Prespawn in Richmond is yielding some results

[RdmaoRVA]

Got this three and a half pounder on the spinnerbait, had some results with a chatterbait, squarebill, and drop shot so far. Still trying to figure out what the Bass are doing as the water temp rises.

[Johnbt]

It's been hit or miss with the temp swings. Early this morning it was 30*F just east of Richmond and now at 1:25 it's up to 63. Wednesday they're predicting 53*F and a low of 31.

 

We were planning to go out Tuesday with 2 or 3 electric boats, but they've increased the forecast from 10-20 mph to 15-25mph. We will see what happens. 

[Sam]

Just a suggestion: try going with a baitcaster setup and throw a Bomber Fat Free Shad in the color and size of your choice (depending on water clarity and depth) and see if it improves your catch-ratio.

 

Buck bass are starting to move up to the bedding areas and if you can locate where they are stopping along the route for a beer you can really have some fun.

 

Let us know how you do. Good luck.  Be safe.

[RdmaoRVA]

10 hours ago, Sam said:

Just a suggestion: try going with a baitcaster setup and throw a Bomber Fat Free Shad in the color and size of your choice (depending on water clarity and depth) and see if it improves your catch-ratio.

 

Buck bass are starting to move up to the bedding areas and if you can locate where they are stopping along the route for a beer you can really have some fun.

 

Let us know how you do. Good luck.  Be safe.

I do have a craw colored crankbait that looks a lot like those, found stuck in a tree recently that would be perfect for my baitcaster. Will have to give that a shot. I actually saw a VERY large female cruising in the shallows today back and forth at one of the ponds I frequent. The male was sitting on his bed he has recently made. He swam off when I noticed him, and with this weather I am certain she is holding eggs still. Would be nice to find out what she weighs but I'm not sure how to even try with her.

[Sam]

RVA, it is your decision to fish for the big bass while on her bed. If you do and you succeed catching her, please take an iPhone photo and weigh her fast and release her back into the pond. And rememver, you do not want to place her on the grass, if at all possible, as it will remvoe the protective slime on her body and she may get an infection and pass away after you release her.

 

So think about holding her on the scale as fast as you can, get her weight, take an iPhone photo and then estimate her length and girth.

 

This means you have to be organized and know where your scale and iPhone is on your body for fast recovery.

 

Good luck and please post that pic for all of us to see. This could be your personal best to date, too!

[RdmaoRVA]

On 3/11/2023 at 10:45 AM, Sam said:

RVA, it is your decision to fish for the big bass while on her bed. If you do and you succeed catching her, please take an iPhone photo and weigh her fast and release her back into the pond. And rememver, you do not want to place her on the grass, if at all possible, as it will remvoe the protective slime on her body and she may get an infection and pass away after you release her.

 

So think about holding her on the scale as fast as you can, get her weight, take an iPhone photo and then estimate her length and girth.

 

This means you have to be organized and know where your scale and iPhone is on your body for fast recovery.

 

Good luck and please post that pic for all of us to see. This could be your personal best to date, too!

It's been a tough few weeks, this odd weather seems to be a factor but I am seeing a lot of bedding bass and quite a few pairs doing mating activities. With all this spawning behavior I have not had much luck on the catching aspect of things however. I have been to too many ponds to count, trying new places and different baits. The Arboretum, Luck lane, Wyndham, Byrd Park and many more; a lot of suggestions from previous posts here in the forums. I keep going back to the Chatterbait and Texas rig but I may need to switch things up, you just always have those confidence baits I guess. I did get to see a 7 pound bass someone pulled out of a pond nearby while on the job and WOW was it a big girl, impressive to see up close.

[TnRiver46]

On 3/5/2023 at 9:34 AM, RdmaoRVA said:

Got this three and a half pounder on the spinnerbait, had some results with a chatterbait, squarebill, and drop shot so far. Still trying to figure out what the Bass are doing as the water temp rises.

The shadow on this picture is pretty awesome 

[Sam]

10 hours ago, RdmaoRVA said:

It's been a tough few weeks, this odd weather seems to be a factor but I am seeing a lot of bedding bass and quite a few pairs doing mating activities. With all this spawning behavior I have not had much luck on the catching aspect of things however. I have been to too many ponds to count, trying new places and different baits. The Arboretum, Luck lane, Wyndham, Byrd Park and many more; a lot of suggestions from previous posts here in the forums. I keep going back to the Chatterbait and Texas rig but I may need to switch things up, you just always have those confidence baits I guess. I did get to see a 7 pound bass someone pulled out of a pond nearby while on the job and WOW was it a big girl, impressive to see up close.

The dogwood trees have just blossomed, so the bass are on their beds in the Richmond area.

 

Waituntil the week of 24th to start catching them again as they start to feed.

 

You fished the Aboretum? Dink City and the guards used to run us off.

 

Let us know how you do.  Good luck.

[RdmaoRVA]

On 4/7/2023 at 6:52 AM, Sam said:

The dogwood trees have just blossomed, so the bass are on their beds in the Richmond area.

 

Waituntil the week of 24th to start catching them again as they start to feed.

 

You fished the Aboretum? Dink City and the guards used to run us off.

 

Let us know how you do.  Good luck.

I'm around ponds and lakes for work all day and the last week has been heavy with bass on beds, and even some guarding fry. Fishing was SLOW over the weekend but it was worth it, caught one bass and it's my new PB! (Pic included) 4 pounds 6 ounces on a brush hog. Was on the bank and saw a bass hanging out, dragged the T-rig up the slope and got bit before I made it to him, and she was the result. Definitely the female that paired up with the one I saw, and didn't even realize he was on a bed at first, let alone that she was lurking just beyond. These urban ponds are sure a grind with all the pressure and picky fish right now, but the T-rig is certainly becoming one of my favorite to throw. 

 

Also, as for the arboretum if I recall it was a weekend and the dink came in the smallest pond, probably won't be going back but worth the trek to see what it had to offer. No security to be seen so I had free reign.