Richmond Beginner 2024
Tartan reply :
Hello everyone, I'm extremely new to this type of fishing (not using a bobber and staring at it) to date I have caught 1 fish which I think was a small mouth but I'm not sure.
Either way I'm feeling a little lost since I spent 7 hours down at Pocahontas State park with not so much as a nibble.
I'm not up to speed on terms but a picture says a thousand words if you recommend a bait.
My equipment currently is a quantum 6'6" spinner and an Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' with a Silver Max.
I know this seems crazy but I had fun for 7 hours catching nothing, so I'm hoping with a little guidance I could graduate from bobber + night crawler.
Hope someone can help me see the light!
Thanks everyone
Hanover_Yakker reply :
Welcome aboard! Your gear is fine for our area. Keep your tackle simple to start with. I recommend a stick baits in sizes from 3-6", some curly tail grubs in white paired with a 1/4oz round ball head jig, some 1/2oz spinnerbaits in chartreuse/white and blue/white, some squarebill cranks and perhaps a few jig-n-craws. A small tackle bag that holds 3-4 3600 tackle trays should be more than enough. Don't be afraid to get an ultralight spinning rod and reel and throw some beetle spins, rooster tails/mepps inline spinners, and stump jumpers/road runners. If at all possible, stick with natural colors to start - greens, blacks, orange/browns, silver/blue, silver/black, gold/black. if you take this list with you to your local tackle store, you can have an attendant help you identify some of them. You can also google the same words and look for images ot help you associate them together.
Oh yeah, the shad bite is on fire right now in downtown Richmond. Get a couple flutter spoons and start casting from the bank!!
Keep us posted!!!
Darren. reply :
Welcome Tartan! You'll really enjoy the learning bit. I would start in the articles section, lots of great info there.
Personally, I'd graduate you to the wacky rig. It is easy, fun, and catches fish. Rather than lay it out here, just search for "wacky" in the forums and start reading 
Tartan reply :
Awesome!! Any particular bait shop better? I've been to tackle express and been told bobs on midlothian is also pretty good!
I'm looking to have someone to fish with since I'm a visual type of person if I see what I'm meant to do I have a feeling I could replicate well. None of my friends are very knowledgeable and frankly my wife is just a bobber watcher (but she likes that)
What is an ultra light spinner btw? Very short rod? Or what?
Teal reply :
Mmmmmm i see we are going have to train you. Well youve come to the right place and we are glad to help and explain any way we can!! Sam is a member on this board, i believe he is in your area too. He is super knowledgable, im sure he will chime in at some point.
Go to the articles section and read up seasonal behavior of bass and read up on rods, reels, line and lures...make sure to try to read some of the post on the boards. We get new guys everyday and they are asking the same questions that are probably running through your mind. Its a fast way to learn.
I know my profile says NC, but im only 10 mins from VA and only about 90 mins from richmond.
Tartan reply :
Very cool, I love reading and learning so I will absolutely do that. I have used this site extensively over the last 2 weeks (the entire time I've owned a rod in va)
I'm a boatless banker here so it's sorta disheartening when I see lots of info about put your boat here or there and catch awesome fish haha.
Anyways!! Thanks!
flyfisher reply :
Just keep at it and you will do fine. All the guys here so far have given great advice so I won't add anymore other than keep having fun and try new areas. The James has lots of wadeable water near pretty much every boat launch and if you save up a little cash you can get yourself a kayak and be off the bank in no time.
Welcome aboard and enjoy your new hobby 
Sam reply :
1. Start pond fishing. There are many ponds in the greater Richmond area. Get a map and start throwing your baits.
2. Bob's on Midlothian? Never heard of it. Tackle Express is on Midlo and nothing else that I am aware. Fill me in with the details.
3. Do you live north or south of the river?
4. What tackle do you possess now?
5. To really learn bass fishing may I suggest joining a local bass club? You will learn a lot in a year and make many new friends.
6. Too late tonight to get into it with you but let us hear back from you and we all can give you some suggestions.
Hanover_Yakker reply :
Tell you what, let's meet at Bass Pro just to walk you through some things and get you accustomed to the tackle and then you can decide what you want to get. I can also piece together a starter kit for you on plastics. PM me your email and cell, and we'll get cracking.
Tartan reply :
Well ****....i wasn't expecting this at all.... i work retail so i just got home.
Hanover that sounds fantastic...maybe this weekend or something, i work retail so i'm always out of work at the arse end of dusk but tomorrow i'm heading down to South Lake before work.
Hopefully going to spend maybe 4 hours there.
but in answer to the questions above....
1. I'm fishing at South Lake and Pocahontas Lakes.
2. I meant Bob's on Hull Street
3. I live south of the river in the Deer Run area (so i'm close to Pocahontas)
4. I have an inherited tackle box so its got all sorts of really old plastics and a few funny looking jigs (I think) and i couple of awesome spinners (i caught my first fish with one of the spinners... i think its called a spinner..i'll post a pic soon of what i have)
5. I hope i can join a club not sure where to start.
6. I will give a report after tomorrow or maybe later tonight for sure.
p.s you guys have quite literally flabbergasted me with the feedback....and who said Fishermen where all secrets haha.
heyitskirby reply :
Seriously...hit the shad run. I haven't had the chance yet other than an earlier opportunity on the Rapp a couple of weeks ago. I will be on the James tomorrow downtown and this is some of the funnest fishing you will experience around here. Not a lot of work for the return.
Expect frustration and expect to spend money. I grew up with worms and bobbers. My old man will still sit in the back of the boat telling me about how many little sunfish he's caught even if I've caught decent size bass. You will snag, you will lose fish, and you will get ticked off...but the one big one you get vs the hundreds of little ones you used to get will make your whole day.
Depending on what you want to get after...research catfish on the James. Obviously this is a bass fishing site, but there are some gigantic catfish to catch around here.
And when all else fails...listen to Sam. I don't post on here often, but when you lurk you learn. Sam knows all where Richmond is concerned.
Ramrva reply :
Great post to see! I shall be following this closely since I'm in the same area! And new to fishing in Richmond and these areas.
Tartan reply :
So using a Texas rigged with a cheap version of a senko I already had (I cut it in half because it was almost 12") this was my triumphant victory
I used the Texas rigged senko with a regular eagle claw hook at the head and a tinier hook in the tail after a few casts I relized they were just grabbing. The tail of the rig...so I put a hook in it aaaaaand wham 2nd cast I got this little thing...I think it's a small mouth bass can anyone input?
Btw this was at SouthLake off midlothian across from Napa
Sam reply :
Tartan, lots of places to try your luck on southside and the geographical area. Get a map of greater Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties plus the Commonwealth to find these places or look them up on the Internet.
Pond behind the Martin's store off Huguenot Road by Forest Hill.
Pond off Hobbyhill Road.
Pond off Lockinvar Road.
Pond off Lucks Lane near St. Francis Hospital.
Walk down the hill to the pond adjacent to Southport Pond and behind the DMV office.
Swift Creek off Hull Street Road. Put in off Genito Road.
Pond off Fordham Road off Hull Street Road.
Concrete pond in Innsbrook off Cox Road across the river off West Broad Street
Lake Rooty across Nuckels Road on Cox Road. Park by office buildings.
Hanover County Park off Route 1 south of Hanover Courthouse.
Pond heading from Green Top to Bass Pro Shop on Lakeridge Parkway.
Pond in Windsor Business Park off Parham Road East just east of I-95.
There is a pond off Route 1 by Virginia Center Commons but I have never been there. Maybe one of the guys can let you have details about where it is located and what business it is behind.
Walk out to the Barge Pit area in Henricus Park off Route 10 just off I-95. Go left at the first traffic signal as you are on Route 10 heading towards Hopewell and follow the signs.
Ponds off Route 54 west of Ashland. You have to pay to fish. Ask the guys at Green Top for details.
Gazebo on the Dinwiddie side of Lake Chesdin.
Ed Allen's on Chickhominy Lake. Rent a boat or fish off the pier. Off Route 60 east of Providence Forge.
Pond off Route 60 east of 288 and the McDonalds heading towards Williamsburg and on your left.
Osborne Landing in Hanover off Osborne Turnpike. Fish the Historic James River off the pier.
Have you hit Beaver Lake in Pocohontas State Park? By ampitheater.
The ponds by Maymount Park, such as Shields Lake, Boat Lake and Swan Lake.
Youngs Pond in Bryan Park off I-95.
University of Richmond pond by its Commons. You can park on the side of College Road off River Road when you see the west end of the pond to park and walk around the pond. Called Westhampton Lake.
If you have a boat hit Watkins Landing on the Historic James River.
There are three ponds off Route 60 in Powhatan County off to your left and down a road as you head west. Look up Powhatan County on Google and try to locate the three ponds. They are within five miles of Route 522. Check them out.
Tackle shops to visit:
Castaways on Jeff Davis Highway south of 288. Ask for Lonnie and tell him Sam sent you.
Dance's in the Southpark Shopping Center near Burger King. Check out their lunch counter. Good food.
Green Top off I-95 at the Elmont exit.
Bass Pro Shops off I-95 at Exit 89.
Tackle Express on Midlothian and Robious. Ask Craig for Sam's LSU discount.
Hookers in Toano off I-64 at the Toano exit.
Please be sure to have your current fishing license.
Do not trespass on the property of others as you will get a ticket.
There are other favorite places the local guys can suggest.
If you go to the Pony Pasture to walk among the rocks in the Historic James River please wear felt soled shoes/boots; always ware your PFD; and be very careful in the rocks. You walk about a quarter mile past where the kids sun themselves and play in the water but don't go past the
Z-Dam and throw small white grubs on light spinning tackle and have a blast. Or bring heavy tackle and throw out for the big flatheads.
For a fun fishing adventure on the Historic James River to fish for the big catfish by the Pony Pasture or south of Hopewell (Follow the Dead Fish to Hopewell) contact Mike Ostrander and tell him Sam sent you. The Pony Pasture float from the Huguenot Bridge is a blast in Mike's raft.
http://discoverthejames.com/?q=Fishing-Trips
Good luck and keep us posted on where you go and what you catch.
Sam reply :
One more suggestion.
Get a copy of the Freshwater Fishing in Virginia from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and check out the places to fish. It is free and the tackle shops and Wal-Marts have them.
I forgot to include on the list the various ponds and small lakes in Henrico County.
Check them out in the booklet and have some fun fishing each one. Page 45, Central Virginia.
Good luck.
Sam reply :
Bass Clubs in Virginia:
Go to the top of the Forum page and look for:
Links
Bass Fishing Clubs
Virginia
BASS and FLW Federations.
Contact them for information on local bass clubs in the greater Richmond areas.
Sam reply :
Check out the Maps and Directions link:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=103
Enjoy!!!!
Tartan reply :
Thanks guys!!! I have a hell of a busy weekend ahead of me! I was always worried about just pulling up and whipping a rod out as I thought it'd be frowned upon
Thanks so much!
Hopefully I'll catch some fish this weekend! Oh I learned the fish I caught was a tiny large mouth :-D
Tartan reply :
Okay small update, Went to bass pro picked up a few things to give a shot tomorrow...
Came home with :
3" bass pro sinko in watermelon green, and purple.
1 and 2 worm hooks for Texas rigging
Hope ill have some luck with them tomorrow.
Lakes I've hit and fishes at for more than 1 hour
South Lake (my current favorite)
The winding part of Swift Creek lake in Pocahontas
And the Pond that is on Cox Road near the business buildings
South lake bass are small.
Swift Creek Lake is dead and full of kayaks (I spent 7 hours here)
And Cox Road pond seems nice but I didn't have enough time to work out what would catch fish
Hope that helps ill be adding to this thread as I hit and fish at more if the ponds & lakes in Sams list.
On a side note Sam that pond at glen Allen is behind Panera across the street from PetSmart.
It is a no fishing pond it's got very large coy in it and I think it belongs to Panera
Tartan reply :
Spent all day down on belle isle on the James. Not even a nibble.
On my way home I decide to hit SouthLake again
Bingo
This place is officially becoming my regular place to fish.
Tartan reply :
I'm heading down to Beaver Lake in Pocahontas tomorrow (upper lake) and apparently its absolutely hopping right now....its even better post-spawn apparently.
does anyone know when this is in virginia?
i'll keep everyone posted...hopefully someone is interested haha :-)
Sam reply :
On 4/22/2013 at 11:41 AM, Tartan said:I'm heading down to Beaver Lake in Pocahontas tomorrow (upper lake) and apparently its absolutely hopping right now....its even better post-spawn apparently.
does anyone know when this is in virginia?
i'll keep everyone posted...hopefully someone is interested haha :-)
Yes, about 100,000 Virginia bass fishermen and people who are on this site know when there will be spawn and then post spawn time in Virginia.
It relates to two factors: 1 - Dogwoods blooming and 2 - the first full moon after the Dogwoods bloom.
The first full moon after the Dogwoods bloom is this weekend.
So, this means:
1. Majority of bass are on their beds.
2. Some of the late ones will wait for another week.
3. This week and next week the majority of the bass will be off their beds depending on the water temperature.
4. Some of the late ones will just be starting to nest.
So to answer your query, about the week of June 3rd they should be recovering from the spawn and will start to bite that week and into the summer.
Smaller bodies of water will heat up faster and the bass will go to their beds earlier than on a lake or river. So for Beaver Lake you have to figure that if the water temperature is 60* to 65* they are on their beds with some coming off the beds to recoperate.
Throw a green pumpkin Zoom trick worm on a shaky head jig head using 8 pound flourocarbon line on a spinning rig and try your luck. Fish slow and in any grass, wood, pads, docks, piers, pilings, rocks, riprap, etc. you can find.
Also throw plastic lizards and spinnerbaits.
If you get to the lake at sunrise throw a top water for the fun of it, like a Pop-R.
Then come home and go to Hank Parker's and Woo Daves' web sites and read their articles plus the articles featured on the top of the Forum's home page.
Tallent25 reply :
Its a largemouth bass largemouth is mostly what you will catch in the tricities area unless you hit the upper James as always Sam hit pretty much everything on the head I would try to join a club that's local you will.learn sooo much from the guys and will have someone to fish with All the time let us know how you do FYI I live on spring run fish pocabantas a ton place is fun but is very tough from land would recommend the smaller lake I think it is known as beaver lake
Tartan reply :
I didn't go down to Pocahontas due to weather....but tomorrow i'm probably going up to the Three Lakes Park in Henrico to see how they are...
Hopefully its been stocked (in 2001 there were 14" bass in there in abundance) cause i'm dying to get a few fish in a row. Not just 1 a day lol....
My main issue is the fish i have caught feel like "flukes" y'know? I don't go down to the lake or river thinking to myself.. "this will work so if i doesn't i gotta move on" and honestly until i get a couple of fish on a lure I wont be confident in it.
I still haven't caught anything on my AbuGarcia setup which is bumming out too hahaha only my 22 dollar walmart rod... >_<
Tartan reply :
has anyone had any luck with this lure
just found it in my inherited Tackle Box....i cant seem to find any threads about it...
Maybe i'm just forum-incompetent
Sam reply :
Mepps.
I like the Rooster Tails better.
Hanover_Yakker reply :
On 4/20/2013 at 8:18 PM, Tartan said:Thanks guys!!! I have a hell of a busy weekend ahead of me! I was always worried about just pulling up and whipping a rod out as I thought it'd be frowned upon
Thanks so much!
Hopefully I'll catch some fish this weekend! Oh I learned the fish I caught was a tiny large mouth :-D
That would be a Blue Fox Super Vibrax inline spinner - I prefer Mepps, but the Rooster Tail does fine as well.
Sam reply :
Thanks Hanover for the correction.
It sure looked like a Mepps to me.
Nitrofreak reply :
Welcome to the forum Tartan, your making good progress and already sounds like you are learning a lot, nice job guy's helping him out !!!!
Tartan reply :
I love to learn and get new skills. The process and art of progression is awesome.
I hope I get confident in a rig soon because I'm swapping lures like every 7 casts or so trying to get a bite but that's because my brain is telling me it's not working rather than thinking "just fish it differently"
Hitting three lakes at about 10 today so anyone is welcome to come up and join me ill be fishing on their designated "Lake #1"
Nitrofreak reply :
Thanks for the offer and someday I may take you up on that for sure, as for now just listen to what your brain is telling you and slow down a bit and focus on technique, switching baits around like that will only make you lose confidence in those baits, right now confidence is going to be a number one priority, me personally I like the twin tail hula grub in salt and pepper rigged up on a 1/4 oz black ball head, usually a killer confidence bait, but it all depends on location for any bait to become a confidence bait.
Take your time and work the crap out of one lure with different speeds and use small movements right now would be my suggestion, unless you get somewhere that the fish are chasing down a bunch of shad, but start building your confidence with one bait before you start switching around and learn as much as you can from that bait ok.
Good luck and be safe !!!
Tartan reply :
Another fishless and bite less day. There are some BIG bass in that lake.
I ran Texas and wacky most of the day working the Texas under the docks I was stood on and into heavy tree cover to no avail. I'm a little disheartened but I know it was a little warm today.
Ahh well! Always Sunday :-D
Nitrofreak reply :
Right now the only thing on the fishes mind is love, once the spawn is over you will get some confidence coming your way, just hang in there, I can't wait to see what you pull out of there, just remember to take some pics for us !!!!
Hanover_Yakker reply :
I use to fish Three Lakes almost exclusively - there are some good fish there, but they are saavy. The best spots to catch them are also the most difficult to cast from (sloping banks, overhanging trees, etc). I 've caught several 3-4lbers and some massive chain pickerel on jig-n-craws. Once I started kayak fishing though, I left that place in my memory. The best lake is actually lake #2, but that is strictly no fishing as it is for the nature preserve and science center there. Lake #3 is a hidden gem but it has even more limited casting areas - a spinning rod is your best friend at that place. Spool it with 20-30lb braid and top it off with a 10-12lb. flouro leader. Tie on a shakey head worm in black, orange craw or a watermelon seed variant. Cast that sucker parallel to the banks underneath overhanging trees on the shady side and hold on. Use tight enough drag to coax the fish away from cover yet still loose enough to give on strong runs.
Check your phone - sent you a text message on my availability to go with you to BPS or Green Top and help you pick out some things or at least familiarize yourself with what things are called. FWIW - the folks at Green Top are more knowledgeable than the folks at BPS. BPS employs a number of high school and college kids from the area, while GTSG employs seasoned anglers that know the VA waters from experience.
Tartan reply :
Going back to Southlake tomorrow morning around 6am. Its a full moon tonight after a nice warm couple of days so i'm looking forward to try and catch some of the early spawners.
Might try and use texas and the blue fox most of the day maybe throwing a beetle every so often. have a buddy (also new at this) going with me so we're gonna work 2 different baits.
Anyone is welcome to come on down tomorrow morning and drink coffee and fish in the brisk morning weather.
Trying to learn bait-casting so i'm almost exclusively using that right now. gotta get better with this backlash stupidity. haha!
have a great Friday and hope you all enjoy your weekend!
Nitrofreak reply :
Hope you have a great day on the water too Tartan, as for your baitcaster, I would suggest setting your brake at about 8 or 9 to begin with and then setting your spool drag to where the the line stops as soon as the bait touches the ground, these settings may be slightly tight but as you start to get used to the B/C then you can free the spool up a little at a time, the thing with a B/C is you are adjusting to the amount of weight and line diameter for each application you choose, the more you use it the better you will get.
The Blue Fox is a spinner bait if I am not mistaken, spinners are better for overcast and windy conditions, you will get their attention but it may end up spooking them as well in calm conditions, I would suggest a more natural approach with baits like HY suggested or Sam may have suggested as well.
Good luck and be safe !!!
Tartan reply :
Good news! the baitcaster is starting to get better, was down at southlake for about 5 hours today and only had 3 strategic professional overruns...
i used it exclusively this morning. using a craw-fish thingy lure that i saw somebody using. just trying to mimic the behavior of the craw fish...couple of solid nibbles but only on its wiggly bits at the back.
still no fish but its my birthday on sunday so i'm hoping to go up to basspro or greentop then and get some lures and what not. might even find a cheap flyrod and have some fun catching the fly hungry sunfish.
Tartan reply :
Steven was absolutely awesome at Green Top, I picked up some Pop-Rs (baby bass), couple of spinners (black and chartreuse), Some Purple and Green 6" Senkos and of course of Wacky and Worm Gamma Hooks.
Picked up a Mojo Bass Medium Ultra-Fast Spinner Rod with a Shimano Spirex 2500RG (Courtesy of my darling wife for my birthday)
My new hooks and a lovely texas rigged Purple senko paired with my new rod and reel...and I was taken by surprise.
17" long, no scale so dont know how much it was....wasn't expecting it....
Sam reply :
OUTSTANDING!
Congrats. Beautiful bass.
What do you mean you were not expecting it? You are to expect it on every cast, with the exception of your first cast of the day.
Catching a bass on your first cast of the day is bad luck. So is having a banana with you.
Senkos. Think Senkos. Throw Senkos. Watch your line.
Have fun.
Sam reply :
P.S. Change avatar photo.
Tartan reply :
Avatar changed. Couldn't catch anything else since I was so jittery afterwards. I fell into the trap of talking to my wife while casting and that thing hit it as soon as my lure hit the water. I about passed masonry.
Thanks for commenting I'm off to beaver lake this morning to hopefully catch some early spawners.
Hanover_Yakker reply :
Congrats - sorry we haven't been able to mesh our schedules to meet up and shop, but the folks at Green Top will get you setup. Steve is a good one - Fred is also a good one as well. Pay attention to their calendar as well - they have classes and seminars from time-to-time that may be of interest. When in doubt, just head up there on a Saturday morning and mill about with your ears open. You might be surprised at what you "hear" walking amongst the aisles or hanging out around the counter.
Nitrofreak reply :
Congrats on the B-day stuff, you have a good woman there for sure !!!
Nice fish and things will only get more complicated from here on out, J/K, remember to ALWAYS keep what you just learned in the back of your mind, do not let go of the most simplest and most basic principles you just learned and you will be a great angler !
Looking forward to more pics and seeing some big-uns' from time to time.
Good luck and be safe !!!
Tartan reply :
Number 2. 15.6 inches still no scale
Tartan reply :
Thanks for the replies and dot worry about the schedule we"ll get to fish soon. You guys need to get down here at SouthLake I wanna see what a good angler can pull outa here.
I'm super excited that I e caught fish on both my spinner and now my baitcaster. While "practicing" my flipping and pitching technique that last guy just latched on and I may have been over eager with the hook set since it took me about 5 minutes to dig it out of his skull I felt bad.
No serious damage done and he swam off all happy and easy so that makes me happier
Thanks for all the help guys I will keep posting my progress and always give open invitations to join me wherever I may be. Fishing with a buddy who can Whitness you land a monster is twice as sweet as doing it alone. It's hard to high five myself haha!!
Nitrofreak reply :
It's really good to see your progress and thanx for sharing your photos with us they look amazing, and dont worry too much about your hookset, my hookset assures either a fish or its lips are coming back lol !
I am sure you will get the chance to fish with some of us sooner or later, and I am sure some of us will take you up on your offer, I personally would love to come down there and fish with you, and someday I hope we do get the chance to do just that, until then keep up the good work !!!
Good luck and be safe !!!
jgc232 reply :
On 4/30/2013 at 9:22 PM, Tartan said:
Number 2. 15.6 inches still no scale
Where are you catching these at man?!
jgc232 reply :
Tartan, PM me your email address.
I am also a Chesterfield resident (like near Swift Creek Reservoir)
I had a nice long PM typed out to you and hit something wrong and closed out everything!!!
Tartan reply :
SouthLake. I'm a catch and release guy so those big boys are still in there getting fatter. :-) I'm in it for the hunt not the eat. Maybe one day ill eat um.
Ill post my haul from SouthLake today in picture form
Tartan reply :
4 and a half bass one jumped off my rattletrap hahaha
jgc232 reply :
Where are you parking and fishing at? Is this right across from Napa or on the other side? Was the business open?
Tartan reply :
I park at the 21 century all American on SouthLake Boulevard. I've parked here for 7 hours before and both businesses in this area are open. I'm always polite and I'm not visible because I'm down the hill a little and out of sight. If you are worried about parking in front of a business there is an empty lot just round the corner.
deep reply :
Good going Tartan! Keep at it.
Sam reply :
Don't forget the big pond behind the Martin's store on Huguenot Road down by Forest Hill Avenue.
Throw that Junebug Senko and see what happens.
jgc232 reply :
The pond behind that Martins appears to be heavily posted witth NO TRESPASSING signs. 
Rode over there a few weeks ago. If you fish in it, where are you parking/fishing from Sam? I may try it out, but jail really isn't worth catching a few fish for me.
heyitskirby reply :
Man I'm jealous. I'm out of town for work (as always) and haven't even thrown a rod in the toolbox of the truck since we're working sun up to sundown.
Just throwing in my two cents...those in-line spinners (rooster tails) are GREAT for trout. You may still have a little bit of time to go up to AP Hill. I think this week is the free trout time as they get ready to shock the ponds. Just remember its a military base, read the regulations.
Tartan reply :
Thanks for the info Kirby. i got that little sunfishy type thing on the roostertail then subsequently lost in it in a tree.
Today i went back to Southlake and about 3 hours deep i switched over to my Abu Garcia setup with a senko in my "spot" got a bite set the hook...and my rod exploded...2 weeks old...so I was a little bit ticked off...
I have acquired a St Croix MBC7MHF (spinnerbait) but no reel. I was thinking about a Revo SX but if anyone has a reel they want to get rid of i'll be the happy recipient of any decent left hand retrieve reel since i'm a right hand caster no switch guy.
fishing report from Southlake Boulevard 5/1/13 : BAD too sunny these fish apparently don't like direct sunlight at all but still a few fish on their beds.
Hanover_Yakker reply :
I'll let you know on the reel here soon, but if you want a decent reel that will last you a while, try the BPS Pro Qualifier. They run sales on them throughout the year between $59-79. Normally priced at $99.
Tartan reply :
I picked up the Lews speed spool mg for 79 at greentop. 711 ratio. Considering the price it's awesome. It's no Revo but I think lews did a good job. Leaps and bounds ahead of the Silver Max
Tartan reply :
After 2 outings with the lews I gave it back. The graphite frame is very odd and strangely heavy. I'm all about cheap but worth it but it just didn't sit well so I grabbed an Okuma Komodo.On 5/4/2013 at 7:43 PM, Tartan said:I picked up the Lews speed spool mg for 79 at greentop. 711 ratio. Considering the price it's awesome. It's no Revo but I think lews did a good job. Leaps and bounds ahead of the Silver Max
After tomorrow morning ill give a sitrep on how it performs
Edit : through a beginners eyes
Tartan reply :
The okuma reel almost ended up in the lake I was getting so many backlashes with the brakes on full. Turns out I'm still a noob and didn't think about my leader knot causing an issue. The guys at greentop tied it so I didn't think anything of it.
I snipped the leader off and I was casting like a champ. Ultra long too.
Anyways my adventures today were back to beaver lake even though I said I wouldn't go back cause it's all marsh... The reason being... I learned about frogs...and holy hell so they work a charm. Easily 20-25+ bites and drags under but only 1 solid hook set after a modification of the hook tips. I bent them out from the body so I could set the hook better.
This was the result of that modification and a hook set tons all hook sets I think I pulled him a good foot outa the water setting the hook.
2.8lbs
He was a fatty
(I also got a scale hahah)
VERY happy I set out today to do something and I exceeded expectations. Ill be going back to beaver lake with a whole army of frogs in hand!!
PS the okuma reel is so sweet now it works because its so light.
Hope you guys enjoyed this installment of Kyle"s a fishing noob adventures.
Thanks again guys!
Sam reply :
Now you are learning the tricks of the trade!
Congrats on your frog fishing.
Don't forget other topwaters.
Don't forget your needle nose pliers, too.
Keep those cards and letters coming!!!
Sam reply :
Tartan, now is the time for you to expand your base of operations.
You know you can catch them at Pochontas State Park and the Southpark lake.
It is time for you to hit he pond behind the Martin's grocery store on Huguenot Road and the three ponds in Powhatan plus all of the ponds in Henrico County. You can find these ponds, other than for the one behind Martin's in the current 2013 of Freshwater Fishing in Virginia by the DG&IF.
Expand your horizons and take on other bodies of water.
Let us know how you do.
Tartan reply :
Happy birthday Sam.
jgc232 reply :
Nice man!!!
Tartan reply :
Thanks JC,
I'm hoping I get a little more consistent with my landing ability. I'm feeling like I know what should work but if it doesn't I'm lost.
I was extremely happy with how my frogs actually worked where I thought they should. I'm starting to see how the bass behave and I'm gob smacked how shallow big bass will stay, logic tells be fat bass will be in deeper food rich waters, alas they are in algae covered shallows.
Eating frogs apparently. Hahah
If someone could explain how you select the size of your lure I would greatly appreciate it. I seem to be consistently buying tiny bait for whatever reason. How do you select the size of your bait? What size if lure catches 1-3lvs fish? Do you take the chance on a huge lure and catch that 6lber?
Let me know I want to learn and figure this stuff out so I can take in all your combined knowledges and bestow it upon others and friends!
Thank you
Jacob Krahenbil reply :
my advice would be to buy a senko and a worm hook and start fishing!
Tartan reply :
This weeks fish!
2.7lber from Swift Creek Lake (pocahontas)
Caught on a spro frog.
All I can say is braid ROCKS. This thing felt like I was bringing in a whale because of the lillypads. Holy balls it was crazy. Very happy to land him. First fish that I was outa breath after.
Purchasing a kayak soon I hope. Sit on top seems to be the way to go
Ill get back with you all soon...you guys need to come join me sometime I'm getting lonely not having somone to shoot the shizzle with.
Hanover_Yakker reply :
Awesome - looks like you're getting the hang of it. When you get a kayak, give me a shout. I'll take you to Sandy River and Briery Creek for some hawg hunting this summer. Not going to guarantee you a citation but those two bodies of water have some seriously big fish in there.
Tartan reply :
So I've heard. Apparently sandy is like a zoo on the weekends. Will I need a flag for my yak?
Hanover_Yakker reply :
Safety is always first for me. I dont ever get on the water without my pfd, but the safety flag is a close second. I recommend the YakAttack VisiCarbon Pro. When you get your first kayak, I'll help you get it setup to fish from. I'll introduce you to Mary and Travis at ARC in Midlothian.
Tartan reply :
Sounds awesome. I want one badly. This bank fishing malarkey is getting kinda frustrating haha. Plus when I hook a big fish I wanna go on this so called sleigh ride haha!! Very excited
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