jighead56

Good points on the chain of lakes between the two cities. Even though a City of Norfolk boat permit is required. As for the exception of the burrow pits in Lake Whitehurst . I wished we had deeper water as do Western Brance, Prince and some of Burnt Mills. Burnt Mills being my favorite of the Suffolk lakes. Just the shallow sany ramp is a challenge without getting your feet wet. Being a recent leg amputee, negotiating boat to dick is challenging enough. But, I do appreciate your feedback

A few of the water ststem Reservoirs that are stocked in the Tidewater Va area used to be stocked to cut back the perch population. I've caught the on the top and at the bottom of sharp ledges. Back in the day I'd troll Shad Raps in the creek channels 7'-9' However boring it was always a successful method. My PB was a 7.13. One that stares at me everyday when I get up in the morning. I don't kill them anymore. Just pictures now.

This is an old post but, update is there is a new one slip ramp. Many kyackers laugh here these days. The one slip is short and can be a tricky one with west winds. The lake was stocked with a large quantity of Walleyes and Hybrid bass decades ago. Not sure they still do stock these anymore. It is a member of a chain of lakes for the water supply in Tidewater. Lake Smith, Little Creek Reservoir, Western Branch, Prince and burnt Mills are included. City of Nirfolk permits are required. 9.9 are the limit. As for the Whitehurst topography it is a flat shallow lake with a number of burrow pits ranging from 28' -16'. These were dug to build the adjoining Norfolk Airport. There are number of species in the lake. Including a few Muskies caught decades ago. I've heard very little of recent Walleye or Hybrids catches lately. But, I'm sure many still remain. Finally if anyone has updated fishing reports I need to hear them. Decided to take run out to the poorly designed bout ramp launch. Obviously the engineers are fishermen. Regardless i did talk to a regular that said they have restocked this inpoundment with Walleye. Good news for me cause I do love Walleye cheeks. What used to be a 9' channel edge in the main lake has silted to a virtually flat bottom with no cover to be found in the main lake. But my diligence will not be thwarted. Water temp ranged from 58°-62°. Water level is about 1' low. 7' could easily be up to 8' if we could get some rain.

Thanks Bird. Years ago I fished the Philpot impoundment back in June. It's a nice clear lake. Distance casting was the key. Spooking the fush was an issue. Sandy Bottom River Reservoir outside of Farmville Reservoir water clarity was poor dye to recent rains. Sight fishing wasn't the key. Water temp was mid 50s back in April 2023. Jerk baits was the go to pattern . Nothing large. But a few 3-4# transitional prespawners were had. Square Bill's also produced same short fish. Spent a day chunking Swimbaits hoping the main points would be the prespawner pattern but, to no avail. Lots of rain in early March this 2024 year in this area. So, I suspect it will be murky again this April. Again thank you for the report. Anyone been here in March 2024?

Was hoping I could get fishing reports for this lake update. Been a year since I've been here. Looking for recent fishing reports on recent water temps, water clarity, lure selections for pre/post spawn catches. Productive patterns etc. Will be there April 14th this year. And have had great success finding some nice poundage. i understand that all secrets wont be revealed but, with the one weekend planned would like to hear what your plan would be to land the double digit bass. Any help is greatly appreciated. Jighead

So, here it is 3/2023 and ready for a weekend at Sandy River. Heading out by mid April. How's the water temp and any visuals on beds yet? Our troop have faired well in late March and April sighting beds, working irregular cuts in the channel with crankbaits, jig-n-craws on the laydowns and points. If the weather is being difficult then the rocks and bluffs; Many rant and rave on the swimbaits but; my luck has been minimal on thos pre and post spawn bass. Good luck guys, be safe JD

Well, I'm sure someone on here has been to Sandy River Reservoir this early spring. And I'm sure, some have had success. I understand that lure selection and patterns are kept within but,... How about the water temp? Water clarity is most likely muddy with the recent rains. I appreciate the feedback

Time for another trip in April to Sandy. How's the water temp for March 2022? Will assume we will hit the post spawn season on April. Will be nice to get back at Sandy to start my quest for my personal best.

Heading to Rice Va. next week for some late spawners and or post spawn fishing. Have done well here in the past springs of the last few years. Largest at 6.12. Hoping to hear about the patterns and locations for the lake's 70° post spawn. Obviously the points abd deeper water will be the key but, any tricks would be helpful

Thanks so much for the insights. Its been a couple weeks since the April trip but. we did well. Posting pictures is a chore on this forum.

Just got back from a weekend trip to this Farmville/Rice Va lake. known for its lunkers which was our mission. We did find some fish. Actually is was a great weekend. 53°-61° was the water temp. 61° was mid day on Monday 4/5. Sunday was calm and I personally stuck two 4lbers and missed a few that could have been larger. My partner took a 4 and a 6.1. Muddy water was the key. Jerk baits and jig n craw in blue/blk. We saw a few beds but no one was home. The fish were full of eggs but, clearly hadn't been on beds. Plan on a mid to post Spawn trip in May. Still looking for that PB (personal best) Pictures would be nice but, they won't upload.

Heading to Sandy this weekend. Looking for info to the water temp, water clarity, and fish reports. The bass are bedding here in Va. Beach. Water is extremely muddy from the deluge of rain in recent weeks. Surface water temps are mid to high 60s. I'll assume Farmville has the same conditions. We hope to find clearer water back in the creeks. Any productive patterns insights, is greatly appreciated. Thx. <:)>>>< JIghead

This report is of 3 hard days of fishing. The weather was low 60s and 10-20 winds Friday and some of Saturday. Found 62° water temp on the main lake Saturday. But, back in the coves or creeks the water topped out at about 58°. Muddied waters back there. Missed about a 4 lber with a chartreuse spinnerbait at the boat in the S turn. Visibility did improve on the main late at about 3' Chucked the whole tackle box and produced a few 1.5#ers using a 3/16 jig-n-craw (green pumkin) working the sunny side shorelines near deep water in about 10' at the grassline. Chucked: pig-n-craws, drop shots, crankbaits, rattketraps. swimbaits and 10" worms. Spinnerbait was the go to. All in all it was hard fishing with little results. Largest boated fish was a 2 lber on a spinnerbait.

So before Covid hit I was doing a spring then a fall trip to Sandy River or Briery Creek. missed both trips but, am heading to try my luck for a personal best at Sandy 11/20/20. Thinking they are fattening for the winter so, swimbaits will be part of the arsenal. But, with a cold front just passing thru this Wed should I venture deep or hope the baitfish are in the shallows? I'm guessing the waters are up and most likely muddied from the deluge of rains we got last week. I'm hoping you local guys in Farmville would have a game plan and pass it on. Thanks in advance as always please stay safe.

Thanks Craww. Our visits have always been early fall and mostly mid spring and early summer. I figured cranking would be ideal but, my plans were to slow down and hope the jigncraw would be productive. Of course my oartner..front of the boat..no doubt will be cranking. Guess I will be too. Thanks again