When do you NVA guys think the fish will spawn this year? I wasn't fishing last spring and summer up until early fall so I have no idea when they have been spawning the past couple of years.

I think end of April to early May

They were starting to spawn in March this past year at Anna, the warm winter we had pushed spawning up a little early, this year we are a good bit cooler so far so it may be April/May.

 

There was not much of a kill off of shad last season, water temps even in the upper branches were above 50 most all of winter. 

When the Dogwoods bloom in your area is when the bass are on their beds.

 

Don't tell anyone. This is a secret!!!

When the Dogwoods bloom in your area is when the bass are on their beds.

 

Don't tell anyone. This is a secret!!!

aha thank you.

Only a few more months!!  I went to fish off the shore at Leesylvania yesterday (not expecting to catch anything.... and didn't).  It was a great day just to get out, cast some lures, and test new equipment. I just wish I could have taken my boat out.  I really need a heated garage so I don't have to worry about winterizing my boat.  This way I can go out on warmer days.  Anyways I'm getting sidetracked.

 

Can't wait for the spawn.  

Only a few more months!!  I went to fish off the shore at Leesylvania yesterday (not expecting to catch anything.... and didn't).  It was a great day just to get out, cast some lures, and test new equipment. I just wish I could have taken my boat out.  I really need a heated garage so I don't have to worry about winterizing my boat.  This way I can go out on warmer days.  Anyways I'm getting sidetracked. Can't wait for the spawn.  

x2. I went out for a few hours yesterday with my friend just practicing our pitching/flipping and messing with our tackle and the ducks.

Only a few more months!!  I went to fish off the shore at Leesylvania yesterday (not expecting to catch anything.... and didn't).  It was a great day just to get out, cast some lures, and test new equipment. I just wish I could have taken my boat out.  I really need a heated garage so I don't have to worry about winterizing my boat.  This way I can go out on warmer days.  Anyways I'm getting sidetracked.

 

Can't wait for the spawn.  

I don't winterize my boat. If you take it out ever few weeks you should be fine! 

Aren't you worried about water freezing and expanding in you water intake and exhaust and what not?

Aren't you worried about water freezing and expanding in you water intake and exhaust and what not?

No.  Keep the OB vertical (i.e. not on a transom saver) when in storage and any water will drain.

Ha. That's what I do right now so rain water doesn't get in. So you're saying I could be fishing on these warm days?

Ha. That's what I do right now so rain water doesn't get in. So you're saying I could be fishing on these warm days?

Yes.  As a limited example, there are boats on the Occoquan (river and reservoir) 12 months of the year.

 

I fired my OB up (in a tank of water) two days ago.  No problems, started right up.

Well not that it matters but those are 9.9 and under obs. I know the concept is the same but I've got a lot invested in this thing and am still a little scared to do this. You've got me tempted though.

And keep your battery charger plugged in during the layup time.

 

You can take your boat out in Northern Virginia/Southern Maryland in the winter. Many of my friends are still fishing these weekends and holidays down here in the Richmond area without any problems.

 

In fact, they have been clobbering the big ladies on Lake Chesdin. Our current Virginia "Mr. Bass" posted a pic of himself with at least an 8 pounder he caught this weekend.

 

So take the boat out. Just be sure to dress warm and be more cautious than during the warm months when the water is warmer and falling out of the boat is not a problem.

Well not that it matters but those are 9.9 and under obs. I know the concept is the same but I've got a lot invested in this thing and am still a little scared to do this. You've got me tempted though.

 

No HP limit on the river/bay. There is a long no wake zone, but that's OK for this purpose.

 

On the Occoquan reservoir, yes, there is a 9.9 limit, but they are two separate bodies of water.

No HP limit on the river/bay. There is a long no wake zone, but that's OK for this purpose.

 

On the Occoquan reservoir, yes, there is a 9.9 limit, but they are two separate bodies of water.

That they are... still worried about freezing water when it's on my trailer. You may have talked me into taking it out.  I just feel like everyone that takes their boat out in the winter has heated garages.