bosher Dam. I used to have a canoe I put in there. I didn't have a trolling motor, just a paddle, and never had trouble overcoming the current. Putting in at Watkins Landing or Robious Landing, you'll have to put up with powerboat traffic, especially on the weekends. However, you can go upstream from Watkins Landing, where it's too shallow for power boats, and have the area to yourself.

 

 

[JohnCal]

Great info Dave, thanks.  I also found a place on my side of the lake, ....just seeing it on map...sort of across from Lake Chesdin campground.  Have you ever heard of this launch spot or used it?

 

Regarding the James I guess I’ll try the flat water area.  Where do you put in at there?  
 

then I guess I’ll try Watkins Landing and go upstream.  Would I encounter power boats during the week in October.  Are most of the power boaters water enthusiasts, skiing and swimming, or bass boaters?

 

thanks for all of your help.  

[Sam]

Whipponock Creek, hands down.

 

Lots of great places to fish in the creek and you can also hit the island at the mouth of the creek.

 

And Dave, I live in Bon Air, too.

 

P.S. Go with the black and blue laminate Senko for muddy water.

[Sam]

John and Dave, sorry to say that the Lake Chesdin maps no longer are being produced.

 

If you can find one scoop it up as fast as you can.

 

Stay out of the Swamp unless you know what you are doing; meaning go into the Swamp with someone who knows what they are doing to get in and out safely.

[Sam]

And guys, one other thing I wanted to share with you.

Many years ago we used to fish off shell beach on the southern bank by Boshers' Dam. Then the jerk built his home there and told us not to fish off his bank or he would call the police, which he did a few times.

 

So we quit tubing and fishing that part of the river since we do not have any kayaks or small boats, other than for my big rubber raft and paddling up to Boshers' in a raft is almost impossible due to the current.

 

In you kayak, stay to the southern side of the river and look for the eddy to the left of the dam. Great fishing!

 

I pulled a four-pound smallmouth out of that area.

 

You can see this eddy while crossing south on the Willy Bridge.

 

If you put in at Flatwater you can take your kayak up to the dam area and try your luck in this eddy.

 

Have fun and stay away from the dam, itself, and the water flowing over it.