An Intro from a new NOVA guy

[KWM]

I am in the Army stationed in DC, and I live in Reston.  I'm at the end of my newbie status as a fisherman.  I don't have a boat some my options are limited.  I like picking other fisherman's brains.  I'm not an expert on anything but my bait of choice is worms, wacky, texas riged and shacky.  I'm a budget fisher, so I can't buy the newest and greatest lures.  I work alot so I can't fish as often as I want to.  I kind of put a limit on driving distances, so I can't go anywhere I want to.  If you guys can let me pick your brains about fishing spots or ways to fish that would be great.  I will try to help you guys out if you want to fish on a military base.  I would like to someday fish on a boat.  I do have a lot of free time at work so you will see a lot of posts from me.

[shimmy]

welcome my friend. Yeh, just keep posting and look forward to see how you do. To be honest with you, it will most likely be hard to get people to take you out for a while so don't depend on that too much. Especially the ones that know what they are doing. So, my advice to you is to make a way to learn lakes that you can, see what you have to offer and in the mean time, i hope there are lonely/friendly boaters out there that are kind to you and take you out!

And to be even more blatantly honest, most likely no one in northern Virginia will share their honey hole with you. A lot of us (including myself) are still looking for them! But persistence is a virtue, keep at it, and make your own waves.

Shimmy

Forgot to add, you are close to Beaverdam which is a beautiful lake to fish and are not too far away from the Ashburn ponds which some other guys can tell you more about it. Burke lake is not too far away and is absolutely beautiful. I am sure there are others.

[KWM]

I'm not trying to get you guys to tell me about the honey holes. I think its the best challenge of bass fishing. Sometimes its a great thing to get skunked. If you caught a fish everything you fish, to me that would get boring. I just want to know about different ways to fish with lures, or different lures to use, or different colors. I normally use pumpkin/watermelon colors with worms, and use shad colors with other swimbaits/crankbaits.

BTW, if anyone can PM me about goose creek that would be nice.

[mudkart]

My 2 cents: pick a body of water and spend the time to learn how to fish it.  Beaverdam would be an exceptional choice for you IMO given your location.  Learn the seasonal patterns of the bass on Beaverdam. Get off shore by any means possible; float tube, canoe, jon, kayak, whatever.  These are very cheap options if you are patient, i.e. start looking on CL now.

Not much you can do right now unless you find some open water.  There are two local flea markets coming up, lots of knowledgable people (and tackle!) at both: Feb. 5th is Dale City and Feb 12 is NHBA (Sterling Ruritan Club, 183 Ruritan Road, Sterling , VA 20164 9-2PM).

[NewAngler]

Welcome, bud. If you are in the Reston area i would hit the little ponds that are scattered throughout. Check the legality behind it, but I think you may just need to be a Reston resident. I plan on spending a lot of time out at Beaverdam this upcoming season.

Troy- How's your daughter?

Mike- We are neighbors, again. haha.

[mudkart]

Welcome, bud. If you are in the Reston area i would hit the little ponds that are scattered throughout. Check the legality behind it, but I think you may just need to be a Reston resident. I plan on spending a lot of time out at Beaverdam this upcoming season.

Troy- How's your daughter?

Mike- We are neighbors, again. haha.

Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Wait, we were neighbors?  Do you mean KP?

[KWM]

I was planning on it.  I'm going to Lake Fairfax for some much needed practice, if the lake isn't iced over. I don't have to land a big ol'bass for it to be a good day.  I just need to learn something.

[KWM]

Just found out that I am a member of the Reston association, so I can fish anywhere on those lakes.

[Pikesnogle]

Hello, and welcome.

Like mentioned there are plenty of lakes in Reston. Some are public, some are private. Some that are public have very limited access without a boat.

Goose Creek is a favorite spot of mine, I have been a pond fisherman my whole life but really got into smallies last year. Goose is a great spot for them all summer, but as the year goes on and the water levels drop the fatties tend to 'migrate' into the river (I fish in a section that is very shallow, and is <1.5mi from the Potomac River). Where Goose and the Potomac converge I have always had a lot of luck. It's a bit of a hike but usually well worth it.

There's a park off of 'River Point Dr.' over there by Landsdowne, it's called Kipheart Bridge Park. Research it, and check it out when ALL OF THIS SNOW FREAKIN' MELTS. I'd be willing to meet you come summer time. I am always looking for new fishing partners. I like to fish a lil more than my friends.

Good Luck,

Snogle

[NewAngler]

Welcome, bud. If you are in the Reston area i would hit the little ponds that are scattered throughout. Check the legality behind it, but I think you may just need to be a Reston resident. I plan on spending a lot of time out at Beaverdam this upcoming season.

Troy- How's your daughter?

Mike- We are neighbors, again. haha.

Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Wait, we were neighbors? Do you mean KP?

Yeeeea buddy. Until my lawyer fees come to an end and I can get a place in Arlington at least.

[Intrepid]

Hello, and welcome.

Like mentioned there are plenty of lakes in Reston. Some are public, some are private. Some that are public have very limited access without a boat.

Goose Creek is a favorite spot of mine, I have been a pond fisherman my whole life but really got into smallies last year. Goose is a great spot for them all summer, but as the year goes on and the water levels drop the fatties tend to 'migrate' into the river (I fish in a section that is very shallow, and is <1.5mi from the Potomac River). Where Goose and the Potomac converge I have always had a lot of luck. It's a bit of a hike but usually well worth it.

There's a park off of 'River Point Dr.' over there by Landsdowne, it's called Kipheart Bridge Park. Research it, and check it out when ALL OF THIS SNOW FREAKIN' MELTS. I'd be willing to meet you come summer time. I am always looking for new fishing partners. I like to fish a lil more than my friends.

Good Luck,

Snogle

i was thinking about trying that stretch/making that walk this spring/summer. can you catch smallies from kipheart all the way down to the river? or is it much better to make the full hike to the potomac? any suggestions on productive lures to use? Is the end of March too early? any info youre willing to give would be much appreciated, thanks..

[basscrusher]

PM sent Pikesnogle.

[SteveinVA]

Hey KWM85 , you asked about some resevoirs down by me in another thread, figured instead of hijacking that one we could pull it back into yours. Motts and Ni both rent boats and trolling motors. Both are closed right now, not sure when they reopen. Motts probably has more shore fishing spots available, there is a stretch of bank at the Ni to fish from but it is very shallow and right near the boat launch. Pretty sure at Motts you can hike and fish from nearly half the bank. there is also the Rappahanock river right next to Motts, in the summer my buddy and I go down there looking for smallies and just get in the water and wade upstream, did decent last year using rooster tails.

[shimmy]

Welcome, bud. If you are in the Reston area i would hit the little ponds that are scattered throughout. Check the legality behind it, but I think you may just need to be a Reston resident. I plan on spending a lot of time out at Beaverdam this upcoming season.

Troy- How's your daughter?

Mike- We are neighbors, again. haha.

Hey my friend! Things are going well with that girl. She is soooo needy and time consuming. I thought i didn't have enough time prior to her with graduate school and now i am savoring every spare minute. But, i will find a way to fish this spring. I fished very little last summer and only 3 times in the fall. I wish i got out more.

How are you doing? I heard you have had quite the bad luck streak and i hope things work out with you. I hope you and that lawyer lay the smack down. We will have to get together to fish sometime this spring.

[Mudwalker]

Hey KWM85 , you asked about some resevoirs down by me in another thread, figured instead of hijacking that one we could pull it back into yours. Motts and Ni both rent boats and trolling motors. Both are closed right now, not sure when they reopen. Motts probably has more shore fishing spots available, there is a stretch of bank at the Ni to fish from but it is very shallow and right near the boat launch. Pretty sure at Motts you can hike and fish from nearly half the bank. there is also the Rappahanock river right next to Motts, in the summer my buddy and I go down there looking for smallies and just get in the water and wade upstream, did decent last year using rooster tails.

KWM85 - Steve is on the money.  There's also Hunting run but it's a little farther west.  I have fished all of them and have real good luck at all of them.  Your experience level sounds about like mine and I have pulled a couple citations out of Motts.

Another option is Lunga resevior on Quantico.  Being military you can rent a boat from MWR there or you can fish the banks or one of the many docks they have around the camping area of the lake.  Feel free to shoot me an email if you want more info.

[KWM]

Thanks.  Has anyone fished at Lake Anne?  I was walking my dogs today and saw something, I just need to check with someone who might know about this.

[KWM]

I am just posting to say how dumb I feel right now.  I haven't fished here yet, but since most of the lakes around here only have a thin layer of ice, I decided to go get my fishing lic. I was extremely bored so I went to BPS.  Well I always look to see what they got.  I bought some lures and I forgot to buy my lic.  Thats why my wife trys to ban me from BPS.  Its my candy shop.

[Dan:]

you can always buy your license online!

[KWM]

Nice.

[Green Hornet]

Welcome to the area.  Check out VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries website for lakes in your area.  Lake Fairfax is close to you.  You'll find a lot of small sunfish, some small cats, and a lot of turtles.  Burke Lake off rt 123 in Fairfax is another option for you.

If you want to fish from a boat I recommend joining a local bass club.  Check out New Horizon Bass Anglers.  They fish the Potomac quite a bit as well as other VA lakes.  The club is more about helping others learn to fish than the typical 'big money' tournament clubs.  Check out www.nhbayouthfoundation.org for more info.

[VekolBass]

Thanks. Has anyone fished at Lake Anne? I was walking my dogs today and saw something, I just need to check with someone who might know about this.

Are you referring to Lake Anna in Spotsylvania County--or a lake in Reston?

[KWM]

Reston

[KWM]

Anyone helping out the Reel American Hero fishing tourny?  I will Fishing, just wanted to know if anyone was going to be there.

[KWM]

Question.  I got my first baitcaster, I've been a spinning reel guy.  How do you aviod the birdsnest?  I was practicing with it in my yard, but like 1 out of 3 casts had a birds nest.

[intheweeds]

Anyone helping out the Reel American Hero fishing tourny? I will Fishing, just wanted to know if anyone was going to be there.

Hey KWM85, I will be helping out at the RAHF tournament. Welcome to the area. I hope to see you at the tournament, if not sooner. I live and fish in your neck of the woods. I can't wait for the ice to melt!

As far as the baitcaster goes, birds nest are just part of the learning curve. Depending on what type you bought there are certain adjustments you can do to reduce them. I would start with the spool tensioner. Adjust it so that when the lure hits the ground the spool stops spinning. Your reel may also have brakes you can adjust internally as well. Just hold the rod out and release the lure and watch the spool as soon as the lure hits the ground, that spool should stop spinning right away to prevent overrun. If it over runs then tighten the tension. As you get better you can release the tension more and more to get farther casts. Hope this helps.