Sam

X2. Forget Trashmore. Look for water in the office parks and schools sprinkled around the Tidewater area as CES suggested. Also go to the Hampton BPS for the 2018 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia free booklet and note the places they list for bank fishing in your area. Your local's Dick's may have copies, too, as will tackle shops. If you want to take a field trip consider fishing off the Ed. Allen pier on Chickahominy Lake or rent a skiff with a motor and fish around the cypress trees. Look up Ed. Allen's on the Internet. Good luck and make sure you have your fishing license with you at all times.

I had no idea so many of you guys fish at night. Growing up in south Louisiana we once did and then we stopped fishing at night. Seems some of the most vicious predators hunt in the dark and for some reason I really don't want to meet them. I remember seeing those illuminated eyes of gators, snakes and other critters in the water and along the bank before I stopped fishing at night and I now have a problem venturing out after dark. I equate fishing at night with my company's location in Viet Nam. The Cong let us go to and from our communications site on top of the mountain by day and we let them have the mountain by night. We got along fine, other than for us having some bombing missions now and then. You all have a fun time and I will enjoy reading your posts of your night fishing adventures.

Anyone out there have a tournament payout chart based on an $80 payback? I have one for a $72 payback but was looking for an $80 payback so there will be no problems at the weigh-in. Thanks in advance.

Here is what my dermatologist emailed me back: Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Look for sunscreens with the active ingredients PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates or salicylates. Sunblocks literally block the UV rays instead of absorbing them. Key active ingredients for sunblock success are titanium oxide and zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is the white stuff life guards put on their noses. I have some and I look like a vaudeville act. But it works!!! You received some great feedback from the gang. Now make that skin cancer screening appointment so you will have a base line for future comparisons. Easy test and they check everything. And I mean everything!!!

EG, I sent emails to my dermatologist and eye doctor this morning about reflective sun rays off the water and will share with you their replies. The following is from my dermatologist's web page and if you note the word "cataracts" is used when discussing the impact of the sun ray's on our bodies. I also used bold letters to highlight what the article says is important to bass fishing and sunlight. Enjoy the article! Because of the ultraviolet radiation it emits, the sun is inherently dangerous to human skin. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology stipulates that there is no safe way to tan. Tanning is the skin's natural response to damage from the sun. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency proclaims that everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun. That's why everyone needs to protect their skin from the sun every day. How We Burn When ultraviolet light penetrates the epidermis it stimulates melanin, the substance responsible for skin pigmentation. Up to a point, the melanin absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious damage. Melanin increases in response to sun exposure, which is what causes the skin to tan. This is a sign of skin damage, not health. Sunburns develop when the UV exposure is greater than the skin's natural ability to protect against it. Sunscreens and Sunblocks The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that are harmful to human skin. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and lead to wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn, cataracts and immune system damage. Melanoma is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20. Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Look for sunscreens with the active ingredients PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates or salicylates. Sunblocks literally block the UV rays instead of absorbing them. Key active ingredients for sunblock success are titanium oxide and zinc oxide. There is no sunscreen or sunblock that works 100%. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture and promotion of sunscreens. Sunscreens are given a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number that indicates how long a person can remain in the sun without burning. It is recommended that people use products with a SPF of 50 or greater. Sunscreens are not generally recommended for infants six months old or younger. Infants should be kept in the shade as much as possible and should be dressed in protective clothing to prevent any skin exposure and damage. There is no such thing as "all-day protection" or "waterproof" sunscreen. No matter what the SPF number, sunscreens need to be re-applied every 2 to 3 hours. Products that claim to be "waterproof" can only protect against sunburn up to 80 minutes in the water. Products labeled "water resistant" can only protect against sunburn up to 40 minutes in the water. Even in the worst weather, 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through the clouds. Additionally, sand reflects 25% of the sun's UV rays and snow reflects 80% of the sun's UV rays. That's why sunscreen needs to be worn every day and in every type of weather and climate. The sun's intensity is also impacted by altitude (the higher the altitude the greater the sun exposure), time of year (summer months) and location (the closer to the Equator, the greater the sun exposure). Protecting Yourself From Sun Exposure Look for sunscreens that use the term "broad spectrum" because they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 50. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you head out into the sun to give it time to seep into the skin. Apply sunscreens liberally. Use at least one ounce to cover the entire body. Use a lip balm with SPF 50 or greater to protect the lips from sun damage. Re-apply sunscreen immediately after going into water or sweating. Re-apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours. Use sunscreen every day regardless of the weather. Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays. Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing to limit skin exposure to the sun. Stay in the shade whenever possible. Avoid using tanning beds.

I think this is the first inquiry into the affects of sunlight reflecting off the water or other surfaces, such as car windshields, glass storefronts, pavements, etc. I just had my annual skin cancer checkup and other than for two places, top of left ear and front left scalp, no problems were found. The cancer areas were treated and no problems are expected. The doctor never mentioned the impact of reflective sunlight on my skin or eyes. Neither my dermatologist nor my ophthalmologist have ever discussed reflective light impacting the eyes. I think I will ask an ophthalmologist friend for his input on the question and let you know what he tells me. I do wear my Costa's while fishing and they really cut down on the reflective light. Great post. Thanks for thinking about a very important issue that impacts us all.

It's so hot, the high school graduating classes in Richmond. Virginia were naked under their gowns.

As Tom pens, get a four blade prop. Check with a qualified Mercury or Yamaha tech at BPS, Cabela's, etc. and ask them which four blade prop would work best and the size you need. Not the counter guys, but the actual trained techs who work on boats and motors.

X2

Check out the options in both of the catalogs and special runs. http://virginiaguidebaitco.com/

Its a bird! Its a plane! Its......a carp jumping out of the water and making a big splash as it reenters the pond. If it is mating season the carp make lots of noise and splash on the surface. My suggestion is to keep going back every morning until you see just what it is and let us know.

You learned three things on your venture that we all know we should be doing: 1. Look up and behind you for any tree, tree branches or brush and plants before you cast. 2. Always set the drag and on a baitcaster, the spool tension. 3. You retrieve the 75 slower than a larger Whooper Plopper. Congrats on your catch. Now you have set your bench mark go out and beat it!!!!

Shaky Head on a 1/8 jig head with a Zoom Junebug trick worm on 8 pound fluorocarbon on a medium heavy spinning rig. Cast. Let sit. Jiggle. Lift rod tip to move it a few inches. Let sit. Repeat.

Oustanding. Take your time. No hurry to fish.. Organize your tackle a few times!!!!!

Chop, found that in my research but it is not located in Richmond, it is in Maryland.

Usually it is gas released from decaying matter on the bottom. It happens all the time. Nothing to be concerned about. Unless you are fishing the Black Lagoon. Then it could be the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Dean, first, your health is #1. You have to keep doing what the doctors tell you to do. Second, the truck will be a great addition to your auto arsenal. And third, fishing can wait until you have your strength back. Sending kind thoughts for a speed recovery.

ALERT ! SERIOUS STUFF HERE... FLOOD THREAT GROWING FROM NC to PA / NY

Outstanding. Fantastic. Fabulous. Great. Wonderful. Sensational. Way to go Nolan. Proud of your accomplishment. You did good!!!!

Yep, in the good ole days. We used light or ultra light rods, 4 pound test on a spinning rig, with a one-inch white curly tail grub. For some unknown reason, they love those little white curly tail grubs. Also fished for the beautiful flathead catfish. Very nice fish. You could reach down and pet them as they swam by you. They were not concerned with humans at all. Those rocks can get slippery. That is why we fished with at least one other guy and we always wore our PFD. So come on over from the beautiful state of Tennessee and do some smallmouth fishing on the Historic James River!

30th anniversary of Shark Week on Discovery Channel. Enjoy!

I received a small envelop from China addressed to one Ethan Saylor, who I do not know. The address is my office street address along with my office phone number. The value of the contents, a Chinese coin, is $30.00 I cannot find a Saylor in the phone book and no Ethan Saylor on Facebook. I could hold on to the coin and wait for him to conatat me or send it back to China. Your thoughts? P.S. No James Bond suggestion, please. That's all I need...the bad guys chasing me for the coin.

Good question and I have no idea. How about looking at this web page and maybe you can figure it out as it has lots of data. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?02037500 Goggle Upper James River USGS gauge and not other pages. Just check out the river with your friend and decide if it is safe. Be careful.

Chris, safety first. You will be fishing the Pony Pasture area and in the rocks. You can slip and fall easily, and there are holes that you will step in. Please go with a friend; wear your PFD; and if possible, felt soled boots or shoes. The Pony Pasture area is a great smallmouth area if you are wading. Check the weather in Richmond as we are going to getting thunderstorms all next week. Probably late in the afternoon but the chance of rain and storms exists for all days along with high humidity. Dangerously high humidity. https://www.wunderground.com/ https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/richmond-va/weather-radar?play=1 If you can find a boat, the Watkins Landing ramp just west of the 288 intersection is a good place to try. Good smallmouth fishing in this area from the rocks down to the dam. If you have access to a jet boat then you can go up river from Watkins Landing and really hit some great smallmouth fishing. But only a jet boat can transverse the river and its rocks up river from Watkins. And no ramp fee at Watkins. Only people from Powhatan county who don't have their teeth. Lots of kayakers launch out of Watkins and also the Robious Landing Park down the road from James River High School off Robious Road is another good place to launch a kayak or canoe. Good fishing in this area up towards Watkins Landing for smallmouth. Flat Rock on the Richmond side of the Huguenot Bridge is a favorite place to launch, too. And the fishery between Bosher's Dam and the Z-Dam is one of the best in the state. The Historic James River can be very, very dangerous around the Pony Pasture and other places east of the Huguenot Bridge. The Pony Pasture area is a great place to fish but as stated above, it can be very dangerous with fast moving water. And I mean with the rains coming this way the Historic James in this area can be unfishable and unsafe. The City of Richmond may close the river if the water becomes dangerous. So monitor the news and if in doubt, call the VDG&IF to find out if the river is open to fishing and boating below Bosher Dam and into the city. Right now the river is low. But that can change in a New York minute. So drive down to the Pony Pasture and take a look at the river and how it is flowing. You can park in the Pony Pasture parking lot and walk down Riverside Drive to the river and enter it any place you can. I like to enter the river in this area by the first island. But check out the water flow and enter and exit the river where you think is best. AND LOCK THE CAR WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT. You can also walk the bank from the Pony Pasture to the Huguenot Bridge, but finding good places from the bank is difficult with all of the trees and bushes. Now there are other places to smallmouth fish the Historic James. Some guys like to go down to the river by the Boulevard Bridge, but too many snakes in this area for me. And it is a Class 3 rapids rafting area. Others will go into the water by Maymont Park but I don't like that area. And stay back from the dams. They are very dangerous. Stop at BPS off I-95 at Exit 89 and try to find a GMCO map of the Upper James River and you can find the places I have mentioned. Just check the weather and water flow. You may do better fishing local ponds for largemouth. Good luck and let us know what you do and what you catch.

Go up creek from Hope Springs. Calm waters and plenty of places to try your luck without worrying about the ocean going vessels wakes; skiers; jet skis; or a lot of bass boats. The upper Aquia Creek meanders about a few miles and you can fish the marina, bulkheads, piers, docks, and lots of other places, including the grass and pads. Think about launching at Willow Landing, the ramp up creek from Hope Springs. Not as busy as Hope Springs but you will be about a quarter of a mile up creek from Hope Springs and not have to worry about all those crazy bass boaters and pontoon boaters and jet skiers. Check out the tide charts and also Google Willow Landing Marina. The address is 121 Willow Landing Rd, Stafford, VA. Tell us how you did and where you went. Good luck.