osbornj2

Isn't there supposed to be a pretty healthy population of Northern Pike in Motts? I've considered driving up there to fish for them (Roanoke to F'burg is about 3.5 - 4 hrs!)

Assuming that you are targeting bass and/or stripers...I would say that a jerkbait (shad colors) or even a deep crankbait (DD22 is my personal preference) on main-lake points is about your best bet right now. A lot of guys are throwing the Alabama rig in these same places, just working it slll...oooo...wwww....lllyyy back to the boat. Water temps (atleast up in the Blackwater and main channel of the Roanoke Rivers) seem to be holding pretty steady in the lower 40's. With this mild weather we're having this week, it shouldn't change much. Tight lines...and be sure to post some pics!

Well, to sum it all up, I think that there is one thing that we can certainly agree upon...like the Realtor likes to say, it comes down to just 3 simple factors: location, location, and then lastly, location! Like most things in the fishing world, it really does vary by region...here, in SW Virginia - a 10 lb "Greenie" is certainly uncommon (in fact, rare enough for even the "above average" fisherman that graces this forum), but not totally unattainable, as it might be for our Northern brethren. Therefore, I would call that a "holy grail". However, regarding the more fair of the species: a 7lb "brownie" here would be gargantuan! I know that our state record is something over 8, but those are indeed rare jewels. A "Citation" smb in VA is only 5 lbs (or 20in), with many each year recorded between 5-6 lbs, and a few over 6...but not many! Therefore, I would be inclined to say that, atleast here anyways - 6lbs is closer to being a "holy grail" : enough out of reach so that it becomes a challenge to catch one, but not nearly an "impossible" task (i.e. the goal has to be realistically attainable to be worthy of pursuit). Well, that's just my $.02

Awesome! I, too, fished SML on Sat...up in the Blackwater, near Magnum Point Marina. And like you, I got rained on most of the day I actually had better luck with stripers, though I did find a bass or two...mostly on a jerkbait, though I have caught some others on a DD22.

Here's one you can try.... http://www.bcfishingmaps.com/map_lake.html It's not nearly as good as what Wayne would come up with, but it does help a little ( I have the map of Briery put out by this company, and it works well enough). Tight Lines!

Let's say: 12'+....usually down to about 20' or so And to further clarify - the water here, for the most part on most of the lakes that I fish, is pretty clear. Not crystal clear or anything, but good visibility. Thanks

Hoping to get a little help here! I've really started to get more into Deep Cranking, esp now that the summer is setting in. Thanks to Stu, I have even started "downsizing" my line, going to 12lb fluoro...and it has already made a difference! Longer casts, which in turn get the big cranks even deeper, better sensitivity, and still get a little stretch too! However - here is the issue: when cranking deep, esp into rocks, I've noticed that my line is getting frayed pretty badly and I am constantly retieing because I certainly don't want to break off on Big Momma! So, my question is - I need some advice on the best types of leaders or other protection that you are using while deep cranking. Is a heavy fluoro leader, say 12" or so, the best bet? How about a similar length of a really heavy mono? Or, since you are fishing pretty deep anyways, often at night, can you get away with a 6" steel (or titanium) leader (i.e. I have some brown steel leaders that we use when pike fishing in Canada that seem like they would probably work...and they have the added benefit of having a snap, making it easy to switch baits without having to retie). Any advice will be considered (and probably tested!!). Thanks, and, as always - tight lines!

If I am assuming correctly, you are referring to James River HS down here in Botetourt County...just outside the town of Buchanan? The ramp/area there is known as Springwood, and yes, you can launch there. The stretch from Springwood to the town of Buchanan (where there is another ramp - VERY popular area) is a moderate-to-good area for smallies, and a good -to-very good area for muskies, esp the area right under the I81 bridge. Further down, from Buchanan to Arcadia, is mostly flat water with a couple of rapids. Fishing is so-so. However, if you have a canoe or kayak, or you can manually carry your boat, you can launch at Arcadia and float for a couple of miles down to either Indian Rock (caution: VERY steep and difficult to take out) or to Alpine...both of which offer good smallmouths and excellent muskies! Finally - if you prefer the simplicity of just launching your boat (from a trailer is ok) and being able to fish "open" water, the area at Snowden is tops! This is below the confluence of the James and the Maury, below the famous Balcony Falls, and is just full of both smallies and muskies! There is a dam here, so the river above the dam backs up a lot of big boulders and rock ledges...perfect habitat for both. If you're looking for this on a map, the launch is on Hwy 501, between the towns of Natural Bridge and Big Island. Best of luck to you...let us know how it turns out!

Nice fish!! Can't wait to see a pic of her in the spring!

Also, I have been hearing that Mercy Me is going to do a show in Danville, as well as a community service project with God's Pit Crew! Tell me that we're not on the map now Actually, I live now in Franklin Co, but have always essentially been from the Roanoke area. However, I own an insurance agency there in Danville, so I'm down there fairly regularly. I would recommend that you stop by Old Dominion Gun and Tackle (on 58 West {Riverside Dr}, about 3-4 miles outside of town....i.e. heading towards Martinsville). There are always some locals hanging around there, and you "may" be able to squeeze a little local advice from them . Most folks that I talk to either come up to Smith Mountain Lake, or go to Hyco. Best of luck to you, and feel free to stop by anytime...

Punkin - nice one! I've always wanted to catch a bowfin, as I understand that they're pretty scrappy little fighters! I couldn't imagine what a 15lber would do to a bass rod! A buddy and I are headed up that way (Fredericksburg) for some business stuff early next week, and we are dragging my boat with us! I have been dying to fish Motts Run ever since I read about it and about the Northern Pike. We also thought about hitting Hunting Run...any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions??? We're gonna be fairly limited timewise, so we were thinking about Motts on Monday afternoon until closing, then getting up early and hitting sunrise at Hunting? Any and all comments will be appreciated!

RW- Thanks soooo much! You don't know how much that means, esp coming from you! For years now, I have admired your avatar and have wanted to catch a coupla' piggies like yours! Appreciate your kindness!

Nice fish! It's always more fun to catch nice fish from small waters and from places that you aren't "supposed" to catch big fish....adds to the adventure! Congrats...he was literally the BIG fish in his own little "pond"

Thanks for the kind words! The entire New River is loaded with nice smallmouths! No joke! Above Claytor Lake, there are some really nice smallies, and you have a shot at walleye, musky, and even the occasional striper or hybrid. We normally fish down below the city of Radford, near the Arsenal. This area has always produced a number of nice fish, including a couple of decent muskies. Even further downstream, at the Whitethorne to McCoy area, the river really flattens out, there are some bigger, deeper holes, and there is some real hog hunting that goes on! Both monster smallmouth and monster musky live there! I've even heard of some decent largemouth that have been caught down there. Of course, being near both VT and Radford, the "view" at McCoy Falls would not be too bad either this time of the year...especially if you get a nice, hot, sunny day!

Had an EXCELLENT week last week, and just wanted to share! On Monday, fishing with Stu - caught my new pb smallie: 20.5", and 4 lbs 7oz on my Rapala digital scales! (I'm wearing the white shirt) Had a great day that day...we both caught some really nice fish all day on the white spinnerbait, fluke, and this momma came near the end of the day, on a Mattlures Babybass (Smallmouth pattern). Big Momma was sitting in about 4 ft of water, on a muddy little point that had some sporadic, submerged grass clumps. I caught another smallie on the same point, then she hit. Look at her belly!! I imagine that she was just sitting there, hidden in the grass, swiping at anything that dared to swim by! On the way home from the lake, my Uncle Jack calls and wants to know if I can go on Friday up to the New River. He fishes there all the time, and I usually go with him two or three times a year (mainly in the spring and then again in the fall). So, anyways, after a lot of cajooling with my wife (how can she say "no", after I just caught my new record, right?!? ), I agree to go. On Thur. evening, I'm reading my new Bassmaster, and there is an article about Mike Smith, who has an awesome guide service on the Upper New and has written several books about fishing in Southwest VA. He's talking about fishing buzzfrogs for smallies on the River! I'm sure you have, or will, read the same article. Anyways, I decide to give it a try, as we normally throw topwater first thing. And, boy, am I glad that I did! As Mike indicates in his article - this is not necessarily a "numbers" method, but you'll certainly select for the bigger fish! I had only been fishing for about 10 mins, and she was the only fish that I caught on the frog. (I am wearing a blue sweatshirt and Frog Togs in this pic) She measured 22.25", according to Uncle Jack's Golden Rule. And Jack is about the most honest person I know, so I'm glad that, if I was going to catch a big fish, that it was with him, and not with some of the "less savory characters" that I am known to fish with sometimes ;D ;D ;D. Funny thing is that, while driving to the lake with Stu, I told him that I would love to catch a fish that was so obviously over the minimum size for a citation, that we wouldn't even have to bother measuring it! Didn't quite happen that day (although this fish turned out to be citation-size), but did happen later that same week!

Hey guys (and gals!) - I'm gonna be in the Orlando area (yes...on a family Disney trip!) from April 9-16, and I am looking to fish atleast one day! Last time we came down there, I hired a guide and spent a lot of money, and still didn't catch many fish. This time, I'd like to try something new...I'd like to ask you to take me fishing! I was hoping that one of you folks that live in the area, may take pity on a Virginia angler, as we are finally just starting to thaw out up here! Assuming that the boss allows for it, I will bring my own baitcasting gear and whatever tackle you would recommend. I'll be relying on your generosity as far as knowing where the big girls are playing this time of year! Naturally, I will help with gas money, and will probably even buy you lunch! Of course, when you travel to VA, you'll have someone to show you around on Smith Mountain Lake (or river fishing for smallies and/or muskies, if you'd prefer). Seeing as how the entire family is using the one minivan that we're bringing, I will have to be dropped off and picked up from wherever we're fishing, so hopefully it will be close! Thanks for taking the time to read this, and hopefully I'll hear from one of you soon... Tight Lines...Jeff

Like most of us that are on this forum, I enjoy going out and actually catching fish. And heaven knows, I've invested a ton of money on gear, lures, gas for the boat, etc. trying to do it! However, at the end of the day, what pleases me most is just simply to be able to thank God for the ability to get out and enjoy His awesome creation...to feel the coolness of the water, to breathe the fresh, clean air, to watch the deer, hawks, and otters play. Chris, I am not quite as "matured" as you are yet (trying to think of a nice way of saying that I am younger than you are, but getting close!!), but I have felt this way for a long time. Now that my daughter is getting to the age where she likes to go with Daddy, I will try to instill the same appreciation in her. I love fishing for bass; yet, I also enjoy fishing for a lot of other species as well - stripers in the reservoir, muskies on the river, pike in Canada, huge smallies at a small, alpine-like, lake that will continue remain nameless 8-). There are places in Canada that haunt my thoughts and dreams all year long. Secret places where you feel like you are the only human being that has ever seen this place... The point is, is that while many of us naturally like to be rewarded by actually catching our quarry, I think that the true prize is a simple appreciation for something bigger than we are. To know that there are places of such incomprehensible beauty (such as the mountain lake that was posted on here). To feel the sunshine on your face and the breeze around you....that is why I go fishing...

Great point, Wayne...I had noticed the same thing! A "bonus" for Claytor is that it holds great populations of stripers and hybrids. Also, walleye and catfish, if you're so inclined. Some of my fondest memories of my years at Tech were wading on the New after classes one summer during summer school...a buddy and I would go down to Pembroke nearly every afternoon and wade the ripples and pools there for smallmouth mainly. He and I are still good friends, and we both live in the area now, so we still get to fish together quite a bit. The New down at McCoy Falls is also a very popular spot (and certainly not because of all the Radford girls out in bathing suits on the rocks!)...down in this area (i.e. Whitethorne, Parrot) there are some MONSTER-muskies. Even the little duck-pond on campus holds some decent carp, plus it is within walking distance regardless of where you live on-campus. Best of luck to you, and GO HOKIES !!!

I use braid on my deep cranks...much thinner so I can get a farther cast, dives deeper, and gives much better sensitivity so I can feel the bottom. Using a glass rod, I've found that the "no-stretch" of braid is not an issue, as the rod absorbs the load that normally the line would absorb.

Nice fish...congrats! Still don't know what the "identifier" is.... :-? But, hey, looks like you might be an "Arrogant B@$t@rd" ?? Ruination is my fav

Nice fish! Persistence pays off again! Sounds like you stayed in the right place at the right time

Don't know if you're interested, but the striper action is getting pretty hot in the later evening...especially down on the Roanoke River end. Also, trying sending a PM to five.bass.limit (he is a moderator on this site)...he is our local expert for SML ! Best of luck, and be sure to post a report...

Great fish and great attitude! Welcome to the Forum! I am especially glad to see you fishing with your father...that's cool in my book. My ONLY concern was that hat that your dad was wearing...it appears that he has worn it so much that one of the letters must have fallen off!! ;D

Nice fish...a heck of a good way to start off this year's season! Congrats!