JCrzy4Bass

Mods, please do not relocate this post. I always post in the northeast section but RARELY get responses. I'm going to a family reunion for my wife's family next week, this happens 1 - 2 times a year. Every time I go up here I try and get a chance to fish in the am and it may finally work out for me this time because I will have a GPS and my wife will let me use her car if I get out extremely early. My post in the northeast section was this (I was hoping some of you smallie guys may know the area well): I'll be up in Altoona all weekend next weekend. I'm looking for any mud puddle and or pond, stream, creek, river, lake I can find within' a 10 - 20 minute drive. Any help would be appreciated. Wife might be nice and let me take the car early one morning to get a top water bite or search for some smallies. Not familiar with the area much so nothing that will get me lost fellas. Though I will have my GPS Thanks in advance. I found a few by satellite on google. Has anyone fished any of these: Kittanning Reservior Mill Run Reservoir Kettle Reservoir Lake Altoona Lakemont Resrvoir and or the pond on Old Mill Run Rd (allegheny reservoir) before you reach Mill Rin Rez? What about the pond after Kittaning? What about the ponds off Locke Mountain Rd? There is also Canoe Creek Lake, and then a creek in the same park. Does the creek have smallies? Are there smallies and largies in these? One or the other? Can anybody point me to a website where I could locate information about these locations and so forth? Also which one of these spots has the best opportunity for shore fishing? Don't have a boat to bring. Any cheap rentals for these places early in the am around 6am? Any other tips, pointers for the area? Smallies or largies... don't matter much to me. I just need to know so I know what kind of tackle to bring so I'm not hogging up a lot of room in the car with my gear.

I'll be up in Altoona all weekend next weekend. I'm looking for any mud puddle and or pond, stream, creek, river, lake I can find within' a 10 - 20 minute drive. Any help would be appreciated. Wife might be nice and let me take the car early one morning to get a top water bite or search for some smallies. Not familiar with the area much so nothing that will get me lost fellas. Though I will have my GPS Thanks in advance. I found a few by satellite on google. Has anyone fished any of these: Kittanning Reservior Mill Run Reservoir Kettle Reservoir Lake Altoona Lakemont Resrvoir and or the pond on Old Mill Run Rd (allegheny reservoir) before you reach Mill Rin Rez? What about the pond after Kittaning? What about the ponds off Locke Mountain Rd? There is also Canoe Creek Lake, and then a creek in the same park. Does the creek have smallies? Are there smallies and largies in these? One or the other? Can anybody point me to a website where I could locate information about these locations and so forth? Also which one of these spots has the best opportunity for shore fishing? Don't have a boat to bring. Any cheap rentals for these places early in the am around 6am? Any other tips, pointers for the area?

Hey Avalon, hey far is Round Hill from say the outskirts of Woodbridge/Manassas? Is the wading at Shenandoah any good?!?!? Never been there. Done the Rappahannock, the Rapidan, and the James but haven't tried that yet. I may have to give it a shot one upcoming week if it's not out of my way. My dad goes to a place similar to this at one of the vineyards off 66 you can fish but you need to buy a bottle of wine first lol.

Why would you change the drag setting while fighting the fish? I've done this with a couple of 2lb + smallies. It actually helps get them to your feet when wading in a river with decent current. Never had to for large mouth but for those stubborn bass that just keep making runs and so forth I've heard it can be helpful once you've worked em' for a while. Though I know there are some long timers in here that NEVER support doing something like this. Just my two cents though. It has helped me in the past to at least give myself a second to lip em' when they are nearby momentarily.

Just based off the surrounding shoreline and area looks like a sweet little hole man. Real nice fish too. You guys are puttin' them northern states on the map man! Keep at it! I'm still chasing the 4lber but I'm going out twice next week to a big fish lake before work since I'm on night shift. Got all morning to find her. What games you into on X-Box man? Might have to trade gamer tags.

Idaho, I hear you buddy. That is tough man. I lost a nice one a couple weeks back and the guys here made me feel good about it as far as getting back out there and finding him again. Like most say, and I'm sure you know it... go on back there, you know where his home is now. Or her home... whatever. Also, just a heads up, whatever line you decide to use buy yourself some KVD line conditioner man. This stuff keeps your line spooled tight, casting better, makes it come smoother off the reel and normally keeps it pretty free of abrasions unless you have some beat up guides. Check out the threads on it in the tackle section. Plenty of great responses to it. And... it's proven. That's the last thing you really need to check, if you have been using any tough line in the past on that rod the guides could have some groves that are damaging line if you are having that common of an issue. Check it out, might be worth the look. If you haven't already. Sorry about the loss of the fish man. I know that sucks... least you got to see her surface. Musta been sweet to see big bertha layin' up for ya.

Count it. No prob boss man. Tell her good luck from all of us.

Hey Russ... can you get a tan up there in Rhode Island?!?!? Wasn't sure on that one ;D Boat looks great out there all done up this season man. Keep shootin' them awesome vids. As usual... big baits = big fish!!! Some porkers on there! Where's the famous jitterbug in all the action?!?!? Great video man. Keep up the good work. Perfect tunes as well. Relaxing even...

Woulda went with the bleeding bait series myself.. but hey whatever tickles your pickle lol. Funny video though! I have used those 1.00 spinnerbaits... basically, you get what you pay for in my book lol. Although I did manage a fish or two on one of em'. But they don't sink worth beans and they run HORRIBLY on the top of the water if your burning it. Not criticism, just opinion. I got the feeling the video was more for comical purposes anyway. Definately achieved that purpose. I was on the floor when you were talking about the last trip to the store lol.

Hey Sam, thanks for the kind words buddy. I really appreciate it. I had to do a lot of work on it yesterday because one of the blog files corrupted and messed up the whole site as far as the html. Don't know how that happend. Luckily the one post (really long) on the Algonkian Trip is saved on my wifes pc at home. So I'll have it back up tonight. Anyway if anyone else is interested in the blog about our bass resource trips (members I routinely go out with), or trips I make with my dad... even somedays my solo trips as well feel free to check it out: http://another sitereport.blogspot.com/ Not tryin' to hijack. Hey Bill, one other thing about that spot. The bank is really high. Don't let it throw you off. There is a walkway down to the waters edge (wooden steps) about 50 - 60 yards from the parking lot (on Riverside Dr), that's where you get down. Just thought I'd let ya know. If you wanna arrange to get out sometime in August I may be able to make it down for a few hours one day and show you the better spots. Hit me up with a pm and we can try and arrange something. Maybe my dad and I, and you and your son. Also, make sure you get yourself some Gitzit Tubes over at Walmart. They come in a box with 5 different colors, and 8 or so jig heads. I think you get like 20 - 25 tubes for 6 bucks or something. Good purchase as they will catch down there all day.

Hey Simon, That fish was awesome. And watching you fight it was real cool. You looked like a pro with the way you were handling the rod and stuff. Definately entertaining and couldn't have happend at a better time. At the END of the day as we were getting out of the water haha. Those bigger fish certainly hit better in the afternoon down there. We need to do it again. You were funny as we were ready to weigh it too lol. CAMERA FIRST!!! Learned your lesson quick when you saw my smallie dart out of my hand as I was reaching for my scale lol. Son of a b%&$*% Lol. But so is life. Good job nailin' that one. I can't wait to get back out for those guys again. We just need to head upstream EARLY!!! Haha.

Hey Bill. If you are around Fredericksburg there is a great spot you can catch smallies from shore and almost cast all the way across river. The size may not be that great but you can catch the occassional keeper and tons of 10 - 12" smallies to keep you occuppied. Take 95 south down to exit 133A going towards Falmouth. When you get to the ramp it will put you on 17 south. Follow it to route 1 and make a right at the light (going south on route one). Once you cross the bridge (immediately in front of you when you turn on route one) you will see Riverside Drive, make a right onto it. If you follow it down to the intersection of Falls Hill Avenue (first street on your right) there is a dirt parking lot on the right hand side of the road there. That WHOLE shoreline for about 200 - 300 yards has a path you can walk down and cast from shore at. Plenty of room for a whole bunch of people. Can take a whole day to walk if you take your time in each spot. Falls Hill Avenue is also park land and you can walk the whole shoreline there for about 100 - 150 yards, but it's tougher to put your bait in the better spots. However, there are rock islands you can get to without going in the water if you follow the rocks out. Enough room to sit and cast in all directions. Get there early if you go on a weekend as some people like to lay in the sun and swim there. It's very scenic and has some great smallie action. Make sure you check the water levels to make sure they are not around the dangerous level. Go to google and type in USGS Real Time Data. Click on Virginia when you see the map. Look for the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg and check the water level there. They have the recommended safe level and the current levels as of every 3 - 4 hours. Good luck in your search. Other possible places include Algonkian, River Rd (just up the street from Falls Hill Avenue (canoe launch here), and a location on the Rapidan with average depths of 1 - 2 feet (for wading, pm me for details... great spot for youngsters to wade when accompanied by an adult with pfds). Average deoth here is MUCH lower than the Rappahannock.

Hey for you Nova guys who have had a chance to meet this great guy on the forum and want to send out prayers, thoughts, kind words, etc There is a post in the everything else section about Andy making the trek to the middle east for his second tour of duty in the last few years. He will be deployed for 14 months. I just thought I'd make everyone aware that there was a current thread to wish him well and a safe return. We will be having a cookout/get together when he gets back next year at my dad's place for those interested. I know it's a long time away but just wanted to let everyone know about the situation.

I am not positive but I think it's the navy. I'm sure he will get on here eventually and let us know as he was on last night. I'm pretty sure though. We never really talked much about details as far as work. I'm sure he's told me once or twice, just can't put my tongue on it.

Hey guys. I was thinking the past few days of exactly what to write here and I finally think I figured out everything I wanted to say about this. Last year I met a great friend on here, Andy Ibarra (AnglerNFuego). Honestly he has become as close to me as some of my life long friends. We met up a few times last year to go fishing at Burke Lake and then eventually to the Potomac River and Occoquan River. Before we knew it, we were a bass fishing tag team. My dad and him ended up getting really close too. I guess you could say we were almost like the three musketeers when it came to bass fishing. Well we knew Andy was in the service and a couple months ago he told us he was heading back over seas for another deployment (his second). Man that was tough. My uncle has served once over there but as a doctor in the Navy. But I never knew someone who is or would be involved in the thick of the situation over there. Andy will be on the front lines supporting our country and the people that live here. I just wanted to let you guys know as of last Monday or Tuesday Andy was on a plane headed over there and as I write this he is getting himself situated for a long term stay. He has arrived safely and is ready to do his job so he can return home safe and be back with his family and friends. He is a father and a husband and has many other friends and family members here at home. I just wanted to say on behalf of all of us that we wish him the best and a safe return home. We know he will do us proud and we can't wait to see his bass fishing smiling mug here at home again. We will miss you buddy. Remember to send my dad and I the address and information for the care package. And remember whenever you get a chance to update us here and or any other medium you got man. Thanks for everything you have done for me as a friend, ad I can't wait to get into more trouble and mischief with you when you get home. It will be just like old times! Lastly, I just wanted to say that this place is definately the most amazing place ever. I met a seriously great friend on here that I can go out with and fish, shoot the stuff and just have a good time. It goes to show that a place like this really has special qualities that can build unbelievable friendships. When Andy gets home we are going to have a welcoming party in his honor, so any Northern Va members or other people from the area that have gotten close to Andy and wish to be a part of it, let me know. Thanks for reading guys. If any of you wish to leave comments here, kind words, etc feel free. For more personal messages go ahead and shoot him a pm or send me a pm with info and I can email Andy with it. God bless Andy. Your one of the best fishing partners a guy can hope for. Good luck.

Location Sterling, Va (Algonkian Regional Park) Time 10am 245pm Today my dad and I made a trek up to Sterling. We had a later than usual start because we had family in town that were leaving in the morning and wanted to see them off. But it sure didn't effect the fishing at all. This was our first trip on the upper Potomac river and we were going strictly off of information provided by our bass forum buddies. Needless to say, thanks for all the input and starter points fellas. They paid off today. I ended up catching 16 smallmouth bass today and 7 bluegills. My largest smallmouth today was 2lbs 2ozs and managed to break my previous personal best smallie by 6ozs. The fight was unbelievable and one I will never forget. I can finally agree with the smallmouth addicts I know that pound for pound there is absolutely NO WAY a largemouth is a better fighter than its smallmouth cousin. My other better fish went for 1lb 8oz. I had one that was about 9 and the rest were all between 3-5. My dad did great today as well. He caught a total of 12 smallies and 8 bluegill. He also nabbed one largemouth. His best smallmouth was 1lb 1oz. He also had another that was about 9 10 and then the rest were the same size as mine. His bucket mouth went for about 9 10 as well but it had a nice size gut. Had to be from the bluegills the size of my palm that we were pulling in today. So total for the day was 28 smallmouth bass, 1 largemouth and 15 bluegill. The numbers were great and they were biting in many different areas but the following is what we found applied for most of the day. For the full report visit my blog site as it is a little too long to post here. But I do think it's worth your time. Discussion of a new smallie bait I found (inline spinner... not mepps) and the story of my pb are there. Pics will be up in a few minutes. Full post will be in my blog by 1030pm or so tonight. Enjoy folks. Average Dink My 8" SMB My 1lb 8oz SMB My 2lb 2oz SMB (PB) My Dad's 8" SMB My Dad's 1lb 1oz SMB Average Bluegill

Smallmouth tackle (current) -All different versions of Mepps inline spinners (4 - 5) -Gitzit Tubes, Venom Tubes, Strike King Tubes, and Riverside Tubes in sand, green pumpkin, watermelon, white, black cherry. 1/8 - 1/4oz tube head inserts -Rapala Jointed Minnows f-5, f-7 in trout pattern, gold, and minnow color -Terminator Tiny T Spinners and Stanley Mini spinners in multiple color configurations and blade configs -4" Senkos in green pumpkin and pearl w/ 1/8oz and 1/4oz tungsten weights -3/8oz Rattlehead jig in green pumpkin (new addition) Anything else I should consider or add for the trip?!?!? I throw hard jerkbaits and tubes most of the time. But I'm willing to try smaller hair jigs/jigs, plastics, etc if they work well to. Does anyone catch smallies around here on shakey heads?

Priceless. Gonna post the pic of the ugly ole monster as well (snakehead)? Glad to see all of you got something out there with the heat today. Later dad.

To all that have fished in the past couple weeks here. We have had some very consistent and stable weather over the last couple days and the trend continues until Monday or Tuesday. My dad and I are gonna launch at Algonkian Park tommorrow morning around 10am or so and fish til' about 3. I was just curious as far as what good spots contained up here on the upper potomac. I am trying for bigger fish so I am going to use larger jerkbaits (hard and soft), minnow stick baits (jointed rapalas), larger 3.5" tubes, etc. We are looking for the 2lbers and larger, but don't mind 10-12" fish either. Any help as far as what may benefit us as far as direction or what good spots contain up here (structure, cover, current, etc) would be awesome. Not looking for "spots" just info to put some together and find patterns. Are the islands productive? If so deeper side, shallower sides, points, etc? Are the fish suspending recently, holding close to bottom? Thanks in advance fellas. I'll have a report up Sunday morning with pictures if we manage to snag any. First time out but with the catches you guys are reporting I got a good feelin'. Oh yea, you guys are making me nervous lol. How close are the falls to the ramp? How fast is the current there??? I'm an amateur paddler. My dad is much better though. How far upstream should we paddle to get to the nicer spots, or is it all fishable throughout?

Hey Mrs. Matstone, Always great to get a new addition in the tackle, especially topwater. I was pumped about these topwater plastics when I saw the first show on tv back in January premiering the baits. The bass were slamming em' and the guys were just tearing it up. My dad and I bought them to give it a change of pace instead of always throwing your usual large topwater like buzzbaits. The shad's action is similar but that tail flap really drives the bass nuts. One thing I find is that the bass are pretty curious with this bait and they will follow it and make a wake for a while and not hit until your bait is close to the boat or the shore. It is SO HARD to not set the hook early with these, but if you wait too long the fish is gone lol. Definately takes practice. I'm in your boat as far as needing more time to adapt to this new lure. But one thing is for sure, it's definately effective! Good luck on the next few tries. Tight lines!

Hey Simon, we are going to meet at the same parking lot we did last time at the corner of falls hill ave and riverside dr. Then we are gonna hop in my car, drive down route three west and hit elys ford and wade the rapidan. I've been told there are some nicer sized fish in certain parts there and have some good general knowledge to start with. If your still up for it pm me today and I'll give you a buzz after work and let you know details. It's myself and my buddy eric right now. I got room in my car for two more people including you if you pack light. I'm only bringing one pole and one small tackle. Let me know man. We are gonna meet early, like 6:15am at the lot and then try and get to elys by 6:45 or so. It's not too far a drive from there. Leave your number on the pm too. I got room for one more if anyone else is interested in meeting up.

Hey Bassnbiker, good tip if youw ant to nail those channels. Buy some chicken livers from a grocery store. Purdue sells some small containers that can get you htrough a day. Be ready to smell worse than you ever had before. The stench is unbareable. However, you will catch fish all day. Buy some octopus hooks that are fairly large and believe it or not.... women's pantyhose lol. It WORKS. The reason is that the livers slip off the hook so quick you will not have time to set the hook. Do not use trebles with catfish (general rule of thumb). Put the livers inside the pantyhose and ball it up, then stick it on your hook. This way they will not fall off when you get the bite and you will have more time to set the hook. You will catch some monsters like this. They can find livers from across the lake man lol. And in a pond it shouldn't take long at all to get the hook set. Use these on a split slider rig. Basically put a couple split shots 8-10" up your line before the hook, and before the splits put a 1/4oz weight or whatever you need to hold bottom. It's almost like a wannabe carolina rig.The weight will keep it on the bottom where they feed most. Let us know how you do if you decide to try it man. Good luck out there.

I've caught a 3lber and a 5lber on a spinnerbait. Strike King Red Eye Special. If they are in the feeding mood they will hit pretty much anything. Especially if you are slow rolling the bait on the bottom. My dad has caught a 22lb channelc at on a small chatterbait at a farm pond (private) ridiculous fight!!!! Anyway we've also caught them on the Occoquan on crankbaits (Northern Va river).

So anyone going out on monday or looking to do some fishin'???

That's what I thought man. Thanks a lot bud. Just wanted to know cause I've caught a few of them the last couple times I've been out on the river.