heyitskirby

Might hit the Watkins ramp for a little bit tomorrow, but definitely going out of Osbourne on Sunday. I know they have completely different fishing strategies, but was wondering whats been working for everyone. This is my first opportunity to take the boat out this year...can't wait.

I went this evening and got nothing but sweaty. A couple of hits, but I think they were just sunfish tail biting my senkos. The water was really clear and I couldn't figure out what they wanted. Only fished the lower lake pier and landing. Heard a couple of big splashes, tail smacking the water and all. Catch and release regs have been lifted, but there is a slot limit. Check out http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=104&section=regulations for details.

Going to be in Long Beach, NY this weekend. Any fishing to be done nearby if I have a couple of hours? Salt or freshwater, doesn't matter. If its salt...big surf rods or inshore gear? What kind of rigging and bait? Also, I've heard you don't need a license for saltwater in NY...is this true? Thanks ahead of time.

Nice fish. Don't know that creek, but my kin are from Wythe County so I know Rocky Gap and Bluefield. I cut my teeth fishing Cripple Creek...red eye and trout on nightcrawlers. Been meaning to get back that way.

I went from on top of his head to press down the pectoral fins (which is how I grab freshwater) and thats when the dorsal fin shot straight up and into my hand. The charter captain I went out with the next day refused to even touch the one we caught while looking for Redfish and just took his dehooker and shook until the fish came off. Another major mistake I've read about is people stepping on them with shoes on and the fins going straight through their shoes. I caught several more and was wearing a pair of Keens and was able to step on them while I took the hook out, but they have hard thick soles for hiking.

Probably not what it was...but I've heard of people getting spooled in seconds by Dolphin (the mammal kind).

Yeah its back to being normal now. Even the entry area is no longer swollen. But like I was saying it flared up again after two weeks and I was just wanting to make sure that there weren't going to be any long term issues if I ignored it. Oh and it was a Hardhead not a Sail, but the issues would appear to be the same based on what I've read. Anyways...just keep in mind everyone...don't grab a saltwater catfish the same way you grab a freshwater. My major mistake was putting my hand in front of the pectoral fins and ignoring the dorsal fin.

Went to Florida on vacation a couple of weeks ago and didn't realize you can't hold a salt cat the way you can hold a freshwater cat. Needless to say I got stung. Bled all over my shirt and felt like an idiot but I ignored it. The next day my hand was all kinds of swollen and the charter captain we were with acted like it wasn't that big of a deal, so neither did I. Fast forward two weeks and I'm at work. My hand starts hurting again, mostly in the joint of my pinky finger, near the sting. Again I ignore it. the next day I end up with some issues at work where I'm using my hand a lot and it swells up again and I can't hardly close my pinky finger with the rest of my hand. Now a couple of days later I can't even tell that anything happened. From what I've read and what I've heard its not that big of a deal...but based on my above experience...do I have anything to worry about?

I lived in one of the town home complexes on that lake for two years and only fished it a couple of times. I didn't know it was drained, but even before that it was a complete waste of time. Major sedimentation problems from what I could see. Delayed trout harvest on the creek feeding into it, though. Never fished it, but there is an article about it in this month's VA Wildlife.

Gotta be specific between ponds and lakes. Can't imagine anything big is coming back yet in the lakes, but it should be soon. Ponds are always good for panfish. Bio reports show good fish out of 3rd pond.

I've only ever caught them with a gill net when catching bait for catfish and seeing as they are full of mud when you cut them up, I'd definitely imagine they taste like mud. I think the big ones only bottom feed on shellfish, though...so I can't imagine they'd hit a dart or spoon. EDIT: And there's definitely a reason some people call them "mud shad".

If you have a faster boat I would suggested heading down to Osborne and making the run back up if you are going on a weekend. Ancarrow's is a pain.

My dad went once last week and then today. Said he hasn't managed to get even a bite. I may try Sunday morning if I'm caught up on yard work.

Are they good eating?

Anyone been yet? They showed up yet? I finished buying darts and spoons today, I hope. Looking forward to hooking up on some James River Tarpon!

I feel ya man. Caught a 1lb+ crappie last year on a jerkbait and thought I was reelin in a big bass. Was disappointed to see what was hooked, but always happy to catch a fish. On a different note...panfish hit like a whale no matter what size. Thinking about fishing for sunnies more this year.

Fished a private pond yesterday and finally caught my first fish. 7 bass + 2 crappie. Bunch of dinks. One maybe close to 1lb. Caught them all on a white beetle spin. I was really trying to see if I could catch a couple of crappie to eat. Going back tomorrow with bass on the brain.

Retention ponds naturally won't contain fish due to no feeder creeks. The ponds are designed to slow the water run off for silt to drop before moving on to natural water. That being said, many migratory birds will drop in from time to time, transporting spawn to the ponds. Don't expect too much unless someone actually dropped fish in there.

Finally got a change to go out. Went to Powhatan Ponds, tried sight fishing the banks, but didn't see anything. I guess they haven't moved up for pre-spawn yet. The first pond is clear and low. The last pond is high and muddy. I didn't make it to the middle one, cuz I'm lazy.

I've heard this book is good... http://www.kayakfishingbook.net/

Haven't been at all this year but the time change tonight is going to make all the difference. A guy I'm working with is renting a house on a farm with three ponds. Hit one up on a rain day in October before it got cold and caught 3-4 pounder. Plan on working those ponds in the coming weeks. Probably do some crappie fishing too, fish fry time!

I'm not much for socializing, but actually wish I could make this one. Unfortunately, told the wife we'd work on the yard that weekend since I knew I would be in town all weekend. Have fun and good luck. Someone find a hot spot and let me know since your fishing in my back yard!

For what its worth, I've been told the crappie have started moving up in Buggs Island. I'd imagine the conditions are the same.

I've been working out of town 6 days a week so I haven't even been out yet. Trying to find some time to hit up a private pond near where I'm working, but sun up to sun down has been prohibiting that. Can't wait for the time change.

Oh and SAM! Its Powhatan, not the Appomattox River... so no dead bodies.