An Intro from a new NOVA guy 2024
KWM reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
QuoteWelcome, 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 reply :
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 reply :
Just found out that I am a member of the Reston association, so I can fish anywhere on those lakes.
Pikesnogle reply :
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 reply :
QuoteQuoteWelcome, 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 reply :
QuoteHello, 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 reply :
PM sent Pikesnogle.
SteveinVA reply :
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 reply :
QuoteWelcome, 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 reply :
QuoteHey 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 reply :
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 reply :
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: reply :
you can always buy your license online!
KWM reply :
Nice.
Green Hornet reply :
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.
Vekol reply :
QuoteThanks. 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 reply :
Reston
KWM reply :
Anyone helping out the Reel American Hero fishing tourny? I will Fishing, just wanted to know if anyone was going to be there.
KWM reply :
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 reply :
QuoteAnyone 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.
Sam reply :
KWM85, thanks for your service. At this time in our nation's history we need a strong armed forces and I thank you, on behalf of all of us on the Forum, for your service.
Second, how do you like DC traffic? It sucks on a good day.
Third, how about considering joining a local bass club to see where and how they fish. You can go as a nonboater.
The Potomac is an excellent fishery but you need a bass boat to navigate around it.
There are two organizations you may want to consider: B.A.S.S. and FLW. Check out their Virginia web sites and look for the Maryland clubs, too, so you can contact them to find out where they fish, etc.:
http://www.vafederationnation.com/
http://www.vabass.com/
Check out "Regions" and "Federation" respectfully to note the clubs in your Northern Virginia region.
Good luck. 
Addicted to Smallies reply :
I live in Reston (moved here about 5 years ago), and the local lakes are a pretty decent place to scratch your fishing itch when you can't make out out to a larger body of water.
No one really helped me much, so I had to figure out the area by trial-and-error over the last few years... here's what I've learned:
Lake Audubon probably has the best variety, IMHO, if you have a canoe or small plastic boat. The boat docks usually produce some decent largemouth, and there are some good sized catfish and carp in there as well. Bank fishing is tough, except for the area near the dam (which can be pretty decent in the pre-spawn when the sun warms up the shallows.) Lake Anne also has some decent fish, but they're pretty wary given the pressure they've seen... again, shore options are limited. Your best bet is to spend $200 on a cheap eBay canoe if you want to fish either of those (or most of the places I'm about to mention below, as well.) My little boy and I love going to either one, and when it slows down he can pull out palm-sized bluegill all day on pieces of nightcrawlers in either lake.
Best fishing -- bar none -- within 5 miles of Reston is the Upper Potomac for Smallies, though. For shore fishing, the area about 1-1.5 miles up-river from Riverbend Park (hike along the trail until you get to the good riffles about 1.5 miles from the main park parking.) I've pulled out 3 and 4 lb smallies from the pools there from spring until fall -- but you DO have to wade. The shore doesn't really work. The other side (the pools near the islands, not all the way to the Maryland bank) is actually a lot more productive, and if you have a canoe, in addition to smallies, you can get some good largemouth action in a couple of the backwater areas and along bank cutbacks as well.
Burke and Occoquan are a bit of a haul, and neither can really be fished without a boat -- but again, a canoe is all you need. Both are tough, but probably have the largest largemouth around NOVA, other than in the lower Potomac.
Bank fishing is also decent at the ponds at Claude Moore park in Sterling. Both have decent numbers, but small size, as both are stocked with largemouth, bluegill and catfish every year. Just don't go on a weekend, since it's a zoo of kids with their SpongeBob rods learning to fish. I've caught as many as 15 largemouth in 2 hours there one spring afternoon during the week, but none were over 2 lbs. I've also been skunked if it's right after a heavy weekend.
For ALL of these spots, I've found the best baits are 5" Senkos in green or pumpkin, and floating Rapala's. I've tried everything in my box over the last couple of years, but these 2 lures are constant producers for me. You can also use twist tail grubs when in the Upper Potomac for Smallies, but I actually prefer the Senko's there, too, since they tend to catch fewer, but larger, fish. If you've never hooked into a 4 lb river smallmouth, you just haven't fished! NOTHING fights like good sized river smallie -- they are pure muscle from fighting the current all day. Even the dinks are a good time, especially on a medium-light spinning rig.
Beaverdam is TOUGH to fish... and bank fishing is tick-central. Do NOT even try to bank fish there unless you are covered in DEET and wearing permethrin-treated pants. The place is crawling with ticks. If you have the above-mentioned canoe, then you can get to some good spots on Beaverdam, but I've never been able to figure out a pattern there... it's hit or miss. I guess traditional spinnerbaits (white or chartreause) are probably what I've caught the most fish with on Beaverdam, and that's usually trolling behind the canoe when moving from spot-to-spot, or on long casts off of the points.
There... that's the last 3 years of Reston-area fishing summed up in one post.
KWM reply :
I do have chest waiters from fishing in AK, like how far out do I need to be? I will be heading out for Goose Creek, sometime soon.
Bigbarge50 reply :
Smallies this is not my stream or my question and I will say thanks for such an awesome answer.
Even though I have heard and experienced a lot of what you said myself, was still one heck of an answer and a great effort put out there.
While never been one to pursue the bronze cousins of the beloved largemouths, your post is enough to make me try out the upper Potomac some point this season with some spinning gear and senkos and see what I could stir up.
Addicted to Smallies reply :
KWM - there isn't any stock answer to "how far to wade" in either the Potomac or in Goose Creek. Pick a spot that has good looking water and wade to it. This time of year, with water cold and high, you won't be more than 10 yards from shore at best most places on the Potomac -- but that's enough to be away from the brush on shore. Let the water tell you where to go and how far you need to be. (Not trying to be Zen or anything, but you need to be where you need to be and no place else... you'll learn exactly what I mean once you've spent some time in the River.)
As for Goose Creek, it's a decent body of water and this time of year is sometimes OK, but it's HIGHLY dependent on the water level. The current can be tough. For Goose Creek I have always found that hiking north on the path from Kepheart Landing and then wading the east bank side of where Goose Creek dumps into the Potomac is the best spot for big smallies. Anything further up the creek is going to be small.
Big Barge -- glad you found my post valuable. I hope you catch the smallmouth bug like I did. I spent 30 years fishing for largemouth as a Southern Boy, but now I'm totally addicted to the smallies. I would suggest you go with a medium-light or medium spinning rod for your first few efforts, but once you get used to fighting these bad boys, switch down to light gear for an incredible adrenaline rush!
fishinNOVArob reply :
Hey kwm85
Welcome to the area, I am active duty Navy and got stationed here last march. I live in oakton which is right by reston and have spent a large chunk of my free time fishing in the area for LMB and SMB. I prefer Audubon and Lake Mercer, but I fish from my kayak so shoreline is not a factor for me. I have an extra kayak if you want to fish. Also the local rivers all have outfitters for canoes and that is in my opinion the most fun you can have fishing around here. I will be doing several trips with my girlfriend and dog this year so if you and the wife want to go just shoot me a message.
Good luck and thanks for your service.
P.S there is a group called Potomac river smallmouth club that is meeting in Vienna at the firehouse on center street next wednesday at 645, I just joined but they are a nice group and its local for us.
Goblin reply :
I fish Audobon in Reston, hit me up and I'll join ya. I have canoe I hit the water with. Not sure about the kayaking. I also hit up all the local ponds I can find. I try to go in the evening during the week but with light becoming so scarce its making it harder. Anyhow, if your still looking for a partner, I live 2 minutes from Audobon on Soapstone. Hope to see ya there.
related Southeast Bass Fishing topic
most viewed Southeast Bass Fishing topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.