heyitskirby

Only time I've been on the public ramp had no troubles. Got there at 7 and put right in. Got out around 2 and again no lines and the parking lot was d**n near empty. Seems like all the water skiers and jet skis either lived there or paid the fees.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but I've heard they are having grass issues on this lake. Also...its supposed to be about as dangerous for boating as Smith Mountain Lake is... Just things to keep in mind.

Hate to sound like I'm avoiding it...but I turn 30 next year...one year off from getting around it for a little while longer. Is your club going to offer the class again this winter?

If you have the opportunity, see if its a good time of year for redfish, either guided or on your own. When I head deeper south I try and never miss out on them. They will make you want to forget about bass fishing and move south.

Good info, will have to try next time. Any suggestion on colors? And by certain spinnerbaits...can you give examples?

Thanks for the tips Sam. I really want to get back there after seeing how easy it was to get there and get in and out. There were a lot of boats, but the ramp was quiet. They must either live there or go in and out at the pay marinas. So even that made it easier. Now I just need an opportunity to make it to Bass Pro soon to restock on some stuff...

I didn't try the senkos deep, so who knows what would have happened. The one bass was caught near the grass line just past the power lines in Whipponock. I threw a white buzzbait and a black buzzbait in the morning, but nothing was breaking the surface so I quickly moved away from that. Again...haven't had any luck with them... Strike King is typically my brand, just because I've had luck with their spinner baits. There were baitballs on the surface in the back of Whipponock, but nothing seemed to be chasing them. If you could suggest some poppers and other topwater baits for this area (meaning Richmond) I would appreciate it. My only experience catching fish with a popper is for red fish. Is their any good grass to pull spinner baits through? Obviously a lot grass, but it looked like it was all shallow.

Sam - caught one small one on a senko (green pumpkin w/black flake). Had a couple of other hits. Not much to write home about. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to fish deep with crank baits and I've never done much with topwater. I've got some learning to do now that I'm trying to get away from the James. My dad did well with nightcrawlers and a chartreuse grub, catching little sunfish and perch. Did have a massive hit on a crankbait that immediately ripped it off. Felt it, set the hook, and then the line just came free like something bit it off. My knot shouldn't have ripped, are their bowfin in Chesdin? Maybe it was the alligator I heard about on TV. (j/k)

Posted this in the Southeast forum, but figured it should go here as well... 143 lb blue cat caught Saturday. Beats out old record by 13 pounds! http://americanprocatters.com/?p=1296

If you know your geography, I'm near Richmond and just a little upset that Buggs Island beat out the James River for the record. Glad to see it in VA, though. I also read recently that regulations are about to change for the James River. Not sure how, but as I understand it, blue catfish are destroying blue crab populations down river. Should be interesting to see how it works out.

143 lb blue cat! http://americanprocatters.com/?p=1296

With my luck this year, I doubt I will! Have a plan of sorts, but just looking forward to spending the day on the water with my dad.

Coming from Powhatan...is it worth it to pay the fee and launch at Seven Springs Marina or go around to the public landing? Also...what is the fee?

For you Virginia guys...while working in Mecklenburg County and staying in South Hill...there was one night back in October that several cars were broken into at the Comfort Inn. Only two were broken into that were guys there to fish. Not trying to place a bad name on the place...but something to keep in mind. What Sam mentions is something that I've thought about many times. I never leave anything in the truck that I don't want stolen.

I'm not sure what the timing is where you are, but here Cats are on the second half of their spawn. The bite won't really turn back on for another couple of weeks.

Definitely hit up Bobcat's bait and tackle. http://www.bobcatslakecountry.com/ Never fished there, but been working on a job down in Boydton for the last 9 months. Tackle shop is a good place to hide.

I'm with you endless. I pretty much give up during late July into August and stick to doing lazy fishing for catfish. I can't seem to figure out deep structure.

My favorite thing at Watkins is to watch the SIZE of boats being put in. There are certain areas in there where the channel is 20 - 30' wide at the most and goes from 15' deep to 2' deep almost immediately. I would love to see the police there. If not just to keep me safe...to keep from someone killing themselves. One thing to remember if you do put in there is to go up river. Once you start seeing the first islands slow down and pay attention to your depth. Up there you may see a few jet skis, but not nearly as many ski boats. They mostly head towards the dam. kaotic - it all depends on the kind of boat you have and what time of year it is.

Planning on taking my Dad to Lake Chesdin on Father's Day. I've asked about this lake in the past but haven't been able to get there. Any tips would be appreciated. I've read the VDGIF Bio Report and it appears that there is a healthy population of gizzard shad, so I can see one bait to use, but any structure suggestions and/or other baits would be a plus. I've been told in the past to hit the coves hard, also know that the upper end features a lot of stumps. Is this upper area navigable by trolling motor for someone who hasn't been there? Thanks in advance.

There was another high profile case last year involving a teacher. This year there was the accident with someone running head on into a bulkhead at the mouth of the Rappahanock. Most all have involved alcohol in some way. I did see someone pulled on the James last weekend right outside of Osbourne. Not sure what for. I may enjoy an ice cold adult beverage when wrapping up my day of fishing but thats it. Hopefully in the long run they are making things safe for those of us who are ultimately trying to do the right thing.

This is going to be everywhere now with there already being a major accident this year in the state coupled with how many there were last year.

There is a post somewhere on here with a fish finder tutorial, does anyone know where it went? At least the tutorial, anyways...

Down river on the north side closer to the dam. You will see a small building with rip rap along the shoreline. I tried attaching a map, but I keep getting an error. I will try again later.

Kaotic - the Henrico County Pump House. I don't know if its a clean out feature or what, but extremely dangerous.

Sam - hear you on Watkins. If I go it won't be until late afternoon. The worst part for me is always the ramp and if I go up towards the first islands I'm normally okay as far as traffic. Its just close to the house. Shad color cranks...you mean for lower, right? Haven't tried that on the upper section, but the biggest hint I've gotten for the Dutch Gap area is to use shad raps. kaotic - Our biggest fish out of Watkins was a 3.5 lb smallie off the rocks near the Henrico pump house. I will warn you, though, there are no signs posted and the thing blows back out at times. We had a scare there while anchored where if the wind had been blowing in one of the several directions it was that day we would have flipped the boat. Posted about it a while back and sent the county several emails. Last I was there no signs had been put up. Otherwise learn the channel and get ready for jet ski and ski boat mania like Sam said. It's a very small section of river and everyone is competing except the fisherman. Your best bet is to go during the week if you can (or before Memorial Day or after Labor Day).