onthereel

I'll try to keep it short and to the point.... Launched around 6:30a, but no action until 9:30a and turned off pretty much around 11:30a. Looks like the theme for today was Chartreuse Spinners and Chatterbaits. Boat was sitting anywhere between 8-15ft of water throwing to shore targeting large laydowns, swimming right in the middle of them and through the branches. All fish came off the main channel, 5 in the boat with that much in hook ups, but shake offs. Fish were all in the 1.5lb - 2.5lb range. Water was stained with visibility at around 1.5ft-2ft. Water temp was upper 60's rising as the day progressed. All our catches were before the full sun came from behind the clouds. Hope this helps if you plan on going out soon.

Those ratings are based on electrosampling, not catch rates. The fish are there, they are just difficult to catch. I am confident that this is because the fish in Burke Lake are just smarter than your average bass. Yeah I know, they're highly pressured but there has to be a finesse technique or something that will catch em'. I may give it another try or two this year. BTW I heard some guys talking last weekend while at the launch at fountainhead, and one guy said he was "whackin' them at Burke" the day before... I heard something similar last week when at Accotink. A guy said his son pulled in a 10lber at Burke recently...but then again to untrained eye a 4/5lb LMB might look like a 10lb fish. Btw, we were there because my son participated in a community kids tourney....my boy won "longest fish", but was beat out for "heaviest fish" by his friend who caught an eel. Believe it or not my son PROTESTED...haha, when I heard that, I was LMAO . He said technically it's not a fish. They obviously counted any species at that kid's tourney...it was a fun day for him.

Man...was hoping for better news when searching for threads on the rez. Heading there tomorrow for the first time this year. Will post up after.

I'm flying down, so no boat...wasn't thinking about a guide, just some spots anyone can suggest. Any recommendations?

When are you heading down exactly? I am traveling there from August 3 - 8. Just posted the same inquiry for help, tips, etc. on the central forum. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Sam, you forgot oyster shooters...its an experience....that I wouldn't do again ;D Vodka, raw oysters just don't mix. Supposed to throw in a little tabassco and lemon/lime, but I think the bartender was trying to get me sick (mission accomplished). It could've been better with the added flavors....??

Heading there beginning of August for work (from DC area), but looking to maybe hit a spot or two when I get a chance. Any suggestions for ponds/lakes. Staying in the french quarter...not looking for more than a 1/2 hour drive one way. Thanks in advance for any help/tips you can provide.

Welcome! Where in NoVA are you? Google maps is a good place to start; use the terrain and satellite view to identify lakes/ponds. You can even post the jpg on here and highlight the body of water in question. Great group of anglers on here who are eager to help. You've come to the right place!

That's the same way I caught my biggest on Saturday at Fountainhead...throwing into a school of bait fish. Used a plastic worm though...the idea was for it to stand out. It seemed to work b/c he inhaled it on the fall

Thanks for the info.

Thinking about going this weekend also, haven't decided. If we go out Saturday, I'll let how it goes...or maybe I'll see you on Sunday

Thinking about hopping tomorrow... Can anyone provide feedback on the circled ponds? I welcome any company, so let me know if you want to join as well. Looking to have the line wet by 6-6:30.

Thanks for the feedback. I actually tried lipless crank after the worm, no takers. Do you recall if you fished it in the same direction the shad schools were going? Does it matter?

not too good at reports, but here goes.... (no fish/depth finder, thermometer and scale - hoping to get one of these for Father's Day ;D) launched about 6:15, headed right from the shore, I believe that's NW according to the maps. I looked at the topo maps a couple nights before and most of the shoreline that direction drops to 10ft pretty quick... Started with topwaters and shallow runners, no action. Switched to my confidence lures - plastics, rigged wacky at first. Two bites on this setup, but they took the lure off the hook. Must have been smaller fish since they didn't get inhaled. Switched to T-rigged and land ~1lb a few nibbles here and there after that. The plastics were fished near shoreline near cover (fallen timber, grass beds - exposed). Went to Rat-L-Trap (Bleeding Green Chartreuse), hooked two, but both shook off a couple feet from the boat, one looked to be in the 2-3lb range. They were hooked in 7-10ft of water, fast - erratic retrieve. Few hours later around 1:30p as I was heading back to the launch area, I noticed a several schools of bait fish. After observing for a couple minutes I noticed there were disturbances in the school every 30 seconds or so. The light bulb went off in my head...bass, bigger fish must be picking them off as they move to wherever they were going. I took a look at what I had rigged on my rods; 2 cranks and 1 worm. I figured the worm would fair well...it would stand out from the crowd and would be slow enough for the hungry bigger fish. On the third cast into the school something took my line, set the hook and it was on...landed him, ~3lb (really need to get a scale). Lures used: Jackall Giron - Bluegill Rat-L-Trap - Bleeding Green/Chartreuse (other than the plastics, this has been my go to lure, catching a lot this year with it) Megabait Charlie 4" - Perch Jackall flick shake worm 5.8" - Cinnamon Solid (all bites were on this color) " " " - Green Pumpkin Baby Mann's - 1 Minus Terminator T-1 - White/Chartreuse, double blade; colorado/willow Question: Has anyone used the "technique" mentioned; targeting and throwing into schools of bait fish? I'm really interested to here about your experience with this. Seemed successful for me today - 3 casts All and all it was a nice day to be out, could've been better, but at least I didn't get skunked. HTH

Not in the SML area otherwise I would take you up on your offer, but I do travel down there a couple times in the summer. Rain check? I'll contact you when I do... Good luck.

second that, thanks for the report. saw this as well for Occ Res... another site

I've had few this year...I mostly catch them on their way up my leg. Although after finding the first one this year, I become paranoid and check, every time I feel a twitch, itch. The heat doesn't help, most of the time it's sweat beading up or dripping, but of course you have to check...very distracting

Let us know how it goes (report?). I plan on going this weekend. good luck

I was actually at Pleasant Valley, but not fishing...was playing golf. Of course I had my eye on the ponds. None of them looked like they would hold any bass, let alone fish...no bait fish, shallow and very sludgy, etc. Good luck in your hunt

This answers my question if the facilities are open... Do you know if they offer half/full day rental rates? Personally $8/hr seems kinda ridiculous...

Never been, but I'm interested. According to the VDGIF site, phase II should be finishing out....anyone know for sure if it has? Phase II would include rental facilities, etc. If not, I have a motor (55#) if someone has a boat. Someone going to start the new thread? (FISH-A-PALOOZA 2, FISHTIVAL,???)

Looks like you had enough PFDs on the boat...

"I'm near franconia as well. I'll be fishing some ponds today in the afternoon after work. This is going to be my attempt at learning to use a baitcaster. Hopefully i'll be out of work by 1 and then i'm going to Dick's to pick up some stuff for the weekend and fish till dark. Let me know if you're available. Doesn't Kingstowne Lake look like it holds some BIG fish ? I've always wanted to fish there, too bad there's no fishing signs everywhere." I'm down... you have a PM. Kingstowne has a no fishing sign, it went up a few years back, but heard stories of big bass being hauled out of it. That lake is a short walk from my house.

Thanks guys. Dan, I've been googlin (terrain map) as well. Any blue pots, indicating lakes/ponds, I'm scoping out. I checked Cook Lake out last year..just didn't seem like the ideal spot...a lot of vegetation, not the kind you would want; thick weeds/stalks from top to bottom. It was hard pulling any lures through, even weedless. Didn't know it had bass though, might check it out again and see what kind of condition it's in now. Ado, I'm basically at the Franconia / Van Dorn intersection, let me know if you want to meet up excuse my ignorace, but private is defined as "residence only"? I always seem to miss those signs

Any reports on Lakes/Ponds in Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria City? Lake Barcroft, Fairview Lake, etc?

Thanks for the update Ron. My "long lunch" trip would have ended up a mess. I'll probably head over Saturday morning equipped with boots.