So I live in Arlington and I'm trying to find a few places close to home to do some decent after work fishing. I realize the odds of finding honey holes in this area is slim but....Anyone have any suggestions?

The Potomac!

I live in Arlington as well, finding good productive water around here is difficult.  Not owning a boat only increases my frustration because I'm limited to places that rent boats or shore fishing (which I am not a fan of).  Fairfax county has the most water.  Tons of small ponds that you can shore fish from, I use google maps and zoom in to find little ponds and make a list and visit them when I can.  There is Burke Lake if Fairfax, tough fishing but the fish are there and they rent boats and trolling motors.  Fountainhead Regional Park in Occoquan is a decent reservoir that rents boats and motors too, again tough fishing IMO.  The Potomac is supposed to be a great fishery is you can get on it.  I haven't yet because there is only one place that rents boats that I could find, that is Pohick Bay, and they have weird hours for rentals.  Use this website to research and find water:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/

Maryland is close too!  Lots of lakes and stuff there too!  

There are a lot of knowledgeable people here on the forum that can point you in the right direction.  Don't be shy of sending out a few PMs asking for help of suggestions.  Everyone here is happy to lend a hand!  Hope this helps ya out!

Yeah I've heard the Potomac can be hit or miss...I've heard the shore over by Jefferson Davis Highway can be productive. Fishing from the shore sucks.. wouldn't mind going out in waders but I'd hate to glow in the dark later from all that crap in the water.

That spot on jeff. davis is pretty good. lots of structure and near the bridge has been pretty productive for a friend of mine that fishes there often. He's caught striper there too. It can get crowded though. I had a few guys with multiple surf rods set up shop right next to me  > They had the WHOLE shore line open but chose to plant themselves within casting distance of me. oh well.

I am looking for people to go out on the Potomac with me once in a while.  I fish Mattawoman Creek (MD), Powells Creek, Neabsco Creek and I am going to start fishing Aquia Creek soon.  I typically launch out of Leesylvania State Park when I go out.  I have also fished Pohick a few times.  If anyone is ever looking to try the Potomac River that is currently a shore fishermen, drop me a PM.

That spot on jeff. davis is pretty good. lots of structure and near the bridge has been pretty productive for a friend of mine that fishes there often. He's caught striper there too. It can get crowded though. I had a few guys with multiple surf rods set up shop right next to me > They had the WHOLE shore line open but chose to plant themselves within casting distance of me. oh well.

Is that the time we went w/ Jeremy?  I couldn't believe they started casting so close to you guys.  It didn't do them any good though: bad karma from poaching your spot equalled no fish for them (at least that I saw).

That spot on jeff. davis is pretty good. lots of structure and near the bridge has been pretty productive for a friend of mine that fishes there often. He's caught striper there too. It can get crowded though. I had a few guys with multiple surf rods set up shop right next to me > They had the WHOLE shore line open but chose to plant themselves within casting distance of me. oh well.

Is that the time we went w/ Jeremy? I couldn't believe they started casting so close to you guys. It didn't do them any good though: bad karma from poaching your spot equalled no fish for them (at least that I saw).

Yeah! That spot! Seems like it could be very productive and there was a lot of shore line to cover.

AndreDo124, any advice on where to park or areas you guys fished? I may just walk the shore all on that va side of the bridge...esp up under the bridge there.

sorry about the late response. I forgot the name of the parking lot but I think, i'm horrible with directions, if you're coming from the east (from like old town alexandria) and you're going west on the jeff. davis. hwy you'll see a large parking lot on your left. I just parked there and walked over the small bridge to the other side and made my way to the shoreline from there. I'll try and get the name of the parking lot and get back to you. sorry if my response doesn't make much sense.