NOVA no bites 2024

Michelle43 reply :

I am trying to get back into fishing. I have not caught anything in 10 years. Haven't tried either. I really want to get back into it and have been reading here non-stop, but my 3 trips out sucked.

I caught 1 turtle.

I bought Rapala stuff and Senkos. I have been trying at Burke Lake and Walney pond and Fountainhead.

If someone is willing to help me I would appreciate it.

If you don't mind a teaching a girl how to fish...let me know.

Bryan75 reply :

I'm no Pro, but I've also tried those lakes and ponds. Personally, I've had some good luck using Rapala's DT series. As well as some senko's (black w/ purple flakes). I have gone to Beaver creek reservoir in Ashburn (caught several LMB's and SMB's there) and a couple local ponds in Reston. I'd say try to go early or late.... Seems they don't like bitin' middle of the day. Least thats my experience.

Good luck and let me know what ya get.

Bank1128 reply :

been havin the same problem lately also... seems like Northern VA ponds and lakes are just fished too heavily for them to handle

Stunning i sent a PM

hokiefisherman93 reply :

if you ever wanna come down to richmond area i would be willing to share a couple honey holes

soccplayer07 reply :

tons of fish to be had at those spots. let me know the next time your heading out.

NOVAngler reply :

I'd love to try fountainhead sometime soon.... I used to fish burke lake, royal, and mercer alot...

I just moved back to the area and I've been to royal and mercer a few times this month. Pulled bass on every trip - nothing impressive tho (all 10"-13")

Try bouncing Texas rigged senkos or slow rolling spinnerbaits!

Feel free to PM me... 8-)

T.R. Express reply :

Well Michelle this time of year is generally a slow presentation! Weightless Senkos and Carolina rigged Lizards work great just about anywhere. Search the Fishing Forum for any of this terminology and you will find how to tie these rigs and their presentation. To increase your chances of catching good bass, find a body of water that has boat rentals. Boats are a lot of fun and gain you access to a lot of great areas! Good luck and feel free to PM me.

David Russell reply :

Michelle: I was sort of amused by your post. I just started fishing again a couple months back after a 10-year hiatus. I also caught one turtle. So I know how you feel. Since then, I've only been able to catch one largemouth "dink" at Lake Royal in NOVA and a decent-sized rock bass in an inlet of the Chesapeake (on a weekend getaway.)

I'm really hoping to learn as much as I can to help me catch fish. Most folks around this forum are great.

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks all for your replies.

I was going to head out to fountainhead this evening and get a boat for the first time. It is sprinkling and is supposed to rain all afternoon. Do they still bite in the rain?

ymduhh reply :

I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

Michelle43 reply :

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I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

Do you know how late you can keep a rental boat? I looked at the site and it doesn't say. The rain has stopped so I think we are going to go. May just fish from the shore as lightning is predicted.

Crossing my fingers that I catch my first fish today

JVM reply :

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I was actually thinking of going to try FH also this evening with a friend of mine to see if anything happens. Maybe, we will be crossing paths or something at some point. Good luck!

Do you know how late you can keep a rental boat? I looked at the site and it doesn't say. The rain has stopped so I think we are going to go. May just fish from the shore as lightning is predicted.

Crossing my fingers that I catch my first fish today

Boats are usually due back in at 8:15 or 15min b4 dusk I believe, whichever comes first. 8:15pm for now. Ask each time u rent.

Also, just bcuz u rent a battery, dont expect it to be fully charged, if at all

U can rent in the rain, I have, I have also rented when lightning was predicted. Weatherman was right! Not advised

Fish bite in the rain, bass bite in the rain, there are so many other factors to consider and also, there are always exceptions and little is exact about fishing.

Fishing from shore i would suggest going left of the launch when looking out at the water. There are a lot of lay downs, altho not too many fish are still holding shallow I'd bet. If u follow the bank all the way down in that direction u reach a point and a cove, that area has deeper water, u just need to locate structure on the bottom or cover near bank.

Carolina rigs and Senkos weightless or t-rigged are probably a safe bet fow and for a while till temps drop.

Hope this helps.

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks for the info JVM. Just got home from Fountainhead and we fished almost in the exact spot from shore as you mentioned. Directly down from the parking lot...once again I didn't catch anything.

Lost 2 brand new lures in the shallow logs Tried Senkos, no bites. Tried stinky shrimp and that didn't work either.

It was really frustrating getting lines snagged on almost every cast. I think next time I will definitely get a boat.

Not to mention getting to that shore are feels like flirting with death.

Slip Gun reply :

Just for the two cents its worth Ive been playing lake Accotink and the fishing isn't spectacular. You can get some small fish right below the dam with a slow run spinner. I got one small mouth bank fishing over on the left side of the lake with a synco. However, I haven't tried renting a boat yet there and I have had pretty good luck on the Potomac with a canoe. Perhaps that's the missing ingredient :-?

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Agree with JVM on the battery issue at fountainhead. Those guys never charge their their batteries. I went out two days there for four hours and had both die on me and had to paddle the john back. Not fun. Kinda irritating. Wasn't even running it that much either.

Slip, slow rolling a spinner at Accotink is the best way to catch the semi decent fish the place has to offer, my favorite tactic here. And the dam is one of the better spots, but that whole side of the lake you can get numbers if you're not afraid of cutting through the woods to get to spots. I think what you caught though was a small largemouth, I'm pretty sure the only lakes/reservoirs that have smallies in em' around here are the occoquan rez up by bull run, beaverdam creek rez, and lake thompson (least it used to before it was drained, don't know now).

You can get good smallie action on the rap out of fredericksburg and the james out of richmond.

Michelle, the rentals out of Lake Ridge tend to do a better job as far as charging batteries, my dad and I have had numerous full days out of there with no issues. The fishing can be a bit tougher but if you find a spot you can normally sit on it and catch a few before moving on.

Dan: reply :

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Agree with JVM on the battery issue at fountainhead. Those guys never charge their their batteries. I went out two days there for four hours and had both die on me and had to paddle the john back. Not fun. Kinda irritating. Wasn't even running it that much either.
Slip, slow rolling a spinner at Accotink is the best way to catch the semi decent fish the place has to offer, my favorite tactic here. And the dam is one of the better spots, but that whole side of the lake you can get numbers if you're not afraid of cutting through the woods to get to spots. I think what you caught though was a small largemouth, I'm pretty sure the only lakes/reservoirs that have smallies in em' around here are the occoquan rez up by bull run, beaverdam creek rez, and lake thompson (least it used to before it was drained, don't know now).

You can get good smallie action on the rap out of fredericksburg and the james out of richmond.

Michelle, the rentals out of Lake Ridge tend to do a better job as far as charging batteries, my dad and I have had numerous full days out of there with no issues. The fishing can be a bit tougher but if you find a spot you can normally sit on it and catch a few before moving on.

Yep, those are the only ones that I know of. I wonder what they ended up doing with Lake Thompson after it drained...

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks for the replies I saw one poor guy rowing his boat back from a far ways during the heaviest part of the rain yesterday. I wonder if he got stuck with a dead battery in the rain, that would really suck!

I will have to try Lake Accotink (sp?) sometime soon

NewAngler reply :

The rap is hot right now. That being said, I haven't pulled anything up of size. But I'm pulling fish out of the water.

Dan: reply :

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The rap is hot right now. That being said, I haven't pulled anything up of size.

That has been my experience with the Rappahanock. Lots of fish but few big ones. I went wading for smallies last week at my good spot for bigger smallies and I saw three that were pushing 3lbs and one that was definitely over 3lbs but I couldn't get any of them to bite.

Michelle43 reply :

After some thought, I think I am just way too young in the sport to try LMB. I am going to go back out this weekend and TRY to catch some bluegill.

I just want to fish and have fun, it doesn't matter to me what I catch right now.

Thank you to all of you who offered to meet up with me. I believe your intentions are great. I am just a bit scared to meet up with strangers.

For all of you who PM-ed me, thank you! You have all given great advice. I am going to keep trying, but after some thought, going after Bass is like going to college when you never went to High School.

I will still be out there catching the little fish until I understand this sport a bit more.

Anything that gets me out and into nature is is wonderful!

A.Do? reply :

Sad to hear Michelle, but I you'll be into bass fishing soon enough. When fishing for bluegill, I always end up with a few smaller bass and once you hook into a nice sized keeper, you'll be back!

Good luck and have fun! ;D

Michelle43 reply :

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Sad to hear Michelle, but I you'll be into bass fishing soon enough. When fishing for bluegill, I always end up with a few smaller bass and once you hook into a nice sized keeper, you'll be back!
Good luck and have fun! ;D

I am not going anywhere, LMB is still my goal so I will still be here reading and learning!

But I just think I need to learn to walk before I try to run. I do not even remember what it feels like to have a fish on my line.

Whatever I catch first, it will defiantly be posted here with a picture! You all have gave me so much advice I thank you all for taking the time with a "newbie"

Dan: reply :

I got skunked at Royal tonight.

Michelle43 reply :

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I got skunked at Royal tonight.

At least you know what a fish on the line feels like.

All I know is it is either a turtle or a log ;D

Dan: reply :

Just wait until fall. It will get easier then.

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Michelle, when you catch those bluegill. Do yourself a favor... leave one hooked and cast it back out easily near some type of cover. Best to try in a pond first. Let it sit and swim for a while... that's how to catch your first bass without having to worry about baits or how to work artificials. The bigguns bite the live bait most of the time. It may take a while, but the bite will be worth it.

NewAngler reply :

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The rap is hot right now. That being said, I haven't pulled anything up of size.

That has been my experience with the Rappahanock. Lots of fish but few big ones. I went wading for smallies last week at my good spot for bigger smallies and I saw three that were pushing 3lbs and one that was definitely over 3lbs but I couldn't get any of them to bite.

i'm not gonna ask for your spot, but if you know of a spot better than the one i'm at let me know. I usually fish down river from the 95 bridge. i can see the bridge from the distance, someone told me there used to be a dam there... any better spot than that?

Dan: reply :

Yes, I have a better spot, at least for size. I'll show it to you sometime.

BTW, I stayed up all night last night and went fishing at 5:30 this morning. I crushed them at a local pond. Got a bunch on buzzbaits and then went back and fished the same areas with a jig and picked up a couple more. Then I fished another area with a frog and caught a few more. Probably caught 8-10 in about 1.5 hours. Morning is the way to go in the summer.

05aucrarsx reply :

which pond did u go Dan?

Wayne P. reply :

Do any of you ever fish Hunting Run near Fredericksburg? It is still full of little bass willing to bite all day long. Boat/electric motors are available for rent if needed. I saw several guys catching bass from the fishing pier. I fished it yesterday and caught the most during the middle of the day. If you modify your "beat the banks" pattern, they are easy to catch.

A.Do? reply :

I've been there once before and had very little luck =/ maybe it was just a bad day.

slomoe reply :

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I've been there once before and had very little luck =/ maybe it was just a bad day.

x2 I went back down earlier this summer and got skunked. >

But in all fairness, the place looks awesome. The water level is much higher than last year, so there is a lot of good structure underwater now. Plus I was talking to the guy who works the launch (very nice guy) and he was telling me about some big fish being caught there. I'm sure I will be back but I definitely won't be forgetting the depth finder this time.

NewAngler reply :

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I've been there once before and had very little luck =/ maybe it was just a bad day.

x2 I went back down earlier this summer and got skunked. >

But in all fairness, the place looks awesome. The water level is much higher than last year, so there is a lot of good structure underwater now. Plus I was talking to the guy who works the launch (very nice guy) and he was telling me about some big fish being caught there. I'm sure I will be back but I definitely won't be forgetting the depth finder this time.

all the guys that work at the lakes think theirs is the greatest. i have heard a lot of good things from there, mostly from Wayne P. on this forum. he slays them wacky style! i went once, but it was closed, being a rez they must clean it or check the water twice weekly im guessing.

Dan- PM me whenever you want to hit up the Rap. and i have noticed topwater is the only way to get numbers, sunrise, or sunset.

Dan: reply :

Hunting Run is only open from Thurs-Sunday.

Dan: reply :

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which pond did u go Dan?

It was a private pond that I just got access to, sorry.

Wayne P. reply :

Hunting Run is closed for the three days because the county doesn't want to spend money for persons operating the boat rental/permit fee tasks when the taffic may be light. Well yesterday there were 4 owned boats and two rental boats on the lake. I hope they don't cut the operating days any more. I guess it will be completely closed about the middle of October again until mid-March 2010.

Dan: reply :

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Hunting Run is closed for the three days because the county doesn't want to spend money for persons operating the boat rental/permit fee tasks when the taffic may be light. Well yesterday there were 4 owned boats and two rental boats on the lake. I hope they don't cut the operating days any more. I guess it will be completely closed about the middle of October again until mid-March 2010.

wow, only six boats? I always figured that place would get a lot of pressure because of all the press it got for its bass population before it opened. I am probably going to rent a boat at either Hunting Run or Motts Run next week.

SammyLee reply :

Michelle,

Crank baits in shallow water with wood are going to get hung up, especially from the bank.

Get a 6 inch plastic worm, about the same color as the water. Texas rig it, weedless.

[bullet sinker on line first, screw-ins work best for me, tie on a wide gap worm hook, about 2/0 to start, nose hook the worm then bring the hook point back into the worm so it hangs straight, then just lightly "skin" the hook point on the back of the worm.]

Cast from the bank, near any visible structure. Let the worm sit still for about a minute, take up any loose slack. Retrieve about a foot or two of line until you feel pressure from the worm. Give it three or four little jiggles. Wait a few seconds and retrieve another couple of feet and repeat jiggles until the worm is at your feet.

When the bass picks it up, you will feel some additional pressure and most likely, some (two or three) 'taps' and maybe a bit of vibration. Give him another one to two seconds or so, make sure you don't have slack, and set the hook to the moon.

If there are bass there, you will get one doing this. Fan cast the area, taking your time, stay focused and really fish it. If you've fan casted carefully, twice without getting bit, move and repeat.

Be patient and if you get hung up, jiggle it gently, move to the right or left, giggle again and if that doesn't free the worm, grab the line above the rod and pull with pressure until it comes free or breaks off. Running weedless worms will reduce hang ups but you will get them. It's part of fishing. I always say, "If you can't afford to loose it, don't throw it."

Use stout enough line and rod to handle average fish. Say 10 to 12 # line on at least a medium power rod with a medium sized spinner reel or an average bait caster that is rated for 12 pound line. Set your drag pretty tight so that you can set the hook without slippage but light enough to not break the line. The rod will take a lot of the shock out of the system. (be PERFECT with your knots, the improved cinch knot "fisherman's knot" works just fine and is easy to tie.)

Once the fish is on, guide him away from structure, keep pressure on him, if it looks like he going to jump, hold the rod tip down. If he is taking drag, don't reel. Pretty much, fish should be either taking drag or coming to you.

Bass, especially the big ones, may seem like college prior to high school but it's really not so true. Just present them the right stuff and they will hit it like brim on a cricket. They are such beautiful fish and such fighters! A 3/4 pound healthy bass will make you think you've got a trophy on the line. The rush you feel when you stick em, fight em and finally get your thumb into their mouth, is beyond description. Go for it.

ps, Brim "tail tuggers" will often pick up the tail of the worm and run with it. What they plan to do with it, I can't imagine. If you're getting the pressure and taps (light ones) and set the hook with no fish on, it's likely tail tuggers. Just ignore them and keep on fishing. Tail tuggers are bass food and a good sign.

Wayne P. reply :

For those that haven't had much success at Hunting Run in the summer: don't fish it like you would in the Spring like I see the majority of fisherpersons do. Rid youself of the bankbeater syndrome and present lures to where they are. At the best fishing holding structure elements, if you can reach the shoreline with a cast, your boat is most likely positioned right above the fish.

Dan: reply :

a few from last night

almost caught a snakehead too. it followed my frog for a while and then turned away when it saw the boat.

rondef reply :

Dan, you should resize pictures before posting them to make them easier to see. You have some nice fish in those pictures, glad you guys had a good time out on the water.

Dan: reply :

Nah, I'm not going to resize that many pictures. It should be fine if you are using high resolution on your monitor.

05aucrarsx reply :

very nice catch

where was this at?

Dan: reply :

Mattawoman Creek but we were back in an area that requires a jet boat.

NewAngler reply :

Quote

Quote
.

wow, only six boats? I always figured that place would get a lot of pressure because of all the press it got for its bass population before it opened. I am probably going to rent a boat at either Hunting Run or Motts Run next week.

let me know if you want someone to go with, they are both just 10 minutes or so from my house.

Michelle43 reply :

Quote
Michelle,
Crank baits in shallow water with wood are going to get hung up, especially from the bank.

Get a 6 inch plastic worm, about the same color as the water. Texas rig it, weedless.

[bullet sinker on line first, screw-ins work best for me, tie on a wide gap worm hook, about 2/0 to start, nose hook the worm then bring the hook point back into the worm so it hangs straight, then just lightly "skin" the hook point on the back of the worm.]

Cast from the bank, near any visible structure. Let the worm sit still for about a minute, take up any loose slack. Retrieve about a foot or two of line until you feel pressure from the worm. Give it three or four little jiggles. Wait a few seconds and retrieve another couple of feet and repeat jiggles until the worm is at your feet.

When the bass picks it up, you will feel some additional pressure and most likely, some (two or three) 'taps' and maybe a bit of vibration. Give him another one to two seconds or so, make sure you don't have slack, and set the hook to the moon.

If there are bass there, you will get one doing this. Fan cast the area, taking your time, stay focused and really fish it. If you've fan casted carefully, twice without getting bit, move and repeat.

Be patient and if you get hung up, jiggle it gently, move to the right or left, giggle again and if that doesn't free the worm, grab the line above the rod and pull with pressure until it comes free or breaks off. Running weedless worms will reduce hang ups but you will get them. It's part of fishing. I always say, "If you can't afford to loose it, don't throw it."

Use stout enough line and rod to handle average fish. Say 10 to 12 # line on at least a medium power rod with a medium sized spinner reel or an average bait caster that is rated for 12 pound line. Set your drag pretty tight so that you can set the hook without slippage but light enough to not break the line. The rod will take a lot of the shock out of the system. (be PERFECT with your knots, the improved cinch knot "fisherman's knot" works just fine and is easy to tie.)

Once the fish is on, guide him away from structure, keep pressure on him, if it looks like he going to jump, hold the rod tip down. If he is taking drag, don't reel. Pretty much, fish should be either taking drag or coming to you.

Bass, especially the big ones, may seem like college prior to high school but it's really not so true. Just present them the right stuff and they will hit it like brim on a cricket. They are such beautiful fish and such fighters! A 3/4 pound healthy bass will make you think you've got a trophy on the line. The rush you feel when you stick em, fight em and finally get your thumb into their mouth, is beyond description. Go for it.

ps, Brim "tail tuggers" will often pick up the tail of the worm and run with it. What they plan to do with it, I can't imagine. If you're getting the pressure and taps (light ones) and set the hook with no fish on, it's likely tail tuggers. Just ignore them and keep on fishing. Tail tuggers are bass food and a good sign.

Thank you very much!, this was extremely informative for a newbie like me.

Michelle43 reply :

My friend and I are getting a boat at Burke lake this weekend. It will be nice to be off the shore for once.

Hopefully I will catch my first fish. Cross fingers, think good thoughts, or pray for me if you do that kind of thing.

RonDef has been so nice to me and offered a lot of advice. I will try to meet up with him next week. I am positive my first LMB is coming very soon!

I have been trying so hard for over a month now I think I might get a replica made, even if it is under 1 lb.

05aucrarsx reply :

burke is the last place u wona try ur luck at IMO

good luck though

NewAngler reply :

Hahahaha! Nice. But his statement holds some validity to it, I've been skunked there many a times. But my buddy pulled out a 6 lber there early July. It holds biggens. Good luck, michelle.

NewAngler reply :

How was burke lake?

Michelle43 reply :

Not going to Burke until tomorrow

Dan: reply :

I agree with aucra, I would keep my mouth shut if I were getting free advice.

Michelle43 reply :

Not getting into the debate, I apologized and again I am sorry.

But we did get our first fish out on Burke Lake today.

Wasn't a bass but it was really exciting for us! That silly grin is still on my face.

[img width=500 height=374]http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/3dogmom/LastImport-1.jpg

[img width=500 height=374]http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/3dogmom/8909FirstFish.jpg

No idea the size or weight. I got to unhook it and release it. :biggrin:

Dan: reply :

good job Michelle! Be careful of the spines on those catfish.

rondef reply :

Congrats to the two of you on your first fish.

Slip Gun reply :

Congrats! Pretty looking cat

Michelle43 reply :

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good job Michelle! Be careful of the spines on those catfish.

What are the spines? and do you know what kind of Catfish it is?

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks Ron and Slip!

Slip Gun reply :

Channel catfish

Dan: reply :

spines are on the tips of the fins. They can hurt really bad if they get ya good. Just be careful when handling them.

To be honest I have no clue what type of cat it is. I have never really put the effort into learning the difference because I honestly don't care enough. Not my favorite fish to catch or style of fishing.

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks slip and Dan

daviscw reply :

Great job Michelle! A fish is a fish in my book.

Michelle43 reply :

Thanks daviscw.

My BF and I took up fishing in early July and have had no luck at all. Besides turtles. We are trying to learn how to fish. We have done a lot of trial and error, mostly error. Almost 2 months later we finally caught something. It made my day and his!

We have enjoyed every outing together. We never caught anything before but it was nice to be out there.

To actually catch something was WONDERFUL! We both got a bit scared by that fish! I do not know how he tied the line, but right after the 2nd pic the fish jumped, broke the line and ended up behind my feet. Together we worked the hook out, and were happy to see it swim away.

I have no idea how to clean fish... even if I did, I always said my first catch will go back to the water. After seeing that fish I think they will all go back to swim and live.

If I want to eat fish, my grocery store is stocked.

This is a wonderful hobby!

Dan: reply :

Quote

If I want to eat fish, my grocery store is stocked.

This is a wonderful hobby!

Good thinking. Grocery stores have all sorts of cheap fish, it's hard to think that someone might really NEED to eat the fish they catch. Plus, then you don't have to go through the hassle of cleaning them.

Michelle43 reply :

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Quote

If I want to eat fish, my grocery store is stocked.

This is a wonderful hobby!

Good thinking. Grocery stores have all sorts of cheap fish, it's hard to think that someone might really NEED to eat the fish they catch. Plus, then you don't have to go through the hassle of cleaning them.

If someone wants to keep anything they catch within legal limits, it is not my problem.

I have no intention to keep any fish I catch. I bet something you catch, clean, then cook is better than the store bought stuff.

To each his/her own. I just like being out there and out of my house. I will not keep any fish I catch, I just do not want to kill and clean them. I would rather watch them swim away.

If another angler harvests their catch. Good for them for whatever reason! I would rather remove the hook, give them a kiss and send them back on their way

05aucrarsx reply :

congrats on ur first fish, it's a start

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