VekolBass

I'm thinking about upgrading my TM. Aside from getting one with more power, the other thing I want is a more convenient foot control. I fish from a Jon boat, and there is limited space on the front deck. I also am constantly scooting the foot control into the correct position. The more I look at this wireless system, the more I like the concept. Plus you can control from the back of the boat--very handy for viewing the console mounted sonar. Does anyone have experience with these units?

That's good to know. I've never gotten much more than 150 yards downstream from the ford. Next time, I'll go a little farther.

I still have and use my dad's tacklebox which dates from the '60s. Today it is reconciled to being my catfish box with a lot of heavy sinkers, wire leaders and big hooks. My dad did not fish for bass very much--mainly a catfish, and later a saltwater guy. I do have some of the hula poppers and other topwater baits, which are currently in one of my Plano boxes, and I do use them occasionally. The other big component was Kastmasters, which we used for saltwater--still have those too.

Bank fishing the Rap in this area is kind of tough because of the steep banks on the south side of the river downstream from Kelly's ford. Unfortunately, the north side is pretty much all private so there is no access unless you know someone. You can fish the bank around Kelly's ford, and might have some luck this time of year since there are few people there when the water is cold. When the water is warm the place is crowded with swimmers, kids splashing, and other fisherman. You might also want to try the Rapidan at Ely's ford--there are some small fish there--but once again limited bank access. The only snakes you need to worry about are copperheads, and they'll probably be snoozing until mid-March/April.

I'll have to plan another trip there this year. A day exploring that lake just wasn't enough. I just hope I catch more this time than just pickerel. I didn't catch a single bass, but must have caught at least 10 of those toothy little pikelets.

I've never fished the Mississippi, but I do spend a a lot of time fishing a large river which is generally muddy. First, get away from current. Try sloughs, or places where calm water adjoins faster water--like on the back side of a point or some other obstruction. When the water temperature starts to get around 50 degrees, start throwing a lipless crank bait or perhaps a spinnerbait in an area where the sun has the most opportunity to warm the water (north or northwest banks). Use baits with a lot of vibration and flash that the fish can find in muddy water. I don't know if there will be any vegetation present where you are at--if there is, fish it. If not, concentrate on snags, laydowns, and other kinds of wood cover. If you can find a place with both vegetation and wood--spend some time there.

1. High winds 2. Long drive home after fishing for 12 hours 3. People in huge boats (I'm talking cabin cruisers) running at full throttle that almost swamp my boat. (Yeah, I know--get a bigger boat.)

A little after the fact, but a couple of observations. I was there Saturday afternoon. My impression was that the number of vendors was about the same as last year--in fact there were many of the same vendors there. There were several vendors there that I didn't see last year, but they were mainly saltwater tackle vendors. I was pleased to see a vendor that specialized in crappie gear, and I did some business with him. I do think that expanding the event to cover all species of fishing creates a synergy that will help all of the vendors as there are lot of guys like me that do fish for more than just bass. I even went so far as to attend a saltwater surf casting seminar rather than attend Teddy Carr's talk. I do think that there were a lot more people at this event than last year's, and I do think they were spending money--and that is really what it is going to have to happen in order for the thing to grow.

If you don't mind driving to Fredericksburg, try the Ni River Reservoir a few miles southwest of town. I was there in September, and my partner--who was fishing for crappie specifically--caught several very nice fish in the 1lb range. The reservoir is closed right now, and when it opens up this spring you will need a Fredericksburg city license to fish it, but if you want to fill a cooler with crappie that is one place to go. Another is Curtis Lake in Stafford county. This time of year you want to fish near the dam, across the lake from the boat ramp. There is deep water and standing timber in that part of the lake.

--Get caught up on all the "honey-do's" that I put off from 1 MAR thru 1 DEC. --Review my fishing logs from last season, and ponder the data --Watch fishing shows/videos --Boat repair/improvement projects --Outdoor shows

Well, if you have good relationships with the other small clubs you might want to suggest a merger--or at least merge to the extent that you cooperate on tournament scheduling. That way you can rival the other clubs in negotiating strength.

Sam, You might want to try the Old Cossey Mill Pond, which is about 1/2 mile north of Mary Washington College, and east of Rte. 1. I have not tried it for bass, but was there today soaking Powerbait for planted trout (at least they will bite when the water is cold.) I do know it has crappie and bluegill--so bass are likely present as well. The nice thing is that since it is managed by VDGIF it does not require a Fredericksburg city license, as do Motts Run and Ni River reservoir. If Old Cossey fails, there is always the river.

Yes, this is one of those events where I go to the ATM machine, get out a specific amount of money, and when I run out I leave. Just have to make sure I don't do my buying before I've seen all the seminars I want to see. I will be interesting to see the changes in this year's show--from the the site Sam provided it looks like it is under new management. Hopefully they made some improvements with the seminar facility, as I thought it was pretty sub-standard last year.

Thanks Sam. I was looking for that info a couple nights ago.

Sorry-- that should have been "consumption advisory," not "consumption variety."

The Rappahannock river is well known for producing large numbers of catfish. I do not believe there is a consumption variety for this river. Winter is also a good time to fish for the large blue catfish that are present in the deeper holes along this river. You can fish by boat, and there are several places to access the shore along the river.

There are some big perch in the river. Look for them wherever you find a gravel bottom. They will take small bass lures or crappie jigs (that's the way I usually catch them.) I'm sure a perch specialist from up north has some live bait tricks that would be really productive.

NOVA Guys, The below link will take you to a story in the Fredericksburg paper concerning a meeting to be held on the 13th to get public input regarding Widewater State Park. This tract of land was recently purchased, and they are formulating a plan for its use. One of the potential uses is a new public boat ramp that would access the river proper, or Aquia Creek. Currently the only real public access to Aquia Creek is Hope Springs Marina--a private facility that charges $15 to put in! That is $7 over the prevailing rate. (How much you want a bet that the owner of Hope Springs, or someone close to him, sits on the advisory panel?) If anyone has an interest in seeing a boat ramp installed, this is the time to act. http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/122007/12042007/337558 Jon

Now you have my attention! I take it you mean below the fall line? I usually use the cold months to get caught up on all the little tasks that pile up during the fishing season--but if there are smallmouth to be had I can put those off. Again ;D

I fished there on the 25th, but really can't tell you much. It was raining, and the wind was blowing around 20mph. I lasted about three fishless hours before giving up. I would recommend fishing either the upper end of the lake or near the warm water outlet near the power plant--but that is based on hearsay, and not personal observation.

I've never fished that far downriver, but I suspect that it is probably too saline for LMB--except perhaps for the tributary creeks that enter into the river. If you have a boat with some speed to it you might wish to head upstream beyond Tappahannock and try Portabago and Nantazico bays. A word of caution though. The Rappahannock can be a very tricky river. Get a good chart and study it to make sure you stay in the main channel when running at any speed. Do not get within 100 ft of the shore, as there are a lot of laydowns in the river that can mess you up. Also, be aware that there are areas, particularly in the bays, that become hazardous at low tide, but you can move through at high tide. It is not unheard of for guys to get trapped on mud flats until the tide returns and lifts them off.

Ewokmonsta, You mention the DesPlaines River. Is it still as polluted as it was back in the 1960's or have they managed to clean it up. Back then nothing lived in it, at least down in the Chicago suburbs where I lived as a young kid. As far as the comparison between bass and trout intelligence, I can't really say. The trout I've caught actually have seemed less intelligent than bass, but that is likely because they were stockers.

I've really only been pursuing bass fishing seriously for two years now, and am still really learning. There are some things that I've observed in that time that I feel have helped me become if not a good fisherman, then at least achieved a basic competency (ie. I rarely get skunked.) The following applies specifically to the Potomac River, but may be applicable elsewhere. I'm always looking for something "different." If I'm fishing the main river, I am generally confronted with miles of shoreline with grass, sometimes in heavy surface matts, extending miles in river length and over a hundred yards out from the shore. I look for irregularities in the weed edge, channels cut through it, or places where it is unusually well defined. I also pay close attention to areas where fast water borders slower water. A different scenario is fishing the creek tributaries that enter the river. These are often a series of connected bays. Each one of these bays has a "drain"-- an area where tidal current has created a bottom irregularity that presents both deeper water, and a bottom composition that is often gravel and shell rather than the usual mud. When the outgoing tide is moving water through the "drain," bass lurk in the generally broken vegetation on either side of it waiting for bait to be swept by. Surface fish activity is also something to look for, baitfish jumping or bass breaking the surface indicate that the fish are feeding--always worth a few casts. If no bait fish are observed, either jumping or on the graph, I move elsewhere. Looking for different temperatures than what is prevailing is also important. In the spring when water is by and large relatively cool in most of the river/lake look for the warmest water you can find. In the summer, look for the coolest.

I've caught bass out of creeks that you could walk across without getting your knees wet. These are often overlooked by a lot of guys, so the fish can be somewhat "dumb." They also can be very educational if they are clear--you can see how fish behave to an artificial offering. Remember what you see, because the same thing may be happening when you're fishing larger water with less visibility. Two suggestions. First, the fish may not know the catalogue number of every lure in the BPS catalogue, but they will disappear and not come back if you spook them. Stay back from the edge of the stream, and avoid having your shadow fall over the water. Don't stomp around either. Second, Senkos. Oh yeah, polarized sun glasses.

Good article. I generally fish rivers where it doesn't apply, but I'm planning on fishing a large impoundment this weekend where it definitely is something to consider.