Thanks for the great responses guys, this I what I know, and how I keep my composure out there on the Occoquan.  

Fast boats are out there, great veteran Fountainhead fisherman are out there, and big bass are out there.   There are 2100+ acres of water, no need to rush.  There are generally 35 boats at any given tourney.  Pre-fish days in advance and explore a new cove or tributary each time you go out.  When passing other fishermen, watch what they are throwing and where they are throwing, i.e., wood, stumps, dock, etc.  The Occoquan has taught me more than I could ever repay.  Study the enviroment, watch the Cranes, they generally hold where foolish bass are holding!  Anytime you can see a dirt point disappear into the merky deep, its holding fish.  Watch your temps, a 2* delta makes big gains.  Always talk to the the guy at the rental shed, he is very knowledgable, and I think he brings good fortune everytime I talk to him.

-G-

Ol' Smokey knows his stuff. He caught an 8 lber out of there last season! Huge fish.

He always helps my brother and I out too with what he was having luck with, and fishing. Real nice guy

just my price LOL funny stuff, anyways i'm surprised you havent been able to get a check flippin or at least be a contender must be ten times harder than i thought and i thought it already was the toughest tourney series in NOVA, do you fish the occoquan alot flippin? or just go to the tournament on a whim like those goofy strykul brothers LOL j/k

note the best strykul brother is the youngest, that kids a stick no lie

     

              Been fishing the Quan since the late 80's. I have been fishing it alot over the last 4 years or so, though not this year. I fish it for fun, tourny's and pre-fished tourny's for myself and for other anglers that could not make it out to do so. But with tendonitise and while almost getting killed in a not so famous boating accident (made me a little gun shy) while pre-fishing a tounry late last fall.

                 I feel I know the place well and have put together winning sacks, just not on the day of the tourny.  

                   JEJMoe, if you made it to Bull Run Marina you missed a left turn at the splits.  

Thanks for the great responses guys, this I what I know, and how I keep my composure out there on the Occoquan.  

Fast boats are out there, great veteran Fountainhead fisherman are out there, and big bass are out there.   There are 2100+ acres of water, no need to rush.  There are generally 35 boats at any given tourney.  Pre-fish days in advance and explore a new cove or tributary each time you go out.  When passing other fishermen, watch what they are throwing and where they are throwing, i.e., wood, stumps, dock, etc.  The Occoquan has taught me more than I could ever repay.  Study the enviroment, watch the Cranes, they generally hold where foolish bass are holding!  Anytime you can see a dirt point disappear into the merky deep, its holding fish.  Watch your temps, a 2* delta makes big gains.  Always talk to the the guy at the rental shed, he is very knowledgable, and I think he brings good fortune everytime I talk to him.

-G-

            G, I hate to tell you. But watch who is in the money every tourny......The ones with the fast boats. I'll have a great and I mean great pre-fish and show up to that spot and there is some one with a faster boat already there. Now don't just cut them off...... That can  get real tricky! I would hate to be an outcast with that crew, they can be tough. Run and gun is the ticket. When somebody gets near me I'll stop fishing, move or pick up something else like a c-rigged buzzbait to keep them guessing

A C-rigged buzzbait huh?  It's d@mn near illegal to reveal that long kept secret!

Dont forget the old crankbait on a bobber, go-to bait.

               Let us not leave out the 100% tungsten popper, probably the most incredible topwater action you will "never" see.

how can some of these guys get there boats so fast? i get that i have an 8 hp so i wont do what all them with a 9.9 have but i'm just wondering if some of these guys are running 15 with 9.9 stickers? also i saw a guy put in somewhere down towards the d**n some private neighborhood launch with what looked like a 40 could have just been me but it was definitely not a small outboard. game warden give people a hard time if they suspect your running a bigger motor? (buddys got a 15 we'd love to use there but have been afraid to)

How far upstream are we talking.  I have yet to fish beyond the BR marina.  Anyone have any insight on this?

If you run up past Bull Run Marina KEEP TO THE LEFT going under the bridge.  I didn't >, enough said.  

I still need to check out the occoquan river arm.  Just put on the 9.9 so now I have the ability without it taking all day.

how can some of these guys get there boats so fast?

I believe it's called swap out.  Either you swap out sticker, carbs, powerheads (since 9.9-18 all kind of look alike) or if they have the $$ porting.  I think porting is the last option as it costs the most.  

I just don't see how no one has questioned it yet.  At $40 a pop times 30 or so boats that is a pretty good purse.  Now if caught "cheating" with that kind of money on the line wouldn't that constitute larceny in VA.    not to stir the pot or anyting (I don't fish them, just get swamped sometimes by those who do)

I fish the tourneys too. I have talked to a few anglers regarding their boats. Quite a few of them have their casting decks made out of aluminum. I know my boat unfortunately has a ton of wood parts. I have also noticed Hydrofoil Stabilizers being used. In a few trial runs I have conducted I have seen a difference in speed just by moving the live well a few feet. Just a few things I have noticed

My boat is also all plywood...I know some of those guys use honeycomb aluminum as well. It's honeycomb with an aluminum base. Featherweight if you ask me...

Those guys definetly are runnin bigger motors than 9.9s too. I can ASSURE you that.

My secret to speed on the Rez: I have twin 250 Mercury Optimaxes with a 9 sticker on one and a .9 on the other.  You should have seen Ole Smokey's face when I did a Fountainhead flyby with my fishing partner water skiing behind me in my 14' Lowe

G-Rod,  I may be wrong, but I believe water skiing is prohibited on the rez.  Just for future reference.   I'd hate to see John Law get ya.

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic, but I'm quite sure he was kidding... ;D

OK, what do you think about the options of disguising a waverunner/jet ski motor to look like a cooler/livewell in a jon boat?  I will still have the 9.9 on the back.  Might require some duct tape and some epoxy....maybe  a few bungee cords, hole saw...Gotta go check out Craig's List.  

 

You forgot the bubble gum.