Shawn OConnor

Have we fished there? Doesn't sound familiar. Would like to check it out though. Also want to go to that place we went that night south of town at the end of Powhite I think.

Man, didn't you learn from fishing with me? Always have an extra scale and an extra camera. Sucks bro, would have liked to see that one. I'm just about ready to get back in the old everyday routine. You down? I'm about to fire it back up tomorrow. I have a friend coming into Richmond from NY and we're headed to Briery for a day then down to a private 40 acre lake near Greenville, NC and we'll be the only ones on it for 4 days. It's pure heaven. Last time we went we caught 10 over 4 pounds in 3 days including these two decent ones. Nothing over 6 yet. The one that swallowed a mellon was 5.8 and the other 5.10. This year is my year. Getting ready to hit it hard again with the weather breaking. Bass and boat fever are kicking in!

Exactly. Know your facts before you start bashing people. I would never poke a hole, that's just dumb.

Fishing has been tough there lately. I'm hoping sometime in the next few days will be better because of the cooler weather and my friend, the full moon.

When we closed the mouth and streched the tail, it actually made it to a legit 21", one inch shy of a citiation for VA. There's no doubt we'll get one soon. It was definetly not a 5+ but a strong 4. I caught a 23" 4pd4oz in NY a month or so ago. All depends on the diet and time of year of that fish.

I was there when he caught it, d**n him. I had a 3.2 the day before and he just had to one up me. We'll be back though and we'll keep throwing back the big ones. Nice fish.

We all know the certified record is 22pd4oz but you all know who really should have the record, Dottie. Until I see one over 25.1, in my mind that will be the largest large mouth ever recorded. They probably don't want to let him have the record because they don't want to be disgraced by the fact he used live bait. Real men don't use live bait. ;D Don't get me wrong though, if I catch a 10+ on a minnow, it's going on my wall.

I doubt it. If you were just sitting upright and not moving, it might be OK. You would have to secure the mounts to the inside of the cooler really well.

They hold well. Even my friend who's around 215 moved around in them a ton with no issues. I tighten them every few times.

What's up people!! I've been on the board a bit but forgot to post in here. I'm new to the Richmond area but spend as much time as I can on Briery. Typically get down there once a week. Just bought a new 12' Tracker Topper with 3.5 HP Merc, MK Traxxis 40lb and Eagel 320. I love to fish in a boat but love to fish the shore as well. Another CMathews and I hit a different spot almost every night in search for one for the wall in the Richomond Area. I've been fishing since I was 3 but in the last 5 years recently got hooked on Bass. It's my retreat on a daily basis from Corporate America. Anyway, glad to be here and look forward to helping in anyway I can with information on good fishing spots and what seems to work. I won't hide my spots as long as everyone respects them the same same. I'm not one of those guys that keeps it all to himself because he's afraid someone else will catch a good one. If you do, good for you. Don't keep dinks unless they're over abudant; try not to keep anything less then 8lbs unless it's your first citation; keep the area clean; be respectful of others. Share your information and have a profound impact on someone elses fishing career. Be that person they always talk about when they talk about catching the big one. Oh ya, and enjoy the hell out of figuring out these amazing fish. The best species out there. Take care and thank you for the valuable information I've already gained. Regards, - Shawn

I wish I had read this before I bought my Tracker Topper 12. It's done well so far but I was shocked at how flimsy the aluminum is and how unstable the boat is in the water. I wanted to put 4-6 inch pedestals on the seats and the service manager in Richmond (was a dick about it) basically scolded me for the idea. Now I see why. The boat is not very stable and every movement is felt. I had horrible customer service in Richmond. It took me 5 hours on a Saturday to piece this thing together and NO ONE that worked there was in a hurry. I had my twin 12 year olds there and I think they almost turned 13 before we left. The only good and thorough part was the guy who explained everything at delivery. So why do I see so many other Jon boats with pedestals? I run a 3.5HP Mercury, Minn Kota 40lb Traxxis, Eagle 320 and optima battery. Don't get me wrong, it works, but I guess I was expecting more and when all was said and done, it came out to about $3500 including trailer. I thought my next boat might be a 16 or 17 ft tracker but now I'm not sure. It depends on if I plan on staying in the 9.9hp or less range. With that being said, two questions. What other brands beside Alumaweld might someone recommend? With all of this Tracker bashing, I'm sure you have an extensive list. I would love to buy a better 12 ft John boat that I feel like I could stand up on later this year or early next. Is there a way to add weight to this boat and stabilize it with welding? Thank you. Note This is just my opinion and not the word of god. Take it for what you will but I always try to be honest and reasonable.

I'm not sure but anything that didn't start there probably shouldn't be there. Easy rule, leave it how you found it or better. Always pick up trash when you see it and dispose of it properly. Easy controllable thing you can do to make a difference for others.

He's right, in the large scale (many waters over the course of the seasons), but as WRB mentions, and Buck also mentions elsewhere in a similar way, patterns of behavior can be found, but they rarely hold up for days on end. Don't tell Wayne P that. He consistently goes to lakes in the Central VA region and catches 40-100 Bass every time he goes. I've tried to debate him on in but several other people have shot me down. I'm in agreement though, the factors aren't likely to be identical every time. Not saying it's not possible, just unlikely. From what I know of Wayne -he really knows his stuff. Doubt he has any need to BS, and takes his lumps on occasion like everyone else. Let's not get into bashing people and close down a good thread. My point is I was proven wrong because many other people have agreed with him and have seen him do it. Agreed, he knows his stuff. So to say there are to many variables is not necessarily correct when someone can figure them out. Not bashing at all, you took it the wrong way.

Oddly enough, I have done most of my best fishing on a hot summer night. This year has been different then the last 4 summer seasons but last night was a little better. Got 10 in about 2 hours. Biggest one still small though at 1.5#.

He's right, in the large scale (many waters over the course of the seasons), but as WRB mentions, and Buck also mentions elsewhere in a similar way, patterns of behavior can be found, but they rarely hold up for days on end. Don't tell Wayne P that. He consistently goes to lakes in the Central VA region and catches 40-100 Bass every time he goes. I've tried to debate him on in but several other people have shot me down. I'm in agreement though, the factors aren't likely to be identical every time. Not saying it's not possible, just unlikely.

Doesn't light penetration also have an impact on water temperature? Therefor the water being warmer and the fish being less active? I've only had luck in the middle of the day a few times... only around the full moon.

I was wondering the same thing? Two weeks ago on the night of the full moon I had a good night. Since then, it's been tough. Cmatthews and I have been out almost every night with very little sucess. I think the fish are feeding heavier very early mornings because of the heat. In past summers, I've slayed them at night on ponds and lakes. This year, not the same.

Minn Kota Traxxis Hand control.

What part of Rochester? I'm from Geneseo. You need to get down to the Finger Lakes. Some of the best Bass fishing around.

Oh ya, and this one in NC in March this year.

Simon - those are nice fish. I'm assuming you threw them back? I hope most people on this site do. Unless it's over 8 pounds, then you can put it on your wall. Thank you for the advise, I will definitely give it a shot. I love my senkos.

No, it's there is no tidal effect if you are on a lake. Obviously though, the moon has a impact on the gravitational forces. Does that mean it gets the bait fish moving? Not sure. I promise you though, with the right weather conditions on the evening (before dark) of the full moon, it's the best fishing. Proved that on the finger lakes of NY with this beast.

Been in my signature since the day I joined I believe 9 out of the top 10 bass have come from Cali. Lake Fork, Clear Lake or anywhere in FL.

This summer has been tough. I've fished in VA, NY, PA and NC this year and the biggest I've gotten was about a month ago in NVA at 5pd14oz. I think the weather pattern has messed with the fish. It got warmer later this year on most of the east coast. Most of the larger fish I've caught have been on structure on 15+ft of water. Expect the 514, that came on a large cement structure in about 8ft of water. I love my plastics but have just recently started throwing top water at night becuase I'm not having the luck of prior years. Usually a weedless watermelon trick worm with garlic spray slays them on a hot summer night.

If it jumps once, fine. Twice you say? I pull out my 40 cal Barretta and take a few shots. If I miss it, I usually kill something in the general vacinity like a goose, beaver, other angler or the occasional Bald Eagle. Worth like 1000 points. ;D Or if you time it right when the jump and jerk it just right, you can slam the bass against whoever is in the front of the boat. Great laughs. Seriously though, just keep your rod down best as possible.