Visiting Northern Va, Need Advice.

[jeepnkal]

Hello all. The Girlfriend and I are flying out to DC from SoCal to visit her family for a few days. While we are there I would really like to get into a smallie bite. Can you guys recommend some spots and lures to use? I will probably have to borrow a rod and reel or buy a cheap one to use while im there, but im a finesse guy that likes light line and soft plastics. Is there a finesse presentation for the smallies? I will be staying in Fallschurch so if there is any place in or around that you have info about, i'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[tboydva]

Not sure about finesse techniques (not something I've done a lot of), but other plastics can work well in the Potomac. Weightless senkos, double tail hula grubs, jerk baits can all work well. You can access the river at several places close to DC. Turkey Run park is off the GW parkway - you can walk down to the river. You can also try the Rt 123 bridge, Riverbend and/or Difficult Run. Try to find an area below (or right above) riffle cuts (if you can find a "pool" below). The last two summers have been slower for me, but there are fish out there! Enjoy.

TJB

[jeepnkal]

Thanks for the info! How about lakes or reservoirs? Any that rent boats? Also, if there are military bases that offer those sort of amenities i'd like to hear about them too, im military. Thanks again.

[lefty]

Ap hill has a few lakes/ponds bring your own boat or bank it

Hunting run reservoir in fredricksburg rents jon boats. Ni reservoir same also in fredricksburg

All more of largemouth fisheries though.

[Dan:]

I live in Falls Church. The closest places with rentals are going to be Burke Lake, Pohick Bay (Tidal Potomac), Fountainhead Park (Occoquan Reservoir) and Riverbend Park (Upper Potomac). Riverbend is the best of those places for smallmouth bass. They will be few and far between at the other locations. I have done well with a shakey head finesse worm and soft plastic jerkbaits but in all honesty I have not fished for smallmouth in a while.

[jeepnkal]

I live in Falls Church. The closest places with rentals are going to be Burke Lake, Pohick Bay (Tidal Potomac), Fountainhead Park (Occoquan Reservoir) and Riverbend Park (Upper Potomac). Riverbend is the best of those places for smallmouth bass. They will be few and far between at the other locations. I have done well with a shakey head finesse worm and soft plastic jerkbaits but in all honesty I have not fished for smallmouth in a while.

Dan, thanks for the info. Which of the lakes you mentioned has the most consistent largemouth bite? Just in case I cant find the smallmouth it would be nice to have options.

[Dan:]

All of those lakes are heavily pressured but all have big fish. The Occoquan Reservoir has a lot of good fish but it's difficult to fish it from their trolling-motor-powered rentals. It's fairly large and you'll be limited to how far you can travel.

Burke is perfectly sized for trolling-motor-powered jons but it can be tough. Fishing at night is allowed and has been better for me personally.

Pohick Bay is a bay/creek off of the Potomac near Lorton, VA. It is relatively shallow and weedy so I've been throwing a lot of frogs/toads there this summer. You'll also get a chance at some Northern Snakehead if that interests you.

[jeepnkal]

All of those lakes are heavily pressured but all have big fish. The Occoquan Reservoir has a lot of good fish but it's difficult to fish it from their trolling-motor-powered rentals. It's fairly large and you'll be limited to how far you can travel.

Burke is perfectly sized for trolling-motor-powered jons but it can be tough. Fishing at night is allowed and has been better for me personally.

Pohick Bay is a bay/creek off of the Potomac near Lorton, VA. It is relatively shallow and weedy so I've been throwing a lot of frogs/toads there this summer. You'll also get a chance at some Northern Snakehead if that interests you.

Thanks again Dan. It sounds like Burke might be my best bet as far as rentals go. Im use to fishing high pressure waters here in San Diego, hopefully my presentation will be as successful there as they are here.

[quanjig]

Depending on when you visit, Burke lake may not be renting boats. Let us know when you will be here and we can check. I know that after labor day, they start to cut back on staff at the main marina and rentals will still be available on some weekends but not during the week.

[jeepnkal]

Depending on when you visit, Burke lake may not be renting boats. Let us know when you will be here and we can check. I know that after labor day, they start to cut back on staff at the main marina and rentals will still be available on some weekends but not during the week.

I will be in DC on the 19th - 21st. Thanks for your help.

[quanjig]

After labor day, week ends only till the end of october. I can check at fountainhead, I think they rent everyday till they close in November.

[jeepnkal]

I am only going to be able to fish the morning of the 20th, so if anyone wants to join me please feel free. I really appreciate all the help you guys have given.

[quanjig]

Jeepn............. Not sure you are gonna find much of a smallie bite after all the rain we are supposed to get!!

[jeepnkal]

Jeepn............. Not sure you are gonna find much of a smallie bite after all the rain we are supposed to get!!

I will stick with the largemouth then. maybe next time im out east i will give it a try.