Hey Y'all,

 

I just recently moved to Richmond, VA from New Orleans, LA, but originally from Southern California. Unfortunately, I never fished in New Orleans. I was busy eating all the great food in the Big Easy. I am brand new to bass fishing, but grew up doing a lot of trout fishing in a lake (not lures or fly), surf fishing, and pier. Checking out a Cabela's, I saw a great deal for a Lew's casting combo. I had very little experience with a salt water bait caster, but I always knew most bass anglers use a bait caster and decided to take on the challenge. So far, I'm not doing bad. Only one FUBAR backlash that needed to be cut out, after I exhausted all the techniques to repair. However, reading these forums, I over spooled my reel anyways - so the backlash helped me. Being brand new to Virginia, I'm still trying to find some good fishing holes. I'll appreciate any advice or locations to catch some bass. I don't have a boat so everything needs to be bank fishing. I really enjoy it, even though it's hot as hell out right now. The complexity of understanding your equipment and surroundings are exciting and pretty challenging. Right now, I am only using senkos in a wacky rig (no weight added). I am not sure if this is right, but I have 30lb braid on my reel and tie on a 10lb fluoro or mono leader. Also, I have had at least 5 fish slip a hook. I don't understand what I am doing wrong setting the d**n hook. If anyone can help me figure that out that would be nice. So far I can catch 2-3 fish in about hour. My biggest bass is 2lbs haha. I lost what looked like a 3-4 pounder on the bank. I got excited and tried to drag the fish on land getting it caught on a stick which snapped my leader. Looking forward to learn from everyone and improve my skills.

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

A-Jay

Welcome aboard!

JR, welcome to the Forum. Great having you with us.

 

Now, some facts of Richmond Fishing Life from a NOLA native living in Richmond:

1.  Get a copy of the free 2017 Fishing in Virginia booklet. It is free and you can get a copy at Bass Pro Shops and maybe Dick's or Cabela's.

2.  If you are serious about learning where to fish and various techniques may I suggest you join the Richmond Bassmasters next year. They meet the 4th Wednesday at Debby's Kitchen (no meeting this month) starting at 7 PM.  You will learn where to launch your boat; how the guys approach different lakes and rivers; and meet the  movers and shakers in the Virginia bass industry.

3.  When you get your Fishing in Virginia booklet look at the various places to fish. Give each a try.

4.  The Historic James River is very dangerous in the rocks.  If you do fish the Pony Pasture please go with a buddy and wear your life vest all the time.

5.  Talk to Mike and Conner at BPS for suggestions on tackle and baits.  They are both tournament fishermen. 

6.  Talk to the guys at Green Top. They are also tournament guys.

7.  Nothing personal, but the guys at Cabela's are not that knowledgeable about bass fishing so avoid them.

 

Please add your location on your avatar so we can give you better advice.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

P.S.  Other than for Audubon Park lagoon and the City Park lakes, there are very few fresh water places to fish in NOLA.

And by the way, the LSU alumni chapter is strong in Richmond and they have a crawfish boil in May and a Turkey Fry in November plus a gumbo party in February. 
 

Remember to yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set the hook.

Thanks Sam! I live right next door to the Cabela's, so I'll grab a booklet asap. I know what you mean about the Cabela's guys. I used to be an interrogator and I have a habit of researching my questions to see if the information corroborates. The Cabela's guys failed haha. Depending on how much time I have, I might join the VCU Bass team. Looks like it will give me an opportunity to get on a boat. 

 

Right now, my go to spot is Innsbrook (Rooty lake). Super close to me and they have a decent amount of fish. I'm prepping to go out in a minute and try some drop shots by the fountain. See if any bass are trying to cool off by that cover. Cycling down the Virginia Capital Trail I noticed some good cover in the river. Not sure if you've tried that area.

 

Again, Thanks for the tips. I actually never saw anyone fish Audubon. Used to live across the street from it. I did see a dead body in it though. Also, If you know a good spot in Richmond for crawfish. Let me know. 

Welcome to Bass Resource. Enjoy reading & contributing in the forums.

4 hours ago, JRez said:

Thanks Sam! I live right next door to the Cabela's, so I'll grab a booklet asap. I know what you mean about the Cabela's guys. I used to be an interrogator and I have a habit of researching my questions to see if the information corroborates. The Cabela's guys failed haha. Depending on how much time I have, I might join the VCU Bass team. Looks like it will give me an opportunity to get on a boat. 

 

Right now, my go to spot is Innsbrook (Rooty lake). Super close to me and they have a decent amount of fish. I'm prepping to go out in a minute and try some drop shots by the fountain. See if any bass are trying to cool off by that cover. Cycling down the Virginia Capital Trail I noticed some good cover in the river. Not sure if you've tried that area.

 

Again, Thanks for the tips. I actually never saw anyone fish Audubon. Used to live across the street from it. I did see a dead body in it though. Also, If you know a good spot in Richmond for crawfish. Let me know. 

 

Sorry, no good places for crawfish in Richmond. But down in Petersburg there is the Ragin Cajun restaurant that is as close to Louisiana cuisine as you can find up here. Check them out on the Internet: http://www.djsrajuncajun.com/

 

If you are up this way in May get back with me as we have a great LSU crawfish boil. All the mudbugs you can eat!!!

 

The Fishing in Virginia booklet has a list of places you can fish from the bank. Take one day and go around to all of them and select the ones you want to visit once again.  They are on your side of the river

 

Golf courses, when closed on Mondays, are good places to fish, if you can find one that will allow you.

 

I grew up fishing the Audubon Park Lagoon. Never did get to the City Park lakes.

 

Welcome to Richmond. And keep your options open for Richmond Bassmasters for next year in January or February, depending on your school schedule and their eight tournament trail.

Welcome!

welcome from indiana

Welcome aboard , and there is plenty of water chucked with LMB in central VA

Briery. Bugs Island , Sandy river, Connor Lake and a hoist of others in 75 mile radius of you. 

Edited July 22, 20178 yr by david in va
spelling

Hello and Welcome! 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

Welcome to the forum. I also live in va on the other end of the James from you a few hours away. I lived in Gulfport ms for five years and I really miss the Louisiana food. 

Welcome!

Hello and welcome aboard JRez!

On 7/22/2017 at 1:34 PM, david in va said:

Welcome aboard , and there is plenty of water chucked with LMB in central VA

Briery. Bugs Island , Sandy river, Connor Lake and a hoist of others in 75 mile radius of you. 

Thanks David. I'm definitely going to fish a lot of these areas. Right now I'm fishing all the bodies of water in a 5 mile radius. I reside in short pump so theres a lot of random ponds/lakes. So far, I had some good luck. Now I'm in a slump, but it might be to this crazy heat wave. Can't seem to track them now. Been using drop shot fluke, drop shot wacky worm, regular wacky rig. I do get bites, but I think it's either baby bass or sun fish. It feels like a tick tick.

go very early in the morning [ before six ] or late in the pm after 8

 

 Heck, I don't care for this hot weather either  

 Heck, I don't care for this hot weather either  

1 hour ago, david in va said:

go very early in the morning [ before six ] or late in the pm after 8

 

 Heck, I don't care for this hot weather either  

 Heck, I don't care for this hot weather either  

Booya! Went cycling on the Virginia capital trail. Knew I would be back around 7:50pm so I brought my rod for a few quick cast (in bike gear) at shiplock haha. Reeled in a 1.5lb in 5 min. My finance thinks I'm crazy now. Slump over.

When it is as hot as it has been the past few weeks, don't waist your time fishing from 10am until around 8 pm. That is unless a front moves in or it starts to rain

On ‎7‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 8:11 PM, huffman1988 said:

Welcome to the forum. I also live in va on the other end of the James from you a few hours away. I lived in Gulfport ms for five years and I really miss the Louisiana food. 

 

You are welcome at our LSU crawfish boil, gumbo party and turkey fry.

 

A little taste of Louisiana in Richmond.

 

Dates:

Crawfish Boil - 2nd or 3rd Saturday in May

Turkey Fry - Bamasux game, usually first Saturday in November

Gumbo Party- Usually in February before Mardi Gras

 

Contact me as we get closer to the future dates.

Welcome!

On 7/25/2017 at 3:15 AM, Sam said:

 

You are welcome at our LSU crawfish boil, gumbo party and turkey fry.

 

A little taste of Louisiana in Richmond.

 

Dates:

Crawfish Boil - 2nd or 3rd Saturday in May

Turkey Fry - Bamasux game, usually first Saturday in November

Gumbo Party- Usually in February before Mardi Gras

 

Contact me as we get closer to the future dates.

That would be awesome especially the crawfish boil. I miss the boudin and cracklings more then anything (not sure if I spelled that right). 

Welcome Home! We're glad you're here.