Have you guys had any luck on Belle Isle in Richmond? There is a small quarry pond on the island as well as the James river surrounding the island. I live in the West End but have never tried fishing on Belle Isle.

I've tried Belle isle, the current is really strong here and i've been only able to hook into 1 very small SMB, and a few pan fish.  Last summer when the water level was extremely low I saw 2 huge cat fish while walking across the walkway from downtown to belle isle.  Another thing is that belle isle always has alot of people playing in the water near the quarry so you get alot of nasty looks from sunbathers and picnickers.  If you walk a bit north of the sunbather's you'll see a wall of dead trees that I've tried fishing from with friends, a few panfish were caught there but the water there seems too calm for any smallmouth, possibly cats here?

The quarry itself has panfish in it for sure but I've never been able to catch anything larger

I've never fished the pond but there is o.k. smallmouth fishing in the river, RARELY giants, occasionally a three pounder if you fish there enough. It recieves a good deal of pressure from bank fishermen, tubes and other traditional smallie baits work well, topwaters, flukes, etc. I fish the James alot, but mostly WAY upriver in my jet boat where there is actually a fairly high chance at a 5 plus, i'm not saying that its not possible to catch one near Richmond, but its not common, although I know people that have done it. Hope this helps somewhat. ;)Feel free to PM me with any questions.

I've never fished the pond but there is o.k. smallmouth fishing in the river, RARELY giants, occasionally a three pounder if you fish there enough. It recieves a good deal of pressure from bank fishermen, tubes and other traditional smallie baits work well, topwaters, flukes, etc. I fish the James alot, but mostly WAY upriver in my jet boat where there is actually a fairly high chance at a 5 plus, i'm not saying that its not possible to catch one near Richmond, but its not common, although I know people that have done it. Hope this helps somewhat. ;)Feel free to PM me with any questions.

You're getting 3lbers at belle isle? wow I've got to try there more often, where at belle isle are you fishing? I've always gone to Pony Pastures to fish for smallmouth.

Thats about what I expected. I have lived in Richmond my whole life but not done much fishing in the area and am going through different places in my mind and trying to figure out what I would like to try out when I et back in town. Thanks for the advice.

where will they spawn there this time of year?