Just got back from Mercer; my original email was going to say 3 small (very small) bass and one bluegill but will amend that to 3 small bass, one 3lb bass and one bluegill.

Fishing the dam side and saw baitfish busting near shore; threw a green pumpkinseed *** worm (5 inch) and wham.  Of course he managed to swallow it.  Looked down saw hook sticking out of (I think) his gullet.  Almost ripped it out and then remembered the technique where you pull the line out through their gills and rotate the hook up. Well guess what sports fans, it really works.  Hook didn't pop out but completely turned around and pulled out easily with needle nose and no blood.  Felt good to turn him loose.

Had local guy go by in the float tube; he showed me 3-4 bass (one at least 5lbs) he had on stinger.  Nohting illegal about keeping them but if we keep taking them out then somebody is going to catch the last one.  I don't think VA DNR stocks Mercer, does anybody know for sure.

I wouldn't think they stocked those local lakes but I'm sure the bass are spawning there naturally. It's a shame but as long as there aren't too many people taking the fish it shouldn't kill off the population.

I don't like when people pull big fish out to keep and eat.  I know we are all allowed to keep and eat fish but when people pull the big fish out it hurts the fishing for us all.  I have no problem with people keeping smaller fish to eat though.  Someone needs to talk to that person and explain the reasons for taking the smaller fish rather than the larger.  If people keep taking big fish it will hurt the fishery for sure.