VAHunter

I fish Smith, Little Creek, Bradford, Northwest River, Back Bay, North Landing River, all the rivers in NE NC, Prince, Cohoon, Meade, Burnt Mills and Western Branch. I've also fished many of the private lakes in the area. In general, if there is water I've probably fished it or have tried to fish it.

I would add that I've had good experience with it before. However, I just can't bring myself to "soak" cover. I try to let the fish tell me how often to throw to a spot. If the bites I've had that day are on the first cast or pitch, I'm likely to fish fast looking for active fish. If the fish bite on the second or third cast (I rarely throw more than three times at one spot) I am more likely to make a couple more casts. However, some guys note they can spend 15 minutes on one spot. My hats off to you, I just can't do it.

Don't we all?

Anywhere from 1.5 - 2.5 lbs. I've had bass up to 7 lbs. and never really noticed any difference when I cook them. By the way, I only have those bigger ones if the fish died on someone in a tournament. I hate to see fish go to waste.

#4 above will take you out of everything but the kayak tournament as you can't fish solo without a boat. However, I agree with kikstand454, there is bound to be an open on a lake near you. See if you can get in the back seat with a fishermen and keep an open mind. Maybe you will like it, maybe not, but at least you gave it a try.

Very nice catch. In my area a fish that measures 21" is going 5+ easy (unless it's very skinny). That fish looks healthy. Again, nice fish.

I know it's not quite to Williamsburg, but if you want to venture that far I would suggest trying the ponds at Cheatham Annex. Of course you would need base access. There are several on that base that offer fishing from shore and it's very close to the parking areas. I have fished them from shore in the spring/fall and done very well on bass and crappie. I have never fished them in the summer.

I believe each body of water differs. In my area we have "rivers," but they aren't a river in the true sense as there is not always current. Current here is generated by strong winds and the water rises and falls based on the direction of the wind. With that said, the fish in those rivers stay shallow even in the hottest time of the year. My biggest fish routinely come in the middle of the afternoon in a foot of water. There is deeper water nearby, but they tend to stay shallow. On the other hand, we have city water supply lakes here as well. It is common for those fish to set up offshore in the summer, just as the books dictate. While you can catch some fish shallow, the best fish tend to be out on structure. I'm originally from Indy/Fishers, so I know what you mean about the shallow fish there. When I was growing up the fish stayed shallower in the summer than one would expect.

Run your hand down from both sides, just under the eye, until you are holding both sides of the gill plate. Either that or lip'em when they get to be the size of the one you caught!

Agree that the gill plates are not like walleye, but they are still sharp on a yellow perch. They can leave a nasty cut if you don't hold them properly. Again, not as bad as walleye, or even white perch for that matter, but they can "get you."

While I can't speak to the success rate, all of the Suffolk lakes (Prince/Burnt Mills/Western Branch/Meade/Cohoon) offer shore fishing around the ramp area. There are also the Lone Star lakes just off Rt. 58. I understand there can be decent shore fishing there, especially in the spring/fall. Other than those I would try to knock on doors to request access to private ponds. Most of those in our area are loaded with fish and generally offer good shore fishing. Good luck with your search.

Where I fish if you skip the cedar and pine trees you have eliminated about 95% of the laydowns. Before moving here in '97 I also heard the same thing. However, bass use those trees all the time. As mentioned, figure out what they are using that day. I've had days they are all over the cypress knees, but you can't get bit on a downed cypress tree or vice versa.

I've fished it since it was open to the public. It used to be great as nobody ever fished there. My son and I would walk over from the house and hit if for a couple of hours at a shot. However, when the city improved the area around the lake (path/workout stations/playground, etc.), that increased the traffic and the amount of fishing pressure. In my opinion, the lake really took a dive. As mentioned, there are still some nice fish there, just very tough to catch them. My best luck has been throwing out as far away as possible from shore. Also, get there very early and beat the crowds and be as stealthy as possible. I bet it would fish completely different at night, but the park closes as sunset.

I have no memories of not fishing. My father started me young. I'm 47 now, so that's probably about 45 years and going. I'm not tired of it yet. Still have some fish on the bucket list. What have I learned? I have a lot to learn. Everytime I think I have this thing figured out either the fish, weather or some other factor throws a wrench in the works and I feel like I'm starting over. That is part of what keeps me going - figuring out what is best at that particular time. Nobody catches them all the time.

That is the part I find interesting. Where I live in VA the majority of the fish spawn in April and another nice wave in May. However, I've seen fish on beds on the main parts of the lakes here in July. Your fish could have simply been late spawners. Your line above about the jig is what leads me to believe they may have been protecting a bed or fry. Hard to say, but that's part of what keeps us coming back.

Yeah, that would be inconvenient to say the least. I've seen this topic brought up an untold number of times on many sites. The bottom line in my opinion, there are just as many inconsiderate land/dock owners as there are fishermen. Personally, I don't have an issue when a person asks me not to fish their dock. However, I won't budge for one who comes shooting out the door while screaming at me. I never raise my voice, but I tell them that I have a valid state fishing license and "his/her" dock is on public water. If they want to escalate and call the authorities I offer to make the call for them and then wait until the LEO shows up.

I have to agree, to a point, with what you saw on the video you mentioned. While I don't set the hook with a popper the way I do with a worm or jig, I make certain most of the slack is out of the line and reel and pull back or sideways very hard. It's not unlike a worm hookset, but the pole takes some of the shock out of it. Also, keep in mind that "stuff" happens, like the fish surprising you. Treble-hooked lures are the easiest lure for a bass to throw. You got the bite and had some fight before he threw the hook, that's moving in the right direction.

This. I always look for the most wind. I believe it energizes the food chain and can put bass on the prowl.

I've been fishing this area since 1997. For public waters you can try Little Creek Reservoir off Northhampton Blvd. The lake across the street from there, Lake Smith, is also very good, but the ramp area is closed for the remainder of the summer because of ramp/park upgrades. I believe the last I heard was it should re-open in September. You can also safely fish the Northwest River and the North Landing River in your boat. Just keep an eye out for barges if you fish the main river on the North Landing as they throw pretty big wakes for a jonboat. However, there are plenty of creeks and sloughs off both rivers. If you don't mind a 35-40 minute ride you have lakes Meade/Cohoon/Burnt Mills/Prince and Western Branch in Suffolk. All those lakes are great fishing year round. Just another 5-10 minutes down RT 58 W are the Lone Star Lakes in Suffolk. I've never been to any of those, but hear they can be pretty good. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the water mentioned above. Good luck and let us know how you do. Kevin Mills

To add to what has been posted, you also need the "will" to compete. I've seen many fishermen come and go in my area. They think a tournament sounds like fun, then when they come in at the end of a couple of tournaments and see what is weighed in, they lose interest. Some people simply aren't cut out to compete in tournaments, they are happier to fish for food/fun. Nothing wrong with that, just know what camp you fall into. Most of the very good tournament fishermen I know are type "A" personalities. Competition drives them. I'm not saying they are jack***** or difficult to get along with, and they don't talk trash, but the competition is what motivates them. Coming out on the short end a few times in a row is more than enough motivation to get them back in the game. There is only one way to find out - enter a tournament and see if it's what you expected. More important, have fun. Good luck with whatever you choose.

It appears to me that all your questions relate to winning weight vs. what you and your partner catch (small fish). I agree with Lund Explorer, you need to change locations, or at the very least, what lures you use. If you're fishing slow with plastics, maybe go with moving baits (topwater/crankbait/spinnerbait, etc.). However, I'd bet your competition is fishing different areas of the lake and they may have a better understanding of seasonal fish movement. Again, it would appear you aren't in the right location. Likely the fish you are after are under or behind your boat. Pay attention to how others fish and what they bring to the scale. In your case, if you see a team that stays off shore and consistently brings in good weight for your area, turn around and start fishing deeper. As for the winning weight from prior tourneys, it also tells you what you need to be competitive. If lake "X" normally takes 15 lbs. to win week in and week out and all you are catching is 2 lb. fish, keep moving until you start locating 3 lb. fish. It's always fun to catch numbers of fish, but that rarely wins many tournaments. Some fishermen prefer to get a limit in their well before dedicating the day to culling, but I want to fish for the right size the entire day. I let the limit take care of itself. If I get to an area, even it's known for good fish, and all I'm catching are small ones, I normally leave. My timing could be off. Maybe the big fish will turn on later. I'll come back and check it at different times. If it's a new area to me and all I catch are small fish, I likely won't return in a tournament. I'll continue looking for the right fish. I don't need big numbers of small fish on tourney day, I just need the five "right" fish. Without further details, it really appears that you and your partner need to start exploring more. If you are happy catching numbers of fish, that's fine. But, if you would like to hook into some larger specimens start the gas engine, go explore and get out of your comfort zone.

I read one time that the banana superstition dates back to the days of sailing the seas. Crews would carry bunches of green bananas for their journeys and eat them as they ripened. Well, bananas got a bad name with boats when the deadly banana spiders started appearing aboard the ships. Not sure how true it is, but it seems plausible.

Unless another boater sees the "foul" hooked fish and knows your bed fishing, nobody would know -- except you. That's the kicker. I can't get myself to keep one that was foul hooked if I'm bed fishing. I've had guys approach me after tournaments and ask why I threw back a big fish. I told them because it was foul hooked off a bed. I never knew the other fishermen were there or could even see me. Like you said, it's the honor system and I'm not placing my honor in jeopardy. By the way, I haven't had to release any 8+ bed fish, but I've tossed back sever over 7. Sometimes karma plays a role as well, as I've turned around 10 minutes later and caught the same fish in the mouth.

Agreed. I don't think it's scripted. Too many type "A" personalities thrown in there.

I don't hesitate to throw buzzbaits and spinnerbaits in and around pads. I don't really care to fish pads, but I know bass use them. Therefore, I want to cover the water as quick as possible and try to pick off any active fish. You'll never see me fishing pads slow.