ANDREW BASS

Sounds like the day turned out just right.

I am new to this site. Never joined one before. Saw a couple articles of people who needed help with a few tips so I joined to answer their questions. I have been fishing my whole life, neither parent was into fishing or hunting. One Christmas when I was 4 my dad said I asked for a fishing pole, and since then he couldn't get me to put it down. My last name is Bass, and yes that is my real last name. No one ever taught me how to fish or hunt, I just started and never stopped. Now people from North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland call me for advice on both. I love fishing & hunting, and always get my license for both in North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. I was looking for a site to discussed fishing, exchange tips when need be, and maybe meet some new people.

Going back to the basics is right. Sounds like a good place for an old shinny spinner. If the surface water is in the 80s, you should fish deeper. The fish that far south are used to the warm water. A side spinner with a bright colored grub on a weighted jighead, let is sink almost to the bottom, then bring it in, but not to fast. Let the clear water work to your advantage, make you bait as attractive and visible as you can. Looks like a good sized lake, may want to try smaller spinner at first, then work your way up.

Best spot to raft on the Potomac river is past Leesburg, VA on RT 15 N right by the Maryland Border. There is a parking area right by the river, you won't have to worry about tides there. Rafting for Bass there is by far the best, major rock over hangs, hardly any people. Top water bait (crawfish), or spinners work very well there. You can also catch a ton of good 2lb+ small mouth with small spinners (grubs), you can even catch trout there if you want (trout magnets work best). Fishing by George Washington Parkway is also great for big Bass, Big Catfish and rock fish. Rt 3 east of Fredericksburg, VA is also a great place. I have fished all along Rt 3 east all the way to the bay, and caught big Bass, Cats, crappie and small mouth. Great places to camp along RT 3 E, cheap and secluded. People over look small mouth bass, but Northern Virginia produces some of the best small mouth fishing I have ever fished anywhere. I can go to some places and catch my limit in 90 minutes, good 2-4 lbs+ easy. Lake Anna is very over rated. It does produce some good fish, but it always has lots of people, parking issues, Nuclear plant. It is kind of like eating fish from a toilet that hasn't been cleaned in a long time. Fresh water flows through it, but so does a ton of junk.