Anyone Hit The Occoquan Reservoir Lately? 2024
big poppa reply :
I plan on going next weekend and was wondering if anyone had been out recently.
quanjig reply :
First tournament yesterday for FHBC. 21lbs first, 18lbs second, 14lbs third. 6.4lb big fish. 30 boats, a little more than half the field weighed fish. Still very unfavorable water temps 40-45 and slightly stained to heavily stained water. Thought my partner and I were goin to crush them after a keeper in my second cast! Two fish in the boat and 5 bites in the first 30 minutes and then it just all went away. Lost what felt like a good fish on a JB.
Cover water and keep on changing until you find what they want!
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 9:00 PM, quanjig said:First tournament yesterday for FHBC. 21lbs first, 18lbs second, 14lbs third. 6.4lb big fish. 30 boats, a little more than half the field weighed fish. Still very unfavorable water temps 40-45 and slightly stained to heavily stained water. Thought my partner and I were goin to crush them after a keeper in my second cast! Two fish in the boat and 5 bites in the first 30 minutes and then it just all went away. Lost what felt like a good fish on a JB.
Cover water and keep on changing until you find what they want!
Take his advise , he intimately knows these waters !!
Good luck and be safe !!!
big poppa reply :
Sucks you didnt win. Thanks for the info.
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 9:00 PM, quanjig said:First tournament yesterday for FHBC. 21lbs first, 18lbs second, 14lbs third. 6.4lb big fish. 30 boats, a little more than half the field weighed fish. Still very unfavorable water temps 40-45 and slightly stained to heavily stained water. Thought my partner and I were goin to crush them after a keeper in my second cast! Two fish in the boat and 5 bites in the first 30 minutes and then it just all went away. Lost what felt like a good fish on a JB.
Cover water and keep on changing until you find what they want!
Come on Quanjig give me a shout out for fifth place that was hard work and a tough tourney... J/K
J
quanjig reply :
Nice work J! You need to be consistant like that all year! Jim should help you a lot this year!!
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Yeah no doubt Jim and I should be a good team. We are both spring and fall fisherman. We are going to really have to put in work in the dog days of summer but I think we can figure it out. It has taken me four years of fishing the club but I think we have a chance of turning a couple of heads this year. Without the right motor and electronics we are really at a huge disadvantage. I swear it takes away anywhere from 1-2 hours of fishing time from us each tournament. But we love the challenge and thats why we all do it. We will see how consistant I can be now that I have a consistant partner this year. Jim is awesome and I think we are going to get-r-done.
J-
big poppa reply :
How can I get in on these tounraments?
DJ 6_6 reply :
havent been on since late fall, but itching to go fishing soon. Those who have fished the tourny or been on the Res. the last week or so, where have you marked fish? What kind of pattern were they holding in?
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 3/21/2014 at 1:29 AM, big poppa said:How can I get in on these tounraments?
Find a boat and a partner then go to fountainhead bass club .com. All the info you need should be posted there.
J
bigsteveo reply :
So I'm new to the boards however I've been fishing the occaquan for a couple years now, need a partner to go out with this year with a little more knowledge of the place... I'm running a 14 foot vhull with a bow mount 50lb trolling motor and new electronics, ob motor is a little over the cap at 18hp so im stuck to using the trolling motor
Ill be out there tomorrow, let you guys know how it goes
big poppa reply :
I got a boat, just need to finish the livewell.On 3/21/2014 at 7:10 AM, DelfiBoyzBaits said:Find a boat and a partner then go to fountainhead bass club .com. All the info you need should be posted there.
J
big poppa reply :
where are you gonna launch at?On 3/22/2014 at 5:25 AM, bigsteveo said:So I'm new to the boards however I've been fishing the occaquan for a couple years now, need a partner to go out with this year with a little more knowledge of the place... I'm running a 14 foot vhull with a bow mount 50lb trolling motor and new electronics, ob motor is a little over the cap at 18hp so im stuck to using the trolling motor
Ill be out there tomorrow, let you guys know how it goes
bigsteveo reply :
Fountainhead at 7
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 3/22/2014 at 5:41 AM, big poppa said:I got a boat, just need to finish the livewell.
Youtube has some awesome videos on how to make one out of a standard cooler and that's what most people use in the club.
J-
s freud reply :
Struck out today after being out a couple hours. Only used the trolling motor though so did not go far.
big poppa reply :
I stunked today coming out of Lake Ridge. Gonna go buy a cooler and put in some work on a live well tomorrow.
quanjig reply :
Caught this one and 3 others and a big crappie yesterday. Also had one just flat out dog me and pull off!
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Quanjig,
What was the water temp out there? Hope it's in the 50's.
J
big poppa reply :
The warmest I found was 45 saturday.
big poppa reply :
On 3/24/2014 at 10:53 PM, quanjig said:
Thats a pig! I need someone to help me with cold water.
Caught this one and 3 others and a big crappie yesterday. Also had one just flat out dog me and pull off!
quanjig reply :
Thanks Big, it's really hit and miss right now for a lot of people, best advice I can give you is learn to use your graph and it's never too deep in the winter and summer, and in the spring and fall, it's always a little deeper than you think (when looking at shallow water). J, I only found about 45* like others said, not sure we will get a whole lot warmer by Sunday!
big poppa reply :
Thanks for the tips. I just gotta find time to get back out there.
Choporoz reply :
Planning to hit it on Saturday. Excited. First time out since November....been going nuts!
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 4/9/2014 at 2:36 AM, Choporoz said:Planning to hit it on Saturday. Excited. First time out since November....been going nuts!
Choporoz,
I will take a update after your trip on Saturday..LOL I have a tournament on Sunday but shhhh keep the info on the low, a couple of people on this thread are in the same tournament... Just playing good luck out there! This time of year you cant go wrong with a spinnerbait.
J--
nitro557 reply :
went out both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend 9 fish total for both days smallest was 1.5 largest 3lbs gonna be back out on Saturday for more fun ,the highest temp I saw over the weekend was 60 in very shallow water
big poppa reply :
Went out today. Didnt catch anything. Asked another group of people and they said they only caught a 15 incher after 5 hours. Sounds like it was a tough day all around.
shsabres reply :
Hey all, what bait/color schemes are you all having any luck on in the res?
quanjig reply :
The res absolutly exploded yesterday!! The tournament record was broken twice yesterday!! 28.11 and 29.14!! 28 boats participated, 12 boats had 20lbs or better! Get out there now people, it's time!! Two fish over 7 countless 5+! Throw things that are shad like in appearance and size!!
big poppa reply :
How big are the shad currently?
Choporoz reply :
Wow. Sounds like a totally different body of water than the one I was on Saturday. 3 bass in nearly 7 hours and none over 3lb. Huge bass airborn all over the place at 7am, but couldn't get a bite on anything. Maybe the Friday night front that came through was part to blame. 59-60 degrees at the surface -- visibility to about 6 inches. I admit that the chop took me way out of my game most of the day....I didn't deal well with the wind - at all.
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
I was in that tournament and although we caught a bunch of short fish the right size ones were tough to catch for us. Our better fish came on a blade we finished with five fish for a sad 13 lbs. I will take that 13lbs over a zero any day of the week though. Hope next tournament brings me 20+ lbs.
Wish I would have thrown the chatter bait a little more.
J
Brick reply :
Wow! That sounds awesome. The potomac was on fire Sunday too. Fish were really shallow and smashing gold bladed chatterbaits. Best 5 def went 20+. 15 fish in 3 hours from a kayak. Smallest was around 1.5. Also saw about 10 bald eagles(young and mature) and countless blue herons fishing. Hooked into something truely monsterous, but it pulled the hook. Guessing it was a cat or snakehead but didnt get to see it.On 4/14/2014 at 10:21 PM, quanjig said:The res absolutly exploded yesterday!! The tournament record was broken twice yesterday!! 28.11 and 29.14!! 28 boats participated, 12 boats had 20lbs or better! Get out there now people, it's time!! Two fish over 7 countless 5+! Throw things that are shad like in appearance and size!!
DJ 6_6 reply :
On 3/23/2014 at 9:16 AM, big poppa said:I stunked today coming out of Lake Ridge. Gonna go buy a cooler and put in some work on a live well tomorrow.
funny Ive been youtubing vids on how to make livewell out of coolers the past few weeks!! Would love to see some pics and know more about wht pump you bought and how you rigged it!
DJ 6_6 reply :
How's the fishing been since that nasty cold front came through right after all the reports of the Great fishing? Things slowed back down?
big poppa reply :
On 4/18/2014 at 9:55 PM, DJ 6_6 said:How's the fishing been since that nasty cold front came through right after all the reports of the Great fishing? Things slowed back down?
Went out the past two days and theyve been bitting pretty well. Best five today went for about 15 pounds in 5 hours.
quanjig reply :
Yesterday was insane! 25 fish!! 18 were between 3-4.5lbs. They are on fire even in the dirtiest of water!!
DJ 6_6 reply :
Were they shallow, spawning , or still pretty deep staging and waiting to move up to spawn?
Were they hitting search baits (spinner baits, crankbaits) or soft plastics?
Thanks!
quanjig reply :
10' and shallower, blade did most of the damage with a few fish on plastic as well.
DJ 6_6 reply :
Headed out Sunday Morning (hopefully) with my brother. first chance this spring I've had to wet a line.
Choporoz reply :
Good day on the rez yesterday. Went down from Fountainhead, which I rarely do, but glad I did. Picked up this 5.2lb in the fingers(?), which I'd never fished before. Smallest was 2.75 up until almost 3PM when I got a 2 lb'er on half a Cut-R slid onto a jig head. Probably boated about 20-25 pounds - every one on watermelon Rage Cut-R. Couldn't get a single bite on a jig; and only a couple short strikes on spinnerbaits.
quanjig reply :
Nice fish! Could have used a fish like that yesterday in the tournament!!
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 4/29/2014 at 5:09 AM, quanjig said:Nice fish! Could have used a fish like that yesterday in the tournament!!
X2
J-
DJ 6_6 reply :
Sunday we fished Occ. River since I heard there was a tourny Sunday. Launched out of Occoquan park and proceeded down to 95 bridge. My brother asked what he should throw, and having read the tips on here, I told him a small spinner bait....told him to go with the single blade Willow Leaf for more vibration. since the water was stained. His very first cast landed a nice 2.5lb bass..in about 10' of water....unfortunately that was the last bite of the day. we worked our way south, past the sunken boat/barge and fished the lilly pad groups. i was throwing a lipless crankbait and jig and worm. Nothing. a few boats around us caught a few fish....but we really struggled in our v-bottom 14" boat with the wind and a transom mounted trolling motor. really need a foot mounted trolling motor to be able to fish and control the boat and not continiously make adjustments with the motor by hand.
Ended up with a nice sunburn on my face, luckily I wore long sleeve shirt and pants! Still enjoyed the first day out on the water this year.
georgeyew reply :
On 4/30/2014 at 2:18 AM, DJ 6_6 said:Sunday we fished Occ. River since I heard there was a tourny Sunday. Launched out of Occoquan park and proceeded down to 95 bridge. My brother asked what he should throw, and having read the tips on here, I told him a small spinner bait....told him to go with the single blade Willow Leaf for more vibration. since the water was stained. His very first cast landed a nice 2.5lb bass..in about 10' of water....unfortunately that was the last bite of the day. we worked our way south, past the sunken boat/barge and fished the lilly pad groups. i was throwing a lipless crankbait and jig and worm. Nothing. a few boats around us caught a few fish....but we really struggled in our v-bottom 14" boat with the wind and a transom mounted trolling motor. really need a foot mounted trolling motor to be able to fish and control the boat and not continiously make adjustments with the motor by hand.
Ended up with a nice sunburn on my face, luckily I wore long sleeve shirt and pants! Still enjoyed the first day out on the water this year.
I know that it'll get better. You were right on with your spinnerbait recommendation. Great job!
big poppa reply :
Fishing in the river has been tough this year.
Im curious how all this rain is gonna effect the rez.
quanjig reply :
It's going to be a mess for the next few days. If you do decide to go out, be very careful, the water came up fast and that will bring a lot of debris with it!!
s freud reply :
Was going to go out Friday but did not remembering the debris from last time we had a rain like this. Did some bank fishing instead Friday and Saturday but caught nothing. Had a little nibble at one point on a worm but think it was probably just a sunnie. Hoping for clearer water next weekend.
Choporoz reply :
Spent about five hours on the rez Saturday morning. Unbelievable. First time I've been skunked on there in a LONG time. Exactly ONE solid hit - zero hook-ups. I'm still upset.....lol really.....worked depths, flats, coves, drop-offs, horizontal structure, vertical structure....jigs, worms, spinners (in line and reg blades), chatterbaits, jerk baits, lipless, square-bills, deep cranks, Ikas, soft swim baits - weigtless flukes and on spinner jig heads, lizarads, buzz baits, and others I can't even recall right now. Zip Zilch Nada....
quanjig reply :
The res gets tough when the water got so high and drops just as quickly! The key for me in situations like that have been to look for areas that clean up a little quicker or areas that break the current a little bit!
big poppa reply :
Went out Saturday for about three hours and had two hook ups with one making it to the boat. Sunday went out for about 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes my outboard broke, trailer wench broke, trolling motor bracket broke and got a crankbait stuck in my hand. Tried using the line trick and pliers (bent the hook while it was still in my finger) and couldnt get it out. I got to spend some time in the E.R. but I had a cute nurse and an awesome pic of the x-ray.
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
On 5/6/2014 at 1:48 AM, big poppa said:Went out Saturday for about three hours and had two hook ups with one making it to the boat. Sunday went out for about 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes my outboard broke, trailer wench broke, trolling motor bracket broke and got a crankbait stuck in my hand. Tried using the line trick and pliers (bent the hook while it was still in my finger) and couldnt get it out. I got to spend some time in the E.R. but I had a cute nurse and an awesome pic of the x-ray.
d**n dude should have went home and played the lotto.
J
s freud reply :
Now that's a rough day on the water. Cool xray pic though, as stated.
big poppa reply :
Im not sure but it still came close to beating a good day at work. Fixed the trolling motor and gonna fix the winch tomorrow. Gonna go electric only amd go out on Wednesday to celebrate the end of the semester.
Lip Hooker reply :
Heading out tomorrow AM. Hope to light em up. We'll see how it goes.
The Bream Reaper reply :
any news from the quan? Still trying to get out there for the 1st time this spring...i'm assuming most females have spawned out by now...
quanjig reply :
Still fish on beds, I think the fish that are going to spawn are doing so now or have just finished. Haven't seen any fry yet tho!
DJ 6_6 reply :
My Costas sunglasses finally arrived....had ordered them after my B-day in march but the color/frame style i wanted were out of stock! Can't wait to see how well they help me see fish on beds... I need all the help I can get LOL:P
nitro557 reply :
does not look to be a good weekend for fishing that rain last night put a lot of debris in the water
Brick reply :
On 5/17/2014 at 1:45 AM, nitro557 said:does not look to be a good weekend for fishing that rain last night put a lot of debris in the water
Any good spots in the area that you know of that won't be as affected by the rain as occ res? I know the res is pretty bad after heavy rains for a few days. I'm looking for a spot to take my kayak out. I frequent the res, mason neck park, occ river, pohick bay. Do you think any of these places would be better than others tomorrow?
quanjig reply :
Burke Lake will be a good place to fish. Last big rain we had, went out there and caught them pretty good. I bet you could woop them on a fluke all over the lake!!
Brick reply :
On 5/17/2014 at 9:36 AM, quanjig said:Burke Lake will be a good place to fish. Last big rain we had, went out there and caught them pretty good. I bet you could woop them on a fluke all over the lake!!
Cool. Thanks for the reply. Now that i think about it, I did hit Burke lake not to long after that last big storm. It's not my favorite lake to hit in this area. I am very hit or miss on Burke lake. I have had days when I catch 20+ fish on top water, when they are hitting baitfish over 30 ft of water. But for every one of those days, there are probably 5 days that I catch absolutely nothing. Or only a couple of dinks. I do really well when I fish for catfish in there, but I'm normally targeting bass unless I'm with a friend that doesn't fish often.
quanjig reply :
I hear ya! That place is very hit ad miss. Should be a lot of fish guarding fry, shouldn't be too hard to get them to bite! Good luck and let us know how you do!
Jeezer reply :
Anyone know what happened at fountainhead yesterday evening? Got turned around by police officers when pulling in yesterday at 5ish. I heard something about a missing person.
quanjig reply :
Evidently a disabled child got lost in the woods so they had half of Faifax counties finest looking! Bigger question would be, where were this child's parents??!!
nitro557 reply :
I have not been out in weeks due to illness im better now and ready to go .whats more productive fishing right now upriver ?down by the dam or random coves along the main body ?
s freud reply :
Struck out yesterday from the bank.
nitro557 reply :
I went out ,the hub blew out on the prop so didn't make it far put 10 fish in the boat biggest was close to 2lbs but still had a fun day
s freud reply :
Good times. I don't know what the hub is, but hope that doesn't mean you lost your prop in the process.
nitro557 reply :
On 5/26/2014 at 7:36 PM, s freud said:Good times. I don't know what the hub is, but hope that doesn't mean you lost your prop in the process.
its a rubber coupler that is pressed into the prop ,prop is still there just spins like a slipping clutch
s freud reply :
Ahh. A much cheaper fix I would think
big poppa reply :
On 5/26/2014 at 1:03 AM, nitro557 said:I went out ,the hub blew out on the prop so didn't make it far put 10 fish in the boat biggest was close to 2lbs but still had a fun day
I lost a whole prop earlier in the season so I know your pain haha. Went twice last week caught a few little ones nothing great but any fish is better than no fish. I had a big 'un smack my swimbait but couldnt connect.
Choporoz reply :
Spent much of last Friday on O Rez, renting a boat out of Fountainhead. Had my best quantity day ever for that body of water. Lost count, but it was well over 30. Never seen anything like it on the Occoquan. Nearly all were on weightless five inch flukes. No monsters, but few dinks. Lot of fun out there.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Launched out of Bull Run Sunday with a buddy of mine. Fished mainly between Bull run and the splits and only caught a few since I was teaching my friend everything. Mainly caught them with white spinnerbait and fliping creature baits in grass. Hopefully i'll be more productive this weekend.
big poppa reply :
Went out after work for an hour and manage to connect with a 2lber on a topwater. Heading out in the morning before work.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Anyone going out this weekend? i'll be out both days ifI finish working on the trailer.
big poppa reply :
On 6/6/2014 at 11:09 AM, Eddie-NoVA said:Anyone going out this weekend? i'll be out both days ifI finish working on the trailer.
Ill be out there. Went out the past two days and have been on a tear, I was able to get some video of it but Im gonna keep it in the vault for a while before releasing it.
Choporoz reply :
I plan to go out of Fountainhead on Saturday.
Choporoz reply :
What's been working this week, Poppa?
big poppa reply :
On 6/6/2014 at 9:39 PM, Choporoz said:What's been working this week, Poppa?
A little bit of everything, but I gotta keep it a secret for now. All Im gonna say is I wasnt using a hardbait. Sorry :/
Choporoz reply :
Ok. I can only guess that there's some very competitive Occoquan tournament(s) and you're worried about spies and competition? I've never fished a tournament, so I wasn't aware of the sensitivity.
I spent most of Saturday on the water. Trolled south out of Fountainhead. Very slow morning. I made it a point to try to target larger fish, seems I've gotten more comfortable with the water there and felt I could catch up to 2# pretty regularly. But, the bite was very slow, I got frustrated and I slowly scaled down until I got to my confidence zone and started catching 1 to 2.5's the rest of the day. Senkos and flukes pitched into the shore made for a fun day of small bass. I have a lot to learn about that rez, however, and I am confident that once I feel the confidence (and familiarity) to target off-shore lmb's, I'll like it a lot more.
big poppa reply :
Thats my mistake man. I want to keep it secret because its something that I havent seen anyone else use it on the rez. I know it seems stupid but i dont want everyone to know.
big poppa reply :
Just messaged you Choporoz
quanjig reply :
The offshore bite is just about to start happening! And yes, it can be very rewarding!!
Eddie-NoVA reply :
I fished Saturday and Sunday. Caught on spinnerbaits, senkos, and creatures in grass. Wasn't able to hookup on anything big. Also tried crankin some offshore structure and couldn't get hit. It was slow in the morning for me as well. Bite seems to turn on around 2pm. Think i'm gonna head further south from FH this weekend.
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Boaters beware tournament Sunday out of fountainhead. Wish me luck ladies and gents.
J
Eddie-NoVA reply :
thanks for the heads up. i checked this time. good luck buddy
bigsteveo reply :
Went out with a buddy Sunday and we killed it dragging 10' worms on a carolina rig across the points offshore a bit, right over the drop and we caught fish almost every time...
quanjig reply :
On 6/11/2014 at 12:12 PM, bigsteveo said:Went out with a buddy Sunday and we killed it dragging 10' worms on a carolina rig across the points offshore a bit, right over the drop and we caught fish almost every time...
Nice! I was out Saturday and caught a few making their way deeper, only one good fish and lots of small fish. Hit a big log floating just at the surface and busted a bracket on my outboard, not happy. Just about threw me out of the boat! Be careful out there and make sure you have your kill switch hooked up!!
Nitrofreak reply :
On 6/11/2014 at 9:07 PM, quanjig said:Nice! I was out Saturday and caught a few making their way deeper, only one good fish and lots of small fish. Hit a big log floating just at the surface and busted a bracket on my outboard, not happy. Just about threw me out of the boat! Be careful out there and make sure you have your kill switch hooked up!!
Great advice ! Glad to hear it wasn't any worse than that !
The Bream Reaper reply :
getting out saturday morning hopefully for the FIRST TIME this year. been chomping at the bit since april...
sounds like the new mommas are starting to move deeper?
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Went out saturday morning and water visability was a solid zero fromthe recent rain. Fish were still active chasing bait. Caught fish mostly in 2-2.5lb range and hooked up on this hawg when i went into a cove. Saw a nice baitball with feeding fish on sonar and pitched to the back of the boat. Didn't realize how big until it jumped. First nice fish this year (5lb 4oz). If you haven't gone out yet. Now is the time. Caught fish on rod except topwater. Swallowing cranks!
The Bream Reaper reply :
On 6/16/2014 at 10:55 AM, Eddie-NoVA said:Went out saturday morning and water visability was a solid zero fromthe recent rain. Fish were still active chasing bait. Caught fish mostly in 2-2.5lb range and hooked up on this hawg when i went into a cove. Saw a nice baitball with feeding fish on sonar and pitched to the back of the boat. Didn't realize how big until it jumped. First nice fish this year (5lb 4oz). If you haven't gone out yet. Now is the time. Caught fish on rod except topwater. Swallowing cranks!
yea we caught a few in the 2lb range throwing square bills shallow around hard cover (both on the bluffier side by teh old dam and the flatter side above fountainhead). One close to 3 but that was really it. Don't have depthfinder so really had to stick to shallow cover. but they were defintely active saturday even in the chocolate mik. that's a good looking 5+ Eddie.
big poppa reply :
Couldnt get anything going over the weekend. Just a few dinks. I went out for a few hours before work and hit it hard. I had a limit for 15+ in under an hour. All the fish seemed be made from a mold or I kept catching the same fish haha.
I did notice a couple guys down by LRP that seemed to be taping a video. Gotta keep an eye out on youtube for it.
Choporoz reply :
What's working fellas?
Spent much of last Sunday on the rez -- very good numbers in the morning, though nothing bigger than 3 1/2. Things shut down around 11 and never picked up again before I came off around 4. Beating the banks with flukes and worms produced a lot of fish, but nothing to write home about. I'm marking a LOT of the Occoquan Summer Suspenders between 16 and 22 feet, but they aren't interested in anything I put in front of them. Headed out again this weekend and looking for suggestions.
quanjig reply :
Fish points in the 16-22' range! Get off the banks if you want to learn the res. the banks are fun and you will catch fish but never find schools of big fish playing along the banks in the summer!!
nitro557 reply :
gonna go out and try the points tomorrow ,have not been out in 7 weeks ,any bait suggestions quanjig ?
big poppa reply :
I was about to ask the same thing. Im heading out of Lake Ridge tomorrow and havent been out in a while.
quanjig reply :
I looked at Fountainhead marina this afternoon and it didn't look too bad. A friend of mine was out and said he was catching small fish in a Carolina rig on points. If I was out today with the high water, I would have been looking at grass along steeper banks with beaver style baits. The water will be falling back to normal pool so I would hope for some wind and fish areas getting the most of it. Points, I would try c-rig and shakey, bluffer areas I would try spinnerbaits and square bill. Good luck guys and let us know how you do!
nitro557 reply :
On 7/17/2014 at 7:28 AM, big poppa said:I was about to ask the same thing. Im heading out of Lake Ridge tomorrow and havent been out in a while.
what time im heading to lake ridge park at 6:30ish am
big poppa reply :
On 7/17/2014 at 9:42 AM, nitro557 said:what time im heading to lake ridge park at 6:30ish am
Ill probably be out there after 7 but closer to 8 because I dont get off work until after midnight. Im more than likely heading up towards fountain head and the five fingers
nitro557 reply :
Hey that was my plan ill see you out there me and a buddy will be in a red boat .stop on by and say hi
nitro557 reply :
not much luck today just a couple small ones ,keeper but to small for me ,did get to watch this go riding around and several times on full boogie plane
big poppa reply :
I landed a few 3lbers all on spinner ansbroke off two 5+ right next to the boat 
Once with a spinnerbait and once on a square bill. THANKS QUAN!! ad a bite on a 6 inch swimbait. Set the hook and my pole snapped in half. Lost the fish too. I think I saw you Nitro but I was too angry to say hi from breaking a $150 rod haha
big poppa reply :
On a side note what kind of line do you all use?
quanjig reply :
Seguar red lable is my line of choice right now for all around, Sunline super natural for my mono applications. Glad to hear you got a few good bites, those fish will still be there next time!!
big poppa reply :
Thanks quan. I used to use nothing but red label. I met a guide who told me to try a bass pro brand line and I already regret it. Im gonna have to swing by the store before I go out again. Youve been a great help. I owe ya a beer or something.
quanjig reply :
You are very welcome and I'll take you up on that beer one day!! The line thing to me is all about personal preference. I know guys that absolutly refuse to use floro!! The XPS floro is ok of you fish a lot of open water in my opinion but the red label does a lot of things well for me!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
knowing the optimal depth the fish are holding is really hepful, especially without a graph. all really good info! Thanks boys. Hoping to get out there this weekend at some point...per usual fish out of FH and fish around the old dam.
big poppa reply :
Sounds good!
Bronzebacker reply :
Bull Run-----I put my canoe in at route 28 on 7/13/14 and canoed down to Bull Run Marina. The first part is a little trashy ( it is an urban stream after all ) but the further you get away from 28 the nicer it gets. I swear there are some stretches where it is so remote and beautiful you'd think you were in Shenandoah National Park!
All the way down to Hemlock Park is great paddling and fishing. Numerous class l ( maybe a couple ll's ) rapids which are fun and the current mostly has a nice push to it. There is one very large recently uprooted tree that spans the stream you have to portage ( left ) which is a bit of a hassle....another portage further down no problem.
For some reason all of the blue gills I were catching we're small. The Smallmouth I landed we're decent sized ( about 12"......crayfish cranbait and curly tail grub jigs ). I passed up a lot of fishy spots when I realized I had a lot of river miles to cover. Just after Hemlock Park the pain begins folks. The flat water back-up to Occoquan Resorvoir is quite a chore. Next time I run this it will def. be with trolling motor!
rivafishn reply :
I just recently found this forum and read the entire thing last week. I was looking for some pointers as I am still relatively new to the Reservoir and am trying to figure it out. Thanks for all the information in here.
I fish out of a kayak starting about a year ago and typically launch in the creek closest to the d**n, but I am working to expand my fishing on the reservoir as I hear so many great stories of lots of fish or big fish. I managed a couple of four pounders last year, but always seem to catch fish at the southern end.
I fished out of the lake ridge marina the last couple of weekends trying to get an idea of where and how to catch fish. I'll be interested to hear if there were any reports from this past weekend. I fished both mornings up until about lunch time and just couldn't seem to get it going. I only managed three fish this weekend. Based on what I was seeing around me during the day it seemed like it was a slow weekend, but the reports will tell all.
quanjig reply :
That's quite a journey!! I know it takes quite a while to motor from bull run up to the rapids let alone from 28 to bull run. You are absolutly right about the view, beautiful, especially during the fall with all the trees!! Welcome to the forums by the way!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
Never made it out this weekend. Bummed. Anybody pattern any fish over the weekend? Any big bites? Quan did you all have a tourny yesterday?
quanjig reply :
Sundays tournament was brutal for my partner and I. Only managed 4 keepers and we fished hard all day!! Deep bite was non existent fro us. Winning bag was 20.89 I think and that came from way up in the river. Second was almost 19 and third was 18+. Very different from the 23+ pounds it was taking to place the last month and a half. Guys I know that were out the week leading up to the weekend were killing it but the bite got tougher as the week went on.
The res is a great place to fish and it takes time and effort to learn it like any body of water. The past few years it seems like this place just keeps getting better and better and I think that had to do with catch and release as well as fairfax county water authority doing such a great job at maintaining this water supply reservoir. It's hard to believe we have such a beautiful resource so close to the nations capital.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Fished from bull run marina to wolfe on Saturday. Caught a dozen fish and top 5 at ~15lb. Crushing spinnerbaits in the morning around timber and grass in the shallows. Beaver style baits on bluffs produced the bigger fish. Fished some offshore structure with cranks and jigs. Couldnt buy a bite. Later in the afternoon the jig produced fish as soon as it hit the water.
Will probably head out Sunday if I have some free time.
Spinnerbait bearing broke in the morning and Jig brushguard disappeared on second fish. Both from recent Northstar orders. hope its just a bad batch
rivafishn reply :
Nice day Eddie! I need to keep at it and keep trying to learn more about the reservoir. Can't wait to get out again this weekend
Eddie-NoVA reply :
The reservoir is huge. I've probably only covered 25% of it in the past few years. Gotta pay your dues on the water.
Choporoz reply :
O Rez kicked I disagree this weekend. I'm getting more and more comfortable with spring and fall patterns, but I feel it could take years to learn the summer offshore bite. Nearly 18 hours total Fri and Sat with maybe a dozen fish....nothing over 2.5. Still, it's far better than NOT fishing. 
Edit: autocorrect? or does BR not like a$$? lol....should have read 'kicked my (butt)'
quanjig reply :
Saturday was tough, I was able to find a school of good fish in the middle of the day around lake ridge. Caught 8 fish with a couple over 4 and a handful of 3's. Deeper stumps and drops were the key!! I would highly recommend a map and look at areas that are "named". These are spots that people have had success in and around. Drop the trolling motor and keep an eye on the graph! It ha a taken years of fishing to find the spot on a spot in those areas. You have to remember there won't be feeding fish on every spot every day but you can make a milk run of spots in the summer and usually find a spot or two with feeding fish!!
Choporoz reply :
Thanks, quan! We may have spoke as I trolled by around 10:30 or so --- if that was you, thank you! I am always very appreciative of other anglers willing to discuss what's working/what's not.
I've been keeping one eye on offshore spots where I see what appear to be regulars ....and it has borne a little success --- such as Ryan's Dam, points off Wolf Run and the area near the wake buoys by the Sandy Run piers. I'm limited to a rudimentary depth/fish finder for now since I rent -- I can find humps, holes, ledges, but it doesn't do so good about painting structure and baitfish....still learning every day.
I'll be sure to study my map more thoroughly for those named areas -- I'd mostly been using it for depth gradations, but it doesn't do detail as well as I'd hoped. Thanks again.
HokieDJ reply :
I've only fished this lake 3 times now and it has me struggling to find quantity in the reeds. It's not like shallow fishing on the potomac for sure.
As for the deep stuff I'm totally lost. I see fish marked in the 6, 10 and sometimes 12 feet range. It's such a big drop off from the shore that I'm wondering if parallel fishing it or throwing it shallow and pulling it deeper is the right way to do it. I have tried cranks and football jigs and have not managed to pull anything deeper than 4 feet.
This place does keep me going back because the ones I have found shallow have been quality!
quanjig reply :
Ahhhhhhhh..... You complimented a fish I had just caught and I told you football jig??
Choporoz reply :
Yep! I much appreciated the info, but unfortunately, I didn't do well with it.
However, I enjoy learning more about that body of water every time out on it.
quanjig reply :
Next time if it's not a tournament or if you see me by myself, roll on over and I'll show you a little more on what I'm doing and throwing! I'm more than willing to help anyone out on the res!
big poppa reply :
On 7/30/2014 at 2:34 AM, quanjig said:Next time if it's not a tournament or if you see me by myself, roll on over and I'll show you a little more on what I'm doing and throwing! I'm more than willing to help anyone out on the res!
^And that is why Quan is the best!^
quanjig reply :
Thanks! It's really all about time on the water, I've been fishing the res now since the early 80's and things are really starting to click! There are an bunch of very, very talented anglers that fish out there that I pale in comparison to when it comes to success on the res!! I want everyone to catch fish and have fun out there, a lot of the guys want to keep all the res secrets to themselves, I will show anyone things to try and places to try, but you're on your own after that!!!
Choporoz reply :
On 7/30/2014 at 2:34 AM, quanjig said:Next time if it's not a tournament or if you see me by myself, roll on over and I'll show you a little more on what I'm doing and throwing! I'm more than willing to help anyone out on the res!
Much appreciated!!!
big poppa reply :
Is anyone heading out tomorrow? Ill be heading out of Lake Ridge around 8.
The Bream Reaper reply :
I'm heading out saturday morning for sure. interested to see if this cold front has changed anything at all...
big poppa reply :
Caught two decent fish and a biggin today near Jacob's Rock. Got a picture that I cant figure how to upload without cutting off the tail 
big poppa reply :
Figured it out! 
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Confirmed and official there are snakeheads on the rez now. One was caught during today's tournament. Although it is legal to catch and release now please kill and eat them or give them away dead!!! transporting them alive is still illegal.
J-
The Bream Reaper reply :
how was the tourney yesterday? i was out sat and sun morning till about noon both days. saturday found 3 decent fish deep but lost them all (one on crank and 2 on football jig)..only got a look at one who i lost at the boat but the other 2 i'm assuming were solid since i got bit sitting in what i would guess was about 20-25 foot of water...caught some up shallow on hard cover all morning both days though on square bills and soft plastics...biggest shallow fish was around 2 lbs...everything else was short or in the 1 lb range. I was working hard sunday to find good fish deep but just couldn't find them or couldn't get them to bite...probably combination of both. i was around some tourney guys yesterday up by old dam...didn't look like they could find any holding deeper either. I had to resort to flipping senkos (green pumpkin) to shallow hard cover and dead sticking them the rest of the morning since my hand was cramped up from throwing 3/4 oz football heads and deep diving crank baits for 3 hours. One really good take-away/lesson I learned though was I'm pretty sure i found 3 or 4 good spots that hold quality fish deep...so without depth finder, i'm fairly confident i can go back and catch some fish offshore. so if you're like me and want to fish the rez more but don't have electronics, PM me and I'll share what i know.
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for the report, Bream! Congrats on recent successes, Poppa and Delfi!
I went out of Fountainhead late Saturday for a few hours. Fishfinder immediately died. One thing I've learned as I spend more time on this water is that I really need that piece of gear. So, I was basically blind --tried to get near spots I thought I knew and tossed jigs and DD22's for about 3 hours and had three 1.5lb bass to show for it. All three fish came when the wind died completely so I could see and chase baitballs -- then drag a crank underneath. If the bait started to boil, I ran over and worked it. Not the most efficient way to fish, lol.
Bream, I'd be more than happy to discuss what little I know about O anytime. Should take about 2 minutes...
big poppa reply :
On 8/4/2014 at 7:49 AM, DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only said:Confirmed and official there are snakeheads on the rez now. One was caught during today's tournament. Although it is legal to catch and release now please kill and eat them or give them away dead!!! transporting them alive is still illegal.
J-
Where was it caught at?
quanjig reply :
Way up in the river
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
In the shore grass on topwater bait.
J-
Eddie-NoVA reply :
heading out tomorrow morning to explore some new spots. Think im gonna head south. Ill be in my light blue john boat with a suzuki outboard. feel free to say hi if you see me.
The Bream Reaper reply :
hit us up with a report when if get a chance. may try to get out there tomorrow morning.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
water is down 1-2ft. Caught a couple in the morning in flats. pods of bait everywhere. One of them was choking on a gizzard shad and belly was so full it looked like it was about to pop. Caught a couple more and went home. dink fest for me today.
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Anyone been out lately? I hear it's iced coffee out there.
J
Choporoz reply :
We plan to give it a shot tomorrow
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
I heard it was milky but tough. Let us know how you do choporoz.
J-
big poppa reply :
Went out Thursday with a friend and we caught 13 or so combined including the chunk in the my picture. The water was really clear.
Went out today with my dad and we caught two a piece. Fishing was tougher today but the and the water clouded up a little.
The biggins look like they are coming out to play as the water cools a bit
big poppa reply :
It didnt seem to update so here it is anyway.
FinesseFishing reply :
Nice fish. I'm new here so I don't many good spots there yet.
big poppa reply :
As I believe it was mentioned earlier fish the spots that are named on the map first (jacobs rock, nates point, sandy run etc.) However, the rez is a huge place and has many different spots that fit almost any style of fishing.
At some point I would like to get a group together and fish together. Possibly have a little bass resource tourney.
Choporoz reply :
Nice fish, BP! Wife and I spent a lot of hours out there yesterday and just a few dinks to show for it. Nice day, though. As we trolled past Fountainhead, we did see a couple tourny fishermen releasing some hawgs. No clue what they were doing different. Except for range, of course. We are limited by trolling motors, so never get very far up. Worked flats, ledges, banks, Ryans Dam, points....etc. What little we did catch was on cranks and swim jigs.
Biggest fish of the day, by far, was one of the stranger catches of the year. Pulled in a four pound cat. He hit a DD22. Don't think that's ever happened to me before...lol.
quanjig reply :
Another snakehead was caught during the tournament yesterday!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
yup...they found a way. I still have yet to catch one even on the potomac in some of the creeks where there supposed to be in there pretty thick. But then again I'm not catching any bass this year on the potomac either so I probably need to go back to the drawing board all together and pull out my mickey mouse edition zebco set up.
Choporoz reply :
Rough weekend out there.....spent a few hours out there Friday out of Fountainhead and I was skunked while the wife boated exactly one - it was a nice 3.6, but still just one fish for 4+ hours was sad. Saturday was even worse - I weathered the downpour out of Lake Ridge all afternoon and got skunked once again.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Took a buddy that just got into Bass Fishing on Saturday morning. Launched from Bull Run Marina and water was chocolate milk and up from the recent storms. A lot of people head down past the splits to get into clearer water. I fish my usual spots that hold fish in the morning and just change my baits accordingly. The way I see it is, the water is up and fish will move shallower to eat. Water temp was 71* and covered water with chart/white spinnerbait. After a few casts caught a 4.5-5lb that gave a nice fight. Continued covering 2-5ft of water and caught a handful. Moved further down toward the splits and fish were hugging cover. Creature baits produced strikes on the fall many times. Marked a TON of bait balls toward the bottom, but no fish with it. My buddy only caught a dink since most of the time he was catching leaves from trees. lol. He was happy he didn't get a goose egg. Never a bad day on the rez.
FinesseFishing reply :
Anyone gone out today? I was thinking about heading to the reservoir tomorrow morning.
big poppa reply :
My dad and I spent about 8hrs out there with only 7 bass and a 5lb catfish to show for it. All fish were caught on jigs that I hand tied.
FinesseFishing reply :
On 8/31/2014 at 6:44 AM, big poppa said:My dad and I spent about 8hrs out there with only 7 bass and a 5lb catfish to show for it. All fish were caught on jigs that I hand tied.
Thanks BP. Info helps. I don't know anyone in the area so I don't have buddies to fish with. I emailed a local club inquiring about membership but they haven't replied.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Planned on heading out this morning but had too many things to do. Will try to make it out in the morning for a couple hours.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Went Saturday morning. Was having a difficult time fishing fish and getting bit. Was getting afraid of getting a skunk on the boat this year and caught two from the grass on brush hogs. Water temps up 10degrees from previous week (85). Didnt get a chance to head south into some deep water. Hopefully next week will change for me.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Anyone going out this weekend?
FinesseFishing reply :
I will be tomorrow. This will only be my 3rd visit to the reservoir since moving here so I'm still getting a feel for it. Last two visits I didn't catch much, but I'm sure that will change over time as I familiarize myself to it.
Edit: Turns out I won't the wife got called into work. Oh well, I guess there is next week. 
WDinarte reply :
Y try my good luck yesterday at fountainhead park with the canoe ( after work ) for the sunset. I was only able to land one fish LMB under 3# I was more to try a double blade paddle for the canoe for solo trips but have some pull was nice, have fun guys and good luck.
Huntrava reply :
An evening squall shut things down at the reservoir a bit early tonight. That last hour is usually my money maker.
Caught fish all day long using small soft baits, micro jigs. A couple of largemouth that were 1+ lbs. Fun, but nothing big to report.
Choporoz reply :
Sounds like you had better luck than I, Huntrava. I had a challenging day Saturday. Trolled up from Fountainhead. One keeper on a deep crank. No other good bites. Fished jigs, cranks, big plastics....worked some shallow cover and probed ledges and flats.....gave in to the heat around 1:30.
Huntrava reply :
On 9/8/2014 at 10:25 PM, Choporoz said:Sounds like you had better luck than I, Huntrava. I had a challenging day Saturday. Trolled up from Fountainhead. One keeper on a deep crank. No other good bites. Fished jigs, cranks, big plastics....worked some shallow cover and probed ledges and flats.....gave in to the heat around 1:30.
We must have just missed each other. I was putting in from the Fountain Head launch at 1:30. Be sure to wave next time you see a guy in a red kayak with a green milk crate on the back!
Shallow cover was good for me, particularly the shady areas near the docks.
big poppa reply :
Saturday launched out of lake ridge and got 5 keepers for about 12lbs on football head jigs. Sunday caught two dinks on a swim jig. Im starting to see bass suspended and schooled up. I wanna start throwing the A-Rig. Has anyone had any luck with em in the rez?
s freud reply :
Went out today and caught 5 dinks. Thanks to big poppa, I tried my 8" worm on a football head hook which got me 3 and a nice one that got away. Two others were on 15' diving jerkbaits and one hit two feet from me pulling The lure out of the water. Went out before sunrise but caught nothing on buzzbaits or frogs. Fun day though. Water has cooled to about 76.
Huntrava reply :
On 9/6/2014 at 10:27 PM, WDinarte said:Y try my good luck yesterday at fountainhead park with the canoe ( after work ) for the sunset. I was only able to land one fish LMB under 3# I was more to try a double blade paddle for the canoe for solo trips but have some pull was nice, have fun guys and good luck.
Were you out there tonight? I saw someone who looks kinda like you loading up a canoe while I was bringing in the kayak.
WDinarte reply :
On 9/13/2014 at 10:37 AM, Huntrava said:Were you out there tonight? I saw someone who looks kinda like you loading up a canoe while I was bringing in the kayak.
Yeah, I was there and one of the last rushing out of the park ( I was in the 8:00 line ) and the gate say they close at 8, was you one of last kayak ?... there was one kayak in the ramp after I pull out, was that you ?...
WDinarte reply :
Was this your treasure... was pulled by someone. Occoquant
Huntrava reply :
On 9/13/2014 at 7:11 PM, WDinarte said:Yeah, I was there and one of the last rushing out of the park ( I was in the 8:00 line ) and the gate say they close at 8, was you one of last kayak ?... there was one kayak in the ramp after I pull out, was that you ?...
Yes that was me. I was trying to make the 8:00 gate time as well. By my watch I rolled out at 7:58.
Fishing was alright. Good topwater action near sunset with poppers. I let me new PB get off the hook :-(
WDinarte reply :
On 9/13/2014 at 10:22 PM, Huntrava said:Yes that was me. I was trying to make the 8:00 gate time as well. By my watch I rolled out at 7:58.
Fishing was alright. Good topwater action near sunset with poppers. I let me new PB get off the hook :-(
Bite was ok for Me too, I pull some in senko weedless in front of the ramp area ( on the other bank - at cross ) but nothing big they all was under 1# I didn't try my topwater, will try next time. man...off the hook ?.
Choporoz reply :
Went out from about 2:30 to 6:30 yesterday, trolling out of Fountainhead. Beautiful afternoon, but fairly slow again. I'm pretty committed to becoming a better jig fisherman, so I may be limiting myself and not trying hard enough to find a sweet-spot lure. Caught a three pounder and a couple dinks. Broke one off that I must have hooked beyond or around a branch. Just sat for a bit and then took off and almost immediately snapped my 15# hybrid. I did miss a few really had jig bites, but I'm getting a little more confident each time out.
I tossed a blue DT6 that I got from Lucky Tacklebox and promptly caught a 5# cat. Seems crazy - I had a cat on a DD22 just two weeks ago. Don't think I'd ever caught a catfish on a crankbait before these two.
nitro557 reply :
I got out Saturday in the rain went up river had a good day 9 in the boat nothing of any real size but lots of fun
WDinarte reply :
I was sunday after 05:00pm until 07:30pm the only good one was lost (un-hook) in the way to the canoe, after that I was in the wayhis home.
Will try one of this days after work, good luck guys.
WDinarte reply :
On 9/16/2014 at 4:12 AM, WDinarte said:I was sunday after 05:00pm until 07:30pm the only good one was lost (un-hook) in the way to the canoe, after that I was in the wayhis home.
Will try one of this days after work, good luck guys.
*** cross finger,I mean
after that I was in the way home.
big poppa reply :
On 9/15/2014 at 10:52 PM, Choporoz said:Went out from about 2:30 to 6:30 yesterday, trolling out of Fountainhead. Beautiful afternoon, but fairly slow again. I'm pretty committed to becoming a better jig fisherman, so I may be limiting myself and not trying hard enough to find a sweet-spot lure. Caught a three pounder and a couple dinks. Broke one off that I must have hooked beyond or around a branch. Just sat for a bit and then took off and almost immediately snapped my 15# hybrid. I did miss a few really had jig bites, but I'm getting a little more confident each time out.
I tossed a blue DT6 that I got from Lucky Tacklebox and promptly caught a 5# cat. Seems crazy - I had a cat on a DD22 just two weeks ago. Don't think I'd ever caught a catfish on a crankbait before these two.
I caught more catfish in the Potomac on cranks than I have bass. I also dedicated myself to jig fishing this year. Althought it may be challenging at times it is a great skill to have. Just try to match the hatch with your jig skirt and style. I have started to hand tye my own jigs to better adapt to the situation. Id recommend a light purple and white swim jig with a baby swimming fluke as a trailer since the shad activity is increasing (shhhh. Its a secret) or maybe a heavier 3/4oz blue gill color (green pumpkin, orange, and a little bit of purple and black.) The biggest thing is watching your line constantly.
FinesseFishing reply :
Went out Sunday from about 7am to 10am. Dink and a nicer one that threw the hook about a foot from the boat. Got those two on rubber worms, no luck on the crankbaits. Only my 3rd time there but liking it more each weekend.
Two Questions
1. I'm newer to Virginia, how long is the typical fishing season? (I'm from up north so I'm used to the cold kinda ending it since everything freezes)
2. I would like to meet people to fish with. Any clubs in the area anyone could recommend? I've applied here http://www.another siteanglers.com/About.html (since they are close to me) but the guy is horrible with response times and very dodgy. I'm just looking for good people to enjoy the sport with. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks guys.
Choporoz reply :
Welcome, FF! My boating season ends when Fountainhead marina closes - usually around Halloween...maybe a weekend into Nov. I also rent from Lake Ridge, but they shut down even earlier in the year; if they haven't already.
But I still try to hit banks and piers anytime except Dec to about mid-Mar. I've seen boats out on the Potomac in January, but not many lol.
I've never looked into any clubs, except for some cursory googling.
I've said more than once (probably more than once in this thread) that Occoquan reservoir never ceases to intrigue me. I've been fishing it more and more over the past 3-4 years with gradually increasing confidence, but it still kicks me in the teeth all summer long. I've tried to learn as much as I can about every inch that I can cover from Lake Ridge and Fountainhead with a trolling motor. But, I think that I've done myself a disservice. I plan to concentrate on much smaller areas and learn them better.
nitro557 reply :
ive meet a couple good people in the woodbridge area on here and also thru facebook group northern Virginia bass fishing I enjoy meeting new people and learning new fishing areas .im open to meeting someplace having a beer and talking fishing
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
We should all meet up at Brittany's one weekend for drinks. That is if everyone is at least 21. could could be a good time.
J-
big poppa reply :
On 9/22/2014 at 1:45 AM, DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only said:We should all meet up at Brittany's one weekend for drinks. That is if everyone is at least 21. could could be a good time.
J-
My beer is gonna have to be a rootbeer. I dont turn 21 until April. Haha
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
How does Friday Oct 10th 7pm sound to all. If we plan it to far in the future everyone will have things come up. Oh yeah and I guess we will need a count if to many people are going, we may need to reserve something. Brittany's is located just north of opitz blvd on old bridge road. We can also change the location if someone knows a better spot.
Jay
Choporoz reply :
I'm great with the idea and love the location. However, I'm out of town that weekend. Tues nights are generally best for me, but I'll be flexible
nitro557 reply :
im in and open just about any nights ,are Tuesday nights still wing night at brittanys
Choporoz reply :
Hit it for a lot of hours on Sat south out of Fountainhead. Dinks and more dinks. They were few and far between and probably nothing over about 1.5. Good thing it was a beautiful day. I had a broken wire on my fishfinder right out the chute and that was a bit of a hit. I generally struggle on that water without it. I did, however, catch another large cat on a DT6. Never caught a cat on a crank before a couple months ago and now it seems like it happens every time out there.
big poppa reply :
I wouldnt be able to make that friday. But went out for two hours yesterday morning and caught a quick limit with an absolute donkey (and my new pb) to anchor it. 6.1lbs and 23" 
WDinarte reply :
On 10/3/2014 at 3:03 AM, big poppa said:I wouldnt be able to make that friday. But went out for two hours yesterday morning and caught a quick limit with an absolute donkey (and my new pb) to anchor it. 6.1lbs and 23"
that is a good catch, congrat.
big poppa reply :
Realized the board wasnt fully extended. 21" and no citation
Clemson_Terry22 reply :
Is there any tournaments up coming or around the area that anyone knows of that I can be a co angler with someone? Thanks.
The Bream Reaper reply :
Had a solid numbers day today chasing shad schools in the creeks. specifically the creek up by the old dam and down by the pier at fountainhead. lots of shad swirling around WAY back in those creeks. took me about 2 hours to figure out how to catch them but threw a DD10 or 12 maybe underneath the schools of shad to catch them. no quality (maybe biggest was 3#...MAYbe) but solid quantity. I tried throwing soft jerk baits and spinnerbaits and swim baits and chatter baits in the schools at first but that wasn't working. so went with the deeper diving crank bait when they were suspended out in deeper water and then threw a square bill when the shad moved closer to cover. probably caught 15 keepers from about 8:30am to 2pm.
Huntrava reply :
Better than average day at Occoquan yesterday kayak fishing cover along the banks, but I wasn't able to get the topwater to work. Anyone want to enlighten me on how to identify and fish shad schools? I'm not certain what to look for...when you see the water boiling/popping in an area...are those shad? Do you have to follow the shad?
Nubbins1911 reply :
I have been chasing the baitfish for a few days with a few fish but nothing of size, like the Brim Reaper I have been trying everything
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for the reports, guys!
I went out in the rain Saturday morning.....trolled south out of Fountainhead. Through a lot of different stuff, but I think nearly all my fish were on green Rage Cut-R's - and a couple dinks on earthworm colored roboworms. Biggest was just shy of 3 on a Cut-R; very stealthy bite that I didn't feel so much as watched the line go sideways. I was marking a lot of fish between 15 and 20 feet, but couldn't get a bite. I kept going back to tossing plastics and jigs into the banks with steep drop-offs. That's really the only type of location I regularly have any confidence in out there after May. I was in the wind for a good part of the day, which makes chasing bait balls tough. Numbers weren't great, but enough not to make me regret going out in early in the rain. I think I caught about a dozen total, but 5-6 were smallish ones that all came in a short burst of a bout 40 minutes in 3-7 FOW at the edge of grass. I probably wasted too much time tossing deep cranks, but I've done well with them in 'similar conditions' in the past and I'm hard headed.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
A few stupid questions about the Occoquan from someone who is trying to find new spots now that the Potomac is in a decline:
1) Can I fish the Occoquan with my trolling motor only if I have a 225hp on the back of my boat?
2) If I can fish the Occuquan in my boat this weekend where should I launch if I want to fish shallow for fish chasing bait?
3) Any other tips (if I can in fact fish this reservoir in my boat) would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Choporoz reply :
Yes. You can put your boat in. I can't find the 'regulation' about whether you need to disconnect gas lines, or what. But I was out there about 6 or 7 weeks ago and there was a 'club' or group of 8 or 9 big boats trolling the rez. I asked 'why here'? They said they try to get out there a couple times a year because even without gas motors, they enjoy fishing it as much as other, bigger waters.
Unrelated more or less.....I suspect the lack of info on the 'law' is not a complete coincidence of the fact that I've never once been approached by a warden there in 4 years. So, it seems to be self-regulated. I've been convinced that some boats are being pushed by a lot more than 10HP, but without enforcement...... I suspect the most likely reporting entity would be the high school rowing coaches if they think their kids are getting rocked too much
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Thanks for the info!!!
So which launch should I use?
Choporoz reply :
I'm going to add little value except maybe something to look into while waiting for someone with actual knowledge comes along....I only rent jon boats (out of Lake Ridge and Fountainhead), so I'm a decided non-authority
To best of my knowledge, there's only three ramps: Fountainhead, Lake Ridge and Bull Run
Used to be that Bull Run requires you to have a season pass and key to the gate. Lake Ridge Park isn't too bad, but hours aren't as good as Fountainhead and their season is shorter. Fountainhead is a pretty good operation, opens at dawn, operates into November, and is farther 'upstream' than Lake Ridge, which many bass fishermen tend to prefer. Not to say that there isn't quality fishing closer to Lake Ridge.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Great! Thanks!!!
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only reply :
Chopo I wish I had your type of luck. I get stopped by the game warden out there about 5+ times a year sometimes twice a week. I have seen a lot of bass boats out there with the big motors completely out of the water. I am not sure if that is sufficient but I have never seen them getting in any trouble.
J-
big poppa reply :
Over the past week fishing has slowed for me. Caught a few on a swimbait here and there. Nothing much going on. Thinking about trying Burke Lake for some musky as the water temp drops.
Kyle46N reply :
We've been hammering the crappie on Burke the past couple months. Caught a few walleye also....biggest 20 inches.
FinesseFishing reply :
I've learned I know nothing about Fountainhead the few times I've been out. My 10 yr old nephew was in town this weekend and we went out for 4 hours today. I didn't catch a single thing but there were some (club?) anglers in what looked like a tourney who had some nice ones dragged in. Maybe I'll have better luck next year. Picked up a topographical map so I could study the area more. I'm like Chopo and only have a minn kota so I tend to rent John boats. Patience is key I guess....
Edit: P.S. If anyone wants a fishing partner going into next year I'm game. I have a little one due in January but everything should be calmer going into the fishing season 
Lol
Choporoz reply :
On 10/19/2014 at 6:05 AM, FinesseFishing said:I've learned I know nothing about Fountainhead the few times I've been out.
FF, I'm right there with you.....lol....yet, I keep going back.
I spent a good portion of Friday out there. Trolled north out of Fountainhead. Had a decent morning, but nothing special enough for the scale or camera. Largest wouldn't have gone 3. Probably 8 or 9 total fish. I thought I'd thrown a little bit of everything, but only got hits on plastics in tight cover.
By noon, everything completely shut down. I stayed out until nearly 4 o'clock without another bite. The baitfish rafts are just incredible this year. I've never seen it like this -- some over a city block in size. Little wonder I couldn't get a bass to bite on a lure when the natural food is so plentiful. I realized after being off the water that I hadn't tossed an A-Rig or pulled a buzzbait across the top of the minnows, however....both of which I probably should have tried.
Choporoz reply :
Went out in the rain yesterday from 3-5:45. They were hitting pretty aggressively. Probably best couple hour stretch since May. Biggest was shade under 4 on a 3.5" line-through swim bait. They wouldn't touch a spinner bait, but cranks under bait fish and plastics flipped into shallows were hot hot hot. Sure wish I could have gotten out a lot earlier.
georgeyew reply :
On 10/23/2014 at 4:27 AM, Choporoz said:Went out in the rain yesterday from 3-5:45. They were hitting pretty aggressively. Probably best couple hour stretch since May. Biggest was shade under 4 on a 3.5" line-through swim bait. They wouldn't touch a spinner bait, but cranks under bait fish and plastics flipped into shallows were hot hot hot. Sure wish I could have gotten out a lot earlier.
Glad that you had a good time. I hope that you didn't get too soaked.
Choporoz reply :
Tale of two Occoquans this weekend. Saturday the square bill bite was ON! I renewed my Bassmaster subscription recently and they sent a nice package last week that included an Xcalibur square bill (6' max - brown top w/LMB-type side 'stripe' and white belly.) That lure just killed them most of the day Saturday. Got a few on flukes and drop-shots, but most on the crank. They weren't just sniffing it, either. A couple of three pounders nearly took the rod out of my hand, they hit it so hard.
Went back out in the gale-force winds yesterday and except for a couple blue gills that hit senkos, I got skunked. I was marking some fish around 17 feet deep, but I couldn't hold or position the boat long enough - even with an anchor - to work anything into them that they would touch. Absolutely nothing in the sheltered shores/bays.
quanjig reply :
You guys are missing out on a nice chew on the res!! We have thrown 2 big fish tournaments and 6+ pound fish have won both times!! I've gone out a few times and have caught some very nice aggressive fish up near the splits. Caught a real nice smallie as well!! Sorry nitro, I know you want in on some of that, past two trips have resulted in 3 total with the biggest one around 4 pounds!! You know how I caught them!!!!!!!
big poppa reply :
I went out this morning and got skunked. Went down to the standing timber below Sandy run. Got a decent bite on a jig but the fish missed the hook. Had a fish nudge my hudd 68 but didnt want to eat it. Sounds like I went the wrong direction
Choporoz reply :
I'm envious, guys! I've got March 15th circled on my calendar. Unless I succomb and buy a kayak or boat first, I'm shore-bound until Fountainhead rentals opens up again in spring.
big poppa reply :
Went out last Monday and caught a 3lb 12oz 'er on a Spro Lil john in about 4 ft of water. Tried everything else with nothing doing. (Jigs/jerks/spinnerbaits/etc...)
nitro557 reply :
ill be doing a lot of fishing next year ,had to retire early so I got nothing but time
WDinarte reply :
On 12/25/2014 at 5:39 AM, nitro557 said:ill be doing a lot of fishing next year ,had to retire early so I got nothing but time
Sound like a good plan Nitro, good luck on 2015 fishing adventure.
bigsteveo reply :
Anyone been out yet this year? I'm off next week and was planning on getting the boat out
Choporoz reply :
Took the new kayak over to Lake Ridge weekend before last and couldn't get out because of the ice. Spent a couple hours on Dogue Creek instead, but nothing doing there. I imagine the ice is going to be bad for a while after this week.
FinesseFishing reply :
I'm hoping on getting out soon here too weather permitting. I was trying to find a club but it seems without a boat most turn the cold shoulder. Oh well, maybe I'll find a good fishing buddy in 2015. Either way I don't mind, I have no problem with it being just me, the boat, and my gear. Typically I rent from fountainhead and bring my own trolling motor.
Choporoz reply :
I feel bad for the tourny guys tomorrow. Beyond slow today. I got skunked out there. Man...spend every waking minutes since November thinking about getting out there and it was brutal. One jig bite. I sensed that drop shot was probably the way to go, but it was hard to hold on deep ledges in the wind.
quanjig reply :
It was very tough. 30 boats, only 13 boats caught fish and most of them only caught 1or 2! Big fish was 6.6 and winners had a little over 14. Winners had 3 fish with that big one, no 6 fish limits that's for sure!!
Some fish were caught shallow at the end of the day. Partner and I only had 1 short fish and one other bite, makes for an extra frustrating long day!
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for that report, Quanjig! I AM sorry you didn't do better. However, I won't lie - I feel a bit better about my day knowing that others were struggling. Self-doubt sucks.
Nitrofreak reply :
Hey quan , I can put my bass boat in as long as I just use my T-Motor right ?
I know I can't cover the res but I should be able to cover the upper part and have some fun I would think !
quanjig reply :
Hey Sonny! Sorry I didn't get to this quicker. The ramp that you met me requires a pass and key. Let me know if you want to drop the boat in and I'll get you in there!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Hey Quan , I certainly will man , got a couple of boats to fix and a couple of benefitting tourneys to get out after first but I'll pm ya when I'm ready , thanks a ton for the opportunity and the offer , hope very much to see you soon though !!!
innova reply :
Managed to get out Saturday a.m. but wasn't able to put us on any bite. Mostly hid from the winds in the coves throwing jigs, slow rolling spinnerbaits/senko/ you name it. Pulled out and hit some local farm ponds w/ a little more success on wacky rigged watermelon senkos.
Unrelated to Occoquan but took the kids to Crockett Park today for some bank fishing with no success there either. Saw a LOT of boats but not much happening.
-innova
Choporoz reply :
Saturday was brutal. Beautiful early morning, but when the wind came in around 9 or 9:30, it was over. I considered heading in then. Probably should have. One keeper - barely.
I thought I was done for the weekend, but it was so nice Sunday morning, I went back out for a few hours. Only a couple short fish, but it was so nice, I didn't care much. Really I missed a couple of really good jig thumps and that was enough to keep me pumped.
On the brighter side, I went home and worked on my dad's old Johnson 6 and got her running well. This is going to open up parts of the rez that I've only dreamed about.
quanjig reply :
23.08 and 23.09 were first and second place yesterday!! We also had a 7 pounder weighed in....... it was not in either the first or second place bag!!
Choporoz reply :
Wow. Good day. Any word on what was working?
Rez reply :
Went out for a couple hours Friday to take the new Jon for a spin. Caught a 3lber but had to go in. Pretty good for about 30 minutes of fishing. The honey hole rarely fails. Especially once it starts warming. Water was at about 59 and this evening around sunset about 62 but I had no luck. Good luck!
Rez reply :
Out again today. Skunked...
quanjig reply :
Sundays tournament was full on wackage! First place over 29, second over 26, third and fourth over 25! Came in fifth with over 24! Another 7 pounder also weighed! Come one guys, the res is on fire!!!
pntrafn reply :
new to the page and new to fishing the area...any recommendations for good shore fishing @ the res?
quanjig reply :
Not much shore fishing access on the res. fishing pier at fountainhead is about it unless you feel like hiking around the bull run marina. Look at hemlock park. It's the upper streaches of bull run. Some nice smallmouth can be had from shore there
pntrafn reply :
On 4/22/2015 at 10:09 AM, quanjig said:Not much shore fishing access on the res. fishing pier at fountainhead is about it unless you feel like hiking around the bull run marina. Look at hemlock park. It's the upper streaches of bull run. Some nice smallmouth can be had from shore there
thanks quanjig I will check out Hemlock Park for sure
BB* reply :
I was just down at Hemlock this past weekend. Tried all my usual spots. No bites other than nibbles from Bluegill. I'll probably wait until mid to late May before going back. It was like this last year too. My feeling is they are all hanging in the upper areas of the res doing their thing.
quanjig reply :
Hemlock is in my opinion, better later in the year. Spring rains kinda make it a little tougher!
BB* reply :
On 4/23/2015 at 9:30 PM, quanjig said:Hemlock is in my opinion, better later in the year. Spring rains kinda make it a little tougher!
Yep, I agree.
Choporoz reply :
Spent a good few hours out both days this weekend. Saturday was a little slow, but I boated a few in the morning, including one good 3+ and then, mid afternoon for about an hour, non-stop short fish. Like they were switched on and then off again just as fast.
Sunday was absolutely beautiful out there. Little wind, bright sunshine. My wife and I were out for about four or five hours and we might have had two bites. I suspect the bitter cold nights had something to do with it. Sure hope it picks up soon.
DJ 6_6 reply :
@Quanjig...
What's the best pattern on the Rez?. Might go out this weekend on a john boat.
Choporoz reply :
Beautiful weekend. Was out Sat and Sun. Now I'm having a bit of a crisis of confidence. No more than 4 or 5 fish Sat and only one was 2+. Yesterday was even worse. 7+ hours and one small bass. Unbelievable. But the real problem was when I trolled across the mouth of a small bay and watched a couple tourny guys. They were flipping and catching BIG fish. I was too far to tell what they were using or get good look at the fish they were culling, but I'm guessing they had a very good day.
I did get to witness maybe the strangest thing I've ever seen on Occoquan; there was a huge carp and a turtle in a fight to the death. The carp was at least 30+ inches long and the turtle's shell was over 12 inches across....I couldn't tell which was trying to eat the other --- never seen anything like it. They were thrashing like crazy, but when I got within about ten yards, they took it below the surface and in the soup that is Occoquan, I couldn't see them anymore.
Anyway, I need to sit down and take stock of what I'm doing and how I'm doing it because I had no answers this weekend.
Choporoz reply :
Just looked at the results for the tourny last weekend and I don't feel quite so bad. Better'n I did, but not what I was afraid I'd see.
Only four boats with six fish and top bag didn't go 20. I REALLY hate to delight in other's misfortune, so please don't take it that way -- I'm just glad that I can feel like I wasn't the only person on the entire lake sucking last weekend.
nitro557 reply :
The rez is tough right now .It's bedding time .give it two weeks and it's on
quanjig reply :
Yea, what nitro said! Last tournament was difficult to say the least. Came in 4th but had a chance to get in the money with a few missed opportunities. This time of year they tend to drag baits away not eat it!! Patience is key and dead sticking works well. My best opportunities have been in the grass but you have to cover a lot of it to try and pin down a pattern within the grass! Not all of it is created equal!!
Choporoz reply :
Good day jigging. They're in the grass. Biggest was 5 1/2. Also, carp must be spawning...never seen so many HUGE carp in one day
Choporoz reply :
On Sunday there was a boat on the Occoquan Reservoir with a 200HP roaring through between Lake Ridge and Fountainhead. I never got close enough to confront them or get their boat numbers. Who's the 'authority'? One of the counties? Game warden? Who do you call, if anyone? Bugged me a lot more than it probably should, but I'd have liked to have done something about it.
Rez reply :
200?!? Kidding right?
Choporoz reply :
It was something of a blur, but I'm fairly certain
Kyle46N reply :
Same thing happened a few Sundays ago on Burke lake. Two guys in a 18 - 20 ft jon boat of some sort with at least a 100 hp on the back. Full speed up and down the lake putting out serious wake. Lots of kayakers on the lake that day. I wanted to make a call too, but wasn't sure who would be best to call on a weekend.
quanjig reply :
I saw that boat rip up and down the res as well, kinda stupid to push your luck on a Sunday like that, karma has a funny way of catching up with folks like that!!
To see someone do that at Burke is amazing!! Not sure how that didn't get reported!! Burke is a purely fishing lake only. Pleasure boaters are not allowed on the water. If you see that you can report it to VADGIF. I've thought about doing that myself especially when looky loos cruse between you and the bank and want to talk about what a beautiful day it is!!
Rez reply :
So the other day I found this guy a float on the res and he's quite big! Never fished for crappie before and now I'm really interested in getting out and giving it a try. Anyone ever caught crappie in the Occcoquan? Any tips or advise. Going in blind at this point.
Choporoz reply :
Wow. 15" will earn you a citation here in VA. That's a monster.
I've never caught one, but never fished for them here, either. Funny, though....because I catch them on lots of other waters while fishing for LMB's.
Also funny.....while out on Saturday, my wife and I were watching some deer on the Prince William side, and out of the blue, she asked me "Do deer swim?" I told her "I think so, but never seen it with my own eyes. But I have seen deer on islands, so they must." Sure enough, less than an hour later, there was a fawn swimming from PW to Fairfax about a half mile up from Fountainhead.
quanjig reply :
Caught some really nice crappie on the res. standard stuff works. Finding them the right size is the tough part!! Deeper brushy banks with slip bobbers and adjust to the right depth! Probably just missed the best time for size and numbers but you can get back on them in October and November for sure!
As for the swimming deer on the res, I've witnessed it plenty of times, big bucks chasing smaller bucks clean off the bank and I mean these little fellas leaping for their lives from steeper banks! I've also seen doe's trying to loose a frisky buck by swimming a cross the back of cuts and creeks. With the buck in hot pursuit minutes later nose in the air!!
Coolest things I've seen out there are the otters and freaky large turkey!!
Rez reply :
Occoquan is definetly a very scenic fish. I've also seen deer cross the back streems and get chased by bucks. I've also managed to see a lot bald eagles both flying and perched in trees. Blue heron and everywhere and the occasional hawk will swoope in from above. The beavers are everywhere and they love slapping their tales when you're close.
quanjig reply :
I did see a sizeable snakehead in Sandy run a couple weeks ago, just so people know!!
Rez reply :
Any tips on targeting smallies in the resevoir?
quanjig reply :
Jerkbait in November/December up around the splits area has been the best time for me. I have caught them in other places and other times but this seems to be the best!
Wayne P. reply :
On 5/27/2015 at 5:08 AM, Choporoz said:Wow. 15" will earn you a citation here in VA. That's a monster.
I've never caught one, but never fished for them here, either. Funny, though....because I catch them on lots of other waters while fishing for LMB's.
Also funny.....while out on Saturday, my wife and I were watching some deer on the Prince William side, and out of the blue, she asked me "Do deer swim?" I told her "I think so, but never seen it with my own eyes. But I have seen deer on islands, so they must." Sure enough, less than an hour later, there was a fawn swimming from PW to Fairfax about a half mile up from Fountainhead.
quanjig reply :
My first encounter with a deer swimming was at Pohick, all I could think was "why is that duck swimming backward!"
HistoryNerd27 reply :
My father and I are going to try the Occoquan for the first time tomorrow if the weather allows. I've read a lot on this thread and others so I feel pretty well prepared but any last minute advice is always welcome. Hoping to get there nice and early to get a topwater bite and then move to points and bluffs as the sun comes out. Maybe try and fish the grass too if that doesn't work. I'll post a report Wednesday hopefully to let everyone know how it went.
Rez reply :
Good luck! The res produces some quality bass if you can figure out a pattern. I'd recommend fishing plastics in the grass and heavy cover. Jigs also work well, focus on darker black/blue/greenpumpkin colors for both. Where are you launching?
HistoryNerd27 reply :
Fountainhead. I think it is the closest and best launch site for me coming from Winchester. I'm really glad to hear that plastics and jigs in the grass and heavy cover works well. I need to learn how to power fish one day but I'm more at home with soft plastics.
Rez reply :
On 6/2/2015 at 2:20 AM, HistoryNerd27 said:Fountainhead. I think it is the closest and best launch site for me coming from Winchester. I'm really glad to hear that plastics and jigs in the grass and heavy cover works well. I need to learn how to power fish one day but I'm more at home with soft plastics.
Actually went out for a couple hours, just got home. Caught 5 fish in my 2 hrs out. Find submerged structure in 5-12 ft of water and see what you can do with plastics. Wacky rigged was working excellent. Just be patient and give it some time to sink. Let us know how you do and of you have any specific questions Shoot away.
HistoryNerd27 reply :
Didn't end up getting there til about 9:30 am or so since the rain put us a bit behind schedule. Cloudy and showered on and off all morning. Started off by throwing around grass right off the launch and then went to the point across the reservoir and didn't get a bite. I wanted to get out of the deep water so I headed up a bit back to the Fairfax side and fished some shallower water. I thought I figured something out after catching a 3 lber on a grassy point, but couldn't get turned onto a pattern at all for the rest of the day. Ended up catching a few other small ones on spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. My dad caught a nice crappie off his jerkbait. Fish were definitely up in the water column but just seemed like they were roaming around, not really relating structure or cover that I could tell. I'm assuming the rain this week and cool, cloudy weather probably had something to do with it. Water really didn't seem muddy to me though. Then again, I'm used to fishing the 'Doah where mud is a constant. Still, it was a nice day out and I really enjoyed my first trip to the reservoir. I will definitely be back again.
The only issue I did have was getting to Fountainhead. I came in via the Prince William Parkway and I think a different way might be easier. Seemed like tight turns and narrow roads to me, especially since we were towing a bass boat. I was also wondering if there is a place to launch that has a dock you can walk down. I don't mind getting in the water but it's just a bit easier to get my father in the boat off a dock instead of getting in the water and climbing in from the shore. Thanks everyone for any advice.
quanjig reply :
Lake ridge park on the prince William county side has a dock at the ramp. It's a steep ramp and a little narrow to boot!!
Seasonally, it's kind of a crap shot right now. Serious post spawn and an over abundance of shad the likes of which I've never seen this early in the year on the res!!
If we keep getting these big swings in temps, it might be a while before the fish really start to relate to specific areas!!
HistoryNerd27 reply :
I was wondering about the shad population. I thought maybe they were just extremely active yesterday but I could see them everywhere on the top of the water. Thanks for the info about Lake Ridge
Kyle46N reply :
If the Res is off, you should get down to the Potomac. The fish are all over the shallows, and easy to catch right now. My son and I have been doing really well throwing over any submerged grass, on flats, but even on some slopes down to 10 feet at low tide. We're hitting it as much as possible while the getting is good. Tuesday we caught and released 16 fish before noon, and the 6 year old had 6 of those throwing a Skinny Dipper over the grass. They would just hammer it. Our best 5 went 13 lbs and change. Going back tomorrow
Rez reply :
They're moving deeper...Find protruding or submerged structure in 5-12 feet.
quanjig reply :
Deeper....... 20+!!!!
Rez reply :
Yeah just saying I've been finding the there too.
rivafishn reply :
I'm planning on getting out there this evening for the first time, can't believe it has taken me this long this year. So, the fish are already down in the 12 to 20 foot range? I guess things are moved well along. I'll have to see what I can do.
Anybody fishing the lower end down towards the dam at all?
innova reply :
Looking for some similar feedback here, heading out of Fountainhead in a kayak for the first time in a couple days. Any suggestions on heading north or south from the ramp? Generally the question is which way first, but when you're under your own power, you have to pick one or the other
Thanks!
innova
edit: both of us skunked! We threw every presentation at every portion of the water column, the rez continues to be a fickle b#@$%.
tim3716 reply :
I don't know if this is the right spot to post, but I was wondering where I can get my Evinrude outboard serviced in NOVA. Also should I go left or right in fountain head park?
Jblittles reply :
My first post here, but have been lurking and reading for years LOL! But launched out of Lake Ridge at 5:45 and went up river, saw tons of herons, 2 bald eagles, a beaver, and some foxes. Kinda makes you forget you're so close to DC. Only saw to other boats fishing. Caught 5 bass and snagged a tiny flathead. Biggest fish @ 3#'s. Saw TONS of baitfish boiling at the surface and bass hitting isolated schools of bluegill. All fish caught swimming a 8inch curly tail worm in about 1-6feet of water
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Haven't posted in a long time. Got a new to me boat a few weeks ago and got to take it out Sunday. Launched out of bull run and fished after the splits and only managed 3 dinks. Water was choco-milk at Bull Run and slowly cleared up after the splits. Will try to fish again Saturday morning if I have time and try to see where they are at.
everythingthatswims reply :
On 6/24/2015 at 1:38 AM, Eddie-NoVA said:Haven't posted in a long time. Got a new to me boat a few weeks ago and got to take it out Sunday. Launched out of bull run and fished after the splits and only managed 3 dinks. Water was choco-milk at Bull Run and slowly cleared up after the splits. Will try to fish again Saturday morning if I have time and try to see where they are at.
Judging from your profile pic, you get along just fine with choco-milk
quanjig reply :
With all the heat, they have really started to get out deeper! Keep moving around, when you find them, they are usually good fish. Partner and I won the last FH tournament. Only caught 7 keepers all day but they were the right keepers! 6 fish 23+ lbs!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
Congrats on the win Jig! That's a really nice stringer. Whats yalls club record, 25 or so? I'm going to put some time out there this weekend. If you see me in a rented jon boat throwing DD22's, carolina rigs and football jigs up near the old d**n till my arm and hands cramp up, share some words of encouragement please.
quanjig reply :
Thanks!! Club record is now just shy of 30lbs!! We had almost 25 a few weeks ago and came in 6th!! Goes to show you there are some quality fish out there!!
Rez reply :
Went out yesterday for a few hours. Only a dink that exploded on a worm next to the boat. For a while had them located but my previous spots aren't producing. Guess I'll shoot for deeper.
The Bream Reaper reply :
If you're more accustomed to fishing shallow right now, keep an eye out for bluegill beds fishing.
Huntrava reply :
I'l be out at Occoquan tomorrow (Friday, 10 July). Will most likely be using football jigs and wacky worms. Maybe some live bait.
If you see a skinny-fat guy paddling a yellow kayak, give me a wave! I'll let you know how the bite is...
Choporoz reply :
Good luck, Hunt. Looking forward to the update
Huntrava reply :
So there's bass in Occoquan in case anyone is wondering. What they're up to these days? Anyone's guess.
Here's my best analogy for today's bite: sometimes Bugs Bunny lets himself get caught by Elmer Fudd as a sort of professional courtesy. Most of the bites today were like that. I wanted to focus on soft plastics and drop shotting, but ended up using my old fallback--the spinnerbait.
A fair number of fish were hugging the bottom at 20+ feet, but I couldn't get any of them to bite, even after dropping soft plastic on their little heads. Fish on my sonar suspended between 5-15 ft seemed to be fair game for the old spinnerbait routine. Caught a handful that way. Caught one on a wacky rig.
Not the most productive day, but I wasn't expecting much. The challenge is forcing the bite...
novafx4 reply :
I was fishing the Occoquan yesterday out of Fountainhead Park. I caught one decent size bass on a texas rigged worm. Pulled him out from under a fallen tree near shore just upstream from the FH boat launch. Had a couple of good hits as well but only got the one into the boat.
The Bream Reaper reply :
We did well Saturday morning from about 6-11:30am. Kind of an anomaly though with the rain/overcast, but for whatever it's worth we were catching quality (2-3#ers) pretty regularly all morning in anywhere from 2 - about 7ft of water. They were chasing swim jigs and soft plastics. We stopped at every main lake laydown and point (even better if it was a point with a laydown) from FH to the old dam. Slowed down with a stick bait and picked off a giant up on a point closer to old dam in about 6 or 7ft of water if I had to guess.
Jblittles reply :
Launched out of bull run at 6 am on my kayak, saw and heard tons of fish jumping on the surface. And of course I forgot all my top water gear so I had to improvise and reel a creature bait as fast as I could onto and only caught one fish (3lbs). Fished for 5 hours after and caught nothing. I don't have a fish finder so finding fish deep is impossible. Any tips? I went up river by the soccer fields and saw a dying carp and thats about it.
rivafishn reply :
I have been out there a lot more in the last week and a half. I have a bunch of dinks and have caught a few decent fish, around the 15 to 17 inch range. I fish out of a kayak, so I measure the length and don't typically have a scale with me. I have been fishing more shallow though. I need to work on using my electronics and finding some deeper spots for fish.
Is anybody finding fish in the various creeks or inlets? It sounds like there are a bunch of fish on the points on the may section of the reservoir. I still consider myself a big newbie when it comes to the reservoir, but i am trying to put it together. I also typically fish the south end of the reservoir near the dam.
quanjig reply :
I tend to stay out of the creeks this time of year. Deeper main lake points are what I look at during the summer months. If I do ventur into creeks, they are the main ones and I don't go much further than the first third, simply because I am looking for the deeper fish. Doesn't mean you can't catch them in the creeks tho!!
I'm looking to locate bigger groups of bigger fish!!
Riva, the creek down by the dam, Hooes, is a great creek to dissect. Little bit of everything down there!!
Choporoz reply :
Went out of Fountainhead for a few hours yesterday afternoon. Couple shorties is all. Missed a bunch of jig taps, but some of those were probably bluegills nipping at the trailers. I was really hoping to pattern deep fish, but the only time I thought I found some bunched up, it was really windy and I couldn't present accurately, nor feel anything. After the rains, it calmed significantly, but I couldn't locate anything. I was really focused on deep fish, so I didn't get into any creeks or bays.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
I'll be headed out of Bull Run Saturday Morning with a buddy. Got a new (to me) boat this year. Come say Hi if you see me.
rivafishn reply :
Thanks Quan! I have moved around a bunch, but feel like I still have plenty to learn. I'll have to work on the main lake points some more.
Good luck Saturday Eddie and enjoy the new rig!
I plan on getting out saturday as well and will be down south, i run around in a blue and black kayak and I am a big guy, so if you scoot by that way say hi.
quanjig reply :
I'll be out Sunday.
If you guys get the gemco map, any "named" spot is really a community hope and worth a look, just to let you know!!
mudkart reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 2:57 AM, quanjig said:I'll be out Sunday.
If you guys get the gemco map, any "named" spot is really a community hope and worth a look, just to let you know!!
Hole #1 on the GMCO map has been good to me lately. And the spots in Hooes are just around the corner...
quanjig reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 1:37 PM, mudkart said:Hole #1 on the GMCO map has been good to me lately. And the spots in Hooes are just around the corner...
Stay away from there!
mudkart reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 6:51 PM, quanjig said:Stay away from there!
rivafishn reply :
Looks like I definitely need to get better at deep water fishing. I am moving around and trying different things. I was headed towards spot 1 this morning when the storms blew in, so that squashed that. Hopefully I can get out there and see what is going on.
I managed one decent one last night and only one dink this morning.
Jblittles reply :
I have no idea how to read a fish finder but is that a hump in almost 60 ft of water?
quanjig reply :
There are a couple of "gritty" areas nearby. It's all about how everything comes together. Couple piles, water that goes from 12 to 17 to 28 to 38 in about 2 boat lengths. Get the right wind and current, I've had magical days there!!
Choporoz reply :
Normally, chasing shad boils turns out to be a mistake for me,but today, it was productive. After the rain, it was a feeding frenzy. Many bass achieving significant hang time. Most of my fish came on lipless and med divers pulled through panicky looking shad. Nothing over 3, however. Biggest bass I've seen there followed my lure all the way to the boat before peeling off. She was in a small bay just herding shad to the back and cleaning up. Jig was mostly useless for a change. Just one dink on it. And a huge turtle...shell was a good 14 inches across. Fortunately he shook of before I cut my braid....oh and a 5 in bluegill hooked in the mouth. First time I've done that with a full size jig
novafx4 reply :
I pulled a really nice 2.5 lb largemouth into my Hobie PA yesterday evening. Texas rigged worm worked around a fallen tree did the trick.
DJ 6_6 reply :
On 7/19/2015 at 2:23 AM, mudkart said:
This appears to be sidescan sonar? Can someone break it down with arrows as to what we see? The center line is the boat/surface of the water and the images would be in portrait orientation (Middle to the right would be the right side of the boat, Surface to bottom) and the left side of the picture, reading middle to the left would be Surface, to bottom, correct?
Choporoz reply :
Finally got a Bull Run key.
Been kayaking up river from there a couple nights after work this week. Not a lot of bites, but a few nice fish. One of which was my first smallie east of the Shenandoah. Not too fat, but pretty long. I'm liking it up there. I went Mon and Wed, and all I met felt it was slow...but, of course, the word is that Tues was insane.....of course....LOL
quanjig reply :
If you can schedule a day out there close to a change in the weather, chances are pretty good you will whack 'em!!
rivafishn reply :
Chop - I keep seeing good fish being caught at the north end of the reservoir. I want to try and get up there at some point in my yak.
Quan - I definitely need to find a good change in weather.
I was able to get out tuesday evening for a little while and caught 3 fish in the 15" range, but no good ones. I saw a lot of pictures the last couple of days with a bunch of good fish caught. I'm hoping to get out for awhile this evening and see what I can do. Maybe I can get a good one or two.
Choporoz reply :
riva, I don't know of any public access up there besides Bull Run. I checked NOVA parks website and saw that a key was $20 for the year and went to Fountainhead to get one. Turns out that you have to have an annual launch pass to get be offered a key. Makes sense, but I wasn't mentally prepared for the $60 bill. It is worth it, just a little surprise. Nice thing is that the launch pass is also good at Pohick, Occoquan, Fountainhead and Algonkian (a few miles above Great Falls - north of Sterling.)
rivafishn reply :
Chop - thanks for the info! I did get a pass because I fish the lower sections plenty during the year, either for myself or events I participate in. I have been to Lake Ridge, Pohick, Occoquan and Mason Neck several times this year and it has paid for itself. I might need to go and get a key so I can try that area. It sounds great! I definitely like smallies and can get just about anywhere in my kayak.
Jblittles reply :
I saw a couple guys launching a kayak above bull run on kincheloe road by the soccer fields, I don't know if it is legal but there are places to park and you can walk a couple yards to the water and launch, and are there walleye in the occoquan? I met a person who swore he caught on buy the bridge
HokieDJ reply :
I'm confused. When I go on the NOVA parks site and look at Annual launch passes, I see prices range from $70 to $135. Where are you guys seeing $40?
rivafishn reply :
Hokie - it is probably the difference between a kayak launch pass and the boat launch pass. If you have a kayak and are launching the pass is a lot less, as long as you are a resident of the nova parks group. I paid about $70 for mine this year, but I am a resident of PWC.
Here is a link to the water trail league that talks about kayak launch passes.
https://www.nvrpa.org/park/occoquan_water_trail/content/owt_league
quanjig reply :
There in lies my beef with the folks at fountainhead. Kayaker a pay for a "shore" launch meaning you don't get to use the ramp, you should load and launch your yak from the gravel area away from the ramp!
You want to get my panties in a bunch??!! Pull your vehicle on to the ramp........... Horizontal to the water, dead center of the ramp and take you good sweet time unloading your little plastic thingy! I will jump into your vehicle, chuck it in neutral and push that into the bushes and give you a piece of my mind!!
HokieDJ reply :
For the most part, most kayakers are mindful of that stuff. But as with everything, you got your bad apples. When I launch, I do it from the side while still giving room to the boater to launch. I also don't take my dandy time when others are around.
You don't know how many times I have had boaters go full throttle around me and cause 1-2 ft waves. Just not polite but what are you going to do?
quanjig reply :
I don't think most yakers are knowledgable of the "ramp rules" to be honest with you. You may be an exception. Far too many days has it taken well over 30 minutes for me to just get my boat out of the water because of inconsiderate kayakers. Many of which own their own but quite a few renters at fountainhead as well. All it takes is one red shirt down there kindly explaining the process to those that don't know. That is asking a lot from minimum wage part time park people but, I think it's time for me to politely go to the head cheese and ask if maybe something can be displayed for the people that are blocking the ramp on a continuous basis!!
Not sure what you expect about "waves" on a body of water where motorized boats are allowed. Just part of the package. Now if somebody goes out of their way to wake you on purpose, that's not right. Plenty of times I've rounded a bend and it's been wall to wall yakers and SUP's, somebody is gonna get a little rocked! I put out less wake on plane than I do off plane for sure. There is a right way to enjoy your yak adventure, it does not involve the center of the res!!
mudkart reply :
Not one but TWO yak vehicles taking up the ramp yesterday @ fountainhead as I'm waiting to load up. One vehicle moved, I trailered my boat (by my lonesome self) and got out of there before the the other yak vehicle, who was on the ramp as I came in and beached. So, in the time it takes me to beach my craft, walk up to the far parking lot and get my vehicle, wait for one yakker to move, trailer my boat and drive away, this yahooer is still on the ramp tossing off. Jeebus. I take my revenge by using the rubber mat rather than the concrete ramp.
quanjig reply :
On 7/25/2015 at 8:11 AM, mudkart said:Not one but TWO yak vehicles taking up the ramp yesterday @ foutainhead as I'm waiting to load up. One vehicle moved, I trailered my boat (by my lonesome self) and got out of there before the the other yak vehicle, who was on the ramp as I came in and beached. So, in the time it takes me to beach my craft, walk up to the far parking lot and get my vehicle, wait for one yakker to move, trailer my boat and drive away, this yahooer is still on the ramp tossing off. Jeebus. I take my revenge by using the rubber mat rather than the concrete ramp.
The mat, in my eyes, with concrete under it, is the ramp. I have yet to have anyone give me a hard time when I pull up and put my boat on it. I just give people a " go ahead, say something" look!!
Huntrava reply :
I'm not going to defend bad ramp practices (you should be in and out as quickly and safely as possible) but there's a legitimate reason why you're seeing kayaks launching down the ramp.
The kids running Fountainhead are charging us yakkers ramp launch fees, even if we don't launch on the ramp. I told the person running the baitshop that I park in the upper lot and bring my yak down on a cart, but he insisted on charging the full price. He said it covered the cost of parking the trailer. Sure enough, it's written on that little chalk board.
So if you bring in a yak on a trailer, you might as well launch it from the ramp since you're paying for it. I think it's ridiculous, but the Fountainhead staff is at least partly responsible since every other boat launch typically gives a discount to folks launching from the shore--which I'd prefer!
novafx4 reply :
Here's my take. I paid $90 for the privilege of launching my kayak from the ramp. I paid my money so I'm going to use the ramp. I try not to tie things up for more than the few minutes it takes to unload/load it into the back of my truck. If I can get a parking spot at the bottom of the hill I don't even back up to the ramp, I just wheel my boat over from the parking lot. Same for getting it out of the water.
I'll be out there today with my Pro Angler in my red F-150. If you see me, stop by and say hi.
Steve
quanjig reply :
Having fished out there and knowing countless managers of the park, I can tell you that you are only half right. You pay a reduced fee to launch your craft because you have no trailer. It clearly states on your pass it it a shore launch pass, not a ramp fee pass.
Again, you may be the exception to the rule but a majority of those that launch a kayak at the ramp, do so in a minor that is aggravating to say the least! Zero concept of others around them with an elitist attitude! They have no plan to launch and retrieve their boats in a timely manner. That and the fact that they don't see any problem with what they are doing irks the dog snot out of me!!
Huntrava reply :
On 7/25/2015 at 10:14 PM, quanjig said:Having fished out there and knowing countless managers of the park, I can tell you that you are only half right. You pay a reduced fee to launch your craft because you have no trailer. It clearly states on your pass it it a shore launch pass, not a ramp fee pass.
I have certainly been wrong before, and I can't speak for annual passes, since the only rates I'm familiar with are for the day passes. In the case of out of jurisdiction day passes, they have a surcharge for kayaks hauled on trailers which is equivalent to the boat launch fee ($6 I believe). I checked the website and it doesn't seem to mention the trailer surcharge fees, but I guarantee it's on the chalkboard.
Last time I launched I griped to the high school kid about paying $6 instead of $5. He said, "it's only a dollar." "Since it's only a dollar, can you cover me?" I responded, fully realizing he didn't get the annoyance. Kayaks don't need to use ramps, and that's why they generally get a discount. But if you charge kayakers ramp prices they're probably going to use it, and there's bound to be some idiots among them.
quanjig reply :
On 7/25/2015 at 10:45 PM, Huntrava said:I have certainly been wrong before, and I can't speak for annual passes, since the only rates I'm familiar with are for the day passes. In the case of out of jurisdiction day passes, they have a surcharge for kayaks hauled on trailers which is equivalent to the boat launch fee ($6 I believe). I checked the website and it doesn't seem to mention the trailer surcharge fees, but I guarantee it's on the chalkboard.
Last time I launched I griped to the high school kid about paying $6 instead of $5. He said, "it's only a dollar." "Since it's only a dollar, can you cover me?" I responded, fully realizing he didn't get the annoyance. Kayaks don't need to use ramps, and that's why they generally get a discount. But if you charge kayakers ramp prices they're probably going to use it, and there's bound to be some idiots among them.
If that's the case, by all means, use the ramp, you ARE paying for that!!
My gripe is not with the folks that are paying the rate that is equal as a RAMP fee and can launch and recover in a timely manor. It's those that have on a consistant basis, tied up the ramp for the people that have prepared to launch, only to get down to the ramp to find joe and Sally yak family parked dead center, horizontal and lolly gag about thinking it's their personal ramp, designed only for them. It happens far to frequently as the park grows in popularity.
novafx4 reply :
Quote
My gripe is not with the folks that are paying the rate that is equal as a RAMP fee and can launch and recover in a timely manor. It's those that have on a consistant basis, tied up the ramp for the people that have prepared to launch, only to get down to the ramp to find joe and Sally yak family parked dead center, horizontal and lolly gag about thinking it's their personal ramp, designed only for them. It happens far to frequently as the park grows in popularity.
There was some of that going on when I was coming out of the water this afternoon. Kayaks should really stick to the rubber mat or the gravel area to the right of the concrete ramp if for no other reason than the concrete part of the ramp will tear up your plastic boat. I got lucky and got a parking spot at the bottom of the hill today and could wheel my yak over to the water. Makes things easier that way.
FWIW, I did catch a couple of nice largemouths while I was out this morning. A Texas rig with a darker colored plastic worm fished around the fallen trees has been working for me lately.
quanjig reply :
The tree pattern really shines this time of year!! If you get adventurous, try a shakey head on lighter line in the trees. Takes patience but very rewarding. Don't horse them out, just keep pressure on them and they will swim out. Much bigger fish to be had this way!!
novafx4 reply :
Quote
If you get adventurous, try a shakey head on lighter line in the trees.
Much bigger fish? I'm not complaining about the ones I've been catching.
I had to look up what a shakey head was, but it looks like it would work. I may have to rig one up on my second pole and give it a try next time I'm out. Thanks for the tip.
Steve
HokieDJ reply :
Let's get back on topic and talk about fishing I get ticked at yakers who take up the whole ramp and take their time because I can see the boaters getting ticked behind them . They tend to lump us all in one when in reality it's who they are regardless if it's going to be a yak or boat.
I'm trying to get the deep cranking part. The log pattern is just about the only thing that works for me for the Rez. Caught some nice 3.5 lbers doing it.
Has anyone tried punching the algae mats clumps between the reeds? I never seem to get success doing it but there has to be something in there. It defies logic!
quanjig reply :
In the spring, flipping baits into the weeds is good. I've not had much luck staying that shallow when it's hot like this. You would think they would be buried up nice in it tho!!
The deep cranking thing is very spot specific but when you find them on it, you can usually find a pile of them!!
HokieDJ reply :
Went out today out of LRM. Tried finding fish for cranking but no nada. Saw them suspended and hanging around 10-20 FOW.
I even saw a ball of shad(?) boiling by a ledge and tried throwing a swim bait through it but no takers. I did get a nice 5.06 lb in the grass at a point that made my day but man that place is tough.
quanjig reply :
We came in second today in the tournament. 24.08lbs on 6 fish. Was a fun day, caught our fish deep. Missed a few that felt like the could have made a difference. All our fish were caught between fountainhead and Sandy run
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for the updates, guys! I appreciate it. As a very new yakker and a boat renter, I don't have much experience to bring real value to the conversation, I will say that oftentimes in unrelated situations, perceived rudeness may be mostly ignorance and lack of situational awareness. Possible that kindly offered education will help them be better in the future. The only boat launch I've used so far is Bull Run, but I will say that lack of ability to load a fishing kayak before I get it to the water causes me to take longer at the ramp than a boat which can be made fully ready before backing down the ramp. I know that it probably isn't fishermen yakkers causing the problems, but I'm painfully aware that I take a long time still. But I do stay out of the way of the boaters as much as possible.
I skipped Occoquan this weekend for the first time in a long time. Hit Hunting Run and AP Hill with mixed results. I'll hit Bull Run one or more evenings this week.
mudkart reply :
On 7/27/2015 at 6:38 AM, quanjig said:We came in second today in the tournament. 24.08lbs on 6 fish. Was a fun day, caught our fish deep. Missed a few that felt like the could have made a difference. All our fish were caught between fountainhead and Sandy run
Nice Jon. Didn't you guys win one this year already?
And - I'm taking Shimmy's place here - this thread wins the award for the most alleged 5 pounders caught without a pic.
quanjig reply :
Thanks Mike, we did win one this year as well!
I miss Shimmy!!
HokieDJ reply :
Will this do? The tourney only takes length but I did weight it on my scale also. 20.5" is pretty much a rock solid 5lber.
Eddie-NoVA reply :
Went out Saturday morning and caught about 10. Largest being 3lb 12oz and many in the 2lb range. Senkos and bladed baits around cover was what I caught them off of.
I launch of out BRM and it was PACKED when I got back to the ramp to go home. Many double parked making it difficult to back the trailer to load the boat. BRM seems to be growing with more pass holders and non-pass holders. If you launch from BRM, please lock the gate on your way in and out. We pay for the key so lets keep only ones that paid have access to it. I don't know how many people I ran into leaving the place and locking the gate, then a non-key holder shows up asking to unlock it. I just leave and tell them it ain't free to come here.
rivafishn reply :
There are some nice fish being caught. I'll have to see if I can find some logs down in the water and try that.
I am a yakker as well, but always do my best to play nicely. I have launched out of LRM a bunch of times and found yaks just piled up from rentals. I try and help move some when they are like that. I work to unload my stuff as quick and safely as I can and then get on the water and out of the way. Even when I am doing that I stay to the side opposite the dock to allow the boaters more room to launch.
Quan - nice work on the tourney! What are you considering light line for the shakey heads. I have some 8 pound test running on one of my spinning rods.
Hokie - nice fish! I was out of town for the weekend and didn't get on my kayak for fishing and fell another 4 spots in the MAKBF Tourney. I have good numbers for any other tourney, but there are lots of big fish being caught this month. I hope to get out at least a couple of evenings this week and look to upgrade.
quanjig reply :
Hokie, nice fish! Deff a solid 5! Don't mind Mike and I, you would have had to be here to get the Shimmy/picture jab, for the most part, if you say you caught a 5, we will believe you!! Especially after you were kind enough to post a pic like you did with a board showing length.
Eddie, those are nice bull run fish for sure, several guys would have given an arm to catch a couple like that yesterday!!
Riva, I usually throw 8lb floro on my shakey set up but I'm more of an open water guy with that. They guys that play the tree game, bump it up to 10lb or braid! I don't have the patience to do it quite honestly! Don't get me wrong, I've done it successfully but it really takes a little different mindset to slowly work a bait thru the shaggy trees and when you get one hooked up, constant pressure to get them to swim out of the tree without breaking them off!! Be prepared to loose some tackle and once you've "rattled" a tree, you might as well move on to the next one!!
HokieDJ reply :
Riva - When I decided to enter, all I was seeing was 19s and under. Once I did, all these 20s came out of no where I'm just trying to make it respectable. I think I can make it out 1 or 2 more times. The Rez is my only shot to find big fish.
Quan - Thanks. I was lucky to be there at the right time and place. There were several boaters working that area at the time. Now I just need to find her sisters before end of July.
rivafishn reply :
Quan - thanks for the information!
Hokie - I know what you mean. I started the tourney and was even in 7th at one point and had some decent fish and then bam! Tons of 20's showed up and big numbers. I am fishing the rez as well and hoping to upgrade some more. I have 17's and up, just haven't found some big girls yet.
quanjig reply :
There are plenty of 20+ inch fish out there boys!! You just need to get off the grass and banks to get them!! Get out on the points and drops and deeper flats. Do be skert of the suspended fish either, I'm sure you guys have baits that are slow and seductive in open water, get those baits down there and make it happen!
If you guys have graphs, look for the bait, take note of how deep they are. Look for depths that come up to or just deeper that that. With the open water fish, run your baits at or slightly above and below. They will let you know what is optimum!!
If you see them chasing bait, you will notice the shad are not those little bait ball shad, they are the bigger gizzard shad, get your baits out there around that stuff!!
I'm giving you guys way too much!! Get out and get some!!!
HokieDJ reply :
Getting outside of the bank is not my comfort zone. That's what I'm trying to learn to crank and do heavy jigs for the 20 FOW range but my weakness is the ability to read my lowrance. I see what looks like suspended fish but I don't think I ever
seen a fish at the bottom.
I think I may be able to make it out Friday morning. It's my only shot left this week.
Thanks for the tips Quan.
quanjig reply :
If you just back off the bank half a cast and look for the depth changes, you might start to get a little better feel for getting away from shallow water doldrums. Pay attention to bank changes like where the bluffs start and end. If you are uncomfortable away from the banks, try inverting your casts. Get on the points and cast out deep and bring your cast up the incline.
When it's super hot like this, it really gets the fish grouped up. When you find an area that you have caught a good fish, chances are there will be others that same size in the area. So if you are constantly on smaller fish in one area, try to move around a bit to find the bigger fish!
rivafishn reply :
Thanks for the information Quan! That is one of the things I am working on this year, trying to get better at fishing deep and reading my depth finder better! I am hoping to get out an evening or two in the next three if the storms would not roll through, we shall see. I have caught 20's in the rez before just not any lately. I have heard good of good fish coming around the road bed, so I might need to check that out.
rivafishn reply :
Choporoz reply :
That's a beautiful fish, riva.
I put the kayak in at Bull Run last night for 3 hours. Headed down from there for the first time. Good numbers evening; 9 total; 6, all about a pound on plastics, and three between 2 and 2.6, all on a med/shallow crank (DT-4, I believe.)
rivafishn reply :
Thanks Chop! I'm headed out today as soon as I get out of work, hoping to find some good ones. I haven't had much luck on a crankbait yet, all plastics, but I will keep at it.
HokieDJ reply :
Nice fish Riva!. I went out this morning and meet Pepe Le Pew. Nothing in the reeds. Tried looking for some at the 10-15 FOW using cranks and jig but nada.
bigbasshunter reply :
Got on the reservoir early this morning, got a few bass but unfortunately got hooked into a snakehead.
quanjig reply :
Yea, I saw a rather large one in Sandy run this spring and reports are there are some bigger ones in the res now and, they have been seen surrounding fry balls in a few places. Sooooooo I guess in the not too distant future, we will be having snakehead round ups!!!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
All great info. Thanks Quan, et al.
So i am considering getting a kayak. Hokie, Riva and Chop, any suggestions? Thinking about firing in on that Jackson Big Rig but I want something I can transport on top of my Pathfinder. Also want something stable enough that I can take out on some bigger water (and potentially salt water)...and also that I can bring my 70lb dog with me and he won't tip. Just had our first baby last week, so the kayak is my compromise with the wife! Concerned about transport and ease of launching if I were to launch out opt Fountainhead or maybe even Bull Run if I purchased a launch pass. What do y'all think?
novafx4 reply :
Was anyone at Fountainhead yesterday afternoon? My daughter and I arrived at the launch at around 4pm and there were several firetrucks and rescue vehicles on scene and it looked like a couple of rescue boats as well. No details in the local paper or FB pages. I'm assuming it was either someone falling out of a boat or a mountainbiker getting evac'd.
Choporoz reply :
Trolled north out of Fountainhead for a few hours Saturday morning. Tried working on a couple of my weak areas - swimbaits and deep (worked jigs, c-rig, and drop shot) with no success. Gave in and switched to senkos and jigs and boated a limit in rather short order; largest was only 2.44#, though.
Bream,
Jury is still out on the kayak for me. In the last 6 days I put in at Pohick (Gunston Cove), Dogue Creek and Bull Run. Haven't kayaked from Fountainhead or Lake Ridge yet. I really like the possibilities of the Potomac, but I don't enjoy that bigger water all that much yet. Too much paddling and not enough fishing, I suppose. Crossing the mouth of Gunston Cove yesterday between waterskiers, jet skis and 50 foot cabin cruisers was a little hairy at times.
Paddling from Bull Run is totally different and always a great experience.
At this point, I'd rather have a boat. Between the expense and an HOA that prevents me parking it at home, I'm still putting it off. At $12-$25 bucks, I'm fairly happy renting when I want to get on on the rez, except for the limited range.
To get more from my kayak, I think I need to concentrate on smaller bodies of water.
At only 10' and 55#, I have a pretty small kayak. And still, putting it on top of my full-size SUV is a little bit of a struggle, especially at then end of 6 hours on the water. I sure wouldn't want anything heavier without a lower roof, or a trailer.
No way I'm going to be standing in my yak, and I miss that when I'm out on it. I haven't thrown a jig from it yet, because I am not confident I could flip accurately, nor set the hook. I need to work on that.
Let me know if you want to meet up sometime if you would like to try it out for a bit. Paddle around, try casting, etc.
Choporoz reply :
Forgot to mention/ask....that 2.44 I caught on Saturday was the second LMB I've caught in the Occoquan with large (bigger than silver dollar) size black spots. Anyone else find those? Natural markings? Hopefully not indicative of any sort of disease or anything. The other was even more pronounced, with the spots probably covering 1/4 of all exposed skin. Never seen that anywhere else.
quanjig reply :
Nova, I was pulling my boat out as the fire and rescue fold were launching. Not sure why they were out there. They didn't seem to be in that big of a hurry to launch tho. I did see a couple more race down with lights blazing thru the upper lot!!
Don't take this the wrong way but it looked like the old joke "how many people does it take to screw in a lightbulb" type of thing! Must have been 15 responders trying to get 3 people into that one boat. Lots of Chiefs, only a couple Indians!!!
quanjig reply :
Chop, almost like a birthmark, nothing to be worried about!!
HokieDJ reply :
On 8/3/2015 at 7:35 PM, The Bream Reaper said:All great info. Thanks Quan, et al.
So i am considering getting a kayak. Hokie, Riva and Chop, any suggestions? Thinking about firing in on that Jackson Big Rig but I want something I can transport on top of my Pathfinder. Also want something stable enough that I can take out on some bigger water (and potentially salt water)...and also that I can bring my 70lb dog with me and he won't tip. Just had our first baby last week, so the kayak is my compromise with the wife! Concerned about transport and ease of launching if I were to launch out opt Fountainhead or maybe even Bull Run if I purchased a launch pass. What do y'all think?
If you are considering saltwater use, then checkout the Hobie Outback. You can stand on that for the most part and it can handle saltwater with no issues but I'm not sure about your dog being on it.
A PA 12/14 would probably be better if you want your dog to come along since it's ultra stable but it's heavy. I have seen people put it on top of their SUVs tough.
rivafishn reply :
On 8/3/2015 at 7:35 PM, The Bream Reaper said:All great info. Thanks Quan, et al.
So i am considering getting a kayak. Hokie, Riva and Chop, any suggestions? Thinking about firing in on that Jackson Big Rig but I want something I can transport on top of my Pathfinder. Also want something stable enough that I can take out on some bigger water (and potentially salt water)...and also that I can bring my 70lb dog with me and he won't tip. Just had our first baby last week, so the kayak is my compromise with the wife! Concerned about transport and ease of launching if I were to launch out opt Fountainhead or maybe even Bull Run if I purchased a launch pass. What do y'all think?
Bream - i love having my kayak, but in order to have something that is big and stable, for both you and the dog, you are going to add weight to it. You are looking at about 85 pounds. I car top mine on my subaru and don't have any issues with it. I like being able to go anywhere. I have fished everything from the upper potomac, to smaller creeks that boats can't get into all the way up to the bigger creeks in the potomac. I have not tried any saltwater at this point, but have that on the list of things to try.
A good suggestion is the hobie pro angler 12/14, but they are going to run you the most. You can find plenty of them used. I would love to take my dog out on wilderness systems ATAK, but I don't believe I can get him to stay in the kayak. He loves the water. There are some good places to look at kayaks around here. I know backyard boats in woodbridge sells hobie's, not sure what their stock is like. Hudson Trail Outfitters sells a bunch of kayaks and if you are down in the Ashland area go and see Appomattox River Company. They are a further trip, but that is all they do and they know their stuff.
rivafishn reply :
On 8/1/2015 at 2:58 AM, HokieDJ said:Nice fish Riva!. I went out this morning and meet Pepe Le Pew. Nothing in the reeds. Tried looking for some at the 10-15 FOW using cranks and jig but nada.
Thanks! I was able to get into the top 20, but couldn't manage to catch all those monster bass! I did better at the upper potomac event on saturday, finished 8th.
On 8/3/2015 at 6:28 AM, bigbasshunter said:Got on the reservoir early this morning, got a few bass but unfortunately got hooked into a snakehead.
It will be interesting to see what they do to the ecosystem in the reservoir.
On 8/3/2015 at 7:40 PM, novafx4 said:Was anyone at Fountainhead yesterday afternoon? My daughter and I arrived at the launch at around 4pm and there were several firetrucks and rescue vehicles on scene and it looked like a couple of rescue boats as well. No details in the local paper or FB pages. I'm assuming it was either someone falling out of a boat or a mountainbiker getting evac'd.
I read a story that there was an accident on one of the steep banks and that two individuals were hurt. They took them out on a boat as it was easier then getting them back up the hill.
Huntrava reply :
On 8/4/2015 at 2:21 AM, HokieDJ said:If you are considering saltwater use, then checkout the Hobie Outback. You can stand on that for the most part and it can handle saltwater with no issues but I'm not sure about your dog being on it.
A PA 12/14 would probably be better if you want your dog to come along since it's ultra stable but it's heavy. I have seen people put it on top of their SUVs tough.
I tried cartopping my PA12 for about a month and gave up. I'm 30 years old and in good shape, but it was too much of a hassle. Kinda like moving a refridgerator shaped like a kayak. Sure, you can do it yourself, but do you want to?
The PA is superior in terms of space and stability, but you can get the same comfort and 90% of the stability on an outback. Plus it's half the weight and a little faster on the water.
HokieDJ reply :
That's the reason I got a Outback but now I also have a pickup truck. I'm wondering about the PA12 now since I would love to be super stable while standing. I can manage with the outback but I can see how it can be dicey if you don't have a good sense of balance.
novafx4 reply :
Quote
That's the reason I got a Outback but now I also have a pickup truck. I'm wondering about the PA12 now since I would love to be super stable while standing. I can manage with the outback but I can see how it can be dicey if you don't have a good sense of balance.
I've got a PA14 and a pickup truck. It's heavy, but manageable with a tailgate extender. The only issue I've had with my PA is the wheel of the cart was rubbing the underside of the hull. The fix is to cut a couple of pieces of 1" diameter PVC about 3/4" long and place them behind the adjustable collars on the cart. I've done that and have had no further issues with the wheel rub. I'm 5'11" and ~240lbs and can stand and fish in my PA without any issues. It takes a bit of practice, but I had it mastered after just a couple of outings.
If you're interested in any further details feel free to PM me.
Steve
Kyle46N reply :
Gentlemen, I am planning on heading to the res tomorrow for the first time. I have a few questions. Is the gate to Fountainhead (is there a gate?) open at first light in the mornings? Also, what are the rules for running an outboard on the lake? I've seen references to a 10hp engine. But even in this thread there are comments about wake and kayaks. I've even seen youtube videos of guys running outboards on the lake. Seems like a long lake to fish with trolling motor only. Thanks!
Choporoz reply :
Yes, Kyle. 10HP limit. No other motor rules that I'm aware of.
Fountainhead gates generally open by sunrise; sometimes as much as a half hour prior. Good luck!
novafx4 reply :
From the VDGIF website.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=97§ion=regulations
Quote
Occoquan Reservoir - Regulations
Anglers fishing from boats may use gasoline motors up to 10 horsepower.
Largemouth Bass
The daily bag limit for bass is five per day. There is no minimum size limit.
Bluegill
Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish may be harvested without size restriction. Anglers are limited to 50 per day in aggregate (combined).
Crappie
Black and white crappie may be harvested without size restriction from Occoquan. The daily limit is 25 per day in aggregate.
Catfish (Channel and Flathead)
There is no minimum size limit for catfish, but anglers are limited to 20 fish per day of each species.
Northern Pike
The minimum size limit for northern pike in Occoquan Reservoir is 20 inches and anglers are limited to 2 fish per day.
Kyle46N reply :
On 8/4/2015 at 9:50 PM, Choporoz said:Yes, Kyle. 10HP limit. No other motor rules that I'm aware of.
Fountainhead gates generally open by sunrise; sometimes as much as a half hour prior. Good luck!
As in, anything bigger than 10hp on the back of a boat, and that boat cannot be put in the lake? Or cannot use the motor? Have you seen anyone running an outboard on the lake?
Choporoz reply :
Not every day, but oftentimes there'll be big boats out there running TM only. One day last September, there was a group of about 6 or 8 boats; Skeeters, Tritons, Rangers, etc. came out together and all just ran TM. Not sure if you're supposed to disconnect the fuel line and raise it out of the water or not. There was a guy running a big boat earlier this year at high speed, but its the only time I've seen it. I never ran into warden until this year, but I have a few times this summer and I'd like to think they'd have something to say about it if/when they encounter it.
rivafishn reply :
Kyle - I have seen boats in there with motors bigger than 10 HP, but they don't use them, they leave them up and out of the water. i have seen some that have a 55 HP right next to a 9.9HP. You can use a motor that is 10 HP or less. We have been talking about wakes because when you have an aluminum boat with a 10 HP motor on it they can put out a decent wake at times.
quanjig reply :
You can fish the res with a big boat. Supposed to be trolling motor if anything over 10hp. I see no issue with anyone with a bigger boat wanting to idle from spot to spot. Just don't get caught by the man!!
Kyle46N reply :
On 8/4/2015 at 11:39 PM, quanjig said:You can fish the res with a big boat. Supposed to be trolling motor if anything over 10hp. I see no issue with anyone with a bigger boat wanting to idle from spot to spot. Just don't get caught by the man!!
Yeah, that's the issue I guess. Just seems like a lot of lake for a TM. I TM on Burke without an issue, but obviously it's not near as long as O res. I'm in a 16 ft Carolina Skiff JVX with a 60 on the back. Thanks for the input everyone. I'll post up a report if I go.
DJ 6_6 reply :
Not to hijack the thread, but selling my boat used for fishing and crabbing and figured everyone on this topic is local and someone might be interested.
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/5157587975.html
comes with Trailer and 9.9 HP Mercury Mariner.
Eager to sell
$1900 / obo
quanjig reply :
On 8/7/2015 at 1:39 AM, DJ 6_6 said:Not to hijack the thread, but selling my boat used for fishing and crabbing and figured everyone on this topic is local and someone might be interested.
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/5157587975.html
comes with Trailer and 9.9 HP Mercury Mariner.
Eager to sell
$1900 / obo
Didn't you just get that not too long ago??
DJ 6_6 reply :
On 8/7/2015 at 4:33 AM, quanjig said:Didn't you just get that not too long ago??
3.5 years ago, primarily got it for crabbing, but the crabbing sucked last year and having a 20 month old now, I don't get to go as often as I would like. So I'm looking to part ways with the it. Was hoping someone local was interested.
DJ 6_6 reply :
*20-month-old-toddler
quanjig reply :
That's right!! Hope everything is going well!!
rivafishn reply :
This post has been quiet for some time. There is no way nobody is hitting the occoquan!
I got out last night for awhile and managed two dinks and lost a couple more. I also had an issue where I snapped the line on one of my baitcasters twice. I will be investigating that more tonight. It was frustrating because I was out fishing deep and got a couple of good bites and when I went to set the hook, pop! It was not right at the hook or near the fish either, it was closer to my rod and one was just in front of my reel.
Hopefully everybody has been out catching fish!!
Choporoz reply :
riva, I've been on the rez trolling out of Fountainhead a couple times since my last post...and two or three times kayaking out of Bull Run Marina. I've been working pretty hard on the deep fish, but results haven't been great. The odd 2 pounder here and there, but I'm a long way from feeling confident about it. I usually take a break from probing the depths and pick up a few with jigs on the deep drop-offs close to shore. Fairly reliable that I can get a couple/few that way, but nothing to pull the scale out for lately. Bull Run has been much more enjoyable, but not a LOT better for fishing lately. The LMB's I do get in the skinnier water have been the ones that are really tight to cover - and the occasional SMB hanging out below rock bluffs. I never get past the feeling that I'm just a couple more bits of experience and knowledge before I start hammering them on the rez. There's very few spots that I can pull up to and feel confident that there's sure bite there. But, no question there's a lot of good fish in there. I'd love to fish waters where I know I'll catch more fish, but I still enjoy the challenge of the Occoquan.
Choporoz reply :
riva, what line are you breaking? I use Yo-Zuri a LOT, and that sounds like a problem I've had after I mange to 'kink' it. If I get a backlash that causes a hard 'fold' or 'crease', it can break pretty easily. Really the only negative I've found with it.
rivafishn reply :
Chop - I have Bass Pro XPS on it right now. That is going to change tonight. I don't recall having any issues with backlashes on this set-up as it is usually my setup for jigs and heavier bottom run baits. I had one case out about 25 yards and down in about 20 feet and it broke before the first eye on the rod. I am going to make sure there are no knicks in the eyes on that rod and if everything looks good with where the line is running replace the line.
I am not a good deep water fisherman either, but have been working on it more this year. I hooked one in about 15 feet of water last night and lost it right at my kayak. He was probably about 15" or so, nothing big. The bites I snapped off on were in the 20 - 25 foot range. Hopefully that won't happen again and I can catch some fish in some deep water. Hopefully the cool weather will help out.
Huntrava reply :
Hit Occoquan today. Hooked some big fish. They are in there, and they're deep.
JStevens reply :
Huntrava, what are you catching them on if you don't mind me asking? I've been fishing strictly with spinners to gain confidence but that slowed down. I haven't been catching anything lately. I mostly fish the Accotink Bay and tributaries nearby as I live on Fort Belvoir, but I'm going to have to check out Occoquan.
Huntrava reply :
Here's a 21 inch largemouth I took out of the water on Saturday at Occoquan. If you look closely, there's also a 26 inch catfish on the deck lol. Both caught and released.
@JStevens: check your inbox! Happy to help out-
marvinlee718 reply :
Hey guys, I have fished the reservoir quite a bit and couldn't find a pattern in any of those days. Skunked about half of those days. I have a modified Jon boat with a 8 hp motor. I have tried to fish points/drop offs , but haven't been able to find out how to fish deeper water especially in the summer at all. How do you guys locate the fish and target them? I launch out of fountainhead. Any tips and help would be greatly appreciated.
Huntrava reply :
Here are a couple of 3 - 4 lbers I pulled out on Saturday during the same outing. Good, healthy looking fish.
@marvinlee718: do you have a FF? What have you been using?
marvinlee718 reply :
Yea I have a small hummingbird with traditional and downscan, but no gps or maps. I pretty much try everything when I'm out but mainly soft plastics and jigs with the occasional crankbait. I think my problem is locating the fish. Do you just roam around on your boat till you find structure or a drop off? What do you usually use when you find the fish deep?
Huntrava reply :
On 9/2/2015 at 2:12 AM, marvinlee718 said:Yea I have a small hummingbird with traditional and downscan, but no gps or maps. I pretty much try everything when I'm out but mainly soft plastics and jigs with the occasional crankbait. I think my problem is locating the fish. Do you just roam around on your boat till you find structure or a drop off? What do you usually use when you find the fish deep?
The other day when I was at Occoquan, I noticed there were a bunch of other people in the same vicinity who weren't having much luck. We were all in the same general area (about a cast away from each other) but I was pulling fish out and they weren't. That doesn't happen often!
We were all sitting above fish, and everyone else was throwing diving lures, umbrella rigs, etc. But Occoquan is deep. I doubt anything went deeper than 15 feet. Occoquan is easily twice that in some areas. Throwing a jig is good, but it needs enough weight to get to the bottom fast, especially if that's where the bass are. I don't think the average 3/8 oz texas rigged worm is going to get to the bottom in an efficient way, but that's just my two cents.
quanjig reply :
Ryan's dam doesn't really count!! 
Get a map and cross reference areas where deeper water is close to shallow points and guts!! I keep trying to tell you guys, get a map, anything that's been named is worth a solid look!!
When you observe your finder, take notice of where you predominantly find the bait, look for areas where the depth crest of drop off sharply at those depths. It's really not that tough. Finding groups of bigger fish is the big challenge!!
Huntrava reply :
On 9/2/2015 at 9:16 AM, quanjig said:Ryan's dam doesn't really count!!
Was fishing there a few months ago when I met another guy who was into the bass tournament circle. He mentioned Ryan's dam is often off limits during tournaments lol.
But, FWIW, the deepest channel I've seen on Occoquan runs from Ryan's dam to Fountainhead, with the south side being slightly steeper (with more docks, structure, etc.).
quanjig reply :
It's much deeper down lake towards the actual dam but I understand it tough to cover ground in a kayak like I can in a jon boat.
Ryan's dam is only off limits during our classic!
It's getting tougher and tougher to keep spots under wraps because the res is getting so popular! That is a testament to how well we as fishermen and women work to keep this a quality fishery. When we hold the tournaments on the reservoir, we places high priority on fish care while in the livewells as we try to minimize mortality during the events.
I like to think this fishery will continue to improve. We just have to hope the snakehead population doesn't adversely effect the bass population, only time will tell!
Choporoz reply :
Spent a few hours yakking from Bull Run Marina yesterday. Went down from ramp. Tossed big worms, chatter, jig, crank, fluke, Cut-R....one bite in the first 90 min..... on a mag worm -- set the hook hard enough to throw a bluegill ten yards over the other side of the yak.
Desperate times...desperate measures.....Tied on a Ned Rig and proceeded to boat a half dozen LMB - nothing over 2lb, but I did break off two that I'm sure must have been DD's Of note, I also caught the my first Occoquan Res crappie...can't believe its the first one I've boated in nearly five years on there.
Talked briefly to three parties at the ramp on the way out; one claimed 'terrible'; one said 'okay''; third one talked of a tremendous day of bunch of fish, including couple over 4 and one over 6.
Huntrava reply :
On 9/2/2015 at 10:14 PM, Choporoz said:Spent a few hours yakking from Bull Run Marina yesterday. Went down from ramp. Tossed big worms, chatter, jig, crank, fluke, Cut-R....one bite in the first 90 min..... on a mag worm -- set the hook hard enough to throw a bluegill ten yards over the other side of the yak.
d**n it, I'm cleaning coffee off my screen. That **** is funny. Unless you're a bluegill I suppose
The people you talked to are describing basically the same thing I'm hearing on BR...it's either feast or famine, depending on your fishing style.I was slaying at Woodrow Wilson bridge a few weeks ago with a shakey-head grub. Not surprised a ned-rig would work.
rivafishn reply :
There are some decent fish being pulled out, which is nice.
I got out last saturday morning and ended up fishing shallow as I didn't want to get to far away, the wife came out kayaking with me after awhile. I ended up getting 10, nothing over about 16 inches though. I caught the 16 incher in about a foot of water, kind of funny this time of year. I'm still working on my deep water fishing, but get out to some spots whenever I can. I throw a little bit of everything on the various spots. When I am fishing deeper right now I have been using some type of soft plastic or a jig, lost a couple last time I was out due to line break, but hopefully that won't happen again.
Quan - I do have the map for the rez now, but like you mentioned I can't cover a ton of water in my kayak. I typically stay near the area I launch out of. I like hooes run because it doesn't seem to get hit as hard down there.
I plan on trying more deep water spots as the weekends go, and hopefully some this weekend. I don't have one over 20" this year, but want to get that changed soon.
Choporoz reply :
On 9/3/2015 at 3:55 AM, rivafishn said:.......I can't cover a ton of water in my kayak. I typically stay near the area I launch out of. I like hooes run because it doesn't seem to get hit as hard down there.
I've never been down that far. Is there a public spot to launch a kayak south of Lake Ridge?
quanjig reply :
Riva, do yourself a favor, launch out of lakeridge. Sooooo much more "stuff" to fish within an easy paddle!! The two points where the main lake and lakeridge meet has plenty of fish! These are two prime points that have deep water to get you used to that deep water pattern!!
Lots of other areas within eyesight of there to do some damage!! Last Sunday my best 6 fish would have been close to 22lbs!! Two of my better fish were caught in 20+ FOW while the rest were probably in the 16-18 ft range.
It's all about looking for the bait, cross reference it with bottom cover around that same depth, getting to an area that has those two things in common. Look for scattered bait in your graph, this signifies feeding fish!! Bait balls are nice and all but it's much tougher to trigger strikes!
Chopp has watched me whup them pretty good there!!
rivafishn reply :
Quan - I think I definitely need to do that. I typically jump in hooes because it is easy. not that lake ridge isn't, at least in the morning. it is nice to come back late in those evenings and not have to worry about the gate being locked. I know some of those points and a few others that have been discussed and will have to get out there and try it out. Maybe know that summer is winding towards and end it won't be as crazy. I do have the launch pass for this year so I don't have to pay.
Chop - the launch down south is for lake ridge HOA members, so not a public launch. Since I live in lake ridge I have a key to the gate and ramp.
marvinlee718 reply :
How detailed is the GMCO map of the res? I'm mainly interested in the water depths. I'm just wondering what it has so I can decide to buy it or not.
quanjig reply :
Detailed enough to get you in good areas without a doubt!
rivafishn reply :
Marvin - Unless you have a decent amount of experience or some kind of insight from someone that does I would buy it. I don't think you can find the information that is on there pretty much anywhere else. They are not that expensive and sell them at fountainhead and lake ridge.
It has provided me with a lot of information.
The Bream Reaper reply :
I 2nd (or 3rd) that. As someone who rents a jon boat and has no electronics on board, the topo map is critical for me. I always have it in my bag when I go out on the rez. A lot of key bottom features and depth changes can help guide you...especially when it's August.
marvinlee718 reply :
Went ahead and bought the map. Any really important things I need to know about it?
quanjig reply :
Like I've said many times before, anything that's been "named" is worth a good going over!! Look at areas that have "stumps" and keep an eye on abrupt depth changes!!
mudkart reply :
Caught a bunch of these today.
Best six were probably ~ 9 #'s. Like Jon sez: finding the larger fish is the hard part. Almost all fish were caught at or near a "named" spot on the GMCO map. And no, it was not Ryan's. Bass were chasing shad, most hits were in 10-14 fow at a depth of 25-35 feet. That's a swim jig but I was not "swimming" it. Think ice fishing and spoons. I'll try and post a sonar pic of the fish and that might illustrate what I'm talking about.
Lots of people out (many tx rigs), almost everyone was catching. Must be a tx this Sunday? One guy was close enough I could see a HDS Gen 3 on his bow. Mmmmm......$$$$$$.
Huntrava reply :
Tried to fish the second bite today this afternoon. Was there until 5. Tried some new areas closer to the dam and was totally skunked. Had a hard time figuring out where the bass were. FF was either empty, or showed suspended fish dispersed between 10 - 20 feet.
The Occoquan giveth and the Occoquan taketh away
quanjig reply :
Nice fish Mike!!
The res is such a great place to fish but will humble you at the flip of a coin. I've got 30 years out there and believe me, you have to take every day as a learning experience! Good and bad!!
The last 10 years I've concentrated on making good decisions, when to move, when to change baits, what mood are the fish in, weather, wind, season all play a role in making those good decisions. If you are new to the res, I would highly suggest you keep a fish log on catches and location as well as season. A small pocket calendar is sufficient. Just small notes will make a big difference!!
marvinlee718 reply :
To add on what Quan was saying, I would like to share this app I just discovered called fishidy. With your smartphone, when you catch a fish, you can hit a button that says "add catch". It lets you record where you are, the exact time, and even the temperature. It also allows you record weight, length, the bait you used, and any other things you want to add. Another good thing is you can share your catches with the public, only friends, or just keep it for yourself. You can mark any structure you find and will all appear on your map. I haven't used this app yet, but it seems like a great way to look back and see what you did last year and try to figure a pattern out. 
JStevens reply :
Hey Marvinlee, I just signed up yesterday for fishidy. It's a pretty interesting site, especially for free. You can upgrade to premium for added features but it starts costing $ at that point. I wish there were more local catches posted.
quanjig reply :
Tournament yesterday was tough for the first part of the day but opened up as the day progressed. With the water having dropped a few feet and high pressure settling in. It was all about getting the fish you could locate, fired up!! We had an hour in the middle of the day that was spectacular! We caught 15 keepers in an hour from 11:00-12:00, including the big fish for the tournament at 6.15 lbs! We finished in 3rd with 23.09lbs. If you could get the suspended fish fired up and chewing, you could catch several in a short amount of time. We had several other fish hooked up that felt big but came unbuttoned. Could have been a record setting day but that's fishing!!
tim3716 reply :
So what baits do you guys usually use to fish in 25ft deep water?
Huntrava reply :
On 9/8/2015 at 8:45 AM, quanjig said:If you could get the suspended fish fired up and chewing, you could catch several in a short amount of time. We had several other fish hooked up that felt big but came unbuttoned. Could have been a record setting day but that's fishing!!
Do you have any strategies for working the suspended fish? A couple weeks ago they were hugging the bottom, and that was easy. When they're suspended (deep, like 15 feet) I haven't got a clue.
rivafishn reply :
Nice fish mudkart!
I was out saturday and managed 8 fish for the day. I was trying new areas and strategies. I did ok until the wind kicked up and started blowing my kayak around. Also, dodging the crew boats that were running between me and the shore was a little frustrating. I did get one good 17", but that was it. Still working on it.
On a side note - how does everybody feel about swimmers in the rez? I have seen more this year than before.
quanjig reply :
Most of the swimmers I've seen have been the "ooohhhh, I've fallen off my paddle board" variety!! If they allow those things, not sure how they can police the no swimming out there!
They usually go around a couple times a year to cut down the rope swings!
Choporoz reply :
It bothers me because it's prohibited...however, I'm not entirely sure why its prohibited and I can't see it ever affecting me personally, so I talk myself out of being bothered most of the time.
Huntrava reply :
On 9/9/2015 at 1:58 AM, rivafishn said:
On a side note - how does everybody feel about swimmers in the rez? I have seen more this year than before.
I saw what looked like a boy scout troop swimming next to a couple canoes. Can't say it really bothers me, and I doubt it's enforced at all. They were swimming for about half an hour right around the corner from Fountainhead. It strikes me as the kind of thing a park might have to prohibit for liability reasons, not necessarily because anyone cares.
That said, I wouldn't go swimming there. Not because of any park rules, mind you. Mostly because lake swimming--and the accompanying mud, smell, salt, and sunburns stopped being fun about 20 years ago.
mudkart reply :
Nice Jon. Did you catch the 6? You guys are having a good year, right? IIRC, you won once, at least?
Re swimming....I have a difficult time condemning kids for doing something I, 100%, would have been doing myself @ that age. Those rope swings would have been irresistible.
quanjig reply :
Thanks Mike!
We've had a pretty good year. A first, a second, a third and a big fish!! That and the fact we've had 4 bags over 23lbs this year and possibly going over 200lbs for the year. We did have a couple poor showings in the spring but figured a few things out to help in the future!!
Yes , I did catch the 6! I'm sure you can figure out how!!
rivafishn reply :
Thanks for the thoughts on swimming guys. the individuals I have seen swimming this year were not the kids. I have seen a couple from crew boats down on the south end and one couple with their dogs just outside of lake ridge this past weekend. I have let them be, but was curious how others felt. I just don't want it to continue getting worse and then we have some group that is trying to reduce the access to the rez.
Sounds like you are having a really good year Quan, congrats!!
Huntrava reply :
Still producing. Friday was a grand slam...had crappie, bass and cats all taking the same presentation....
For the record, this weekend was the first time I went overboard while fishing. I was standing on my kayak--probably one of the most stable kayaks on the market--and tried to make a fancy cast to the rear. As everyone knows, on a kayak you need to turn your entire body or you run the risk of going for a swim. Once I realized I was going down, rather than capsize the kayak I simply bailed and jumped overboard. Ah well, had to happen sometime. Completely user error.
PGlaze reply :
Any tips on fall baits that work during this transition period? I've been really struggling recently... Also was curious if the fish will move up shallow Again any time soon, thanks!
rivafishn reply :
Nice fish Huntrava!
I got out for a little bit on saturday morning and was able to catch some. Only had a few over 15", but I was fishing shallow for the most part. I caught all of mine on moving baits, so they were definitely active. I tried a couple of spots in deeper water, but got no hits at all with a variety of baits.
PGlaze - I think they are going to move back up as the water cools to feed on shad and then will head back out for the winter. I'm not sure how shallow they will get.
quanjig reply :
Got out yesterday and fished a variety of places. Caught a few deep, caught a few shallow. Only had 4 keepers and missed way too many quality fish!!
I did catch a couple hogs!! Both were close to 6!!
I'll try to add pics later!
Pay no attention to the bait in the first picture, nothing to see here, move along!!!
Choporoz reply :
Q, we're you out Sat, by chance?
rivafishn reply :
Nice job Quan! On the hogs!
I did miss a couple of good ones on saturday, but such is life.
quanjig reply :
I was out Sunday.
Choporoz reply :
Spoke briefly with a helpful fisherman Sat who improved my day significantly and I thought it might have been you. If I see him again, I will thank him. He told me he had success with spinnerbaits in flats. Sure enough, I put that info to work successfully and improved upon what had been a pretty slow day.
quanjig reply :
These fish should really start to get up on the flats to actively feed. Look for any tiny piece of cover and go to work. I think if I had to do it over again, I would have spent more time looking shallow!!
Was it a dark blue mod v express that gave you the hint??
Choporoz reply :
I blame the downpour, but I can't describe the boat well. If I had to guess, I think it was flat bottom with light hull....tiller, I believe
quanjig reply :
Gotcha, one of my buddies is always playing the blade, flats deal this time of year!! If it's breezy, all that much better!!!
mudkart reply :
d**n Jon, I've never had a multi-six year. Great job. Please say this was during a Tx?
Shaky head is almost a year-round bait for me out there. Andrew caught one a few weeks ago using that technique.
quanjig reply :
No tournament, I didn't even get out there until around 10am!!
On a side note, should be interesting to see what happens with the weather the next few days!!
The Bream Reaper reply :
yea I think with rain runoff and the lower temps the shad schools will be way back in there by the weekend. I'm trynig to get out Sunday morning before the 1pm games start to see if I can chase some bait around. I don't plan on going too far from FH either. Quan, yall have a tourney this coming sunday?
rivafishn reply :
The better fish I caught on saturday were with a spinnerbait on a shallow flat area. The wind of course was up and it was cloudy, pretty perfect for it.
I was hoping to get out and chase some more this weekend, but that wind and rain in my kayak would be tough. We'll see what it looks like as it gets closer.
Really nice fish Quan! I need to work on fishing a shaky head more, i know so many people that have a ton of success with them.
quanjig reply :
Like mudkart said, it's become a bait I catch fish on year round out there!! Riva, thanks, It's all about time out there. Mike will tell you I have spent quite a good portion of time out there and once you figure a few things out, the easier it is to adjust to what the fish are doing!!
Bream, no more tournaments till our two day classic the 17&18 of October!! Might do a couple big fish tournaments in November if you guys are interested!!
mudkart reply :
My take, on the rez, find a laydown in, or close to, "deep" water = shaky head (or, whatever you like to pitch at wood targets, e.g. a brush hog). I don't care what bait you use on a shaky head, as long as it is some type of straight tail or ribbed worm. Be sneaky. Make long casts. If you spook the fish - no bites. Fish will locate not only close to the trunk of a laydown, but in front of it, i.e. the small branches at the "top" of the tree that are submerged and you cannot see. If you pitch to the trunk first, you spook any fish that might be under the branches. If I have to generalize, "branches" in, e.g., 15 fow with a trunk leading to shore should always be targeted.
Points that lead into deep water are another great place to throw a shaky. A shaky presentation will work much deeper than you might think (same for a split shot). At times, none of these presentations work, that is the nature of the rez. My take is then to use your sonar and try to find bass busting schools of shad (another topic, but Wayne lays most of it all out here http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/161576-finding-active-fish-with-electronics/).
rivafishn reply :
Thanks for the information Mudkart!
Anybody attempting to fish the rez this weekend? Talk about being churned up! It should be chocolate milk all over the place.
rivafishn reply :
I did get out for a little bit yesterday afternoon. I managed one dink. The water wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, a little murky, but not the chocolate milk I was expecting. I should not have been lazy and waited until lunch time. I talked to a guy that was coming off the water as I was going out and said he did really well and managed a couple of 4 pounders. The fishing gods were letting me know not to slack!!
For those of you fishing out of fountain head, how is the fishing right around the launch, or nearby? I am going to be fishing out of there saturday with a heroes on the water group and want to try and get these people on some fish. Any advice would be appreciated!! I don't care if I catch a single one as long as they get to catch fish!
quanjig reply :
With the water back up at full pool, and cooler water temps, I would stay shallow! Check the grass beds with baby brush hogs or similar creature baits. Spinnerbaits as well and even square bill cranks! Good luck and hope you find some!!
What time you guys going out?
rivafishn reply :
Thanks Quan!
The plan is to head out at about 8 am. I am not sure how many we have coming this time, but there will be a bunch of kayaks at the launch saturday morning. We typically fish from about 8 am until about noon or so and then stop and have lunch and are done for the day.
Choporoz reply :
riva, Thanks for the post. I sure wish I was going to be in town this weekend. I wasn't even aware of the organization, but I'd have loved to come out and help/encourage, whatever. I looked the site over, but it doesn't appear there's a chapter up here. You with the 'Central VA' chapter?
I'd love to discuss and learn more about them.
rivafishn reply :
Chop - I volunteer with the George Washington Chapter. All of their events were in northern Virginia this year. Most of the trips were on the occoquan water trail throughout the year. You can find a lot of information on their facebook page, see below. Any help that can be provided is great! Also, any vets or military personnel you know send them in that direction. We are trying to get as many out as we can and they have something like 15 kayaks to use for each event and can even get kayaks for those with various handicaps.
I started volunteering last year and try and make as many events as I can, they plan to have one every month through the warmer months.
https://www.facebook.com/HOWGeorgeWashingtonDCChapter?fref=ts
Choporoz reply :
Thanks, riva. Looking forward to working with them/you.
quanjig reply :
Good luck riva! Like chop, I will be out of town but next time, give us a little heads up, I would be more than happy to help and could possibly get the club involved to try and get some more guys out on the water!!
Location wise, I would head right across to the grass point and start there and work your way to the left fishing all that stuff!!
Let us know how everyone fares!!
rivafishn reply :
Thanks Guys! I definitely will let you guys know! We had some tough situations earlier in the year, hoping we can get on some fish this time.
PGlaze reply :
Going to try my luck tomorrow and maybe Saturday as well. I have fished smaller bodies of water each day throughout the week (Lake Braddock, Lake Royal and a few community ponds that usually produce a lot of nice fish) but every pattern I have learned over the years seems to have shut down. My plan to junk fish until i get onto a pattern and grind out all day if i have to to catch a few. And suggestions on baits that have been working? Also I'm not very familiar to the Rez, as I usually fish the river so and suggestions on spots would be extremely helpful. I plan on launching out of fountainhead in my kayak so I am a bit limited to that general area but I am willing to paddle a couple miles if i need to. Also if anybody would like to go out with me I would love to have some company! Anything helps, just want to catch at least one over 2-2.5 lbs (which from the forums doesnt look like much of a challenge... I also plan on purchasing a map so any labeled spots in the area are fair game. Thanks
marvinlee718 reply :
Heading out tomorrow... Should I fish the creeks or shallow flats?
rivafishn reply :
Thanks for all the information guys, but unfortunately the fishing was slow for us on saturday. It didn't help that the wind kicked up right after we launched the kayak's. Everybody had a good time being on the water, but we just didn't get in to many fish. I think that front that came through friday night had a pretty good impact on the fish. Next time hopefully we will get them.
I hope others were able to get in to some fish this weekend!
The Bream Reaper reply :
has anyone been out lately? Quan when is halls classic? I'm trying to get out w/a buddy this sunday...hoping we can catch em shallow all morning.
quanjig reply :
Classic was 2 weeks ago, complete disaster in my opinion!! Wind and cold with that insane high pressure made it one of the toughest bites I can remember!! 29lbs for a two day total won it.
It's been like every fish out there has taken the month of October off! We had a big fish tournament last Sunday, a 4 pounder won it!!
Big rowing event this weekend, probably get out Sunday myself.
Choporoz reply :
Haven't been out there for the last few weeks. I've scattered my lures lately; Yorktown, Front Royal and Occoquan River most recently. BTW, had a great day from kayak on the O River on Sunday. As long as its producing, I'll likely be on the river more than the rez.
rivafishn reply :
I haven't been out on the rez since the heroes on the water event. I am planning on getting out there this weekend. I spent the last few weekends on the river and out of town fishing. The smallmouth have been a blast as of late. I would like to get out and find a few rez fish though. What are water temps looking like?
quanjig reply :
Water temps were hovering right around 60*
Choporoz reply :
Got out for a few hours on Sunday. Couldn't buy a bite on jigs or plastic. I did get a few between 3 and 4.5# on spinnerbait, lipless and deep cranks. There were a bunch of local tourny guys out there 'not doing a tournament' that came in with some good fish. Consensus seemed to be that LMB's are quite scattered - from grassy shore spots to 20' ledges.
rivafishn reply :
Chop - glad it worked out for you to get some fish. I fished down in Hooes run and could not buy a bite. I threw plastics, cranks and spinnerbaits and only got two dinks. Hopefully I can find some better fish the next time out.
quanjig reply :
We will "not" be having another big fish tournament tomorrow!!! Something gotta give, I haven't caught anything over 3 since September!! I has no luck lately!!!
rivafishn reply :
If you are struggling to get the good ones Quan I'm not sure what the rest of us will do. Haven't been on the reservoir lately, fished all over the place. Not sure when I will get out there again.
How many of you fish through the winter?
Choporoz reply :
Spent about 5 hours yesterday - all within about 3/4 mile from Fountainhead. First time I got skunked in a long time. I had exactly one fish on (came unbuttoned) and two other missed strikes. Unbelievable. I threw deep cranks, med cranks, squarebills, spinnerbaits, trig, spoons, football jigs, finesse jigs, swim jigs, beavers, rage-rigged worms, shakey head, drop shot, blade bait, lipless....most everything I had except topwater.
There were some big fish feeding on the surface, but they were in 'random' spots and it was too choppy for me to see/chase surface baitfish schools. I'd have thrown topwater, too, if I thought I could get on surface feeders.
quanjig reply :
Riva, it's been tough out there. Every time I get a chance to get out, it's been after a brutal from has passed. As soon as things stabilize a bit, it should get back to a reasonable bite. Chop, I feel your pain, only boated one fish and it was a really small one. Everybody said the bite was tough. A fish just over 6 won yesterday and the guy that caught it said it was his only quality bite he had all day! He caught it deep, 20+ fow way up in the river! I had some good bites but numerous times I would set the hook only to have it come back minus the bait!! Strange times indeed!!!
Choporoz reply :
Thanks, Quan.
While I do wish you'd done better...truly....I am (shamefully) somewhat less distressed about yesterday's outing.
quanjig reply :
Riva, as long as it's not frozen, I'm trying!!
Chop, I like to share in my success as well as my failures, I'm just not as happy with the latter!!!
rivafishn reply :
Thanks for the information!
I guess fishing some of these other spots and catching fish has not been so bad a choice lately. I haven't been getting monsters, but have been consistently catching fish. Hopefully the ups and downs will settle down soon.
Last time I was out it was two dinks, like 111 and 12 inches. I was fishing areas you would think would have had fish roaming around chasing bait, but no such luck.
I'm looking to expand my fishing year this year and fish for longer, so we will see how it goes.
Choporoz reply :
I hear you, Riva. I had the kayak on the Occoquan river Sat and had a great day. Getting old for back-to-back 6hr kayak days, though, so I rented a boat Sun. Wish I'd sucked it up and gone back to the river....
rivafishn reply :
Chop - I can understand not wanting to do to much on back to back days, it can get tiring.
I fished some ponds in Delaware on saturday for an upcoming tourney and then the shenandoah on sunday. I was amazed at how many fish I saw out there on sunday, just ridiculous. I managed to catch fish in both spots thought and it was good. Hoping to get a couple more trips in before it gets much colder to be able to get more of these fish that are feeding up, then we will see how it goes.
Huntrava reply :
Spent about 4 hours on the Occoquan river on Monday (not going to make a new thread for that) and only pulled in a single bass. Maybe 12 inches, didn't bother to measure. Missed 1 bite because I was falling asleep. A couple guys on a jon boat said they were catching striper way up at the mouth of the river by the dam, but I didn't see much activity.
Sure has been tough the last few weeks. Starting to wonder if I'm cursed...
rivafishn reply :
Huntrava - I don't think it is you, just been a tough fall. I hear a lot of those reports. Unfortunately, with the weather that is moving in this weekend is not going to get easier. That wind and colder air is going to make it a tough bit.
Huntrava reply :
For what it's worth, the river had huge, huge clouds of shad tucked way up in the shallow areas. They were suspended about 3' below the surface in less than 10 feet of water. I'm used to seeing clouds a few feet wide, but in this case they were four or five times that size.
I wonder if the bass have been gorging themselves on these shad, maybe? Perhaps that's why they haven't been overly hungry?
Choporoz reply :
LMB on the river were biting well yesterday. Nothing worth taking out the scale or camera, but good numbers. Nearly all of mine came on lipless and Cut-R. I did notice that nearly every bass boat was flipping jigs and plastics...and appeared to be hitting them, also. I just haven't mastered flipping/jigging from the yak...at all.
Edit: I haven't been clear about the O River - I've been putting in at Occoquan River Park - BELOW the dam. I haven't been on the O River above the splits in my kayak
nitro557 reply :
Getting them to bite this fall has been tough .I've been fishing the main water and up river .the weather changes are definitely not helping .I'm heading out tomorrow and going up river .im planning on fishing senko and jigs
MattStrykul reply :
Spent the day out there with my brother and friend Trevor. Launched out of bull run and did some exploring up that way. Water temps were 49-51 with crystal clear water. Spent the time throwing everything at them...jigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, cranks...nothing! We came back down past bull run marina to a deeper, rocky bluff and I caught a 4 lbr in about 10 feet of water off of some brush on a jig. I think the dirty water helped us out a bit as well. We headed up into the river to another similar bluff with laydowns and I caught 2 smaller fish (one keeper one dink). My brother Ace caught a nice 4 lbr the same way I caught mine, on a jig, deeper water on a bluff. Trevor snagged a keeper as well right after Ace. Turned out to be a nice afternoon out there! Everything was caught on black/blue jigs.
quanjig reply :
Well, can't say much for down lake!! Missed a couple and caught a couple smalls!! I wish I could get out there, just one day, that's not the absolute armpit of the entire week, jeez...... Name a Sunday in the last 4 that was not just a PITA to be out there!!
Boat sale: everything must go...........
nitro557 reply :
At least you guys had luck i was out saturday and got absolutely skunked .i threw everything at them .quanjig you cant give up just yet .I'm still hoping to meet you someday .your advice helped mine and im sure many others
Huntrava reply :
Went out a few days ago. Nothing.
Not a bite.
Not a nibble.
See you fellas in the spring ;-)
quanjig reply :
Well, finally caught a few fish Saturday!! 4 bass and 2 sizable crappie!! Also missed a bunch! Much happier than I was before this last outing, that's for sure. Fish were deep, splits area has some eager fish, just a matter of getting the right bait in front of them long enough for them to eat!!
Probably could have filled a bucket of 1lb crappie if I wanted to!!
Get out there, still some to be had! Not sure what the rain will do to the area I was catching them in, might be a little muddy for a repeat. Thinking about a trip to Burke on Sunday!!
MattStrykul reply :
Nice job Jon, sounds like you had a nice day out there. Let me know if you need a back seater for Burke Sunday. My fishing bug is back....Ace and I will be back at the tourneys next season too.
Jblittles reply :
Quanjig are there smallmouth bass in the reservior??
quanjig reply :
Thanks Matt!! The fishing thing never goes away!! It will be fun to have you guys back out there!! I'm still keeping an eye on the weather for Sunday but it looks like it might be a nice day!! I'll give you a call or text you!
Jb, yes there are smallies in the res, they are a bit elusive, I did catch 3 in one day once, and had one hooked up that was easily 6 pounds come off at the boat!!
MattStrykul reply :
Thanks Jon, we are super excited to get back out there. Trevor is gonna hook us up with his old boat which is awesome. Now it's all about buying new gear. The BAIT MONKEY has awoken.
Kyle46N reply :
Anyone lay eyes on the res or the river today? Just wondering if it got muddy or not. Thanks!
MattStrykul reply :
Went out yesterday from 9:30-3 and did well. Left from Bull Run, and headed down in search for some clear water considering it was chocolate milk around the launch. We had some luck in the back of creeks with clear water on spinnerbaits, missed a few on jigs, and chatterbaits. My brother caught a solid 5, Trevor caught a 3.5 and a keeper, and I finished up with a 3.5 at the end of the day. My fish hit my jig like a topwater...I popped it over some dead grass and the fish jumped out of the water behind it! They seemed to be hungry. Water temps 54-57.
quanjig reply :
Still can't believe I didn't venture out there yesterday!! You guys did great!! Did you tip your captain??!!
MattStrykul reply :
Best guide on the Rez....
That's our ongoing joke since he takes us out all the time. T Bryan never fails! He's actually selling us his old boat too for the tourneys this year. Just need to find a place to keep it....
Choporoz reply :
Only a few weeks until Fountainhead opens up!
I greatly appreciate all the info provided by the rez vets on here. I have a question about a specific spot...not a hot spot, but an apparent dead one...at least to me.
Has anyone ever had repeatable luck at the sharp bend between Ryan's Dam and Wolf Run? So much about this turn in the river/rez looks appealing: flats out from point; all kinds of varied structure, ledges and slopes, short bay at outside of elbow, blowdowns and deep channel nearby....however, I've NEVER caught a bass at that curve. Down a hundred yards or so; along the channel, I do OK fishing the ledges...and of course, bunch of areas around Wolf Run....but that corner and maybe 100 yards up and down from there have been dead to me.
Anyone had enough luck in that corner for me to spend any more time on it? Thanks!
quanjig reply :
It's worth a look, especially in the spring. Pay close attention to areas where it jumps up to the flat. Just above the cut, all of the lay down trees will collect fish in the spring as well.
Summer time, a direct 180 towards the point is hard to beat. May a check has been won over that way. You have to do a little hunting and pecking to find the spot on a spot but when you find it, it can be lights out!!
You didn't hear any of this from me tho.......
Right around the beginning of April, look at bluffs for the shad spawn. If you find it, make sure you have a good grip on the rod, you will get your arm broke if you aren't paying attention!!!!
mudkart reply :
Opposite the point, in front of the short bay/elbow I think you are speaking of, is a nice depth change that holds loads of fish (not just bass) in the spring - like Jon said. I always check it then. If it graphs nice, I fish it.
s freud reply :
Since the thread is a little slow, I thought I would ask a question I have been kicking around in the "off season." What types of electronics are you guys running on the res? I am looking to get a new finder soon and wanted some input. Currently running a $79 humminbird, so anything will be an upgrade. I meant to add that I have a 12 foot aluminum v-hull.
quanjig reply :
I know guys that are running finder combos that cost more than what I purchased my entire boat, motor and trailer for!! But at the same time, I will out fish on a regular basis!
Its always nice to have top of the line gear but knowing how and where to use it are crucial to success. I am running a humminbird 500 series unit that a friend is letting me use. It's nice, an upgrade from my matrix unit I was using prior.
I would like a unit that has side imaging, especially for the summer as I tend to target fish in areas others cruise right past!
If you feel the unit you have now is lacking or not giving you information you need, it might be time to upgrade!
Bigbarge50 reply :
I run a Lowrance downscan that is a few years old.... and it has been very underwhelming to be frank. I also will have my next unit will have sidescan, cause I think that would be something that will really make a difference in my fishing.... otherwise weather sonar or downscan, you are just going to see interesting stuff down there, drop a buoy and throw to it.... not sure you need a high priced unit for that.
Nitrofreak reply :
I fished with an X96 Lowrance for a very long time, now having new updated equipment with down scan is a good bit different in the reading structure returns, I love the improvements over what I used to see, I took it to Lake Anna two weeks ago just to get used to the returns, brush piles, rock piles, road beds, stumps, all look completely different, still have some adjustments to make to clear up the pictures a bit but man what a difference, with all the new equipment however, I still threw a heavy jig down to clarify what I think I saw, it's always best IMO to revert to old fashioned tactics when there is any doubt or your just learning a new way of doing things.
Nitrofreak reply :
I would like to come down and fish with you res guys for a day, meet as many of you as I can, I have fished with Quan and Chop so far and met a couple of you briefly, I know that your boat would be open to me quan but my equilibrium has gotten worse, I would probably have to bring my boat and just run the trolling motor, first, is that plausible?, what I was thinking is just fishing the general area that we first stopped in, I feel sure that my batteries can get me that far and back again, maybe further, im not sure when because my daughter is having her babies next week, we will be busy making sure mom gets her rest for the first few days/weeks but im thinking spring, any thoughts?
quanjig reply :
They usually change the lock on the Bull Run gate each year at the beginning of March. You would be able to get to and from the splits area that we fished easily on just trolling motor with plenty of great fishing along the way. When were you thinking of trying to get back out here?
First tournament of the year is March 20 so anytime before or after if your "grandpa" schedule permits!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Well, March 4th is my Bday so I was thinking that weekend maybe, I normally take the day and spend it at Anna but if one of those weekends in there works for you all I will just save the funds and put it toward fishing there with you guys.
quanjig reply :
I will put that on my calender and we will keep an eye on the weather! I will tell you that if its high and muddy, it will be miserable so keep that in mind!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Will do, it's a chance to fish and meet people and I will pack accordingly to what you tell me the conditions are but it's more so for the fun of it, I may have an open seat for someone as well but I will let you know in advance if that happens.
MattStrykul reply :
I'm about to pick up the Humminbird 899 side imaging unit. I plan on taking a couple days and just mapping out the entire rez, and truly learning how to use the unit to the fullest. As Jon said, I do believe it will be especially helpful for those summer months.
big poppa reply :
Anyone plan on getting out anywhere this weekend? I was thinking of doing a little pond hopping/shore fishing. Is everything frozen or is there any open water?
Choporoz reply :
Thinking about it. Leaning towards Pohick, however. Maybe both. Don't think Fountainhead is open til the 1st? As long is BRM is not hard water and not too muddy, it might be worth a shot.
PGlaze reply :
I tried a little pond hopping at a few of my honey holes on wednesday, come to find they were half frozen still. Hopefully this high of 63 on sunday allows us to get out! I've got a bad case of bass fever!
quanjig reply :
Pretty sure the res is a big brown mess! Might try Burke if the main marina is unfrozen by Sunday!!
bull run is free of ice but water is just aweful muddy brown, Lakeridge ramp is not open as it still has a lot of ice in the cove!
Burtonxj reply :
Good luck at Burke.
Did a bit of bank fishing all around the lake today. No dice.
beergogglin reply :
I was planning to hit 4mr this Sunday AM. Anyone fish there lately?
nitro557 reply :
Put me in for that early march fish day i would have a open seat if anyone would like to tag along .also looks like I'll be joining the ranks on the rez tournaments this year
Nitrofreak reply :
How is the res looking guys? What are your thoughts for this coming weekend?
mudkart reply :
On 2/28/2016 at 11:29 PM, Nitrofreak said:How is the res looking guys? What are your thoughts for this coming weekend?
Like the contents of a YooHoo bottle..
Nitrofreak reply :
Looks like snow and rain Friday and a somewhat chilly weekend in store as well, I was hoping for a better forecast but it is what it is, what other dates are good for everyone, sometime later in the spring work?
quanjig reply :
Might be a little better for the following weekend
Nitrofreak reply :
K quan, I'll keep an eye on the weather, looks like a half decent warm-up next week, I still may try and hit Anna this Friday as well.
quanjig reply :
Be careful with the weather down there as well!!
Nitrofreak reply :
If it's just flurries and rain that ain't too bad, if we are expecting an inch or more, I'll stay home, I have a hard enough time just balancing myself on solid ground, throw a bit of accumulating snow on the deck and watch the escapades begin LOL !!
Nitrofreak reply :
Hey guys, my youngest's birthday is this weekend so I can't make it this weekend and since the weather didn't cooperate this past weekend, I have a question, what other timeframe works for you guys?
quanjig reply :
Got the first res tournament on the 20th, following weekend is Easter. Not that I won't be fishing but may be a problem for some. First weekend of April??
Nitrofreak reply :
I'll check and make sure we aren't doing anything and let ya know tomorrow, who else can join us?
I very well may have an open seat for someone as well if your interested.
Choporoz reply :
Looks like that weekend is open for me. Would love to meet up. I'll be fishing one way or another.....If not on the rez that weekend, I'll put the kayak in on Occoquan River and see if the shad have run up yet
BTW, the Capital Weather Gang just emailed me: "We declare winter over and spring here, effective today"
quanjig reply :
Alright, so we tentatively have the first weekend of April. Good good!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Saturday the 2nd ok with everyone?
long trip for me, I'm old and I would like to have Sunday to piddle fart around the house before going to work on Monday ?
quanjig reply :
Sounds good to me!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Looking forward to it already John , you still have my cell number?
quanjig reply :
If it hasn't changed, I got it!
Nitrofreak reply :
Still the same, same boat launch as last time?
quanjig reply :
Shouldn't be a problem!
On 3/8/2016 at 9:28 PM, Nitrofreak said:Still the same, same boat launch as last time?
nitro557 reply :
Im in for some lip ripping
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 12:29 AM, nitro557 said:Im in for some lip ripping
Looking forward to meeting you nitro557!!
Choporoz reply :
On 2/29/2016 at 9:48 AM, mudkart said:Like the contents of a YooHoo bottle..
I haven't seen the rez yet, but I drive across the O River a dozen times a week and I think about your comment every single time...still cracks me up....and still accurate as far as the river is concerned.
I know full well that the tidal Potomac and the Occoquan rez are two entirely different animals, but.....the air temps are the same and the weather is comparable.....but I'll tell you that the Potomac bass are moving up and are hungry
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 2:01 AM, Choporoz said:I haven't seen the rez yet, but I drive across the O River a dozen times a week and I think about your comment every single time...still cracks me up....and still accurate as far as the river is concerned.
I know full well that the tidal Potomac and the Occoquan rez are two entirely different animals, but.....the air temps are the same and the weather is comparable.....but I'll tell you that the Potomac bass are moving up and are hungry
Try to control yourself Chop, your getting us all excited LOL !!
Are you going to fish with us?
Choporoz reply :
I fully intend to. I have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment, but I'm doing everything I can to keep that day open. Looking forward to it.
Nitrofreak reply :
It would be great to see you again buddy, hope you can make it!!!
quanjig reply :
Fished the res on Sunday. Uplake wasn't bad, not nearly as bad as the weekend before!! I didn't catch, missed a couple bites, not sure if they were bass or ring perch. Buddy caught a couple. Have another friend out today that caught 1 last time I checked with him!! Should be good by the weekend and the weekend we have planned!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Sounds FANTASTIC !!
hopefull things will hold up, can't wait to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones !!!
Burtonxj reply :
Caught a few dinks late this afternoon.
Gonna head back tomorrow.
Good to be back out. Looks like this weather is here to stay.
mudkart reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 2:01 AM, Choporoz said:I haven't seen the rez yet, but I drive across the O River a dozen times a week and I think about your comment every single time...still cracks me up....and still accurate as far as the river is concerned.
I know full well that the tidal Potomac and the Occoquan rez are two entirely different animals, but.....the air temps are the same and the weather is comparable.....but I'll tell you that the Potomac bass are moving up and are hungry
Potomac above WW bridge was 1-1.5' of visibility last Saturday.
MattStrykul reply :
I was out today from 8-2. I went downlake just passed Sandy Run, water was super dirty, 3 inches of visibility max...Fished deep, shallow, points, bluffs, flats, you name it. Water temps ranged from 50-55 throughout the day. Decided to run up a little and fish some mid lake stuff and see what that water was looking like. A little cleaner mid lake still no bites. I saw another guy snag a catfish, that was the only action I saw all day. The new boat runs well though and I can't wait to fish these tourneys. See you guys out there Sunday!
Choporoz reply :
Spent about 6 hours out today, all between Fountainhead and the Fingers. Water is murky, but not brown now. I caught only one bass, just shy of 3. My wife caught two, but they were good fish 4 and 6.1.
Nitrofreak reply :
SHAWEEEET !!!
great outing Chop and pass along congrats to the wife for us, thanks for sharing !!
Nitrofreak reply :
I dunno about you guys but I'm already excited, 18 days and counting down, it's been a couple/few years since I had been there now and I am looking forward to being there again!!
Choporoz reply :
I've been really looking forward to it, Sonny. I was told yesterday, however, that there is some risk of having to be out of town that weekend....I'll let you know as things firm up.
BTW, the surface temps on Saturday were already 56 degrees.
Both Tami's fish were caught on white/blue chatterbait with white Rage Tail Structure Bugs, thanks in large part to @roadwarrior, both for the suggestion and the generous, spontaneous shipment of packs he sent me last year.
roadwarrior reply :
White on white is a big producer for me!
Nitrofreak reply :
That roadwarrior guy, he's a good one, we should keep him around ya know! LOL!!
Great job RW !!!
I haven't fished with those yet but I have a fair amount of rage tail products that I feel will work hopefully as good if I can find some fish, thanks for the hint and the update by the way, I'll see if I can find some before I head your way.
If for some reason we miss seeing one another I hope we can get together again at a later date and do some fishing, maybe meet up at Anna again or something, by all means your wife will be more than welcome to join us as well so please pass that along to her for us.
nitro557 reply :
The weather for sundays tournament is looking rough
quanjig reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 1:31 AM, nitro557 said:The weather for sundays tournament is looking rough
Ordered a rain suite yesterday!!
MattStrykul reply :
Sunday is gonna be a mess! I hope we can get em!!
Check out this video I made pre fishing on Monday on the Rez and let me know what you guys think! It's my first GoPro video so any tips would be greatly appreciated.
quanjig reply :
Don't give too much away!!
Looks good! Hope you can stay on them for Sunday!!!
only had 3 keepers Sunday. Seems like the dirty water was a little better!!
see you Sunday.
MattStrykul reply :
I caught 7 Sunday with 4 keepers, nothing too exciting. Spoke with a few others and they seemed to smash them downlake though!
Choporoz reply :
....
quanjig reply :
Sunday should be fun, I always look forward to the first one of the year. Not that we've done well in the opener in a long time! I think it will take quite the sack to place for sure!! Somebody will find them good!!
marvinlee718 reply :
Nice Vid! Look forward into seeing more
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 11:31 PM, MattStrykul said:Sunday is gonna be a mess! I hope we can get em!!
Check out this video I made pre fishing on Monday on the Rez and let me know what you guys think! It's my first GoPro video so any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Pics are cool but Vids are so much better, I wouldn't worry about anything you can do better, just do you, just like that one man, great job !!!
nitro557 reply :
On 3/17/2016 at 1:22 AM, quanjig said:Don't give too much away!!
Looks good! Hope you can stay on them for Sunday!!!
only had 3 keepers Sunday. Seems like the dirty water was a little better!!
see you Sunday.
Don't give to much away .haha i fished today with some tournament guys .i got one dink but they were doing good .still learning
quanjig reply :
Nitro(s), I've been fishing the res for close to 30 years now and the tournaments since they started over 22 years ago! Still get my keister handed to me more often than I care to admit!!
MattStrykul reply :
Had an awesome day before work, got out around 8, grabbed 2 immediately on blade and chatterbait that went around 3.5 and my buddy's was 5lbs...went 2 hours without a bite, then grabbed a 2lbr, then another 5lbr, and topped it off with this giant...I am guessing around 7lbs. Unfortunately no scale, but I'll let you all be the judge. About 22 lbs for 5 fish
quanjig reply :
Nice!! Pig for sure!!
Stay out of the fingers!!!!!!!!!!!
MattStrykul reply :
On 3/18/2016 at 5:17 AM, quanjig said:Nice!! Pig for sure!!
Stay out of the fingers!!!!!!!!!!!
Close, but a little further down and to the right
quanjig reply :
On 3/18/2016 at 5:24 AM, MattStrykul said:Close, but a little further down and to the right
Nice!! I'm sure you will have some company in there!!!
It all looks good right now! I can never tell from pics! Just trying to give you a hard time!!!
MattStrykul reply :
Hoping for some run good and pulling a #1 chip so we can be the first ones out!! Jokes aside, bite will most likely be completely different. I'm just hoping to catch some fish on Sunday.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/18/2016 at 3:01 AM, MattStrykul said:Had an awesome day before work, got out around 8, grabbed 2 immediately on blade and chatterbait that went around 3.5 and my buddy's was 5lbs...went 2 hours without a bite, then grabbed a 2lbr, then another 5lbr, and topped it off with this giant...I am guessing around 7lbs. Unfortunately no scale, but I'll let you all be the judge. About 22 lbs for 5 fish
Should have taken your video camera out eh??? LOL !!!
Great day and thanks for sharing!!
MattStrykul reply :
On 3/18/2016 at 6:47 AM, Nitrofreak said:Should have taken your video camera out eh??? LOL !!!
Great day and thanks for sharing!!
It died 10 minutes before catching this and I forgot my adapter to be able to charge it! I did get one of the 5lbrs on the GoPro though!:)
MattStrykul reply :
Here's the smaller of the 2 big ones yesterday
quanjig reply :
That little rocky point..........
MattStrykul reply :
Slowly learning my friend
Nitrofreak reply :
Very nice indeed !!
Great job !!!!
Choporoz reply :
I didn't make it out this weekend....I'm glad that I got a cold virus out of the way on a weekend with crummy weather.
No reports from the tourny??? That mean it was a tough day out there?
quanjig reply :
Quite the opposite of tough!! Tournament record broken! 6 fish for over 31 pounds, half of the participants over 20 pounds!!
You needed over 25 pounds to take any money!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Sounds like y'all had a great event!!!
Choporoz reply :
d**n!!!!
quanjig reply :
Had a pretty solid pattern working, caught fish all day, just couldn't find the giants needed to make a difference!! Had a little over 20lbs and missed a bunch! Probably caugh close to 30 fish with only a few that didn't measure!
If it's just keepers you want to catch there are plenty of them! You have to work a little harder and cover a lot of water to get the good ones!!
Nitrofreak reply :
It would be nice if that pattern holds up for our outing in two weeks but I'm really glad to hear you guys whacked em and had some fun !!!!
quanjig reply :
Thanks Sonny, I have no doubt fishing will be very good for that weekend!! If we don't get any torrential rain between now and then, there will be some spawning going on for sure!!
I was skeptical that the fishing would be anything close to what we had because of the big change in the weather but a lot of fish moved up during the week and were committed to staying put that's for sure. There were some fish caught deeper but a majority of the fish we fount were in fairly shallow water albeit very close to deep water!!
Nitrofreak reply :
Sounds like we may have a chance to have some fun as well then, looking forward to it regardless buddy, boat is ready, all I need to do now is service the trailer !! Can't wait !!!
quanjig reply :
Alright guys, it's getting close to April 2 and Nitro will be coming out to fish with us on the res! The plan is to launch at Bull Run. Anyone that want to come on out and meet up, please speak up so we can get a plan together to arrange a spot to meet and greet so to speak!
If you have a pass and a key, we will be trying to get on the water a little after 7am or so. If you just want to run up the res, we will be fishing around the splits area and can figure out a time and place to maybe sit and float for a lunch break!!
Nitrofreak reply :
11 days and counting down, looking forward to the Res, as a fellow NOVA or alumni, it's going to be good being in my old stomping grounds, although the Res was not part of my daily life, places like lake Jackson and others were, mostly it was the creeks that ran around Manassas park and lake Manassas itself, it's going to be a great day and I hope you guys can make it out!!
John, thanks again for everything, can't wait to see a great friend slinging a line man !!
Choporoz reply :
I am still uncertain that I will be in town. ...I do hope so. But I did want to remind all to get your new BRM key. Locks changed last week
The Bream Reaper reply :
have they started renting jon boats out of FH yet?
Nitrofreak reply :
Hey, I just re-read your post Quan, we don't all need to be together man, you guys can fish anywhere you want, I will just be somewhere around the splits and maybe a little deeper depending on the trolling motor battery status, I like the idea of tying up together for lunch that's cool !!
I figure we can all meet up somewhere at the end of the day and swap some fish tales if you want but by all means just because I will be limited doesn't mean we all have to fish the same area, it's all good !!!!
s freud reply :
Will be out that weekend but sounds like it will be a blast! Sorry to miss you guys, would have loved to meet up.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/24/2016 at 5:39 AM, s freud said:Will be out that weekend but sounds like it will be a blast! Sorry to miss you guys, would have loved to meet up.
I don't want this to be the last time, although it's been a couple of years since my last trip I really enjoy the Res and its company of fine folk, we will do this again, just not sure when, shucks maybe we can make this like a yearly thing or something who knows or we may be able to do this again by fall, regardless, we will do it again and hopefully you can join us.
nitro557 reply :
Im definitely in .i have a br key .was out yesterday for a couple of hours and put some just at keeper sized in the boat .
Nitrofreak reply :
How's the Res holding up guys?
Looks like we got a front coming Thursday and Friday and a mess of wind on Saturday with partly cloudy skies, winds look to be right now @ 10-20mph, sounds like a challenging day but I like a good challenge, just gotta remember to make sure I have my anchor packed too.
READY FOR SATURDAY !!!!!!!
Choporoz reply :
Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it. Got family stuff to attend to.
I took the kayak out from BRM for about 3 hours Saturday evening and got one good bite...nothing landed. I sheepishly admit that I did spend a little time chasing big surface activity, most of which were apparently carp. I did see one monster bass come all the way out of the water near some laydowns and worked to get her attention... for too long.
Nitrofreak reply :
Sorry to hear you can't make it Chop, hey, family is always first, I'm a firm believer in that, hopefully we can try this again in the future and everyone can make it out but defiantly glad to hear you got some time on the water.
I know most of you guys have smaller boats so I think the question should be asked, is everyone ok with this weekend or do you guys want to try for a different weekend?
Safety is the first reason I am asking, secondly, some of us simply don't care for the wind either and hey, I get how aggravating the wind can be, just let me know what y'all want to do.
quanjig reply :
Well, that sucks! It becomes an absolute wind tunnel down through bull run with wind like that!! I'm pretty sure it would be just short of miserable to try and fish up there with that kind of wind!
Nitrofreak reply :
On 3/30/2016 at 4:52 AM, quanjig said:Well, that sucks! It becomes an absolute wind tunnel down through bull run with wind like that!! I'm pretty sure it would be just short of miserable to try and fish up there with that kind of wind!
So I can take that as a no? LOL !!
I use the weather channel app, just checked again and calling out 15-25mph during the day now, not sure what you guys have but check and see what you all are seeing, make sure mine isn't wrong.
quanjig reply :
It's one thing if it were a tournament but we are talking about going out and having some fun!! That forecast, is not fun!!! I could go out and grind just because I want to try and stay on fish, but I want you (Sonny) to be able to enjoy it and not have it be a chore to fish! It's a big drive for you to run out here to only get beat up by the weather and beat down by the res!! Let's see if we can put together another day that makes more sense!!
Nitrofreak reply :
i was truly looking forward to the weekend man, counting down the days I was, I can manage this new boat pretty decently with the wind, but, 25mph hitting us doesn't make it fun nor safe for anyone at all.
Look at your calendars and see when we can try again.
quanjig reply :
Me too!! April is pretty booked for me but will see if I can sort through some things to make a day happen!!
You could always try for a day during the summer. We could go out of lake ridge. Plenty of fun deep water summer opportunities close to the ramp! Would love for you to be able to experience a fun football jig bite or my secret bait!!
Nitrofreak reply :
You plan it and we will make it happen man!!
I'll get my dates gathered up and shoot you a PM as to when I am fishing with Veterens and see if we can come up with something.
nitro557 reply :
You guy's decide on a date and I'll be there. Was really looking forward to this .i made some big improvements to my boat this week
Nitrofreak reply :
That's lookin pretty awesome there Nitro !!!
nitro557 reply :
Thanks
Choporoz reply :
95% certain that I'll be in town this weekend, after all.....unless there's lightning or 30+MPH wind, I expect I'll have the yak out Sat. If not BRM, then Pohick or Occoquan Regional Park...somewhere wet, anyway....I'm getting antsy
ReelFishingDream reply :
my buddy caught 9 shad under the waking bridge. he said it was too easy 3/27/16
if anyone wants to fish the rez this weekend. im free.
Choporoz reply :
That's cool. I'd heard they were running already. I bought some lite spoons and darts just for this 'event'
ReelFishingDream reply :
On 3/23/2016 at 8:40 AM, quanjig said:Alright guys, it's getting close to April 2 and Nitro will be coming out to fish with us on the res! The plan is to launch at Bull Run. Anyone that want to come on out and meet up, please speak up so we can get a plan together to arrange a spot to meet and greet so to speak!
If you have a pass and a key, we will be trying to get on the water a little after 7am or so. If you just want to run up the res, we will be fishing around the splits area and can figure out a time and place to maybe sit and float for a lunch break!!
im interested in fishing with you all, i dont have a boat, anyone need a buddy im free, tight lines
Nitrofreak reply :
On 4/1/2016 at 12:24 AM, Choporoz said:95% certain that I'll be in town this weekend, after all.....unless there's lightning or 30+MPH wind, I expect I'll have the yak out Sat. If not BRM, then Pohick or Occoquan Regional Park...somewhere wet, anyway....I'm getting antsy
This is what my weather report says for Saturday into Saturday night.
ReelFishingDream reply :
im still fishing. tight lines
Nitrofreak reply :
I got up this morning and checked outside and really???
I thought they ( weather peeps ) got it all wrong, it was dead calm at the house this morning and I almost hopped in the truck and headed for the Quan, by 7am it had already picked up, where I live, it's like a straight shot off of the West Virginia mountains and with nothing between us it got going pretty good, how was it down y'all's way today? Anyone make it out ?
Choporoz reply :
Just got home from Fountainhead. They wouldn't rent us a boat...still too windy. And they got power knocked out by downed power lines.
Took the kayak out from Pohick Friday and got a few short fish. Yesterday afternoon I went out at Occoquan River and pulled 4 nice bass. All between 2.5 and 4. Sitting home now wishing we could have gotten out today. Weather looks fine from my deck....but their are white caps on the rez.
Nitrofreak reply :
Well, there's always the bar scene I guess LOL !!!
Glad to hear you had a good outing Dave, I'm also glad we didn't try and venture out because I believe everyone would have been miserable, it's always safer to error on the side of caution anyway IMO, I will remain hopeful that we can all get together and enjoy a day on the water sometime soon, wherever that may end up being.
MattStrykul reply :
Some prefishing from yesterday, check it out! Let me know what you guys think,
Matt
Nitrofreak reply :
That right there was a pretty darn good video man !!
Congrats on a great day !!!
MattStrykul reply :
Thanks Nitro
I will come back after next week(s) tournament(s) and fill you guys in on where and how I was catching these fish. I'm sure some of you will already be able to figure it out, but all in due time.
nitro557 reply :
Nice fish .i was back in there last week
Nitrofreak reply :
On 4/7/2016 at 8:49 PM, MattStrykul said:Thanks Nitro
I will come back after next week(s) tournament(s) and fill you guys in on where and how I was catching these fish. I'm sure some of you will already be able to figure it out, but all in due time.
I am taking it pretty seriously this year as well, been to Anna a bunch of times and haven't even got a line wet, the last two years I had only wet a line when I took out Veterens or family, this year I hope to improve by a big margin, I've studied structure, bait, bass and the behavior and growth of the bait and bass in Anna, I have kept an almost diary like log of everything.
Your doing a fantastic job Matt and your videos are really entertaining !!!
On 4/7/2016 at 11:00 PM, nitro557 said:Nice fish .i was back in there last week
Great job Nitro !!!
Choporoz reply :
Another rough weather weekend coming up. I was supposed to work Heroes on the Water Saturday, but even that got cancelled. Probably get out on O rez or river Saturday, but its going to be a cold morning.
Or...maybe not....I just checked weather.com: SAT Apr 9, Low 27°, AM Rain/Snow Showers/Wind, WNW 27 mph.....ugh
Nitrofreak reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 12:28 AM, Choporoz said:Another rough weather weekend coming up. I was supposed to work Heroes on the Water Saturday, but even that got cancelled. Probably get out on O rez or river Saturday, but its going to be a cold morning.
Or...maybe not....I just checked weather.com: SAT Apr 9, Low 27°, AM Rain/Snow Showers/Wind, WNW 27 mph.....ugh
March has been a month to remember for the amount of fronts we are experiencing and now April seems to be copying the same pattern, It seems last year our fronts would come through right as the weekend approached but this year it seems to be every second or third day, the wind has really not stopped blowing at my house with the exception of just a couple of days the last month and a half.
quanjig reply :
Nitro557, what are thooooosssseeee! Your footwear, I can't stop trying to figure those things out??!!
nitro557 reply :
My big feet and a 3lb bass .im not a give spots away guy seems to cause a flood of your fishing hole .
I will be seeing you sunday morning im the red boat hope to finally meet you
nitro557 reply :
Plus my shoulder is to messed up to do a fish selfie
quanjig reply :
I'm just ribbin' ya!!
nitro557 reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 9:55 AM, quanjig said:I'm just ribbin' ya!!
Oh i know .but trying to be like you i have been putting time and travel into the rez to learn it and the shoreline. This reservoir is a amazing fishery and is always changing
quanjig reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:25 AM, nitro557 said:Oh i know .but trying to be like you i have been putting time and travel into the rez to learn it and the shoreline. This reservoir is a amazing fishery and is always changing
Well I appreciate that! It really is a fun place to fish!! There are some constants about it but the nice thing is you can always learn something with every visit!!
Choporoz reply :
So....how'd the tourny weigh-in go?
My wife and I spent a few hours out there yesterday afternoon and landed exactly one fish.
quanjig reply :
27+, 25+, 23+ were 1,2,3 and a few 6's brought in. Tough day for sure. We only had 3 for a little over 9lbs. Didn't help that I had 4 come off that felt VERY nice!! 3 of which happened in the first 20 or so minutes! Kinda set the tone for me for the rest of the day!
nitro557 reply :
You all did alot better then us we caught 4 but only one made it to the scale 2.8lbs
88mm reply :
I've only ever been out there for bass and never tried for crappie. I've had a lot of luck with rooster tails catching lots of blue gills up stream in the bull run towards hemlock overlook in Clifton. The bass love them too. Same with beetlespins. Does anyone know anything about jigging for crappie on the occoquan and sections of the bull run?
I'm debating on going out there after i get out for spring turkey a few times.
The water temperature around this time of year is 55-58 degrees. So i hope the Bass are spawning soon, what do you guys think?
nitro557 reply :
I've always had better luck on crappie down river towards the dam
The Bream Reaper reply :
anyone know if they are renting jon boats out of fountainhead? I've called over a couple times and haven't been able to get anyone...
Choporoz reply :
Yes, they are
marvinlee718 reply :
Does anyone know if they're spawning yet?
quanjig reply :
On 4/19/2016 at 11:46 AM, marvinlee718 said:Does anyone know if they're spawning yet?
Yes
Choporoz reply :
Cormorant population seems worse than I ever recall. Hope they're just passing through. I don't know for certain that they'd affect the bass population, but I have a hard time thinking they'll help.
quanjig reply :
Right now they are probably gorging on shad. They will move on to the river later, hopefully..........
Choporoz reply :
If rez is nuts with cormorants, the river is insane. Was out there Sunday and the sky was black with them. My wife took this at sunset. Just one of about a dozen flocks that came in over about 30 min.
quanjig reply :
Yea, that's pretty crazy. I have noticed quite a few more of them on the res this year. At least you know where good concentrations of bait are!! I've rolled up to spots where they are and caught fish!!
Kyle46N reply :
Not bass fishing, but related to cormorants. Fish punch bait or stinkbait on a slip float rig for catfish under the trees where cormorants roost overnight. You'll slaughter them. Cats love the cormorant crap. Digested fish basically. This is a very popular method in Texas. I know a couple roosting areas directly over the water along the Ocoquan river.
MattStrykul reply :
Added videos from the past 2 tourneys out on the rez. Caught most fish shallow, no site fishing though. Nothing giant but still a fun time out there as always. Give me some tips on making these videos better please! Hope you guys enjoy
Matt
Nitrofreak reply :
Your really getting good at these videos Matt !!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them !!
Choporoz reply :
On 4/28/2016 at 9:14 PM, Nitrofreak said:Your really getting good at these videos Matt !!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them !!
+1!!!
Loved it....all of it...I think your editing, timing, etc is great. I thought the drive was a great touch, also. Thank you.
note...I'm impressed with your teamwork and net responsiveness!
quanjig reply :
That was not the most enjoyable event! You guys did great, congrats on your first "payout!"
Ace was smoking you buddy!!!!!
Hopedully their will be some hungry post spawners for the next one, then it's on!!!
MattStrykul reply :
On 4/28/2016 at 10:29 PM, quanjig said:That was not the most enjoyable event! You guys did great, congrats on your first "payout!"
Ace was smoking you buddy!!!!!
Hopedully their will be some hungry post spawners for the next one, then it's on!!!
Ace is a beast, all I can say is I'm glad he's on my team. The kid is clutch!
I'm excited for the next event myself, hope we can just get bit more honestly. Haven't really had any "numbers days" out there.
On 4/28/2016 at 9:20 PM, Choporoz said:+1!!!
Loved it....all of it...I think your editing, timing, etc is great. I thought the drive was a great touch, also. Thank you.
note...I'm impressed with your teamwork and net responsiveness!
Thanks! Gotta grab that net quick! haha
nitro557 reply :
Good video and great team work
Choporoz reply :
Spent number of hours Friday, all between Ryans Dam and Fountainhead. Picked up a couple quick two pounders and thought it was going to be a great day. Sadly, just a couple dinks after that.
Yesterday I took the kayak from BRM. 10 min in, I had 2.5 and was excited about the prospects. Didn't catch another bass all day. Maybe I should just go out for an hour each time. The wife would appreciate that.
I did get about a half hour of excitement, however. Stuck my crankbait into a log....but the log started moving. Slow enough at first that I wasn't certain what was going on. Then he took off. Dragged me all up and down Bull Run for 20 or more minutes. I flagged down a passing boat to ask if they had a net. Good thing they did...not sure how I was going to get this in my kayak.
animuseternal reply :
I just wanted to introduce myself. I grew up in the area but just moved into Fairfax at the beginning of the month. I went to Fountainhead yesterday--really excited to be so near to it!--with no luck, though the water is very murky and I think it was too soon following rain for it.
But this thread (I read most of it) has been an invaluable source of information already. I'm mostly targeting bass, but I really want to catch a snakehead this year, so will be focusing on learning topwater frog techniques in grass. I'm pretty new to fishing in general (outside of Boy Scouts as a kid, I just started again last year and caught some small bass here and there.. Lake Anna, Burke Lake, a bunch of small mouth deep into the New River on a cabin trip over the summer).. Hopefully, I learn quite a bit from y'all.
Tight lines, guys. I'll be around.
Choporoz reply :
Welcome, A.
Kayaked up river from BRM yesterday. Wanted to head down a bit, but the wind was brutal. Caught exactly two bass all day. Water is high and visibility is about three inches. The carp are boiling in the shallows...kinda creepy when you can't see them in 12 inches of water, but the surface is boiling and their banging the bottom of the boat and the paddle
MattStrykul reply :
Was out Tuesday and caught 6 total, largest being 3.5 lbs. Found some clear water and it paid off! Water temps dropped roughly 4 degrees since I went out last Tuesday, and the water is up about 8-12 inches.
Funny story, I set the hook on a fish and the line dug into itself pretty good. I didn't realize and sat down to retie, and the very next cast I pitched toward some grass and as soon as the line his the spot where it had dug into itself POP goes my rod into the drink. Fished for it for 45 minutes and decided to move on because I had a buddy on the boat and didn't want to waste anymore of his time. Went back yesterday with some more appropriate snagging tools and caught it after 45 minutes.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 5/13/2016 at 3:11 AM, MattStrykul said:Was out Tuesday and caught 6 total, largest being 3.5 lbs. Found some clear water and it paid off! Water temps dropped roughly 4 degrees since I went out last Tuesday, and the water is up about 8-12 inches.
Funny story, I set the hook on a fish and the line dug into itself pretty good. I didn't realize and sat down to retie, and the very next cast I pitched toward some grass and as soon as the line his the spot where it had dug into itself POP goes my rod into the drink. Fished for it for 45 minutes and decided to move on because I had a buddy on the boat and didn't want to waste anymore of his time. Went back yesterday with some more appropriate snagging tools and caught it after 45 minutes.
Glad you got your rod and reel back !!!
animuseternal reply :
I went out on Saturday morning and rented a boat. I have some questions...
First, do any of these boats have anchors? Should I bring my own and tie it to the boat? I found it really frustrating to find a good spot, but constantly need to row or steer back with the trolling motor cause I kept drifting away. I don't know if it was just the boat I rented, if we're expected to have our own anchors (I didn't see anywhere to tie one either), or if... anchors aren't allowed for some reason...? If the latter is the case, how do y'all deal with drifting away from your spots?
Second, I'm clearly not used to fishing LMB. They are ******* MASSIVE in the rez. I kept seeing bass the size of my torso taking bugs off the top of the water. I had two rods with me: a medium-heavy 6'6" rod that I had set up with 20lb braid, a 30lb wire leader, and was using for frogs (eventually got a wind knot I couldn't fix so I had to set it aside); and then just a 5' UglyStik with 10lb mono that I was Texas-rigging senkos on.
The bass were taking actual food from the topwater, but I need to really work on my frog presentation, cause I wasn't getting anything anyway. After the wind knot, I was fishing with the UglyStik exclusively and got a few bites. Then this giant thing took the bait; it was so strong it was just leading the boat around and must've dove into some cover, cause I reeled myself in directly on top of it. The rod was bending insanely and I wasn't strong enough to make much progress in the fight. The moment I started to actually get it up a little, my knot came undone. So clearly I need to work on my knot tying skills, but I also think an uglyStik is just too flimsy to be of any good in the res, unless I go for crappies with it.
That's all well and fine, but what sort of gear are you guys using for bass? I think I'm going to get a new rod so I have something stronger to use for T-rigged senkos, and keep the other rod devoted to topwater. I'm leaning toward one of these combos: http://www.amazon.com/Penn-Fierce-Reel-Combo-Heavy/dp/B011LVBZZ0?ie=UTF8&keywords=heavy%20spinning%20rod%20combo&qid=1463507145&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8 Either the 7' Heavy single-piece or the 9' Medium-Heavy 2-piece. Which do you think would be more effective? Or any other suggestions?
Also, if I want to just keep mono on the new rod, what do you recommend? 15lb? 20lb?
Thanks a lot!
Choporoz reply :
sounds like quite a day, A. I bought an anchor and rope at Walmart and keep it in the car for when I rent from Fountainhead or Lake Ridge. I've seen some big bass in O, but none as big as my torso...then again, my torso has gotten a lot bigger the last couple years. Are you sure you weren't seeing carp? Nine foot rod is probably a little overkill for bass....but, then again, maybe not if you're getting towed around the rez by them. I got towed around by a 35 or 40 pound catfish a couple weeks ago and didn't lose it using 12 pound test and a 7'1" medium rod.
animuseternal reply :
Nine seems really long to me too, but it's the only MH available in two-pieces, so it came into consideration. I prefer 1-piece, but they can be difficult to get around cause I have a small car. There's a 7-ft MH and 7-ft H 1-piece.. I take it the MH is all that's necessary? I might be overestimating the strength of these fish, cause the Ugly Stik is a hard gauge (being as flexible as it is). But at least ONE of the bass that leapt into the air was the size of my torso (I'm a 5'6" Asian man, 155lbs, former competitive powerlifter, so I have some 'bulk' to me, but my waist--as in around my stomach beneath my ribcage, not my hips--is only 28" around). So, as far as torso length and width goes, I'm probably a lot smaller than most of you. haha. My guess is that it was 9-10lbs and probably only half or 60% the size of your average white male's torso ('average' being the arbitrarily set metrics of 5'9" in height and 185lbs).
Most of the other fish I saw taking topwater weren't quite as big as that one, but larger than I've ever seen a smallmouth get. My guess is that they were 6-7lbs.
Thanks a lot for the advice. And letting me know it's okay to use an anchor. I don't know why it wouldn't be, but wondered if the boat didn't have one because of like.. ecological damage or something.
quanjig reply :
It's starting to get good out a little deeper! 
quanjig reply :
Very sad that this thread has regressed to 4 pages back!!! I have been absent from BR for a while but glad to say the res is fishing very well through this heat and those that want to figure out the deep bite, now is the time!!
Choporoz reply :
Good to hear! I've been on the rez a lot less this year since I've been in my yak nearly full time. I have gone out of BRM a couple times and paddled from Fountainhead and Lake Ridge once each. Nothing to brag about, I'm afraid. Early morning bank fish and a few deeper shakey/trig, but I haven't tried deep carolina dragging from the yak yet.
I must admit that last time or two out of BRM, I had a very hard time finding fish after the early bite. I'd think the deeper channels would be best, but the deep ones have eluded me this year. I can usually find some around the parks, though, since I know those contours a lot better.
10pounderWill reply :
Yesterday a friend and i caught 1 keeper each...tough fishing.
quanjig reply :
It's thought to find them randomly, better chance of finding feeders with a graph for sure!!
Not to brag but my partner and I have won the last two tournaments out there with 28 and 24 pounds. The 28 pound day had one close to 7 and another over 6. Bot days had over 20 keepers each day. They will eat if you know how to look for them deep. The last few years we were getting smoked during the summer and made a vow to teach myself how to find them when it's hot!!
Choporoz reply :
I will sheepishly admit that I was using a graph when I was having trouble finding fish...:)
quanjig reply :
Chop, it's only taken 30 or so years to figure out what little I actually know about the rez!!!
marvinlee718 reply :
I wish I knew how to fish deep, even shallow at times lol.... Can't really figure them out and just have to try my best with the small fishfinder I have.
Burtonxj reply :
Been doing pretty well on the D/S
The Bream Reaper reply :
i'm playing hookie and getting out there on friday. last time out (about a month ago) caught 5 at a few spots (relatively shallow - probably no deeper than 10ft) just above FH. biggest went 4ish and the smallest was 1.5ish. It was a stringer I'd take any day of the d**n week out on the Potomac (but pretty average on the rez)! conditions were a little better for a shallower bite that day though....good cloud cover.
Choporoz reply :
Spent most of Friday trolling down out of Fountainhead. One short fish up until 5:30 PM when someone flicked a switch. Last hour on the water was good - quite a few; all on 7 in worms flipped towards cover and/or dragged slowly down ledges. Crazy the way it went from dead to great.
The Bream Reaper reply :
Went out yesterday morning from about 7-11:30. Best five went around 12#. Busy morning out there but no one in my favorite spots right there around fountainhead. saw a lot of boats on PW side but not many on Fairfax county side (they may have been catching them too on PW side, but that's not where i was). I didn't get bit until about 8:30 and then it turned on a little bit. a couple well over 3# and the rest were in the 1.5-2.5 range. Everything came off of submerged cover in i'd say 6-10 foot of water dragging craw type baits (black and blues). water was slightly stained and water level is LOW. my favorite time to fish the rez is right around the corner!
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for the report. I went down from BRM on Saturday at dawn. Fish were scattered to say the least. Got a few up to 3, but nothing worth measuring/weighing/photo-ing. I did get taken for a ride again by a big 'ol flathead....only about a third as big as last one, but always exciting in a kayak.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Has anyone seen the res in the last day or two who might be able to tell me if it is worth fishing at all tomorrow? I called Fountainhead and they said it was very muddy so I am thinking about launching at Lake Ridge if it isnt a total mess down there.
Choporoz reply :
Good luck. Take a chatterbait...or two. I went out at Pohick today and that was muddy, but they found the chatterbait. Not like the Rez is ever very clear anyway. I'm debating where to go, too. Prob Fountainhead or BRM. Let us know how you do.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Hitting the Rez tomorrow with a friend. Launching out of Foutainhead in my Stratos and fishing with my trolling motor unless the water is muddy in which case I will launch from Lake Ridge for the first time. Last two times out i have done well and got into a good deep crankbait bite the last time. Hope the cold front doesn't shut them all off tomorrow...
Anyone else gonna be out there?
quanjig reply :
Be careful, supposed to be very windy and right there at FH is so open all it does is rip through there! I would recommend you drop in at Lakeridge. A little more sheltered and there are plenty of options in that creek and much easier to get to the Fairfax county side with the wind!! Good luck and let us know how you do!!
Choporoz reply :
I got scared (or smart?) and didn't go out at all Saturday...was tough because the wife was out busy....sad.
Did go yesterday. Fished from Fountainhead up past Ryan's Dam a ways and back. Only five bass, all decent but one. Every one on a chatterbait. Kept trying to force other stuff, but nothing else worked for me. My wife did get one on a lipless, however. Seemed like good conditions for a blade bait. First cast I landed a huge carp. Hooked in the mouth. I've never caught a carp that wasn't snagged before. Three casts later, I landed an even huger flathead. Pulled that little jon boat a good ways...lol. That makes four flathead this year between 15 and 40 pounds; every one on something different. Also caught a crappie on the blade bait before losing it in submerged woods.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
I launched from Fountainhead on Saturday morning having not seen quanjig's post in time. The wind was insane. Burned through my TM batteries and had to idle back to the ramp at the end of the day. Caught a total of 3 in the backs of creeks on a chatterbait, biggest was 16". Missed a real nice one that I saw come out of a tree and crush it.
quanjig reply :
Sorry you didn't see that in time!!
We threw a big fish tournament Sunday. Surprised at the turn out, we had 15 guys show up that wanted to play!!
My 4 pounder won with a 3-12 second place!! It was a tough day as most of the guys left early. I always stay till the end and bring in my best fish no matter what, you never know, right!!
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Nice work! Did you find them in the backs of creeks?
quanjig reply :
Haven't been able to find any big fish in the backs yet. Mostly main lake still or the first third of the big creeks. Main lake guts and cuts will hold fish right now as well!!
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Thanks! I am hoping to launch out of Lake Ridge for the first time on Sunday and I will try to hit main lake spots and the first third of the creeks.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
Fished Sunday out of Lake Ridge and had a decent but relatively slow day. We spent too much time in creeks and caught about 8 fish total with the biggest at 2-12 and another at 2-9. Found fish in the reeds on secondary points, on main lake points, and on main lake wood. Green pumpkin creature baits were our main producer, also caught fish on an underspin with white fluke and a small swimbait on a slider head. Couldn't buy a bite on a crank or chatter but the water was really calm most of the day which probably played a big factor.
quanjig reply :
We had another big fish tournament Sunday. 1st was 5.89 and 2nd was 4.45. A lot of guys struggled. I was able to put a few in the boat. Jig and jerkbait did the trick for me. All on main lake, just can't find them very well in creeks. The bait is very scattered but when you find them, you can usually catch a couple. Bigger trees that hang over deeper water seem to hold good fish, getting them to eat is the issue!!
marvinlee718 reply :
Any info on the bite lately? Are the bass out deep?
quanjig reply :
They are so in between right now with all the rain we have had and the fluctuating temps. I would think with the heat moving in and post spawn wrapping up for the most part, they will be out deep very quickly!! There were a few guys that still found some spawners during the tournament this past Sunday!!!
quanjig reply :
Any of you guys wanting to learn to fish deep during the summer on the res, now is the time!! Buddy caught one close to 8 and we have been steady whooping them deep on points and deeper breaks!! Go get you some!!!! DM for some advice!!
Choporoz reply :
Thanks for the update! I got my first couple deep ones finally...dragging shaky head real slow a few weeks ago. Been too busy to get out much this summer.... lot of work on the house. I have vowed to get my first deep crig hog from the rez this summer and still hope to see it happen. I have spent a little time dragging smokin rooster with that rig, but aside from one good hit, no joy....yet
RichF reply :
I think I might head there this saturday. Unfortunately, I'll be renting a boat and don't have any electronics so it'll be difficult. I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to try draggin the ball and chain around since I never do it. Not catching is still better than not fishing!
Choporoz reply :
Sounds like a plan. I am scheduling the honey-dos for Saturday, since I think the weather will be better Sunday. Going to be challenging without electronics, but the long smooth, favored deep points are easy to spot... there's always a boat on them
RichF reply :
On 7/27/2017 at 11:32 PM, Choporoz said:Sounds like a plan. I am scheduling the honey-dos for Saturday, since I think the weather will be better Sunday. Going to be challenging without electronics, but the long smooth, favored deep points are easy to spot... there's always a boat on them
I think you're right. Supposed to rain Saturday I think. Should be less busy, which I like.
bigbasshunter reply :
Tournament going out Sunday
Choporoz reply :
Had good day out there today...up until around 1PM, when they pretty much shut down. Jigs in shallow cover early, then I moved deeper. Was a bit of a challenge because they were up off the bottom. Had good luck pumping deep spinnerbaits. The bass were suspended around 13 feet, but active. Later in the morning, I found them on bottom with shaky head...anywhere from 8 to 18 feet. Largest was just shy of 5.
Ed Dunn reply :
I would love some advice fishing Occoquan. Me and my buddy have been fishing Occoquan for over 15 years but never seem to pull in anything bigger than 4 pounds (on a good day) and we never get skunked. We want to up our game. We can catch 1-2lbers all day.
Our weakness is fishing the deep water, mostly we hit the rocks walls and covered shorelines with carolina or texas rigs and do fairly well but in the summer it's hit or miss.
Thanks
quanjig reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 4:36 AM, Ed Dunn said:I would love some advice fishing Occoquan. Me and my buddy have been fishing Occoquan for over 15 years but never seem to pull in anything bigger than 4 pounds (on a good day) and we never get skunked. We want to up our game. We can catch 1-2lbers all day.
Our weakness is fishing the deep water, mostly we hit the rocks walls and covered shorelines with carolina or texas rigs and do fairly well but in the summer it's hit or miss.
Thanks
PM sent
quanjig reply :
We had an 8 pounder weighed in for yesterday's tournament!!
Choporoz reply :
Put the kayak in at BRM after work on Tuesday. Exactly one good bite on a shakey head that got off. Not so much as a dink in the boat.
I went out around 6PM and didn't come off until close to 10. Sonar battery lasted all of about an hour....so that's my excuse for the day. And the Monday cold front...and the nearly full moon....That battery had been charged, but I knew that one had been going downhill in recent weeks...just didn't think it'd croak quite so fast. Well after dark, my headlamp battery died, as well. Backlash from hell in nothing but moonlight was enough to convince me I was done. Usually pretty hard to get me off the water if I haven't caught anything, but I'd have enough signs for one night. Been a long time that I couldn't at least coax a few dinks around BRM....just the rez reminding me to appreciate each one that I do catch out there...tomorrow's another day!
Choporoz reply :
Ventured out into the mud and logjams Saturday. I've been on the reservoir after a lot of storms, but I don't think I've ever seen it quite this bad. Went down out of Fountainhead. Fished between there and Lake Ridge for most of the day. Lots of debris early, but visibility was nearly 18 inches, which actually isn't terrible for there. Fish were funny, probably because of the churn. Got a half dozen or so, nothing over 3.5. Shakey heads and jigs, mostly.
Probably around 1PM where I was at (second bend past Jacob's Rock), the crap came in pretty quick. The mud thickened and the logjams got wider and longer. Such that I couldn't even fish what had been a fairly exposed main point anymore. Ran up from there, which wasn't the brightest idea. By the time I got past Ryan's Dam, the visibility was such that I couldn't see my spinnerbait only 6 inches from surface at boatside. Tried mudlines and any clearer spots I could find, but no joy. Went back down again and with extreme patience, was able to land some jig fish. Took a dozen casts to some wood....had to drop it on their heads, but they did hit hard when they found it. Good learning day.
Ed Dunn reply :
Any one have an available map with all the site names on it like they have up at the Fountain Head marina? I'd love to have a copy on the boat with me.
Thanks
Choporoz reply :
They used to sell them at the Fountainhead marina. They may still.
Here's where I got mine....also got tidal Potomac, Anna, SML, and others:
http://www.gmcomaps.com/product/occoquan-reservoir-pro-series/
Ed Dunn reply :
Perfect! Thank you
RichF reply :
Went outta Fountainhead Sunday. Man, it's tough fishing that place without a depthfinder. Not to mention the fact that it's very much a southern type reservoir, which this northerner is just not used to. I had the intention to practice dragging the bottom with a carolina rig...since it's a southern type reservoir and it's late summer. It's something i just never do. In fact, this might be the second time I've ever even rigged one up. I stayed off the shore, dropping it in front of the boat to check depths. I'm guessing I was fishing in 12 to 20ft most of the day. Never got bit with that or a football jig. Tried flipping the funky willow grass to no avail. Flipped wood...nada. I finally got a 13 incher on a squarebill after I saw the little fella busting shad. I kept seeing shad popping in the main channel and every now and again a bigger fish busting (not even sure those were bass). I decided to finish the day counting down a swimbait and slow rolling it in. Of course I only had 2 under 4 inches long with me. I got a 2lb cat out in the main channel then got a 4 pound largie a little closer in to shore. Fished from 645am to 4pm and that was it.
Choporoz reply :
No sonar...in summer ....on the rez even with some familiarity makes for a long day.
I took the yak out of BRM last night from 6-9. One short fish....lots of misses...pretty sure most were bass...some bluegills, no doubt...but setting the hook and dragging water continually. Strange thing was that I wasn't marking fish anywhere....not on drops, shallow, channels, brush, etc....strange night
RichF reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 10:16 PM, Choporoz said:No sonar...in summer ....on the rez even with some familiarity makes for a long day.
I took the yak out of BRM last night from 6-9. One short fish....lots of misses...pretty sure most were bass...some bluegills, no doubt...but setting the hook and dragging water continually. Strange thing was that I wasn't marking fish anywhere....not on drops, shallow, channels, brush, etc....strange night
Is it worth the extra $$ to go outta Bull Run? It looks like there are more options up that way (creeks, etc).
Choporoz reply :
For me, it depends on time of day as much as anything. If I want to launch at 4AM....or stay out past sunset, then I go to BRM. It can be a little easier to deal with wind up there, also. Most of what I want to fish from my kayak around Fountainhead and Lake Ridge is pretty exposed. As far as the fishing...it depends I feel like I know the area between Lake Ridge and Fountainhead somewhat better than I know Bull Run and Occoquan River....but I can't say that the fishing is generally any better in any one area of the rez...from my limited experience
quanjig reply :
You guys are killing me!! Went out Sunday and ran mostly community spots and caught 10 good fish with 2 over 5 lbs!! It is difficult to play in the summer deep without electronics for sure. If for no other reason that it will help you eliminate water more than anything!! If you are fishing where there are no fish, tough to catch them!! Not saying your graph will "see" every fish available but summertime out there usually means groups of fish feeding on the large schools of shad. The upper stretches of the reservoir can and will produce fish but in the summer there are more deep water opportunities down lake. If you like throwing to targets then the top end is great for sure!!
RichF reply :
I probably saw you at some point lol. Eventually, I'll get rigged properly to fish it a little better. I wish I had my Tracker down here...although I don't even think I'd be able to launch it there. I'm so not used to fishing the shad deal. The lakes I grew up fishing don't have those stupid things:) They're all natural lakes with tons of submergent vegetation. The bass eat mainly bullhead, bluegill, crappie, and crayfish.
I don't expect a whole lot puttering around in a rental boat and a trolling motor haha. I should probably stop spending so much time going back to NY to fish and learn the water down here!
quanjig reply :
I've got 25+ years on that body of water, it was bound to payoff and start to make sense at some point!!!
GorillaBass reply :
I go to the Rez like 2-3x a week, I do pretty good. Sandy Run is pretty legit most the time- Trying to fish them a little deeper this time of the year- some more cranking, cause 5 last saturday during that wicked wind we had- it was annoying for sure but the bites were of the chart.
Learning the deeper water, I have 2 really good fish finders that show promise, it's just a matter of getting my bait deep enough in an effective manner to trigger strikes .. that's the kicker! The Rez is the best!
Choporoz reply :
The bass must have all topped off on Sat, because Sun was fairly slow going.
RichF reply :
Anyone know when Fountainhead stops renting out boats for the season?
Choporoz reply :
OPEN FULL TIME
March 27- November 5
Sunrise- Sunset
PRIVATE LAUNCH ONLY
November 6-November 26
Sunrise- Sunset
I am a very harsh critics of most park websites...but NOVA does a great job of keeping theirs' updated.
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/fountainhead-regional-park
RichF reply :
Thanks @Choporoz!
GorillaBass reply :
GOD DANG I HATE THE ROWERS !!!!!!!!!!! THE MOST INCONSIDERATE MOFO'S ON THE RESERVOIR!!!!!!
I wrote them a nasty email this week, one of their hotshots in the motorboats got within 5ft of my boat and quickly turned to avoid hitting me, he didnt hear me yelling at him !!!! idiots man..
the boaters, the kids, the adults, all of them, inconsiderate, they'll have all the space in the world but get right up beside you .. stop...then scream into the bull horn?! I don't understand are you doing ?!
i hate them, were going to have it out one day.. if im lucky enough ill knock one out. rant over.
side note, i fished there mon-yesterday.. tough fishing man, i tried dropshot and a little deeper methods, did catch a nice one on a good carolina rig setup but its tough now and its like 5ft shallower than summer time which is starting to really suck.
need to join a club or something, need to meet more people to bring fishing sometimes.
Choporoz reply :
I, too, have had my problems with SOME of them. I ask that you please take a deep breath. There are some very considerate coaches out there, too. I don't want them painting all fishermen with a broad brush. The fact is, we're going to have to coexist on there. I don't know much about the history (or politics, even), but I suspect that if it becomes us vs them, we're going to get crushed. Many of these crews are part of or affiliated with schools, and I'd bet that when push comes to shove, we're going to get the short end. I'm not trying to 'take their side' in any sense....but I can tell you that they aren't going away and despite some bad coaches, we're going to have to find a way to share the water. I try to call out what I see as bad behavior, but I also go out of my way to thank the ones that are thoughtful, communicative and/or respectful.
GorillaBass reply :
we need a meeting of some sort- i offered to do that.
when they see fishermen and have the entire other side of the resevoir to go to with nobody theere, then they SHOULD exercise that space. getting within feet of my boat is unacceptable.
we all have rights. its public water. its not like there going to ban fisherman, thats laughable.
having to find coves and travel far from lake ridge is utterly ridiculous to 'hide' from the rowers.
just irritates me. such disrespectful priks.
things will get out of hand eventually. its coming. its inevitable
quanjig reply :
I’ve had some serious run ins with them!! To be fair, most of them have zero clue about etiquette on the water but there are quite a few that do and will make an effort to “go around” you. The problems that I encounter the most are the “kids coaching kids” out there. They will tell you that they have been told to stay on the right side of the water and that’s about it. They take that to mean they have the right of way and it your problem to get out of their way which couldn’t be further from the truth. To say they have run between the bank and my boat any less than 20-30 times a season is an understatement. When they get close, I ask them to pay attention next time and that they were well aware of my location hundreds of yards away with plenty of time and distance available to not have to do what they just did. Sometimes this is met with the”I’ll do better next time” but that is often time the exception rather than the rule. We have taken the solution of an air horn and used it on occasion to warn them. The singles and doubles are very good about avoiding us, it’s the 8’s nod the chase boats that are the biggest problem. Very difficult to reason with hem when they think they own the water!!
gbassman519 reply :
would love to but have no way of getting there i have no boat fish with bro -in- law and he don't want to travel that far lol with jon boat
SeeNoSun reply :
A couple of late season Yak trips to the Rez paid off for me.
11/15/17 - Launched out of Lake Ridge Marina. Water Temps: 52 Size: Just under 20" / 5# Lure: Spinnerbait Location: Middle of a cove in submerged timber.
11/30/17 - Launched out of Fountainhead. Water Temps: 47 Size: 20.25" / 5.5# (PB for the 2017 season) Lure: Jig & Pig Location: Main Lake Point
SeeNoSun reply :
Anybody hit the Rez in March 2018 yet? The yak is out of hibernation and ready to go. I'm planning a trip on 3/19. I can't wait!
sc1978 reply :
On 3/13/2018 at 7:38 AM, SeeNoSun said:Anybody hit the Rez in March 2018 yet? The yak is out of hibernation and ready to go. I'm planning a trip on 3/19. I can't wait!
Did you ever head out....?
SeeNoSun reply :
I went yesterday. Not much action with water temps at 44.5 but it was great to get on the water again.
SeeNoSun reply :
I hit the Rez on 3/29 (along with everyone else with a rod and reel) and water was 50 degrees. No luck. I went back on 4/1 and it was still 50 degrees but there was hardly anyone else on the water. A nice quiet afternoon! Here is my report for both trips. I launched out of Fountainhead and hit every cove, main lake point and secondary point all the way up to Wolf's Run. I'm on a pedal Yak so the ground I can cover in an afternoon is limited. I did not see any activity in the back of coves, on secondary points or main lake points. I did see huge clouds of baitfish on my FF in the main lake channels suspended just above the bottom.
Anyone else having anything to report?
RichF reply :
I rented a boat saturday out of fountainhead. Fished from 10 to 6 and only got 4 (all within 30 mins around 4:45). Every bite came flipping in the back of a pocket.
SeeNoSun reply :
On 4/4/2018 at 6:31 AM, RichF said:I rented a boat saturday out of fountainhead. Fished from 10 to 6 and only got 4 (all within 30 mins around 4:45). Every bite came flipping in the back of a pocket.
I must have left too early. I pulled out around 4pm both times.
Ed Dunn reply :
Went out fishing Monday and really didn't catch anything. Lots of shad as we were coming back in. I really need to learn how to fish deep this time of year. We were marking fish at around 15-18 feet routinely but nothing was biting.
s freud reply :
Went out on the 22nd. Highest I've ever seen and of course muddy. Caught one and lost a huge one fishing the banks in flooded areas. Did not go out to main channel but sure there was plenty of debris.
Choporoz reply :
Got out there yesterday for first time in months. Rented boat from Fountainhead - didn't take the gas motor; just trolled pretty much between five fingers and Fountainhead. Despite the oppressive heat, the bite was surprisingly good. Nothing huge, but decent numbers; biggest was just a hair over 3....I did lose a couple very heavy fish. Apparently the tourny guys did very well yesterday - I was told that big bag was 25, and a couple other boats brought in over 20. I struggled with the deep bite that I expected to rule the day. But dropping jigs down ledges and into mid depth brush (6-15') was very effective.
Choporoz reply :
Way cool! Came across this picture of Ryon's Dam...exactly like you pictured it, right?
https://www.midcopw.net/mid-county-history.html
SeeNoSun reply :
Heading out to the Rez tomorrow. I think I'll launch out of Fountainhead. It looks like 57 degrees, partly cloudy and a bit windy. Hopefully I will report back with some good news.
SeeNoSun reply :
It was crazy windy today but I survived to tell the tale...
Choporoz reply :
Took the kayak out of Lake Ridge on Saturday....the 36 degree temps weren't much of a problem, but the wind was. Marked suspended fish from 8-17 in a few areas but couldn't coax a bite. Made my way across the lake where I thought I'd get in the lee, but there was no getting out of the wind -- came back across through whitecaps -- only stayed about three hours...had I gotten even one bite, I probably would have pushed it more
SeeNoSun reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 4:34 AM, Choporoz said:Took the kayak out of Lake Ridge on Saturday....the 36 degree temps weren't much of a problem, but the wind was. Marked suspended fish from 8-17 in a few areas but couldn't coax a bite. Made my way across the lake where I thought I'd get in the lee, but there was no getting out of the wind -- came back across through whitecaps -- only stayed about three hours...had I gotten even one bite, I probably would have pushed it more
I'm assuming you meant air temp was 36 degrees. Just curious... what was the water temp?
Choporoz reply :
43
SeeNoSun reply :
On 12/11/2018 at 7:21 PM, Choporoz said:43
really? other conditions permitting that is not totally un-fishable. Maybe the season is not completely over.
Choporoz reply :
Agreed. It ain't over til the water is hard
s freud reply :
Weather yesterday was awesome. Please tell me someone got out there and killed them.
SeeNoSun reply :
The 2019 season is upon us so I wanted to start up this thread again. If those that love fishing the Rez could provide updates on the conditions, the bass spawn cycle and related movements it would be awesome!
Don't forget to post pics of the lunkers that you land.
quanjig reply :
Cold and dirty, nothing to see here, move along............. stay off my res..........
SeeNoSun reply :
On 3/14/2019 at 7:23 AM, quanjig said:Cold and dirty, nothing to see here, move along............. stay off my res..........
Well that's awful neighborly of you. I thought I saw your name on this one...
Don't worry I put him back so don't get your panties in a bunch!
sc1978 reply :
ill be on the other side of the dam soon for some shad action....
quanjig reply :
On 3/14/2019 at 8:47 AM, SeeNoSun said:Well that's awful neighborly of you. I thought I saw your name on this one...
Don't worry I put him back so don't get your panties in a bunch!
Nice fish!!! To bad it’s not a recent pic!!! Leaves on the trees are a dead give away!!????
SeeNoSun reply :
On 3/16/2019 at 11:53 PM, quanjig said:Nice fish!!! To bad it’s not a recent pic!!! Leaves on the trees are a dead give away!!????
That was caught on Oct 29, 2018. Never said it was a recent catch. Had three really nice ones last year. Going out for the first time this year on Thursday. Looking forward to returning to the cold muddy water of the Rez.
Choporoz reply :
Spent a few hours fighting wind this weekend out there. Didn't find any that really moved up yet. Very slow. Some hanging out in trees, but nothing feeding aggressively anywhere that I found.
s freud reply :
Went out Saturday and got skunked. I need to make better use of my new electronics.
SeeNoSun reply :
Went out today. Water temps around 50. Launched at Fountainhead and pedaled up to the splits and back. Not much movement yet but it was a nice day on the Rez. I even got a little sunburn on my face.
RichF reply :
Dusted off the old rental boats at Fountainhead on Saturday. It was beautiful out but the bass weren't cooperating at all. I figured with the recent warming trend they would push to the shallows. Boy was I wrong. Nothing in the creeks and pockets. Caught the 4 doinks that bit and had a decent one chase me to the boat. Talked to one guy out there that said he had a good morning with a jerkbait. Guess I'll have to regroup next weekend.
microotter reply :
Is it worth visiting Occoquan Reservoir to fish from shore?
Choporoz reply :
There are a couple spots to hike to, but unless you are fishing for catfish, it is not worth it in my opinion.
You can rent a jon boat at fountainhead and Lake Ridge, though.
Mantis7 reply :
I had an internship working at Occoquan last year. I was putting up mile markers along their water trail. I would always see people pulling out impressive cats out of the reservoir but I never saw anyone catch a bass there unless they were in a Jon boat or a canoe. I went out on my buddy's Jon Boat in late August and we caught a few baby bass but we had to cover a lot of water to catch them. I just don't think its worth fishing from shore.
Choporoz reply :
Got out there for about 3 hours in the rain yesterday for first time in a couple months. Don't think I've ever seen it higher. All but a couple feet of the concrete ramp at Fountainhead was submerged. Not even a nibble shallow. One bite all day off of bottom wood in about 8 FOW.
VAcreekfish reply :
On 4/11/2019 at 8:36 AM, microotter said:Is it worth visiting Occoquan Reservoir to fish from shore?
I'll have to disagree with others - it'll take a few times out, but you can do OK from the shore. Fountainhead has never done much for me but Bull Run Marina is a different story. Head left under the bridge for several decent spots, fish off the docks for crappie, or head around the shallow cove to the right of the docks before about 11am. Biggest bass I've caught from shore is probably 15", but they're out there. You can make a morning out of 10" crappie too.
microotter reply :
On 5/10/2019 at 10:08 AM, VAcreekfish said:I'll have to disagree with others - it'll take a few times out, but you can do OK from the shore. Fountainhead has never done much for me but Bull Run Marina is a different story. Head left under the bridge for several decent spots, fish off the docks for crappie, or head around the shallow cove to the right of the docks before about 11am. Biggest bass I've caught from shore is probably 15", but they're out there. You can make a morning out of 10" crappie too.
Thanks!
RichF reply :
Finally had a decent day out there last saturday. Put 18 in the boat with the 5 biggest pushing 17lbs. Pretty much everything came shallow. No electronics force me beat the bank. Looks like they are starting to spawn.
Choporoz reply :
Had a good morning out there Sunday. I had prepared myself to fish deep, a technique that I REALLY need to work on. But, I didn't get around to it. Was kept plenty busy dropping t-rigs down ledges and working chatterbaits around grass. Two biggest went 19", and numbers were fun. They really seemed to be stacked up. When I found fish, I caught more than one, sometimes much more in a smallish area. When I didn't catch fish, I could go hundreds of yards without a bite.
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