JCrzy4Bass

Jigs and Drop shots. I've probably put in over 30 or 40 hours fishing jigs and have one fish to show for it last season. I just can't seem to get the hang of that bait. Haven't given much time to the drop shot though. I will work on that more this year.

Bass XL, the two look very common. As a matter a fact the vdgif page has a page specifically showing the general public the difference between the two. One of the main characteristics about the bowfin that is different is the black blotchy spot by the tail fin. That and if you look at the diagram Micro put up you can see that their head is remarkably different, especially the flatness in the bowfins compared to the snakehead.

Dan fished it earlier in February. There is quite a bit or rock but the water was really high and muddy when we went. But I fished a jig all morning and there are plenty of breaks for the fish and the bottom is pretty hard. It looks like it could be a good area come spring. Also there are some nice river bends with some rocky indentations as you approach the route one bridge and you can walk AWAYS down from the parking spot (we parked by the fire station off river rd at the bridge) and find some nice deep holes. I think the water was just too cold in February to expect anything but my dad and I hadn't been out in forever and had the itch. The current is plenty strong here so wading may be tough unless you know the area. There are also some muddy flats that come out opposite side of the river where the water is a bit calmer, so you may get some largemouth action too, not sure if they come up this far though. But I have caught a largie up by the route 3 bridge wading so who knows. Also the great part about this spot is the shoreline isn't flat, but it has a little steepness to it, so you can cast really far out and cover at least 1/2 to 2/3 coming across the river giving you a lot of ground to work with when finding the fish. I can't wait til' it warms up so I can try it again. I may even hit here on the 25th too. Vekol, won't have my dads boat but maybe next time we go out on the rap I'll try that spot. Thanks.

Live nightcrawlers, shrimp, maggots (yes maggots... problem is lots of panfish come after em' too). I don't know what artificials would work. I'm assuming maybe like a striper trolling live bait???

Don, in Va the game wardens want to be contacted immediately upon catch and want you to cut off their head to kill them as soon as possible. We do this with every one we see. Altogether last year between my friend and some of his (who hunt for them in Accontink Bay and Creek... yes they have migrated into the creek area) I have heard or seen about 13-14 snakeheads being caught and killed. It is getting worse every season as more and more are being caught. The only good part is there is actually a new club being setup in VA for the Potomac River to ONLY CATCH snakeheads. All the members are trying to come up with common ways and areas to find these fish and rid of them as much as possible. It sucks that it's gotten so bad but honestly I haven't seen a decrease in any numbers of bass, carp, etc. However, it is the young of the year, fry and spawn classes in the future that are in jeopardy with this new predatory fish swimming about.

Hey Vekol, I'll try that dude, you rock man. How much bank fishing or how far can you walk in this area? Can you reach a lot of the structure from the bank? I know smallmouth have been caught a ways down and that sounds fun. If I hooked into a largemouth I wouldn't mind, just targeting smallies. Let me know if you get a chance man. Thanks for the help bud. I just mapquested it and it's only another 4-5 miles from where I normally fish. I wasn't aware the smallies made it down this far on the tidal portion, but I guess with the dam gone they can migrate just like the shad and so forth. How big have the ones you caught there been on average? Any good size? Thanks for the new spot man, never even knew it existed.

Dude that is one weird looking fish. I've never seen anything like that before. Definately not a pike, I agree it was probably something from the snakehead family. Here's one my friend caught last year at Ft Belvoir on the Potomac. He caught three other ones last year as well from the same place all that size or bigger. I wish I would have taken a pic when we cut the head off as we had a good shot at the teeth and it looked fairly similar as far as that. The only thing is that the snout or face looks so much longer and not as flat as that other fish.

My wife and I are Discovery Health and History channel buffs. We started watching this show not expecting much but it's actually really good. Who knew their job was as stressful financially as it is and so forth? I have a friend in Athol, Mass who has his own company just like these guys and he rakes bank (so long as weather doesn't push him back too much). Anyway, these guys could die at like any second, so it is kinda like that Deadliest catch show and suspenseful in a lot of areas. I'll probably continue watching it for the rest of the season.

Fillip, you should postpone til' the 25th and actually get out with me haha. Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes. I don't expect much, but the ones I do expect are good size (hopefully) just because the deeper areas I will be fishing. But we will see. I didn't see any bait out there last time so it was tough (February lol). But this should be a bit better. You catch em' out here regularly when your up? Have you ever fished for em' in Fredericksburg this early in the season before? If so how have you done in years past?

Hey Paul if you don't mind a ride man we got plenty of lakes and reservoirs down here in the Fairfax/Woodbridge area. Occoquan Reservoir (Fountainhead and Lake Ridge), Potomac and Occoquan Rivers which have some bank fishing available, and some great lakes large and small. Pm me if you wanna get out sometime. My dad and I sometimes have a third seat open on our boat during the weekends and we are cool about letting others tag along if so. We normally launch out of Leesylvania (Potomac) or the Occoquan at the Regional Park on 123. Going out to Mattawoman Creek next weekend if weather permits. If not we will launch out of Burke.

Paul (Pkschul) mentioned the idea of a grill so I thought I would post this info that I put in the NOVA Prespawn thread here as well for anyone interested: I have a two propane tank grill I can bring but it's heavy as all get out. They got a HUGE parking lot there so we could cook out some part during the day if we could coordinate who could bring what as far as food and drinks. Also people can swim here as well, great place for that and for sunbathing and what not (wives, gfs, daughters, whatever). Anyway hopefully you guys can make it down. I'll throw this info in that thread too. Let me know if anyone is definate for this or not. You may not see any other spots that are as scenic and riverine as this: http://www.menko.com/james/pony.html http://media.gatewayva.com/photos/rtd/special/discoverrichmond/2005/ponypasture/index.htm If nothing else bring a roll or two of film and your camera, or a digi. You will be amzed at the wildlife, fish, and surroundings especially this time of year.

Pony Pasture down in Richmond on May 10th, thread went up a few days ago. It's about an hour and 20 minutes from Nova but it's definately worth the trip. Trophy sized smallies an occassional largemouth if you fish the right spots and plenty of other fish for the taking. Check it out. Paul I feel you on the grilling thing dude. We should make it happen. I have a two propane tank grill I can bring but it's heavy as all get out. They got a HUGE parking lot there so we could cook out some part during the day if we could coordinate food. Also people can swim here as well, great place for that and for sunbathing and what not (wives, gfs, daughters, whatever). Anyway hopefully you guys can make it down. I'll throw this info in that thread too.

Last time I went the bottom was covered with leaves making shakey heads a less than desirable approach but I'm hoping some of that has lifted and the bottom is a bit clearer of debris now. If so I will probably pick up a pack of finesse worms (don't have any in my smallie tackle) and some jig heads and give it a whirl. Maybe even try wacky rigging one up and jigging it through those deeper areas once I find some good rock structure. I'll let you know and I'll be sure to take pics if it's any good. And yup, I'll be fishing River Rd and Fall Hill Avenue. If it's not too muddy I plan on crossing the river by the campground (huge rocks go all the way across the river) and fish further up the right side to the first bridge (deeper water and more structure and fish habitat). The plus side to this is there is a spillway pond on this side of the river where some of the water dumps off during high water stages, fish get trapped in here and are really easy to pick off. Sometimes the water is so clear you can sight fish for them. I'll have to take you up there sometime. Later.

Thanx Dan. I'll definately make sure to try that out. I was planning on keeping the baits a bit smaller (using grubs more so) and bringing them through the slower moving pools and letting them kind of flutter down. Are you finding them relating more so to bottom content then? You fishing the Shenandoah River? What type of bottom structure are you finding in most pools? Just curious man... thanks for the help as usual Dan.

Hey guys, I've been looking at data for the river down by Fredericksburg as of late and the water temps are ranging from low to mid 50s (52-58) degrees. They were on a upward trend a couple days ago but are declining. I know we have this front coming through to the east with rain forcasted for the next couple days, but afterward the temps are going to be in the 60s almost all of next week with no night temps dropping below 45. I'm new to spring smallie fishing and I'm trying to plan my first outing there for not next week, but the following week. I don't plan on wading (still too cold) but know of a few good spots to hit where there are some deeper pools and slack water adjacent to shallower areas. As long as the temps bring another upward trend over the next two weeks, what would you guys recommend I look for as far as "spots" go on this river system? There are plenty of islands, larger boulders, winding current areas, rock formations, etc. It's completely non-tidal and the average depth is between 2 to 2 and a half feet in most areas with deeper pools in the middle of the river. I normally throw tubes, grubs on jig heads, and small minnow jerkbait lures. Where should I focus most of my efforts and where will the fish be moving during this time? Will they require a lot of coaxing or should the normal toss into current, allow bait to come back downstream technique work? Or am I going to need to work holes more methodically? Oh yea I forgot to mention they like the grass in this river (caught my 1lb 13oz pb in a green patch of weeds last year), but I don't think it's going to be a factor this early as not a whole lot has probably grown before now.

x2. Has he taken the vid offline???

Hey Mike, I just wanted to say your show is amazing man. I can honestly say I've seen every episode over 5 times or more. I particularly like the ones with Pat Xiques (one of the pro new yorkers from GYCB) and the episodes entitled "Vargo", "Wild Bill and Dr. Destructo" and "The Curse of Lunkerville" (one of your newer ones), also the Walmart BFL Special just because it puts tournament fishing in your face and gives you an idea of a pro day on the water. For you guys looking for pro shows I suggest you at least give this one a glance. Also keep in mind Mike Del Visco is a great pro bassfisherman who makes an appearance in almost every show. I really enjoy what the show is about because I fish just like you, if I catch one bass an outing I'm happy, and even if I don't it sure beats being at work. It must be awesome to do what you do as far as filming bass fishing for a living (along with your other stuff you do). But to be able to go out and learn from these everyday guys about their home lakes and really capture the enthusiasm and see the smiles on their faces when they are hauling in fish or just talking about their favorite lures and techniques is priceless. You can see the attitudes of these guys are so relaxed and pure and it is more so about learning, bonding, and just having a good time. Thanks for doing this show and having it made available online. It is one of my lunch time traditions at work to throw on my headphones, pop a soda and sit back and watch the show! Keep up the good work and I hope to see many more seasons run in the future. Maybe even someday get you down to Virginia for a show when I learn one of my lakes like these guys!

I heard this this morning when I was listening to the radio. Unbelievable. The fact that these kids joined together in this and came up with the plot and had the tools to carry it out. I gotta wonder what kind of third grade mind started this and the kind of life he has at home. The sad part is I'm sure that this thing will go on all of their records and they will have some kind of medical or psych evaluation placed in the student folder for confidential records. What a waste of a young mind. I just hope these kids learn from their mistake and get the help they need to get put in the right direction. School violence is just everywhere these days...

So I go to one of my local lakes today with two hours to spare before work. I catch three fish, 2 keepers and one dink. But that wasn't the big story. I catch my last fish and I decide I want to fish a little closer to the point I am at (bank fishing). I see two water fowl and just assume they will fly away when I go over there. But as I approach one starts hissing at me real loud and spreading his wings (these things are huge and have a real big wing span). I'm like what the heck dude... I walk a bit closer and it goes airborne and starts approaching me flapping his wings above my head! I'm holding my rod in hand, with a crankbait tied on and it gets stuck in the tree next to me and I'm covering my head and face protecting me from the gooses wrath. He lands next to me and as I start to scramble pulling the rod and the tree branch with me he flies back some. I grab a stick (not to hit the goose) and shake it to try and get him to back away so I can free my bait. No such luck, line snaps and I lost my crank and couldn't get it out. So happens as I'm doing this I see a nest on the ground with 6 goose eggs, go figure. Now the female is right with the male and both are spread wings, hissing, beak wide open making all kind of noise. I'm not going near their eggs and not trying to mess with them but heck if they don't think so. All in all I just left it and let them be defending their nests. These things ain't afraid of people let me tell you. I thought pigeons were bad, but dang on. These things were ready to go twelve rounds with me. Crazy what geese will do to protect their unborn. At least I know to steer clear of here until these things hatch. Beautiful geese, but screwed up my fishing spot where I was nailing them today.

Dude... that's great man lol. Now we know what dem' rednecks be doin up in those dere woods! I like the third condition too. ;D

Fish #2 The first one looked a bit fatter and healthier, but both fish had good color and fought extremely well for their size.

Bigger fish. 3lb 8oz Largemouth caught on Lake Anna this Monday (3/31/08). Caught off a two tone green laminate senko texas rigged w/ a 1/8oz bullet sinker by the outside of a boat dock and some pilings. Also my new pb by 8ozs. So... 3.5/16.25 x 100 = 21.53 Movin' on up... just hope I can get a bigger one this month!

Hey guys, the bite was back on this morning at Huntsman Lake. I went before work. Had two hours to spare. I already had a Rapala Firetiger Rattle Trap rigged up so I decided to start throwing it. Water was slightly stained with about 1ft to 1 and a half feet visibility depending on the area. I started on the shoreline at the back end of the lake and worked the first point. Nabbed one right outside of the current as I approached the point, looks like it was using it to move about and or ambush bait fish passing by. Went for 1.5lbs. Second one was a dink caught casting parallel to the shoreline. I saw it feeding about 20 feet in front of me and let the bait flutter a bit as it approached, I ripped it and it slammed it. Fish number two. Had one other bite that I missed before I headed down the shoreline further. I got to the end of the shoreline where the first cove starts up. I started casting out into the mouth of the cove working the area there by fancasting. Hooked into another one as I was doing a steady retrieve. This one also went for 1.5lbs. So three fish total in two hours of work. Wish I could have stayed longer with them biting this good. Observation: There are fish moving downlake from deeper water (as a lot of bigger fish are normally caught at the dam). They are associating with points and front of coves (the mouths) positioned adjacent to current. The two nicer fish were BOTH caught right outside of the current. So that was definately a factor (probably using it to ambush bait fish or move to and from different shoreline areas). The one I caught at shoreline was pretty much just sight fishing when I saw the feeding. I will have pictures of the two nicer fish up after my lunch break when I can hop on a pc that has the memory card input on it so I can upload the photos. With the wind any type of finesse fishing today was out the window, gusts were too strong. I tried a senko with 1/8oz weight texas rigged but couldn't watch my line so I hung it up. Might head back here next week on a nicer day. Also saw a guy with three poles out chumming for carp. Had homemade dough balls and corn and was lookin' for a biggun. He said the bite for them has been good lately. Just a heads up for you fishermen who fish for multiple species. See ya later guys.

That may be the fattest fish I have ever seen out of a VA lake or reservoir. Nevermind.. it IS the fattest! Huge fish man! Briery was tough to us last year. The day my friends/family and I picked was post front/windy. It was a bday surprise and they were taking me down to check the place out since we heard it held huge fish. I managed one in about 7 hours lol. My wife caught a bigger one a little over a lb and a half. We missed some on worms mid day. Anyway... nice to have you aboard man. I need to get back down there when the weather cooperates. What time do you expect them to be on the beds down there bud? I know it probably differs a bit compared to these more northern va lakes.

Schedule change... gotta work, trip cancelled. Egh! However, I am off April 25. I may use this day to pre fish Pony Pasture for the May 10th get together. Depends on water temps down there. We will see based off how warm most of this month is. If anybody else is cool with doing this let me know. So again, date has changed... I swear it is the last time lol. I told work I have plans for this day and they can't reverse my schedule. April 25: Either Pony Pasture for smallies or some lake in Nova weather/water temp permitting.