BassShephard

Well like I said bodies of water vary lol

I live on the other side of the country so things vary from one body of water to the next even if that pond was 500 yards from the one I fish things would still be different, worth a try though. Last year I had the same problem I used many baits but they weren't working, mind you this was early-late summer. Small tubes worked well, now usually tubes they are used in spring for sight fishing bedding fish, possibly not many people would use it in summer. I think wacky rigging is a good technique, I don't think the average person knows or uses this style, I had good results Early summer (and decent size bass) not so much late summer, fall, also it gives a different presentation then most baits imo which makes it stand out more. For early morning, late afternoon and cloudy conditions a Medium torpedo did well. I used a worm, common I know but I was using the ones with Propellers, didn't catch them with any other type of worm (exception of wacky rigging one), the propeller gives it shine and vibration. I averaged about 7 LM bass 3-5 hours of fishing on a over fished pond (some days I did worse and some I did a lot better). Fish during the rain if your prepared/brave enough to do so, keep safety in mind if you do, don't want to be in a boat, watch for muddy banks and it's a good idea to have insulted cover (IE house or truck) case it starts thundering. I had a lot of luck before/during a rain I used top water bait before the rain, caught lots and they were good size fish. When the rain hit I used Shad color shallow and medium diving cranks and once again caught a bunch, they were also decent size. Before it rained I was barely catching any thing all said and done I was soaked, my tackle box was flooded and by bait had to be dried before it rusted but I Had Fun! Livebait: if I'm not catching nothing I'll resort to live bait seriously if you don't catch at least one fish with it, that pond has no fish. At one point I had some people fishing beside me (it actually happened before) the whole time they were there they caught a bluegill, I pulled out a few small bass, they kept saying how nice they were (which they weren't even eating size) and asked if I was going to keep them I just throw them back... they looked like they were going to jump me for those fish lol.

looks more like the eastern this says their common in VA and I think the Central live further north. http://www.cnr.vt.edu/efish/families/umbridae.html thinking about keeping them as pets want to see what they look like full grown

Hey at first I thought they were to I was like OH BOY... I'm coming back here to catch my first Bowfin! But I looked at a picture of one and knew it wasn't. Interesting fish cause they only get 15 cm no wonder why I haven't seen them before.

found it! Eastern mudminnow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Umbra_pygmaea.jpg

I was scouting out a swamp to fish in later this year and I noticed Minnows were swimming around in a small frozen pool. I'm very Curious to know what type of fish these are cause they have round tails,

How about limiting the number and being able to chose one of your fav type of fish to catch. Something like 4 LMB, 5 SMbass, 8 (or more) Crappie, 2 catfish etc. It sound interesting if you figure out how to make it fair. Another idea is to go by catching diff species, who ever catches the most multi species wins.

I have a bunch of new baits to try this year, Want to get a bunch of soft plastic bait like sticks. I tried wacky rigging for the first time back in the summer which was great, caught some decent size fish but later in the summer they weren't as productive. Tubes are another thing I use for the first time they were small tubes used for Bluegill and Crappie... they worked well I caught a lot of Redbreast, Bluegill even caught a large amount of LM Bass. Need to restock grubs, get bigger tubes, spoons, and a bunch of other stuff I don't really need lol. New cranks are last on my list cause I have some (most of them are 20-40 years old though lol) I want to try some new cranks!

I had thought about joining a club but I don't think I need any more commitments, I'm already on a Paintball team which expects me to show up for every game and meeting rather I have the money or time. At some point it feels more like work then fun, fishing is my relaxing time, when I'm having a bad day or I'm really stressed fishing keeps my mind off all that. I just fish locally so I'd prefer not to travel further then 30 miles to fish. Wouldn't mind going to the expo but I have to work plus I hate driving any where near richmond. No boat... had 2 Jon boats, one 12 footer which was trashed by my brother and the other (I think it's a 8 footer) is out of commission do to a broken brace but even if it wasn't I wouldn't trust it in any thing bigger then a pond. I have the 09 DGIF pretty much all ready know and fish most of the ones they list locally with the exception of fort Pickett lakes which I will try this year. I actually have a quite a few places to fish but I like fishing new areas.... mostly because the places I fish (pond wise) suck lol. @Carrington let me know when you go to chesdin. I'm going to try to fish it more this year usually only fish it once or twice a year, I plan on doing more cat fishing!

Planing on hitting the local lakes, ponds and creeks hard this year (late Feb if its warm enough) any one fishing Nottoway lake, Fort picket lakes, lake Chesdin, Brunswick lake (maybe) or stoney creek? I'm also looking for farm ponds if any one would let me fish em, I love them more then any other body of water, I don't keep the fish and I don't litter (I personally hate that). I may try Nottoway river, I love fishing it but our boat is trashed. Briery creek would be nice too but its pretty far so I doubt I'll go this year. If any one fish these areas it would be nice to meet up once in a while, I usually have to fish by myself which is boring (ok not really boring but its not as much fun ;D )

I've seen people modify the lip with a lighter I don't know the specifics though I believe you heat the end of the lip up and bend it down, never tried cause I've never encountered more then 8-13 feet of water, maybe try some salt water baits.

I was actually wrong there is 52 not 45, here is a quote from VDGIF. Pretty much its a small pop of SM but its a small River and has a bunch of apex predators like Gar, Pike and Bowfin. I think colder/cleaner waters hold more like rivers nearer Mountains and up north it varies from river to river. IMO the best place to find them in rivers is look for currents with rocks they like to sit in the currents waiting for food to come down. The thing about Smallies is their not able to tolerate pollution compared to other fish and it takes years for them to reach a decent size, which is why even 4-5 pound SM are prized, well that and their really fun to catch .

I think the best way to catch them is with live bait and a sharp hook. Once the Gar take the bait don't set the hook right away, believe it or not their picky, they will hold the bait in there mouth and kind of chew on it before eating it I guess to make sure its something they want. They may run with the bait to if they run let them once they stop set the hook! edit: Maybe try a treble hook never tried it but you may have a better chance of Hooking vs a single or rig up 2 single hooks on your bait (it will be hell to get out later though. Plan to try for some in the creek I fished at the other day, I know there in there and its perfect time cause its flow is low and has pools of about 3-5 feet, perfect for Gar just not sure if its the right time of the year never really tried late summer/fall.

@RoLo good idea actually, I Imagine redbreast raised in fish farms should do alright, I've seen the creeks dry up into just pools of water and they survived. I'm mostly worried about how they will effect the blue gill/redear. @seyone I agree there not quite as big as bluegill but They fight hard to be so small and they're really pretty. Its also interesting watching them go after the bait, I notice they dart out of logs and rocks hit the bait then they may make a 2nd run before taking the bait. This spring I plan to get a flyrod I expect to have fun catching these guys.

The pond is around 5 acres (maybe more) creek fed (small creek). I've seen some Fish Hatcheries selling them.

last time I went you couldn't walk but a few feet from the pier do to trees/brush, I need a boat , I've been to the marina fishing a few times only thing I catch is bream, bit noisy there.

Been catching them on Beetle spins and small spinner baits while fishing for other Sunfish this summer. I've also been using live worms but expect to catch every thing in between with worms. Maybe try small tubes haven't tried them in a crappie pond but I think they would work as well.

That is odd never actually heard any one talk about rubbing the belly to stop the pain. Been lucky enough not to get hit by one but I have had bass fins stick in my finger down to the bone very painful, my whole finger swell up and was unable to use it for the entire day.

I caught a few Redbreast Sunfish at a creek yesterday something I haven't done in years, these were some of the brightest and healthiest looking ones I've caught, they were some pretty fish compared to Bluegill. I was wondering if you can stock these fish with Bluegill/Redear without causing problems (from hatcheries not the wild sunfish), from what I read they eat the same things as bluegill and redear which could be a problem but could feeding prevent that? I also read they spawn in June, that is after the last blue gill spawn right? Another fish I've heard people stocking are the topical fish Tilapia is that safe? I ask cause I like diversity in a pond and want something more besides the typical LM bass, bluegill, redear and channel cat.

Very nice Bowfin! I actually love it, I hate catching the same type of fish over and over I like variety that said I do hate when you target a certain fish with there favorite bait and you keep catching something completely different or like you said when they tear your baits up.

lol I actually didn't notice the background

@Koopa Were do you buy those and how much ? I just started using tubes the other day and I was very impressed they're one of my new fav baits.

Thanks! I think most live in the northren part were are all the southern Virginians?

The only 2 decent sized fish I caught this year, though I did catch a few 14 inch plus. one of the Redbreast, there actually a lot brighter in person.

I caught a 3lb smallie on a 3 inch Crank bait in rapids, can't remember the color but I think it was black on top and silver sides/belly.