Marvin Lewis

Thanks Bird - in my experience Bass in WV Lakes seem to suffer from Lockjaw alot. That, and I am not very good. Summersville has extremely long ramps and/or old road that allows for fishing this time of year Starting Monday the Corp is dropping the water way faster, and at some point the ramps won't be long enough. Someone out there has more experience on that lake than me and knows how much rope the ramps have left. My guess is not much. I am hoping enough to get me to Wednesday. I live about 1.5 hours away, so I am not going unless I know I will have enough ramp.

Summersville Lake will be lowered 55 additional feet below the normal winter pool level of 1,575 beginning Monday, November 22, 2021. This “deep drawdown” will be in order to perform routine and preventative maintenance on the intake structure, strengthening the flood risk management mission. The rate of drop will be approximately 3.8 feet per day until a lake level of 1,520 feet is achieved on December 4. ** I was planning to fish the week of Monday - Wednesday next week. At 3.8 feet per day does anyone know how long the boat ramps will be accessible?

Anyone on from WV? I have a free day this Friday and can't decide which to choose from. I don't get to fish either very much so my knowledge is very little. Early June which would you pick?

Thank you for clearing that up.

I have a question regarding the Casting Rings option. If I set a Casting Ring around a waypoint at 60 feet. Is that a 60 foot radius around the waypoint, meaning I am 30 feet from my point. Or, is a 60 foot casting ring put me 60 feet from my point?

I live in WV. Looking to take a fall fishing trip to Cumberland to target Largemouth or Smallmouth, whichever has the best fall bite. Anyone have any suggestion/comments on the best bite? I will be going down in Mid November. Also, does anyone have a suggestion on a good guide? I am an experienced fisherman. Looking to learn the lake.

Anyone have any success fishing Sutton in the fall? I figure the water temps are dropping with the cool nights. The bass should be starting to transition. September is traditionally a tough month for me, anyone have any experience this time of year there? I need a good shallow largemouth bite. I would know where to start trying to find the Spots that suspend in deep water.

How does South Holston and Boone fish for Largemouth? I am about three hours away and those would make great three day weekend trips

Do you guys think I can get away with using a 7ft MH or 7ft MM rod and effectively fish 15-20 feet of water with a deep running crank bait?

So I am thinking a - 7ft Heavy for the Jig (any tip advise?) What about for the deep crank? I fish a 7ft medium Duckett crankin rod (Ghost I believe) for my square bills and mid level crankbaits

Hey Guys, This summer I am going to dedicate myself to fishing deep timber at some of my local lakes. I have a wife and two daughters, so I am on a budget. I need a rod, if possible that can kill two birds. Anyone have suggestions for a rod that handle a 1/2 Jig in deep timer (15-20 ft) and also be capable to handle a deep running crankbait (15-20ft)? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Guys, I have heard from a couple anglers that the week of Thanksgiving can bring a really good spinner bait bite for largemouth in WV. Has anyone experienced this? I have a window this weekend to do some fishing and usually I go after smallies or hybrids on the river this time of year. I really would like to continue to largemouth fish deeper into the year. Any advice?

Thanks Bird, I guess I will just have to learn to fish other lakes. I fish Stonewall too, but I don't have much luck there. My brother wears them out, but he won't give up anything. He is a better fisherman than me, but I wont let him know that. Any pointers? Especially this time of year. I love fall fishing. I mostly throw square bills and Jigs. Stonewall just fishes hard for me.

Thanks TnRiver46, The lake is 2 feet below "operational". In all, It has dropped somewhere between 10-15 feet, which is an usually large drop for this lake. But, if you have seen this before in your region - I hope it will be OK here. Thank for the information. The WV DNR in my opinion doesn't put a lot of its resources to bass fishing, much less a small impoundment. My level of comfort with them knowing what they are going is low. You have a great state in regards to fisheries. Love the Chic.

Hey Guys, Hoping I get lucky here being ask about a Lake in WV. I live near the Kanawha / Jackson County border and I love to fish O'Brien, which is affectionately known as the mud hole. Many quality fish make their home there. However, I am truly concerned with the low water levels right now. The lake is approximately 2 feet below what Corps of Engineers consider "operational level". I saw the lake first hand yesterday and I am extremely concerned. With no rain forecasted and the high heat, the low water has to be putting large amounts of stress on the fish. I haven't seen the lake from the dam, but from the ramp at Staats Mill it is bone dry as far as you can see from atop the bridge. Anyone else concerned, or know what the heck is going on? I know this place isn't a natural beauty or a major tourist draw, but we shouldn't let it go to crap for no good reason. Like I said, anyone who has fished there know the quality of fish that can be caught. Any info would be helpful. - Thanks

Hey Buddy I feel your pain. I really do. Although it sounds like you get out to fish more than I do - so I don't feel too bad for you. I live in Sissonville. This is my email address: erc1105@yahoo.com Give me a shout if you would like to meet up sometime. I have caught many, many 5 pounders at O'Brien (Jigs / Spinnerbaits / top water). And the muddier the water - the better. All the way up into December. I have also gone out to O'Brien and been skunked many, many, many times I love Stonewall - just as with you I am 1.5 hours away. I make the trip, but not nearly as much as I want to. I don't consider myself a very good fisherman either. In fact I sometimes wonder why I even bother, until I have THAT day. But maybe we can teach each other something, who knows. WV DNR - Not a fan. I don't believe they take fish from other places and put them in Stonewall simple because that would be too much effort for them. If it doesn't have to do with trout, they don't care. Just my humble opinion. No offense to trout guys.

Where exactly are you located in Charleston? Always looking for a fishing partner. My experience takes me to lakes that people don't pound the hell out the bass at. I have a few. Also, you have to be willing to fish for 1 big bite. As mentioned above WV isn't loaded with big bass like TN or AL, nor are we noted for a large populations of bass (Greenbrier, New River etc....are the exception) so you have to be willing to be skunked sometimes in order to catch a few big ones I have a few takes on the post above. The I-79 lakes: Sutton is known for its population of spotted bass, which in WV do not grow to be very big. However, there are some nice largemouth up the rivers, but without good local lake knowledge your chances are slim. Burnsville has some nice quality bass, but this time of year I would stay away. Stonewall - has big bass and would be the place to go anytime of the year. Make a trip up. My personal WV best comes from Stonewall in June. The Kanawha River from Charleston up is a good stretch of water at times. It does have some nice Smallies. However, your chances of catching nothing are way higher than catching a quality Smallmouth. If you choose the river wait until late November/ early December and hit the rip rap in front of the Capital. Don't believe me. Look at the Trail of Dreams tournament results for the Kanawha River - laughable that people waste their time on that. I cant speak of Summersville - I have never fished it. However, as mentioned above it is loaded with quality Smallies.

Thanks for the reply....it is very hard to get WV bass information. I have never fished Plum Orchard. Is there any size to the fish there, besides the bluegill? Thanks for the info

Hey guys - wondering if anyone in WV has gone out for some bass fishing on the I-79 lakes (Sutton, Burnsville, Stonewall). Just looking to see if there has been any activity before I head out Saturday. Trying to avoid Summersville at all cost.

Guys, I have a 2008 Triton Explorer. My livewell will automatically fill up 1/3 of the way up, just by sitting in the water. When I run and get on plane it drains out. Also, when I fill the well up to the max it will drain out to 1/3 full, while I am fishing-makes it hard to fish a tournament. I had my boat serviced last month and they said that is the way those boats were made and I need to close one of the intake valves. Does anyone know where that may be located. I am not a real good fix it myself type. Plus, I don't want close an intake and present another problem.

I know this is a LONG shot, but does anyone here have experience fishing the little reservoir, O'Brien, in Jackson County, WV. I fish there a lot and have caught many 5 pounders there (more than Stonewall or Burnsville). However, I have heard that the ramp for boats cannot be used due to low water levels. Is this still true?

Anyone have a fishing report on Stonewall? I fish this Lake a couple times a year during spawn but never in the fall. It is a good hour and half trip for me so I am looking for any reliable info available.