NOVA no bites

[Michelle43]

I am trying to get back into fishing.  I have not caught anything in 10 years.  Haven't tried either.  I really want to get back into it and have been reading here non-stop, but my 3 trips out sucked.

I caught 1 turtle.

I bought Rapala stuff and Senkos.  I have been trying at Burke Lake and Walney pond and Fountainhead.

If someone is willing to help me I would appreciate it.

If you don't mind a teaching a girl how to fish...let me know.

[Bryan75]

I'm no Pro, but I've also tried those lakes and ponds. Personally, I've had some good luck using Rapala's DT series. As well as some senko's (black w/ purple flakes). I have gone to Beaver creek reservoir in Ashburn (caught several LMB's and SMB's there) and a couple local ponds in Reston. I'd say try to go early or late.... Seems they don't like bitin' middle of the day. Least thats my experience.  

Good luck and let me know what ya get.

[Bank1128]

been havin the same problem lately also... seems like Northern VA ponds and lakes are just fished too heavily for them to handle

Stunning i sent a PM

[hokiefisherman93]

if you ever wanna come down to richmond area i would be willing to share a couple honey holes

[soccplayer07]

tons of fish to be had at those spots. let me know the next time your heading out.

[NOVAngler]

I'd love to try fountainhead sometime soon....  I used to fish burke lake, royal, and mercer alot...

I just moved back to the area and I've been to royal and mercer a few times this month.  Pulled bass on every trip - nothing impressive tho  (all 10"-13")

Try bouncing Texas rigged senkos or slow rolling spinnerbaits!

Feel free to PM me... 8-)

[T.R. Express]

Well Michelle this time of year is generally a slow presentation!  Weightless Senkos and Carolina rigged Lizards work great just about anywhere.  Search the Fishing Forum for any of this terminology and you will find how to tie these rigs and their presentation.  To increase your chances of catching good bass, find a body of water that has boat rentals.  Boats are a lot of fun and gain you access to a lot of great areas!  Good luck and feel free to PM me.

[David Russell]

Michelle: I was sort of amused by your post. I just started fishing again a couple months back after a 10-year hiatus. I also caught one turtle. So I know how you feel. Since then, I've only been able to catch one largemouth "dink" at Lake Royal in NOVA and a decent-sized rock bass in an inlet of the Chesapeake (on a weekend getaway.)

I'm really hoping to learn as much as I can to help me catch fish. Most folks around this forum are great.

[Michelle43]

Thanks all for your replies.

I was going to head out to fountainhead this evening and get a boat for the first time.  It is sprinkling and is supposed to rain all afternoon.  Do they still bite in the rain?

[ymduhh]

I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

[Michelle43]

I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

Do you know how late you can keep a rental boat?  I looked at the site and it doesn't say.  The rain has stopped so I think we are going to go.  May just fish from the shore as lightning is predicted.  

Crossing my fingers that I catch my first fish today

[JVM]

I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

Do you know how late you can keep a rental boat? I looked at the site and it doesn't say. The rain has stopped so I think we are going to go. May just fish from the shore as lightning is predicted.

Crossing my fingers that I catch my first fish today

Boats are usually due back in at 8:15 or 15min b4 dusk I believe, whichever comes first.  8:15pm for now.  Ask each time u rent.

Also, just bcuz u rent a battery, dont expect it to be fully charged, if at all  

U can rent in the rain, I have, I have also rented when lightning was predicted.  Weatherman was right!  Not advised

Fish bite in the rain, bass bite in the rain, there are so many other factors to consider and also, there are always exceptions and little is exact about fishing.

Fishing from shore i would suggest going left of the launch when looking out at the water.  There are a lot of lay downs, altho not too many fish are still holding shallow I'd bet.  If u follow the bank all the way down in that direction u reach a point and a cove, that area has deeper water, u just need to locate structure on the bottom or cover near bank.

Carolina rigs and Senkos weightless or t-rigged are probably a safe bet fow and for a while till temps drop.

Hope this helps.

[Michelle43]

Thanks for the info JVM.   Just got home from Fountainhead and we fished almost in the exact spot from shore as you mentioned.  Directly down from the parking lot...once again I didn't catch anything.

Lost 2 brand new lures in the shallow logs   Tried Senkos, no bites.  Tried stinky shrimp and that didn't work either.  

It was really frustrating getting lines snagged on almost every cast.  I think next time I will definitely get a boat.

Not to mention getting to that shore are feels like flirting with death.

[Slip Gun]

Just for the two cents its worth Ive been playing lake Accotink and the fishing isn't spectacular. You can get some small fish right below the dam with a slow run spinner. I got one small mouth bank fishing over on the left side of the lake with a synco. However, I haven't tried renting a boat yet there and I have had pretty good luck on the Potomac with a canoe. Perhaps that's the missing ingredient  :-?

[JCrzy4Bass]

Agree with JVM on the battery issue at fountainhead.  Those guys never charge their their batteries.  I went out two days there for four hours and had both die on me and had to paddle the john back.  Not fun.  Kinda irritating.  Wasn't even running it that much either.

Slip, slow rolling a spinner at Accotink is the best way to catch the semi decent fish the place has to offer, my favorite tactic here.  And the dam is one of the better spots, but that whole side of the lake you can get numbers if you're not afraid of cutting through the woods to get to spots.  I think what you caught though was a small largemouth, I'm pretty sure the only lakes/reservoirs that have smallies in em' around here are the occoquan rez up by bull run, beaverdam creek rez, and lake thompson (least it used to before it was drained, don't know now).

You can get good smallie action on the rap out of fredericksburg and the james out of richmond.

Michelle, the rentals out of Lake Ridge tend to do a better job as far as charging batteries, my dad and I have had numerous full days out of there with no issues.  The fishing can be a bit tougher but if you find a spot you can normally sit on it and catch a few before moving on.

[Dan:]

Agree with JVM on the battery issue at fountainhead. Those guys never charge their their batteries. I went out two days there for four hours and had both die on me and had to paddle the john back. Not fun. Kinda irritating. Wasn't even running it that much either.

Slip, slow rolling a spinner at Accotink is the best way to catch the semi decent fish the place has to offer, my favorite tactic here. And the dam is one of the better spots, but that whole side of the lake you can get numbers if you're not afraid of cutting through the woods to get to spots. I think what you caught though was a small largemouth, I'm pretty sure the only lakes/reservoirs that have smallies in em' around here are the occoquan rez up by bull run, beaverdam creek rez, and lake thompson (least it used to before it was drained, don't know now).

You can get good smallie action on the rap out of fredericksburg and the james out of richmond.

Michelle, the rentals out of Lake Ridge tend to do a better job as far as charging batteries, my dad and I have had numerous full days out of there with no issues. The fishing can be a bit tougher but if you find a spot you can normally sit on it and catch a few before moving on.

Yep, those are the only ones that I know of. I wonder what they ended up doing with Lake Thompson after it drained...

[Michelle43]

Thanks for the replies  I saw one poor guy rowing his boat back from a far ways during the heaviest part of the rain yesterday.  I wonder if he got stuck with a dead battery in the rain, that would really suck!

I will have to try Lake Accotink (sp?) sometime soon

[NewAngler]

The rap is hot right now. That being said, I haven't pulled anything up of size. But I'm pulling fish out of the water.

[Dan:]

The rap is hot right now. That being said, I haven't pulled anything up of size.

That has been my experience with the Rappahanock. Lots of fish but few big ones. I went wading for smallies last week at my good spot for bigger smallies and I saw three that were pushing 3lbs and one that was definitely over 3lbs  but I couldn't get any of them to bite.

[Michelle43]

After some thought, I think I am just way too young in the sport to try LMB.  I am going to go back out this weekend and TRY to catch some bluegill.

I just want to fish and have fun, it doesn't matter to me what I catch right now.  

Thank you to all of you who offered to meet up with me.  I believe your intentions are great.  I am just a bit scared to meet up with strangers.

For all of you who PM-ed me, thank you!  You have all given great advice.   I am going to keep trying, but after some thought, going after Bass is like going to college when you never went to High School.

I will still be out there catching the little fish until I understand this sport a bit more.

Anything that gets me out and into nature is is wonderful!

[A.Do?]

Sad to hear Michelle, but I you'll be into bass fishing soon enough. When fishing for bluegill, I always end up with a few smaller bass and once you hook into a nice sized keeper, you'll be back!

Good luck and have fun! ;D

[Michelle43]

Sad to hear Michelle, but I you'll be into bass fishing soon enough. When fishing for bluegill, I always end up with a few smaller bass and once you hook into a nice sized keeper, you'll be back!

Good luck and have fun! ;D

 I am not going anywhere, LMB is still my goal so I will still be here reading and learning!

But I just think I need to learn to walk before I try to run.   I do not even remember what it feels like to have a fish on my line.

Whatever I catch first, it will defiantly be posted here with a picture!  You all have gave me so much advice  I thank you all for taking the time with a "newbie"

[Dan:]

I got skunked at Royal tonight.

[Michelle43]

I got skunked at Royal tonight.

;D

At least you know what a fish on the line feels like.

All I know is it is either a turtle or a log  ;D

[Dan:]

Just wait until fall. It will get easier then.