Va guys post up!

[Tpayneful]

I have made this trip to Florida every year for the last 4 years.  I would love  you pick you up but the back seat is already booked!  I am picking up my first bass fishing partner from the Orlando airport on my way to Stick Marsh.  He is flying in from Missouri.

The first three years I fished lakes in Ocala National Forest and the St. John's River.  It could be tough at times.  Last year I fished Stick Marsh and I plan to go there every year until the fishing drops off!  

[5bass]

Alright then, I see how it is.  

I hope you catch a whole pile of big'uns.  

[JonnyBoy]

culpeper - close to fburg and faquier counties. i fish lots of private ponds as well as public lakes. lakes include orange, brittle, crocket park, mtn run, pelham, anna, and motts run. The only river i really get into is the rappahannock but even then i dont pitch there much anymore.

[lineman711]

I'm from Smyth County in southwestern VA.  I mostly fish the Holston River in Saltville.  On occasion I do fish the New River around Radford.  River fishing probably makes up about 95% of my time on the water.  Every now and then I'll get the urge to go to Hungry Mother or South Holston Lake, but never do all that well there.  Best smallmouth fishing I've ever seen has been in Saltville, well, except for one outstanding day on the New River, but then again, I don't get to travel and fish much.

[Mepps]

Haymarket- I fish mainly private farm ponds, public ponds, and lakes. Some those are private, and some not. Also fish nearby streams and have good access to major rivers like Potomac and Shenandoah and Rapp. Been to all the major Va lakes, but there are many yet I want to hit.  Occasionally I get out west to Kentucky, where my wife's Grandparents have an A-frame cabin on Yatesville Lake.

I mainly fish light tackle finesse spinning techniques, and rarely break out anything heavy. Exclusively a enthusiast fisherman, not a tournament type of person. I fish to relax and unwind.

I also love to fish saltwater as much as my schedule will allow, and lately, with 2 kids under two years old, that does not happen much at all. This summer I should hit the salt though. I'm truly starting my season this weekend.  Good luck to all this season

[okrod]

Live in Burke and fish all the local ponds and lakes in the area.  Fountainhead is my primary spot when I get several hours to drop in my yak.  We should get a group of paddlers out this year for a mini tourney.

[Possum]

I live in a backwoods little place called Darlington heights... it is about 7 miles from Briery Creek so I spend a lot of time their and at Sandy River as well... Unfortunately my boat is out of commission so I am pretty bummed out... I also poke around in private ponds and watersheds any spare time I have but between work and family my days on the water have been reduced

[Tpayneful]

Got back from Stick Marsh on Sunday.  Been busy catching up with everything else.  This one settled out at 6lbs 14oz.  My partner's biggest was 7lbs, 7oz.

[outlawguy540]

I live in King George Va. I fish mostly at the lakes(3) In Presidential Lakes. I also do some catfishing in the Rap River near the Fredericksburg Boat Docks as well as the Potomac. But mostly Bass fish in the Lakes and any water I can find. Theres a little creek by my sons doctors office I often get my line wet whenever he goes. Anyone else live in or near King George? Im going out today.

[kingofkistler]

     Fairfax Virginia here, Been bass fishing for 20+ years. I fish every body of water I come across in this area and have done a tourny or two. I love fishing from a boat and from the bank. If you want to know something, shoot me a PM and keep it on the down low!

[Chimborazo]

I live in Richmond.  Took a many year hiatus from freshwater fishing, and just started back up again last year.  I mostly try to hit some of the ponds and the upper James for smallies.  I'm not very good at any of it yet.  This year I plan to try the lower James for some cats.

[smlbass]

Obviously, I live and fish on Smith Mountain most of the time.  I have ventured to Phillpot, Buggs, and Gaston for tournaments.

[Sam]

Putting this back at the top of this section so the new guy who is seeking Northern Virginia guys can figure it out.  ;D

[Jake...]

hey guys. NoVA resident here Fairfax/Annandale area looking for a little help on where to fish

I'm looking to try my luck at just some small ponds or lakes where I can pass some time. I don't have a boat so I'm looking to just park my car and chill for a few hours. I always release.

I only know a few small ponds in Burke. It's always bluegill and occasionally a small bass. I'm looking for some tips on where to fish. I know Burke Lake but I hear its not the same

i will not compromise anyones spot. PM me if you can

happy fishing

Jacob

[JCrzy4Bass]

Hey D,

Gonna give you some up front honest info.

Lake Accotink has small bass in the 1 - 3 lb range. Anything bigger than that and you are lucky. Unfortunately the best spot is tick infested at the moment as you have to walk through the woods a ways. It's the back side of the lake all the way where the creek washes in. If you cast out at an angle standing at the mouth of it and casting back into the main lake there is a nice drop off. There used to be a buoy marker when they were dredging it, don't know if it's still there but that would mark the spot. Spinnerbaits with big willow leaf blades are perfect for here. My best bait on this lake.

The other spot to fish here is the dam, but there is almost ALWAYs someone rigged with multiple catfish poles here blocking it and it's only big enough for one or two people. But any wood over there like laydowns or fallen timber is great. I've caught multiple bass off one log there a couple times. Same spinners get the job done. Inline's even work here. Two entrances to get to accotink. One off Heming ave (back) the other off of Lake Accotink Rd (main)

Don't waste your time at Barton.

Burke is tough, I'm sure you heard but if your after catfish get you some chicken livers and some circle hooks. Put the chicken liver in panty hose and put it on the hook, holds it on really good and will last a lot more fish saving your fingers the stench of nastiness. Go in the back entrance at dusk and fish the first few hours of darkness with some buddies from the last two handicapped piers in the arm of the lake there. You can catch em' all night. Just be quick to set the hook as these catfish bite and run like you wouldn't believe.

Other than that local to your area and your looking at spots like Lake Royal. I don't have a whole lot of info to give you here as I haven't had much luck. The fish I did catch were barely keeper size and they were on smaller Boo Yah Boo jigs with Yum Chunk trailers. Black and blue seemed to work best. I hear downsizing your baits here work well. Maybe grubs, inline spinners, and smaller plastics on jigheads. Stuff like that.

Braddock is private, so is Barcroft and unless you have any connections the ponds on Burke Lake road or off of are all private.

Woodglenn has some nice fish in it 3+ plus and a good population of 2+ but they are hard to catch from shore. Lipless crankbaits off of some of the points (left of the dam if your standing at the dam) and the dam itself will produce. Haven't caught anything on any other baits there though, though only tried a few times. I'd imagine this place would come alive in a canoe as it would be easier to cover the lake. Hard to walk around the whole thing without getting yourself wet from jumping feeder creeks and stuff.

That's all I can think of in your area off the top of my head. I work in Annandale and am constantly trying to find ponds to fish around it because I have hour long lunch breaks. Unfortunately if I do decide to get out by the time I drive, park and walk I get like 20 - 25 minutes to fish royal or accotink.

Not the best area unless you have a boat unfortunately. If you don't mind driving a bit further, the bridge on Yates Ford Road (off clifton rd) is part of the occoquan reservoir and my dad and I almost always catch good sized bass there between 1 - 4 lbs. Spinners, jigs, plastics, etc all work well here. Cranks are hard because there is a lot of down cover near the bridge and around it. Be careful and fish slowly, but the fish are worth it. You can park right on the shoulder by the bridge here without catching any grief, or there is a commuter lot with a walkway going down to the bridge.

I'll post more later, gotta go. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[VA121]

Just signed up today.  I fish the small community ponds around Ashburn, South Riding and Brambleton.  I fish Beaver Dam sometimes, but never had any luck there.  All bank fishing because I'm boatless.  I have hit Goose Creek every once in awhile, too.

[Bank1128]

From Fairfax as well... mostly fish Burke Lake or local ponds... always looking for new places to try around here

[deermaster]

i live on the eastern shore of va.  i fish 3 small farm ponds, around 5-10 acres apiece.  i also will be fishing the pocomoke river in md.  its only about a half hour from my house, and because its a tidal part of the chessie bay, i can use my va license.

[SupraTT]

I'm in the Hopewell/Prince George area and I do a lot of wading/floating in the Appomattox for smallies as well as taking the boat out in various lakes around the area.  

[Philly_N_Nova]

I live in Sterling, VA; and I fish the Potomac River at Algonkian Park, mostly because I'm new to fishing(1 month) and haven't been anywhere else yet. If anyone is looking for a partner and or giving some pointers I'd gladly accept.

[rondef]

I am from Dale City and I fish all over Northern, VA.  I have a bass boat and a canoe and I occasionally have a seat available for those that are interested.

[morts10]

Just got around to looking at this part of the site.  I have been mostly bank fishing North river, Hearthstone, Elkhorn and Braily lakes.  Just outfitted a kayak and have made a few trips on the river.  Use mostly light spinning tackle.  Have just learned to love the way smallmouth bite  

mort

[Dan:]

Just got around to looking at this part of the site. I have been mostly bank fishing North river, Hearthstone, Elkhorn and Braily lakes. Just outfitted a kayak and have made a few trips on the river. Use mostly light spinning tackle. Have just learned to love the way smallmouth bite

mort

I used to fish the North River in Bridgewater. I know where Elkhorn is but where are Hearthstone and Braily?

[NewAngler]

I live in STafford, and am very new to fishing. Have been to motts run and abel lake only, wih only small success on abel. a total of 6 sunfish, the largest as big as my hand. I am using a bobber and live worm approach. i have caught them all > 15 feet from shore (no boat), and just let the worm sit until i get a bite.

Can someone give me some pointers as to how to catch bigger fish from shore? really put it into laymens terms, as  DO NOT know much about fishing. thanks!

[Hung up Paul]

Welcome NewAngler.

Spend some time reading...

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/beginner.html

As for a beginner bait, you really can't go wrong with a senko...

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/senko.html