After watching just about every single BassResource video that exists on youtube I figured I should go ahead and join the forum too. I started seriously fishing this past summer and used online resources to teach myself and after countless skunks at pressured local parks I finally caught one and was immediately hooked. 3 more months of skunking went by and after lots of trial and error most trips I catch fish now! I do desperately wish I could get the chance to fish from a real bass boat but realistically it seems I should try to get my hands on a good fishing kayak or an old Jon boat to get myself off the bank. Any tips on either boat alternatives would be greatly appreciated!

 

Bonus Pictures! My two PBs from Echo Lake Park in Central VA. 

Hello Scott and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

Congrats on the Nice Bass. 

A-Jay 

Welcome aboard Scott...

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome, enjoy the forums!

Welcome Scott. Great having you with us.

 

As for the difference between a canoe and a kayak, it is personal preference, although a canoe is relatively inexpensive when compared to a kayak.

 

You have more room in a canoe and can add a trolling motor and battery easier than a kayak, but you still have to 1) find a place to launch your canoe/kayak; 2) paddle around all day; and 3) watch the  tides if you go on tidal rivers as the tide can take control of your watercraft and away you go in the opposite direction you want to go.

 

Please make sure you have your fishing license as you will probably never see a conservation officer but if you do you want to be legal.

 

And always check out the tides on the local tidal rivers and know how to fish them.   https://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/virginiasites.html

 

As for places to fish in the greater Richmond geographical area, there are a number. I suggest you secure a copy of the 2020 or 2021 VG&IF booklet, Freshwater Fishing and Boating in Virginia, and check out Central Virginia for places to fish. There are many listed and you still have others that did not make the cut.

 

For example, the lake off Research Road; the pond on Lochinvar Road; the off limits pond on Hollyhills Road (outstanding but the locals will call the police on you); the City Park lakes; the lake behind the new Trader Joe's on Huguenot Road. (Lake is behind the office building behind Trader Joes. Easy parking and fish the bank with the trees! as best you can or fish by the road on the apartment side)

 

If you want to learn bass fishing from local guys who are great bass fishermen; fish out of a bass boat in club tournaments; learn where the ramps are located (easier said then done); and see the techniques and presentations the guys use at different times of the year, give me a call at the number I sent you via the Private Messenger on this site.

 

Maybe we can meet at Mission Bar-B-Q on Midlothian by Wegman's and Essex Bank after Christmas to discuss places to fish locally.

 

It is a shame that the Richmond Fishing Expo was cancelled. You can learn so much from the vendors; see many kayaks and talk with guys who fish out of them; hear some great seminars by the bass pros; and meet the movers and shakers in the Virginia bass fishing industry at the January show. Oh well, maybe later this year or next year.

 

Now a word to the wise: If you go Bass Pro Shops you need to find Conner in the fishing department. Conner is one of the best bass fishermen in the state. Nothing against the other guys, but they do not know bass fishing and will never get to Conner's level.

 

Also, Green Top has some good people in their fishing department. Ask for Bryan for help and any questions you may have. It is hit or miss with the Green Top fishing department staff until Freddy returns, if he does. (He is out due to the Chinese virus)

 

In the meantime, how about I scramble your brains by asking you to visit this site to see what Zoom has to offer in the form of their plastic baits. We can discuss this warehouse when we meet at Mission BBQ:

http://virginiaguidebaitco.com/ 

 

Good luck with your fishing and Merry Christmas! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Good to have you Scott.

 

Lots of smaller lakes down that way that is electric only so a Kayak or canoe makes sense. 

This past year I fished:

Holliday lake

Lake Robertson 

Douthat 

Bear creek 

Philpott 

Sherando 

All while camping with the wife. 

Welcome aboard.    Nice to have more va folks

8 hours ago, Sam said:

Welcome Scott. Great having you with us.

 

As for the difference between a canoe and a kayak, it is personal preference, although a canoe is relatively inexpensive when compared to a kayak.

 

You have more room in a canoe and can add a trolling motor and battery easier than a kayak, but you still have to 1) find a place to launch your canoe/kayak; 2) paddle around all day; and 3) watch the  tides if you go on tidal rivers as the tide can take control of your watercraft and away you go in the opposite direction you want to go.

 

Please make sure you have your fishing license as you will probably never see a conservation officer but if you do you want to be legal.

 

And always check out the tides on the local tidal rivers and know how to fish them.   https://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/virginiasites.html

 

As for places to fish in the greater Richmond geographical area, there are a number. I suggest you secure a copy of the 2020 or 2021 VG&IF booklet, Freshwater Fishing and Boating in Virginia, and check out Central Virginia for places to fish. There are many listed and you still have others that did not make the cut.

 

For example, the lake off Research Road; the pond on Lochinvar Road; the off limits pond on Hollyhills Road (outstanding but the locals will call the police on you); the City Park lakes; the lake behind the new Trader Joe's on Huguenot Road. (Lake is behind the office building behind Trader Joes. Easy parking and fish the bank with the trees! as best you can or fish by the road on the apartment side)

 

If you want to learn bass fishing from local guys who are great bass fishermen; fish out of a bass boat in club tournaments; learn where the ramps are located (easier said then done); and see the techniques and presentations the guys use at different times of the year, give me a call at the number I sent you via the Private Messenger on this site.

 

Maybe we can meet at Mission Bar-B-Q on Midlothian by Wegman's and Essex Bank after Christmas to discuss places to fish locally.

 

It is a shame that the Richmond Fishing Expo was cancelled. You can learn so much from the vendors; see many kayaks and talk with guys who fish out of them; hear some great seminars by the bass pros; and meet the movers and shakers in the Virginia bass fishing industry at the January show. Oh well, maybe later this year or next year.

 

Now a word to the wise: If you go Bass Pro Shops you need to find Conner in the fishing department. Conner is one of the best bass fishermen in the state. Nothing against the other guys, but they do not know bass fishing and will never get to Conner's level.

 

Also, Green Top has some good people in their fishing department. Ask for Bryan for help and any questions you may have. It is hit or miss with the Green Top fishing department staff until Freddy returns, if he does. (He is out due to the Chinese virus)

 

In the meantime, how about I scramble your brains by asking you to visit this site to see what Zoom has to offer in the form of their plastic baits. We can discuss this warehouse when we meet at Mission BBQ:

http://virginiaguidebaitco.com/ 

 

Good luck with your fishing and Merry Christmas! Looking forward to hearing from you.

I'll definitely make sure to give you a call soon! 

 

I was super bummed when I saw the Expo was cancelled. Would've made the Winter season a lot more bearable. I'd definitely be down to meet up and hear more about the club stuff too! Seems really cool. 

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

Welcome aboard, Scott! ??