Nova Winter 2012 2024
Bigbarge50 reply :
So is anyone getting out at all here this winter in NOVA.... very quiet around here, especially compared to years past. Would love to get a line wet myself, thinking about maybe some shore action from 4 mile run park.... thoughts?
Anyone start thinking or talking about the Richmond fishing expo?
Also has anyone ever heard of fishing in Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary..... is it legal? Anyone ever heard anything? Was driving to Reagan International and looked over and wondered if anyone ever fished there.
Just figured I would see what all the NOVA guys are up to this winter,
quanjig reply :
Caught this one and a few more yesterday on small blades and jigs! They will bite, just gotta be patient!
kidnikarus1 reply :
I fished gravelly point - which is the other side Roaches run pretty much all summer and had great success. A bunch of nice large mouth a few smallies and few strpers. Roaches run has a ton of fish in it. I have not had any luck on that side - shore access is pretty limited but from other reports that i read people due pretty good from there kayak in there. Supposedly a loy of snakeheads - but i do not know if they hang around for the winter. I am pretty sure you need a DC license for Roaches Run - you do need it for Gravelly which is only seperated by the gw parkway. I also just read a couple of recent reports for Four Mile Run - which included carp and largemouth.
Sounds like you are in Northern Virginia - you ever try Holmes Run or Accotink for trout. I have had decent luck at holmes run this year.
Dan: reply :
On 12/20/2011 at 2:43 AM, quanjig said:
Caught this one and a few more yesterday on small blades and jigs! They will bite, just gotta be patient!
That pond is full of fish that size
quanjig reply :
T and Rob were kind enough to show this pond to me this spring and gave me the heads up on the fun Sunday!
Bigbarge50 reply :
quan, another quality fish. Especially nice right about this time of year. You need somebody to get skunked next to you and take pics at that pond just let me know haha.
KId- I have not really tried those just because I have not been a trout guy.... but getting a fish on is always worth a shot. I am a arlington guy.... though I see Fahnestock listed as a favorite of yours. Grew up in Putnam County NY myself, and miss places like Fahnestock...... good times. Will def check out those places around the airport, might have to wait till spring though might be a little cold for those spots now, but Gravelly might be ok.
kidnikarus1 reply :
HI BigBarge,
I grew in in the Bronx, most people are surprised at how great fishing is in NYC and just a little bit north. Between Salt and Fresh water is fished almost 10 months a year. It was also a lot easier back then since I was single w/ no kids and bartended at night. The bronx river held bass, prospect park in brooklyn and central park in Manhattan. I went to school in Westchester and loved hitting the lakes up there and in Putnam county. Fahnestock was my favorite. Consistently would get bass at 3lbs and spring and fall the pickerel were awesome. I know some people despise pickerel - but they are definitely one of my favorite fish to catch.
I do not have a boat so when the weather warms up let me know if you want to hit some shores spots around here. Holmes Run holds bass. I actually caught my PB there. I am not sure if they are there naturally or if they spill over from the dam at lake barcroft but they are in there!
asddave reply :
On 12/20/2011 at 2:43 AM, quanjig said:
Caught this one and a few more yesterday on small blades and jigs! They will bite, just gotta be patient!
Where was this?
Dan: reply :
Fairfax County... 
Sam reply :
Look for the Richmond Fishing Expo topic in this section.
January 20, 21 and 22nd at the Meadows off exit 98 on I-95, the Kings Dominion exit.
Seminar schedule has not bee posted as of this date.
You can go to this site for details, http://www.ncboatshows.com/show.php/eventId/3
Happy New Year.
quanjig reply :
Not really my spot to share, sorry. I will say that you should be able to catch fish in any water here in nova due to all of the mild temps.
quanjig reply :
One of three I got in the boat from the res yesterday. Water is still a bit dirty and surprisingly not terribly cold. Temps about 42-44 degrees. Bites were spaced thru the day.
Bigbarge50 reply :
Wow thought it might actually be a bit warmer with the sun we have been getting.
Were you alone out there or did the nice weather bring out a few other boaters?
quanjig reply :
3 other boats out. Guys I see frequently, had similar results.
Fishing4SquidDuck reply :
what are you guys out there throwing. tried a jerk bait slow and plastics no luck but i was in a pond that does not get very deep maybe 5 max in the middle, but theres some real nice bass in there. whats the average depth your catching at?
quanjig reply :
Been catching fish on a bit of everything. Slow is the key. Some places they bite well, others I get skunked!
Bigbarge50 reply :
Think a pond is going to be tough going based mainly on population and size. An actual lake or something with some depth (10+ feet) is giving the fish some options. A pond like you described, not so much. Limited options.
So therefore it might be especially tough. They might be real lock jawed until those few moments where they actual will feed..... just a mater of going slow enough in front of them with the right lure and presentation, at that right moment. That right moment is the million dollar question.
On a larger body..... well I see it alot like spawn..... At any given time in the spring, some will be pre spawn, spawning, and post spawn all at the same time. Same in the winter..... some might be not biting anything that day, some might be tempted into biting, and some are looking to eat. A bigger body gives more options and temps. So you can hit a drop off in the morning and get no action but return later and find some fish have moved up the column and could eat.
A pond does not provide that.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 1/9/2012 at 3:56 AM, Fishing4SquidDuck said:what are you guys out there throwing. tried a jerk bait slow and plastics no luck but i was in a pond that does not get very deep maybe 5 max in the middle, but theres some real nice bass in there. whats the average depth your catching at?
Jig, 3/8 to 1/2 oz, in blue craw or majic craw color with rage craw or lobster, if you use the lobster just trim it back enough that the claws are exposed past the skirt.
Cast it out, let it sink to the bottom, count to 10 and make 2 quick but very small jerks.
MikeW reply :
I live in the nova area and am looking for somewhere to fish as well. Growing up in MN, this would normally be ice fishing time, but i don't think anything freezes over within an hour or two driving distance.
im tempted to try burke lake and fish off the spots near the boat launch, is that successful at all? I'd love to try ponds i see dotting google maps, but I'm never sure if a) i'm allowed to fish there and 
if theyre natural or man-made or natural.
quanjig reply :
Burke is always an option as long as it's not frozen. Just know that fishing is always tough there if you are not familiar with the lake. Shore fishing this time of year at Burke is probably not your best option. You would probably have better luck at one of the many ponds in the area. I don't think many of the ponds in nova are natural, many are older, but not really natural! The best I can tell you is look back thru the nova threads and look for some areas that people have commented on this time of year and give them a go. Many of the places I fish now are not mine to share but still produce some fish. With all of the recent rain, most of the places are going to be cold and muddy, not a good recipe for good fishing this time of year. Find some clean warmer water and you may find some willing fish. (four mile run!)
Bigbarge50 reply :
I saw some guys shore fishing for cats last Feb ....... If that is your thing. I was out catching nothing but testing out some electronics.
MikeW reply :
thanks for the info. Part of the reason I decided to go to burke was just to scope out some of the shore along the dam, but also knowing there's the possibility of other fish in the lake besides bass that are more active in the winter. didnt really expect to catch anything and just wanted to get my line wet a little. once icicles started to form, i figured it was time to pack it up haha.
i guess ill have to just do some scouting at those arlington streams/ponds once it gets warmer.
quanjig reply :
I fished a pond yesterday, caught one and missed one. I was making snow cones most of the day. I was happy with the results considering the conditions!
Brick reply :
I caught this one in a small lake in the burke/fairfax area. I was using a 5 inch wake swimbait. I know a hidden gem in the area surrounded by townhouses that you can catch multiple fish this size in a day. Small lake that has little access from shore, but if you slip a little canoe in you can catch em all day this size and bigger!! It has a water fountain in it. lol. Best part about these little lakes is there are no pressure.
JSPOONE reply :
On 12/20/2011 at 2:43 AM, quanjig said:
Caught this one and a few more yesterday on small blades and jigs! They will bite, just gotta be patient!
i know that place i fish there all the time. thats my honey hole. less than 5 mins from my house
quanjig reply :
A friend showed me this area and wow is it fun! Lots of willing fish with size as well. Caught fish all thru the winter on small jigs!
JSPOONE reply :
yep there is another 1 in that complex as well not as big but there is a mix of fish carp crappie and some largies
JSPOONE reply :
have u fished it recently
quanjig reply :
Not since February probably. Most of my time is now spent on the res or at huntsman!
JSPOONE reply :
true.. been to huntsman 1 time and i couldnt find the entrance to the lake just parked on a street in a neighborhood. there wasnt many places to stand n shore fish.. mayb i at the wrong part of the lake?!
quanjig reply :
I usually fish down by the dam. Park on golden ball tavern and walk on down!
JSPOONE reply :
oh ok.. yeh i must not have drove down far enough now i know.. thanks dude
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