JCrzy4Bass

2005 GMU Grad. Proud Alum.

Sam, Thanks for the heads up. I checked Scottsville and if it makes any sense it is actually only at 3.6 feet which is lower than Pony Pasture. It looks as if it is at a slight upward trend but it doesn't seem like it's anything to be alarmed about. We will bring pfd's to wear just in case things look more serious than we are imagining. All these strorms look like they were well north of Richmond and while the area has had chances of rain all day it seems the ghost is clear. These updates on river conditions are as of 815pm. I will make one final last look at 6am and we will make the call then. Expect a report in the my outings section unless something drastic occurs tonight. Thanks for the warning though so now I know what to look for before heading down to Pony Pasture. If anyone drives around here tonight or tommorrow morning to take a look or hears anything about it please let us know in this thread. Later guys. And thanks again Sam.

It's at 4.37 right now. What is the dangerous level again? The temps I wouldn't worry about because they were at 73 before hand. Won't be worse than the Rap last weekend. Let's just hope rain today holds off.

Dan, I *** you man. You taking a summer class dude? Or just going down for the weekend? I still have yet to fish the New. I wanted to go to that park down the road from Radford morning of my sisters graduation but my parents and grandparents were there and we had to spend "quality time" together and we had to be ready to go down to the quad for the ceremony early. Bleh! Lol. Is that the stretch you're gonna be at? It looks sweet man. Good luck and catch a few for me dude.

LKN, no prob man. Enjoy every day with him man. I know how you feel. I enjoy all trips with my dad as you never know how many more you'll get together. Foremost make sure you have a great time, take plenty of pictures because those serve as memories forever, and then catch fish. Hopefully you guys make out. I'm sure with your prep you'll do fine. Have fun man.

Hey LKN, there are some guys that practically fish this lake all the time that will hopefully chime in here but I can give you a few confirmations/pointers for this lake as my dad and I fish in 3-5 times a year. Sometimes more. They are definately on a post spawn pattern here as of now and I think that all fish have pretty much moved over to this pattern by this time except maybe, MAYBE a few fish on the lower upper lake where the temps are typically cooler than the lower lake. There may still be a few stragglers left here that are in spawn mode but I wouldn't count on it. The river is also up this way if you decide to try your luck here. I however would stick to lower lake. The temps at Dike three will be the warmest as usual as the water here heats more so than the rest of the lake. My dad and I have luck mid-lower lake tossing to boat docks that re on main stretches of the lake where deeper water is nearby. It helps if there is grass around the docks as well. Can't go wrong if you find this combination. The fish at Anna can be spooked quite easily as the water here is almost always pretty clear. The few times I have been this year visibility has been over 3'. So as the saying goes put the lure right inside the area where you can't quite see your bait (depth wise) as this is normally where the fish will hold. You can catch shallow fish but it is VERY difficult and boat positioning is definately important. My dad and I almost always keep the boat in a minimum of 5-6 feet of water here but most of the time 10-11 feet and cast in. I haven't had a whole lot of luck on a variety of baits here. It's pretty much senkos and spinnerbaits for me when I fish here. Vertical presentations seem to be the best bet on most days and one of the favorite late spring patterns which I'm not quite sure will carry over into summer pattern is spinnerbaits on main lake points. Shad is a common baitfish here so you can't go wrong with white skirted spinners. Plus the clear water almost always makes this color a good bet. Hopefully some of the other guys chime in but if you use that depth finder and work that post spawn pattern I'm sure you'll do fine. One other tip is don't spend a lot of time in one given area, at Anna if the fish are not there, they are not there. You have to be constantly moving until you find a productive spot and then REALLY REALLY work it. They call it one fish Anna because typically that is what you get, but if you study the maps, use your depth finder and most importantly find the fish you can have a good day. I'd recommend checking reports on another site, Duke's Creek Marina (online) and Sturgeon Creek (online) as well as any guides that have been out there as of late. You can google most of these places. Good luck.

I used em' a lot in the spring but in my opinion unless you hit the right time of day as far as when they are aggressive and feeding right now the bites are limited. But you always get a chance at a big fish when tossing these. So if you can find some fish that maybe aren't even aggressive and put it right on top of them burning it you can get some great reaction strikes. It's a very versatile bait and it can be worked in so many ways that it's always a good option. I just think this time of the year there are better bets like plastics and spinners and slowly but gradually working in the top waters over the next few weeks or so (since we are post spawn). So yea they are definately a great bait, just have to use them at the right times and vary your retrieves to see what will work on the fish that given day. My favorite Rattles are the Original Rat L-Trap in 1/4oz (smokey joe) or the Strike King Red Eye Shad in White, or the chrome w/ blue or black top.

Nitro, pm sent. Few different spots included.

Congrats CJ. Nice to see someone get this honor who is not only a family man but a mentor to others. I wasn't at the Guntersville trip but it seems like you were a great contributor there. It's awesome to have guys like these aboard this forum who are willing to help in any way they can. I know everything I learn here on the forum or through another member makes a huge impact on my fishing. Seems like a great pick guys. Keep up the good work CJ and good luck in any future tourneys you enter.

Hey guys, figured I'd tell ya'll a bit about the outing our little group had this past Saturday, May 31. My dad (Rondef), Angler N' Fuego, SK Mafia23, and I all went out to the Rap on Saturday at 7am and fished until 1. We had a decent day. Tubes seemed to be the best bet all day. We threw Gitzit tubes and Lucky Strike Tubes all day. Andy was tossing a blue tube, my dad was tossing red w/ flakes, and I was tossing watermelon w/ flakes. All three seemed to do pretty good throughout most of the day. We spotted a lot of bigger fish around the timber/brush piles near the shoreline really tight against it. Some around larger islands adjacent to the shore. My dad hooked the only large one of the day (over 3 lbs) but it came off after a brief 6-7 second fight... but man was it pulling like a truck. It was one of the ones we had spied close to shore. Both Andy and I hooked into some nice fish around 11-13 inches long. My dad caught his new pb but before we could measure it it did a head shake and my dad dropped him into the water. We were estimating it was approaching the 1-3/4lb mark. All of our decent fish were ly caught in pools 3-4 feet deep by tossing upstream and letting the bait come back down with the current. We found some decent pools where we pulled 2-3 fish out of each time. Later in the day the bite had died though and I think we should have went to another methed by adding weight and working the bottom where I believe most of the fish were positioned. We were only working a small percentage of the strike zone by using 1/8oz inserts on our tubes. If I could have my chance to go back I may have tried working some Rapala originals and getting them down in the strike zone by working them deeper. I may have even tried a 1/4 oz senko and hopped it along the bottom. The one fish I caught on a senko (later in the day) was the coolest smallie fight I had ever had even though it was a small fish. I casted a weightless senko along a large rock island and was working it against the current allowing it to wiggle on the top of the water. As it approached about 25 feet out from me a smallie came up to the top of the water (I watched him swim up after it) and slammed the bait pulling it down. The fight was brief and short but watching the smallie in crystal clear water come up after it was awesome. I caught 4 on the day. 2 of them were decent fish. One went around 9-10" and the other went 11-12". My dad caught 4 more with two being nice fish (both keepers), one around 1-3/4lbs, the other over a lb. Andy hooked into two, both of which had some amazing colorings that the pictures don't do justice of (camera phone and it was dark), his were both in the 10-13 inch zone, and unfortunately my buddy Eric couldn't hook into any and had to leave early due to other obligations. It was a fun day though. Weathermen were off as they predicted rain and storms around 11am and we didn't see anything all morning luckily. The water temps started atr 69 and warmed up a bit in the afternoon. The air temps got into the 80s. It was beautiful and our first smallie wade of the year was one to remember. Pics attached. One of my decent fish My biggest on the day Dad's new pb Dad's other good fish Andy's best on the day Pretty fish of the day (Andys 2nd smallie) Report also available for future reference on my blog later this afternoon. The link is in my profile.

Hey Nitro I don't know what boat rental prices are like there but they do rent jon boats. I'm sure with gas prices going up though they are charging more for their rentals these days. I haven't tried going out of there yet this year. Sorry to hear about your trolling motor probs, my dad just picked up a sweet battery for ours that can push through the strongest current and winds. I think he got it at Dick's but I'm not sure. He should be able to tell you. Wasn't a bad deal at all either. He said it's been worth every penny. And it can get us up and down the Occoquan River without dying while going across a couple times too, so the rez should be no problem.

Hey avalon, do you know if there is fishing allowed over at Great Falls? Whatever that park is called there? I heard last year they banned it because of high water levels or something or dangerous areas and so forth??? Just curious because I was interested in what the smallie fishing there would be like.

Hey Nitro, if you head out there and want any ideas shoot me a pm and I can tell you what has worked for me man. I've caught some decent fish up that way and they aren't too tough to figure out here. I haven't been out in a boat much but have navigated all through the woods and down to some of the coves by foot catching them in many different areas. One thing I can tell you is that wood is definately something you wanna be looking for here. Laydowns, fallen timber, pieces of old docks, etc. Where there is wood covered up there are fish.

Working on it. I'm hoping I can get into one soon. I know there has to be some close to that at the lake I was at today, Troy and I saw them coming out of the water by our feet and swimming right next to us. They were ginormous! Lol. I forgot what those things fight like, incredible rush. Especially if you have your drag set properly. Might be the easiest way for me to get my master angler certificate (by catching these guys) as my chances are better of landing one of them than a trophy bass. Not to mention you can get some huge cats using corn as well.

Dude soccrplyr. If you go up around the first point at Lake Ridge and follow the rez down stream the first cove on the left there had a TON of spawning carp last time I went two weeks ago. I know they are a shallow water fish most of the time so they may still be in the general area. You should try it out next time you go. I was mad I didn't have my carp gear last time I went out there bass fishing with my pops. They are a ton of fun to catch. A lot of people call them a "trash fish" but to me honestly there may not be a better fresh water fish aside from a huge northern pike or a smallmouth on ultralight gear. Fun as anything to reel in and you feel really good when you see the fish the size of your body come up on shore. Since my wife loves fishing for them so much I may make this a weekly or bi weekly thing where we bring out our carp gear and larger poles and sit on the bank in lawn chairs sipping on soda and hanging out talking and what not waiting for the big fish to eat. Might be a way to get her back in the fishing mood and get me on some big fish. Can't beat that. P:s: There are definately some large carp at the Rez. My friend Troy has caught a 12 and a 16lb carp off the pier there on corn. You have to really sight fish for them or pay attention to where they are rolling. If you place the corn in the area you see them and chum (key is very lightly) in that area they will take your bait. The key for me is moving the corn up the line and having it before the small hook (size 12-14hook, what you would use for pan fish). I normally use 6-8 pieces of corn on each cast. Also I find it best to go with a bobber rig or split shot rig for added weight.

Let's take it home Boston! Brings back memories of the old days with Parrish, Mchale and Bird. Sure would be nice to see the names of KG and Paul Pierce go up there. Paul Pierce is definately one guy deserving of a championship. And though Ray Allen has slacked a bit in the last couple of series he deserves it as well. It's great to see these vets get together and bring some great bball to Boston! Celtics in 7. The Pistons are one of those great teams that just never goes down without a fight. Hamilton is nasty! And... an ex-wizard if I remember correctly. I'm in Virginia now and had a couple chances to see him play back quite a few years ago. He's a solid leader.

Was out at a local Fairfax, Va lake today fishing for topwater bass when all of a sudden 2 minutes after I get there carp started rolling all over the shoreline. Looked like they may have been in the process of spawning. It was like clockwork every 10-20 seconds somewhere on the shallow end of the lake in 1-3 feet of water sometimes almost coming up onto the land. They were rolling like crazy. So I drove to the store 2 seconds down the road and got some size 14 circle hooks, 2 cans of corn and some split shots and used my mh rod rigged with 30lb braid to catch some. Well first fight ended up being a shallow catfish (channel) went for about 3 to 3 and a half pounds. It must have been feeding on eggs or something being up shallow in 2 feet of water. The second fight I hooked into a momma and had a 6-7 minute fight with her pulling drag from my braid like crazy. Got her up to the shore, biggest carp I ever hooked into probably about 10-11 lbs. Broke my hook right off by the line tie as I was horseing her out of the water. Teaches me to try and lift a fish like that on a small hook. Next time I'll bring my net. I had about 4-5 other hits but they were qucik moving the bait away from the area they were spawning. I have never seen anything like this today, it was awesome. I will be going back tommorrow night after work with my wife (who loves fishing for carp) to try and catch a few more. I can't believe I let that one get away. My friend Troy caught a 4-5 lb carp (small one) on his ultralight gear (also on corn) 4lb test. Couldn't believe his line didn't snap. He had the drag set right though. Anyway, crazy day. I'll update with pics tommorrow if we catch any. Anyone have any other good techniques for tricking these guys when they are spawning. The bite wasn't too bad. Looks like they hit better than bass during their spawn. I did chum the water a bit.

Just checked out the regulations page. http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/vswft/2007/vswft_brochure_2007.pdf 30" is citation. I was 5 inches away. Bleh! Lol. Oh well, still a fight to remember. Flounder are only 26". My friend's gf was only 2" away with her catch.

Well my friend Troy and I got out and caught a couple. His girlfriend caught a 24" Flounder on Saturday. Troy and I fished bluefish rigs and Flounder rigs for 3 and a half hours. We fished mainly minnows and squid. Troy caught his bluefish (6lbs) off a minnow on a bluefish rig. I lost 3-4bluefish as they bit so quick they would bite the minnow in half and tear out the insides. Almost had one. I did have a surprise. As I was reeling in my minnows about 40 yards from shore slowly I had my pole double over. Luckily I had 40lb braid on an ugly stick and that thing was on for good, no getting out. After a 6-7 minute fight (longest of my life) I landed a hefty Weakfish. All of the pier was pulling in their lines because it was running and tearing drag like crazy. It was a parallel pier to the shore so it didn't go out into the water but ran alongside it. I was gonna throw it back using my catch and release mentality but some older couple asked if we were gonna eat it and I said no. So I gave it to them to cook up. Needless to say they are gonna get some nice dinners out of that. On another note, it didn't look like it had teeth at first and my friend jokingly told me it didn't so I was ready to lip it until he was like "no dumba**, it has teeth", then I saw them lol. Lucky I didn't do that as it was whipping around pretty good. After the guy got it on the stringer all the kids on the pier and everyone who came up to fish thereafter was asking what he had on there. People kept coming over to me telling me it was one of the biggest sea trout they ever saw lol. I was like thanks... lol. It was luck. If I hadn't reeled in my bait at that time he probably wouldn't have hit.

Thanks for the feedback Shellback. Sounds like a similar ordeal to the Occoquan Rez lately. Anyone else been out this way recently (Quantico Creek)?

I like how they always look bigger with the camera. That's a nice fish dad. Looks like you guys went pretty far back in there huh? All the way back to the spadderdocks. I can't wait to get out there again! They will be hitting topwater post spawn like last year and the jitterbug with the new rage tail should be pretty hot.

Don't waste your money on the rage craws especially if you fish any structure like rocks or timber/wood. The craw appendages are made like crap and they break off very easily. Definately won't be able to use them for multiple fish. The action is great but the bait is built so that the body is solid and nicely designed but the more important parts are very weak. This is from my observation on a river system with substantial current and lots of breaks. It may work better on a lake??? I'll let others chime in. Was gonna add them to my smallie arsenal but I'll stick to the centipede type plastics, senkos and tubes for smallies.

I knew parts of Canada had a season... was unaware that MN had one too. Is it the whole state or just parts of it? When does the season come to an end? I don't understand how they enforce those regulations either. Whose to say if you're using a deep diving crank you're not fishing for muskie or pike or something? Same thing with a Mepps. How do they control that and do people really get in trouble for fishing out of season or are lakes just blocked off and such? What's the deal? Anyway, glad you get to get out and do what you love man. There's no better feeling than being on the water and more so, feeling a bass tug on the end of your line.

Awesome pics Micro. Our bass resource snake guru! Haha. I did not expect the kingsnake to pull that off until I saw the sheer size advantage. I was also unaware it was immune to those venoms. Kinda cool.wonder how often fights between snakes like this happen in the wild. I guess if they are hungry enough and are provoked enough they can turn it into a boxing match. Have you ever seen the pure black mexican kingsnakes that are on the snake market? I have seen some pretty cool ones for sale that people on my snake forum breed and they look stunning. I am debating whether to hold off on my cornsnake breeding project or gun for one of those. That is definately an awesome link dude. Thanks for sharing!

I'm addicted to Rainbow Six Vegas One and play online religiously over the last three months. I'm second lieutenant as of right now but half way to next rank. If any of you play go ahead and add me. I don't play any other games on live, though after I rank elite despite the horrible reviews for rsv2 multi player online I may try that out. My wife bought it to play online terrorist hunts with her dad (he's a war vet and big into shooter games). Anyway my gamer tag is the same as what my username was here before I changed it: jcrzy4smlmth