Hey yall I'm looking for places to smallmouth fish. Are there any good places in VA?

James River

James River, Smith Mt. Lake, Lake Moomaw, Potomac River, Philpot Lake, Rapidan River, Rappahannock River are a few where I have caught smallmouth bass.

Where does the bass fishing get good on the James like above hopewell?

Jacob, plenty of places but not for light weight Trackers.

 

If you go you may want to take a raft trip down the Historic James River.

 

Or be extra careful and head to the Potomac.

 

And what about One Fish Anna?

 

Smallmouth fishing is great on the Historic James River above Watkins Landing in Powhatan County.

 

You can catch them in the Pony Pasture boulders, too, plus the rapids from the Pony Pasture to the fall line by I-95.

 

Since there are rocks and shallow water you will do better by wadding out there and take a friend along. The Historic James is very unforgiving when fishing for smallies.

Occoquan res in November and December.

No kidding?  Upper end? 

I've spent a lot of days on the Occoquan and have never caught a smallmouth.  Interesting...

No kidding?  Upper end? 

I've spent a lot of days on the Occoquan and have never caught a smallmouth.  Interesting...

I know of smallies caught as far down the res as Sandy! I caught one of my biggest around the fingers area but most of the ones I catch are in the splits and up in bull run. Had one well over 5 hooked up and lost at the boat a few years ago!!

Ramadan river for smallies

Rapidan

Jacob. Rapidan River. Average 16" smallies