Broke bass fisherman

As a non-boater and someone who is still pretty new to Va I would love this. Hope this works out for us all.

That's awesome I hope it works out great. Glad to see you giving back to the angler community.

Can't help you with locations but welcome to BR!

Hello all, I am fairly new to SW Va and realized the other day as I stomped out to my local fishing hole that I am unaware of the local dangers that are in this area. What are to local snakes/ wildlife I need to be on the lookout for. I grew up in Missouri and was aware of what to watch out for but don't know if the same dangers are around here.

This reads like a letter as opposed to a resume.

I use Go fish

I fish from the bank 90% o the time and always where dark colors. A majority of fish predators come from the bank so they are hypersensitive to what is occurring on shore. I also try to fish the spot I will be standing at from about 10-15 feet back to get a shot at any in that hole before moving forward.

I have to agree with everyone on this thread. I don't fear the mods. I unknowingly posted looking for some information on a product that was taboo and it was taken care of according to the rules of the forum. I didn't understand, and personally disagree, but the mods where respectful and allowed my transgression to pass without threats or added drama. I see no reason to fear the Mods, I kinda look at them as traffic cops. If no one enforces the rules of the road for the minority that break them then no one can drive.

Telling us what kind of structure is in th lake will help a lot. Muddy bottom, rocky bottom, are there a lot of ledges, points etc. General rule is to mimic whatever the bass are feeding on. Last time I was in Canada I had a lot of luck on a lake a lot like you are describing fishing cranks and buzz baits of course I was maybe 10 at the time and hadn't learned about soft plastics, jigs, or swim baits.

Wow. That was pretty intense. Hope I never have to deal with something like that.

Remember as a fisherman this is always a 5lb beast until you get it in the boat.

Nice one.

Just recently lost my first Muskie after fighting with him for 20 minutes. I was using my UL rig and got him within 5 feet of the shore when I made the mistake of putting the concrete footing in between me and him. He kicked real good and dove dragging my 6# test across the concrete and was gone.

Glad you got some fishing in. Wishing you a quick recovery. You will be in my thoughts, unfortunately I won't be able to help you with pics of bass as work has me covered up this week.

Welcome

Welcome.

That looks like fun. Congrats

Congrats. That is a beauty.

Just got mine. 2/0 Ewg's. Hooray for free stuff.

You know I thought so when I caught it but immediately disregarded it because of the size of the pond, tiny tiny pond. Thanks for the info, always been bad at telling the difference between LMB & SMB.

Thanks for that info, that will be very helpful. Good luck on your tourney.

No Va Largemouth yet but personal Va best SM 2#. Caught on weightless pumpkin green senko. Caught on a small farm pond outside of Christiansburg. Edit: as basscrusher pointed out this is my best LMB Best SMB was around 2# caught on rebel pop-r frog (swamp frog color) below Little river dam.

Seems like my luck there

This story is a lengthy one, feel free to skim. Southwest Va fishing the New River just about 10 miles south of Claytor Dam. Stuck on the bank, but positive thoughts as I found a hole I know has to have fish in it. Time is about 2:45 pm. Sky is overcast with frequent light drizzle. Air temp is 75 degrees best guess is water is close possibly a few degrees cooler. Water is stained (green) from recent rains visibility is about 3 feet. Spot I found is a concrete footing for a train trestle. Close to shallow moving water with a 7-8 foot deep pool out of the current hugging the bank. Three setups with me today, all spinning, one M with 12# mono, one MH with 12#, an my UL with 6#. Start fishing with a weightless senko in green pumpkin. Fishing close to lay downs and bank in a parallel motion. Nothing, not even a nibble. So I cross to the other side of the trestle fishing to deep pool, deadsticking the senko across the logs and weed beds I had identified on my first scouring mission. Nothing. Decide to try some top water figuring maybe with the overcast they might be responsive. Fishing the lay downs on the opposite side crossing over the top of the tree limbs. Nothing. Getting frustrated at this point, I cross back over to the other side. I start fishing over the top of the structure. Finally get the black buzz bait back into this hole where I want it and it disappears then reappears followed by a humongous fin. Something big just missed, first thought is a carp. Second though is why is a carp hitting a buzz bait. Figure what the heck lets catch it. Continue pitting pressure on the spot, unfortunately I am doing it poorly and smashing the buzz into the water. At this point I figure I have scared whatever was around away. Boy was I wrong, next cast goes slightly past the spot I got my first hit and as I am bringing it I get a slow easy strike, one from a fish that knows it is in charge and I set the hook. This is the moment I realize I am in trouble. I pull and start the fight and realize I have a fish that is easily 24 inches (if not larger) on my ultralight rig. I have no net and I am standing on a concrete footing above 5 fow. We start the battle and he is just calm as a cucumber. He has no worries he is king of this pool. I know my only option is to climb around the side of the footing and get back to where the bank is. So I start, it's at this point I realize I have a Muskie and that I don't know how I will get the hook out, but I will cross that bridge once I get to it. I start towards the bank and the Muskie is cool with it just filling the lure letting me pull him. I get around the edge when he realizes he his going towards shallow water, this angers him and he kicks,hard, trying to get away. I come back around the footing letting him play. Hoping to get him to tire some and realize my drag is set to closed. Now I am fighting this fish and trying to loosen my drag so it doesn't snap. I get the drag loosened and just in time he pushes away an the drag pays out. I continue this fight for another five minutes and decide it is time to try again to get him to the bank. I crawl around the footing and make it to shore I pull starting to get him around the corner when I realize to my dread I have made my mistake. I pull him parallel to me and around the corner. He kicks and my recognition of dread becomes fact as he drags the mono across the concrete cleanly breaking the line and my dreams of my first Muskie. Maybe next time.

What a great fish.