The fish were really chewing on the blades and lipless cranks today, we basically "video game fished" all day over bait balls and anything else that looked like fish. Saw plenty of bass boats zipping around but only one of them fished offshore (from what we saw) like we did. Landed about 10-15 bass apiece (my two little brothers and I) up to 3lbs. We also caught plenty of white perch and catfish. The bass started pushing bait to the surface this evening and if you were in the right place at the right time when they boiled, they would hammer a jerkbait. I am starting to like this power-plant lake stuff 

This was during a 5 minute blitz when we were hooking fish within seconds of our baits hitting the bottom. The bloody fish appeared to swim off okay.

I didn't mean to make this fish take up half the picture, he was only 2.5lbs

Kitty

Wow looks like a good time for sure.  

You guys really should be wearing PFDs in this kind of weather.  I know the water temp is higher there because of the power plant and all but this time of year a PFD should be standard gear.

Nice, sounds like a good time out!

well done! that's the way to spend a nice December day

Wow looks like a good time for sure.  

You guys really should be wearing PFDs in this kind of weather.  I know the water temp is higher there because of the power plant and all but this time of year a PFD should be standard gear.

We always carry them in our boats but you're right, we should have had them on today. PFDs will be on in the next set of photos if we get into some more

We always carry them in our boats but you're right, we should have had them on today. PFDs will be on in the next set of photos if we get into some more

 

not trying to bust your chops i would just hate to read about something happening to you guys knowing i could have at least mentioned it

 

On that note, I may need to meet up with you guys on one of your trips out there this winter.....cabin fever is already setting in for me.

Those power plant lakes are a lifesaver for me. Not sure how I ever made it through winter before I started fishing them. 

Nice!

Outstanding!

 

And always have your PFD's on when you are on the water.

Looks like a great day.  Congratulations.

Nice going!

You guys really should be wearing PFDs in this kind of weather.  I know the water temp is higher there because of the power plant and all but this time of year a PFD should be standard gear.

 

Here in PA, they're mandatory from November through March (I believe) if you're on the water.

Here in PA, they're mandatory from November through March (I believe) if you're on the water.

 

 

Mandatory for all boats less than 16 feet including canoes & kayaks during the cold water period.  

How warm is lake anna this time of year? I'm a fellow northern virginia angler myself and I'm dying to get bass fishing like it is in the summer. thank you

How warm is lake anna this time of year? I'm a fellow northern virginia angler myself and I'm dying to get bass fishing like it is in the summer. thank you

The hot side has been anywhere from 54 to 75 degrees depending on how close we are to the plant.

Does that type of temperature swing mess with the bass and their spawning times?

The hot side has been anywhere from 54 to 75 degrees depending on how close we are to the plant.

do the fish swarm the plant during the winter and are the bass sluggish like during a normal winter in a normal pond?

do the fish swarm the plant during the winter and are the bass sluggish like during a normal winter in a normal pond?

Nope, we actually caught more fish in the water under 60 degrees, they just follow the bait. We found few fish over 2lbs on cover (8' of visibility so you can see them all). It's really weird, the fish don't behave correctly at all like how they should in winter, or during any time of year. You can sight cast for bass cruising riprap at the dikes, and then go catch one on a school of bait on the bottom in 40FOW. 

Nope, we actually caught more fish in the water under 60 degrees, they just follow the bait. We found few fish over 2lbs on cover (8' of visibility so you can see them all). It's really weird, the fish don't behave correctly at all like how they should in winter, or during any time of year. You can sight cast for bass cruising riprap at the dikes, and then go catch one on a school of bait on the bottom in 40FOW. 

I barely understand bass as it is that's wild! I just read an article about how to fish Lake Anna and none of it made logical sense to my bass knowledge. I just want to feel the tug on the end of my line to get me through the winter.

 

Tight Lines

 

C

I barely understand bass as it is that's wild! I just read an article about how to fish Lake Anna and none of it made logical sense to my bass knowledge. I just want to feel the tug on the end of my line to get me through the winter.

 

Tight Lines

 

C

If I want to catch bass in the summer...you won't find me at One Fish Anna.

Does that type of temperature swing mess with the bass and their spawning times?

They are supposed to spawn early, I hope I can get out there during the spawn, I'm not a huge fan of bed fishing but it will be interesting to see if the fish are in different stages depending on proximity to the plant.

We fished Anna a few years ago on the "hot side." Rented a house there, had a boat port and unlimited access. I used a guide for one day and fished 6 days by ourselves in the early spring. Had a great time! Not a ton of fish, but we caught plenty in a variety of different places.  The warm water took a little bit to get used to for my first power plant lake experience.