Disappointed in the NOVA Members 2024

rondef reply :

Guys I am disappointed that some of you are choosing to keep silent about where you are fishing all the time. It is really to bad that some of you have chosen this pratice because it means you have no intention of helping others become better bass anglers, what a shame. I thought this forum was here to help each other become better bass anglers. When I first joined the forum I was pretty happy to find so many great NOVA members willing to share information about fishing. I guess a lot has changed since I became a member.

HokieDJ reply :

I think people don't post for the general public but will PM the spot.

It's just in people's nature to let a few in on the secret but don't want to the whole world to join where it becomes over crowded and ruin the experience for everyone.

Dan: reply :

remember, Ron, any post on this forum can be found through a google search. Posting something publicly on the forum can allow an unknown number of people

Trevor in Burke reply :

Are you seriously whining about this? How can you not understand certain people not wanting to expose a particular area they do well at? seriously? Not only will it most certainly become over populated but it could very well jeapordize either the persons status of being able to fish there or it WILL jeapordize the spot itself, I for one have seen mutiple spots PLUMMET in productivity because too many people discovered them, it's inevitable, especially when more and more people fish it EVERYDAY instead of periodically, just like I stated in my PM. You need to get over it man. That's not true to say people don't want to help people, I've been helping two guys I met through here just recently, by going fishing with them and bringing them tackle. I discovered this place by meeting flippin4it and drums out fishing one day and they've been very helpful fishing partners in lending me certain equpiment and sharing techniques, I now consider them very good friends as well as my best fishing partners, even though i don't see drums as much anymore I know he's a good dude. Don't just say stuff like that because you can't figure out where some people did well fishing. Maybe they just don't want everyone fishing there and posting about it. Just my honest opinion.

SimonSays reply :

Heya Ron, I can understand how some might want to keep an area secret from others, though I also agree that this forum is a place to help others and share information. In my case, I wouldn't post the area for all to see, or anyone just doing a simple google search like Dan said. However if anyone wanted to know where I was fishing and it was a "private/secret spot" I wouldn't hesistate to answer over a PM!

Sam has given me a bunch of tips on where to fish in Richmond and I would feel like a selfish *** if I didn't help others who messaged me also.

On that note, if anyone wants to know about the water that I've fished then don't hesistate to ask over a PM, i'll be more than happy to answer!

Paul Naj reply :

This is a tough one Ron. Although I have no problem sharing my catches and locations with the board, I completely understand those that want to keep it quiet. For me the majority of the fishing I do is on weekdays due to a flexible schedule and I'm not as affected by crowds as those that can only fish on the weekend. In my short time here I can see that the NOVA lakes already get a lot of pressure and I think some guys feel that any additional pressure due to people chasing a report would make it even worse.

I spent a lot of time in the past on a striped bass board when I was living in NJ. In fact, a friend of mine runs the site. He had a strict policy that no specific spots were discussed on the public board. It was ok for people to PM specific information if they wanted. It took the pressure away from those guys that didn't want to share and put everyone on a level playing field.

As far as becoming a better bass fisherman, I'm not convinced that daily reports of specific lakes are the way to become better. I certainly think that discussing a variety of lakes is helpful in learning new areas to fish but nothing replaces putting time in on a lake and learning each specific lake's landscape. That, together with a thorough understanding of pattern fishing will make people better fishermen. Understanding seasonal effects such as water temperature, pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, summer etc. tend to be very similar in lakes of common size and depth in a given area. I know that you know this Ron, but I put it up here because that may not be as obvious to some of the guys new to bass fishing.

So the point here is that some guys will continue to post specific bodies of water and some guys won't. Hopefully they post enough detail about their experience so that we can apply their details to wherever we fish.

On that note, buzzbaits in the backs of the coves thrown tight to rocks has been very good to me on Beaverdam Creek Reservoir.

Paul

SimonSays reply :

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This is a tough one Ron. Although I have no problem sharing my catches and locations with the board, I completely understand those that want to keep it quiet. For me the majority of the fishing I do is on weekdays due to a flexible schedule and I'm not as affected by crowds as those that can only fish on the weekend. In my short time here I can see that the NOVA lakes already get a lot of pressure and I think some guys feel that any additional pressure due to people chasing a report would make it even worse.
I spent a lot of time in the past on a striped bass board when I was living in NJ. In fact, a friend of mine runs the site. He had a strict policy that no specific spots were discussed on the public board. It was ok for people to PM specific information if they wanted. It took the pressure away from those guys that didn't want to share and put everyone on a level playing field.

As far as becoming a better bass fisherman, I'm not convinced that daily reports of specific lakes are the way to become better. I certainly think that discussing a variety of lakes is helpful in learning new areas to fish but nothing replaces putting time in on a lake and learning each specific lake's landscape. That, together with a thorough understanding of pattern fishing will make people better fishermen. Understanding seasonal effects such as water temperature, pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, summer etc. tend to be very similar in lakes of common size and depth in a given area. I know that you know this Ron, but I put it up here because that may not be as obvious to some of the guys new to bass fishing.

So the point here is that some guys will continue to post specific bodies of water and some guys won't. Hopefully they post enough detail about their experience so that we can apply their details to wherever we fish.

On that note, buzzbaits in the backs of the coves thrown tight to rocks has been very good to me on Beaverdam Creek Reservoir.

Paul

Nice fish! gotta love those buzzbait hits =)

HokieDJ reply :

Paul,

Nice fish.. are those coves accessible by foot?

The bass still eludes me there. I did catch a carp on Shaky Head. My friend said chartruese/white spinner works too.

okrod reply :

I agree with the majority of the group that we all have the right not to identify specific spots that may get over fished. However, if you fish locations that everyone is aware of e.g. Mercer, it would help others to share what's working at these locals.

rondef reply :

Nice catch Paul. I agree with secret spots (locations on lakes, ponds or rivers) but not the body of water if it is accessible to the public. Sure there was an occasional thread before about secret bodies of water but now it has become the norm. I am more than glad to share information with others who share information.

Avalonjohn44 reply :

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I agree with secret spots (locations on lakes, ponds or rivers) but not the body of water if it is accessible to the public. Sure there was an occasional thread before about secret bodies of water but now it has become the norm. I am more than glad to share information with others who share information.

I don't get the fuss either. Just about every body of water, especially in NoVA is well known and well fished... They can be found on any county map. The VDIG has hundreds of pond/lake/river/reservoir access points too. Those are the same places we are all going. Just about anything else is private property.

JCrzy4Bass reply :

I'm gonna catch heat and flack for this but honestly I'm at the point where I really don't care very much for this section of the board and am about to stay out of it altogether. Certain people, not mentioning names are hypocrites on here. They call out peoples spots when they take pictures and then they don't reveal certain spots themselves? Whatever. Those who do this obviously will out themselves or send me a nasty pm, I don't care.

A few weeks ago I caught my pb at a certain location that I didn't want "shared to the whole world". And I got called out about not sharing information. Since then I have listed every outing, where I was, what I caught fish on, etc. I like how this can go both ways when any given person feels like it. BS.

Honestly here's what's gonna happen on my end. No more reports (for those who are interested in my outings you can pm me), no more locations are going to be given away, no more pics will be put on here without the background being whited out, etc. I'm just sick of some people tagging along with others and forming these little clicks that don't include any outsiders who didn't participate on that given day.

Not to brag or to be conceited but I've pretty much been a leader on here as far as getting stuff together, organized, and setting up times we can all meet and fish. I met some pretty good guys and some others I hade my quirks about. The ones I second guessed, I'm pretty sure I was right about now. I'm not gonna list my buddies or list who is cool and who I don't care for on here and you guys can talk about me or people you don't care for behind your back all you want.

Just remember when you're ready to get out there and really fish and be a fishing partner and or a friend (as thats what I used to consider most of you on here) you have my username and you can pm me. If not, that's cool I have some of the best fishing partners in the world aside from this place so... it's really whatever.

I have definately noticed a change in this place. And I agree with Avalon. Pretty much everywhere in NOVA is overifshed. If your worried about fishing pressure drive west or south and find places that way. Nova is overfished and it's a reality we have to learn to accept.

slomoe reply :

If I make a post and don't say where I was fishing its because I got a tip from someone and was asked to keep it quiet. If someone told you about a spot that held some nice fish, why on gods green earth would you post it on the internet for everybody to see.

Don't get your feelings hurt, Its just the internet.

Mepps reply :

Well said Jay. I gotta tell you though, I do miss your reports.

With regard to the subject of this post, I understand both sides of the matter. I personally don't want everyone to know my spots, because like a few people said, Northern Va is already overpressured in general. So if anyone asks, unless its a public place, I wont tell. However, I'm not going to be the guy who photoshops any of my pics! Haha

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Slomoe,

I'm a part of four or five forums. I don't let stuff on the net get to me. I just see how this place has chaged (the southeast section) over the course of the last year or so. It's been this way since fishing started up this year. I don't know if it's you guys are all afraid of the new NOVA members signing on here and membership increasing or afraid of losing some of your spots that I GUARANTEE you others already know about. It's whatev to me.

The number one important factor in fishing is confidence. I fish plenty of small ponds in my area and can catch fish alomst every single day I go out on all kinds of baits. I see people there ALL the time or even when I drive by and I'm not there. And these are secluded ponds too. Its just weird how all of this changed overnight. Seriously a couple weeks ago everyone was like "hey I'm going here", or "hey I went here and caught this" or "who wants to come with me here?" Now it's just like people gravitate towars others and don't share info with the majority. No biggie on my part, I fish all over the place and don't care one way or another.

All I'm saying is for those that expected me to give up info and then not recieve anything back, it not's gonna happen. I'm taking a break from this place and I may come back if I see change. But if not I'm sticking to the main forum, and I'll let you guys take this sub section in whatever direction you want. Peace playas.

uglystikangler reply :

Wow . . . I feel like I'm back in high school . . .

Here's my outlook . . . If you have a spot fish it

If there's someone new take them to a few places teach them the basics (or more) and let them get the experience and find THEIR own spots.

I thought that was fishing not this whole "tell me where you get the big ones so i can feel special pulling one out of the water to!"

kind of like shooting fish in a bucket huh?

A.Do? reply :

There are certain spots that I do not want to share. Plan and simple, which is why i doctored my photo last week. Everyone has that one spot, if they've found it, that they don't want others to know about whether they'll admit it or not.

I learned my lesson because I told a friend about a certain spot and he told ALL his coworkers and got us kicked off that property. Needless to say thats never going to happen again.

Now when it comes to public waters, out of respect to people who i fish with and to others that hold those bodies of water precious, I am now refraining from posting the name but am more than willing to PM the location to board members. A fellow board member pointed something out to me that i never thought of, "Not just board members read our post".

An example would be Mercer, my friend lives off the water and of the 5+ years he's lived there has been able to count the number of anglers he's seen on the water. The other day he told me that he was amazed at how many people are now on this lake.

This post is pointless and that fact that it was even made disappoints me, but whatever. That's my 2 cents.

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Never said I wanted exact spots dude. But when a group of people are gonna sit around on here and hide multiple spots or hush hush them it gets to be annoying. It's like you come on here to brag that you know of this spectacular place and that you catch great fish there... but oh no... Im not gonna tell anyone else where it is.

Telling 5-7 people where a body of water is the same as telling 10-20 people. Because some of those people no matter what they say are gonna show buddies outside of that group and so forth and so forth. People are gonna see you fishing there and ask "hey, ya catchin anything"? then they are gonna tell people they know that fish and its a never ending cycle.

That's my last two cents. I just wanted people to know how ridiculous they are sounding coming on here boasting about their new private hole that they aren't gonna give up. That's just not what this place was last year. Only point I'm trying to make. that and people are hypocrites. But that's my last two cents. I'm out and I'll let other peopl chime in.

uglystikangler reply :

if you don't want exact spots what do you want? I'm sure most people know all the bodies of water in this area if not most of them.

Heck! google search "water in northern virginia" i'm sure you'll come up with everything including your neighbors bath tub! (which may or may not contain fish . . . pending neighbors habbits of course!)

MattStrykul reply :

I have to say, if I happened to find a pond that was hot and I didn't think it was overpressured already, I'd keep it to myself. I'd maybe tell a couple of people but tell them to keep it quiet too. Find some ponds yourself, google earth is great.

Pigsticker reply :

Really Sorry guys I've been catching all my bass at Lake Accotink

on wiggle rigs.LOL j/k. Matt Strykul stop talking about me.lol

Um if you have permission to fish a private pond do others really need to know where it is? Jay i wouldnt go to that pond you have near your work and ask permission even if you told me i could, it is called turf/respect

it is probably best to have a army mentality "dont ask,dont tell"

If keeping your water secret means that much to you, which some ponds i know of are definitely worth it

besides all the largest reported fish out of VA have came out of 2 places and it is a reallll secret what two places it is :

MattStrykul reply :

Steve don't tell them our lucky lake. PS we have actually been catching our fish on 15'' trout swimbaits ;D

Micro reply :

Instead of blurring out the lake, I'm gonna start blurring out the fish.

A.Do? reply :

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Instead of blurring out the lake, I'm gonna start blurring out the fish.

flippin4it. reply :

So I was just in Giant and noticed how much produce, eggs and milk had gone up!

Are you guys kidding me? What is all this nonsense about? Really, lets get down to "brass tacks". What is the exact issue? Someone not giving up a "honey hole"? WE ALL HAVE THEM AND ALWAYS WILL!!!! You just got to be able to catch it!!!! If you want something? Ask.

If your prying for info? You did it wrong.

Dan: reply :

WOW. that's really all I can say, wow.

burleytog reply :

Hilarious this thread is.

rondef reply :

I agree with JCrzy4Bass you guys are being ridiculous about the secret locations. Part of the problem is a location Jay kept to himself was told to everyone by a member of this forum and that person actually was pretty rude about it. Since then Jay and I have shared information only to see that others no longer share information in return. If that didn't happen to Jay I would most likely feel different about this. But the bottom line is the Southeast section has changed for the worse. Members from NOVA are bragging about fish and then not giving up locations (lake and pond names). Also if people don't want to share information, it is a two way street. If member wants to hold it against me or bad mouth me so be it, you won't hurt my feelings. I am more than confident in my ability to catch fish any time at any location. The pressure does not scare me. That is my last comment on this, I am really disappointed in quite a few of you due to the attitudes I am seeing displayed in reference to this secret location garbage.

Dan: reply :

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Members from NOVA are bragging about fish and then not giving up locations (lake and pond names).

Isn't that their choice?

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Also if people don't want to share information, it is a two way street.

I agree, it works both ways, if you are told private information, common courtesy would suggest that you reciprocate. Just like you gave me info about that pond and I offered my own info. That's the way it SHOULD work. BUT if you tell someone in confidence, make sure that you make it clear that you want it secret. If someone just makes a general public post about a place, you can't necessarily expect return information. Also, people don't have to give return information, they should, but they don't have to--and in return, you can refuse to give them any more information, that's up to you.

Micro reply :

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Nova is overfished and it's a reality we have to learn to accept.

Would love to have some of you guys down here for an outing on the Chickahominy River or Chickahominy Lake!

Anyways, I'm on the fence on this one. Keeping tight-lipped is a fishing tradition. Not like those doing here are doing anything new. Me personally, I'll be happy to tell you the lakes I like to fish. But I understand if someone has a favorite honey-hole they won't talk about. To each his own.

I've fished some of my lakes for years and have been over them and over them and have my found favorite spots through hard searching and plenty of sunburns. I'm not about to tell someone about my favorite stump. The lake is one thing, the exact locations thereupon - no dice. Learning a lake is half the fun.

uglystikangler reply :

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I agree with JCrzy4Bass you guys are being ridiculous about the secret locations. Part of the problem is a location Jay kept to himself was told to everyone by a member of this forum and that person actually was pretty rude about it. Since then Jay and I have shared information only to see that others no longer share information in return. If that didn't happen to Jay I would most likely feel different about this. But the bottom line is the Southeast section has changed for the worse. Members from NOVA are bragging about fish and then not giving up locations (lake and pond names). Also if people don't want to share information, it is a two way street. If member wants to hold it against me or bad mouth me so be it, you won't hurt my feelings. I am more than confident in my ability to catch fish any time at any location. The pressure does not scare me. That is my last comment on this, I am really disappointed in quite a few of you due to the attitudes I am seeing displayed in reference to this secret location garbage.

if you are more than confident about catching fish any time and anywhere why are you so desperate to find out everyone's sweet spot? :-?

71Rig reply :

I think you all just need some gynolotramin and get over yourselves already. Starting to sound like the Oprah book club on here.

-Drums- reply :

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I discovered this place by meeting flippin4it and drums out fishing one day and they've been very helpful fishing partners in lending me certain equpiment and sharing techniques, I now consider them very good friends as well as my best fishing partners, even though i don't see drums as much anymore I know he's a good dude.

Awwww shucks.....thanks Trev, nice words

(it's amazing how much your life changes with a newborn)

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I think you all just need some gynolotramin and get over yourselves already. Starting to sound like the Oprah book club on here.

Couldn't agree more. At the risk of alientating myself from at least some of the NoVA guys on here, this thread is gay. Super gay.

slomoe reply :

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At the risk of alientating myself from at least some of the NoVA guys on here.

Shun this man! BOOOOOOO

-Drums- reply :

Quote

Quote
At the risk of alientating myself from at least some of the NoVA guys on here.

Shun this man! BOOOOOOO

;D

Ha!

Trevor in Burke reply :

let me get this straight... we're still talking about people not publicly sharing low-key fishing spots on a public internet forum, to people who will most likely post a whole new topic about each individual spot, to the detail of whether they were standing on crab grass or moss, and casting at the sun or 2 degress east of it with rattle traps or some other hot lure of the week, with google earth screen shots saying how they did and posting pictures? compromising it for future use to those who already fish it... ;D what's the big deal

here's a tip fish public golf course water hazards, they're loaded with big confidence fish, get permission, I've found many to be permitting, just be clean, some say only evenings on earlier holes, but it's a start. Good luck. 8-)

i know for a fact many of you posting in here have been turned onto good water, let's not get spoiled here, we're all always in search of new good water...

Hung up Paul reply :

Hey Micro.

I found your spot!

Looks like I had a bit o better luck than you though... check out this monster!

Trevor in Burke reply :

Holy *****! you're the guy who was taking all those pictures, i was there too! that place rocks!

in fact i was posing with my fish in that pic and you didn't even realize it!

A.Do? reply :

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Holy crap! you're the guy who was taking all those pictures, i was there too! that place rocks!
in fact i was posing with my fish in that pic and you didn't even realize it!

LOL! Barely saw you in the back there trev.

Trevor in Burke reply :

yea i was about 30 yards from his boat hiding in the tall grass, i didn't have a camera and saw him facing my way at the same time i caught a nice fish so i figured i'd get in there...

Dan: reply :

lmao

BaitMS reply :

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Holy crap! you're the guy who was taking all those pictures, i was there too! that place rocks!
in fact i was posing with my fish in that pic and you didn't even realize it!

H I L A R I O U S!! LMFAO

Avalonjohn44 reply :

Very nice photoshop. LOL

knownfactor reply :

I haven't been on this forum very long or in the online bass community very long but this argument is going to be never ending, there are two sides to it and some people like to share locations and some people don't it is what it is, accept it and move on.

I for one have no problem giving reports of where i'm going or have been, i'm moving to Denver in two months and i've been trying to hit up every possible spot i can up until i move so everyone's reports and info have helped me a ton and i thank you. thats exactly why i gave a report of beaver dam my very first post to help out and give basic info about a location in our area. if someone does not want to share a spot with me i could care less i have google.

If anyone wants to go fishing over the next 7 weeks PM me. only places ive gone are Mercer, Braddock, Beaver dam, Ashburn Village, Huntsman and Burke lake and im trying to hit up some more spots before i head out to paradise =)

okrod reply :

Knownfactor,

That's completely insensitive. Please do the right thing and remove that pic, we get your point.

Dan: reply :

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Knownfactor,
That's completely insensitive. Please do the right thing and remove that pic, we get your point.

I agree, but beyond that, many members of this forum, including some moderators are very involved with children with disabilities and this is especially not the place for that sort of joke, if there is such a place.

let's put this thread to rest, it died, stop resurrecting it.

Gatorbassman reply :

I removed it for him. That was pathetic. I can't believe you thought that was funny. If I fished NOVA I would give you some spots alright. You would be looking for spots in the middle of the lake. >

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