Retired from the Marine Corps last year and relocated from CA to northern VA a couple months ago and am really loving the area thus far, truly beautiful. A buddy of mine loves bass fishing and I've gone with him a few times over the last five years or so but have never done any consistent bass fishing. This past weekends weather was pretty nice and we decided to go out to a friend of a friends pond. Had a great time as expected but none of us know of many locations yet and are really looking forward to exploring the area.

 

I had a couple decent trout setups (St Croix Premier and Fenwick HMX with Pflueger Presidents) that I used last week. The Fenwick just didnt have the backbone to set hooks and was way to sensitive (felt everything in the water) and the St Croix was a bit too numb feeling so I decided to find something better for bass. I ended grabbing the Lew's Tournament SK combo Gander Mountain had on sale. I was a bit nervous with regard to a casting reel but I dialed it in using suggestions on the forum and went out to the driveway for some practice. Had a couple near misses on the birdsnest front (friend calls them professional overruns ) but was able to clear them and get some good practice in. After about 30 minutes I was doing pretty good and was really pleased with the casters, so much so that I never want to use a spinning reel ever again. They are so smooth and the line stays so nice on them (Suffix Elite 10lb mono in this case).

 

Cant wait to get out on the water! Any suggestions on a location that is friendly for fishing off the shore?

Welcome!

Welcome to Virginia and thank you for your service.

 

Please get the free Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet at any tackle shop, Wal-Mart and the big box stores and look up the northern Virginia geographical area for places to fish.

 

A private pond in a subdivision, apartment  or building complex would be great if you can find one and are allowed to fish it.

 

Don't forget heading west towards Leesburg and Winchester for places to fish along with going south towards Richmond.

 

You really need a boat or join a bass club as a nonboater and fish the Potomac and other Virginia bodies of water.

 

If you need help selecting rods, reels and baits please let us know and we will bomb you with our input.

P.S.  Please add your location to your avatar so we can help you better.

Greetings and Welcome to the forums

Welcome to Virginia and thank you for your service.

 

Please get the free Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet at any tackle shop, Wal-Mart and the big box stores and look up the northern Virginia geographical area for places to fish.

 

A private pond in a subdivision, apartment  or building complex would be great if you can find one and are allowed to fish it.

 

Don't forget heading west towards Leesburg and Winchester for places to fish along with going south towards Richmond.

 

You really need a boat or join a bass club as a nonboater and fish the Potomac and other Virginia bodies of water.

 

If you need help selecting rods, reels and baits please let us know and we will bomb you with our input.

Speaking of tackle shops, is there a good resource for finding local shops? I've run some google searches but havent found a lot up here. Gander Mountain is ok but I'd much rather find a mom and pop store with some good local info and real expertise. I'll be sure to grab that resource ASAP. Sunday morning I fished a private pond that is supposed to be very good down in King George. Water was still quite cold and there wasnt much cover in the shallows which isnt typical for this pond from what my buddies tell me. Still had a blast but I want to check out some other areas (I'm in Woodbridge). Speaking of which, Powell Creek runs right behind our place. Is there anything in there? I ran some searches and it seems it may be protected and looks to be fed via Lake Montclair. Sounded like it had decent fishing if you have access (have a buddy that lives there).

Welcome to BR.  Enjoy the forums.  Thanks for serving.

Hello and Thank You for your Service.

 

Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 

A-Jay

Welcome!

Welcome To BR!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to the forums!

 

Jeff

Welcome aboard!

Welcome!

Welcome home!