Kerr Reservoir
Bobcats Lake Country Store reports:
Even with water temperatures in the mid 40’s to 50s, bass fishing has been good. Most fishermen are using shallow running crankbaits, Ratt-l-traps, jerkbaits and jigs. Fish have been holding on red clay banks and rocky points in 1 to 8 feet of water. Reports of good numbers of fish and 5 fish bags from 14 to 19 pounds have been coming in.
James at Lynchburg
At Angler’s Lane, Stanley Davis says that the smallmouth bite in the James has really slowed. Anglers are lucky to land 1 or 2 fish. Muskies, however, like these conditions and are taking baitfish, crawfish and sucker imitators. The water is 53 to 70 degrees, clear and “on the high side.”
Jackson River
Trout fishing in the Jackson is good, says Angler’s Lane. The rainbows and browns are going for nymphs and streamers. The water is clear, 51 degrees and at a good level.
Mountain Streams
The brookies in the mountains are ending their spawn and are biting nymphs. The water is in the upper 40s, clear and at a medium level.
New River
Tangent Outfitters reports slow fishing for smallmouth. Muskies are biting, but nothing spectacular. Try bulldogs or tubes in silver, white or grey. The water is clear, low and in the upper 30s to low 40s. The big business at Tangent this time of year is duck hunting. Duck season began on December 14th in West Virginia, and on December 17th in Virginia. Tangent provides everything you need for a great hunt – including up to 3 dogs! Contact them at tangentoutfitters@gmail.com
Shenandoah River
Harry Murray says that the water in both forks of the Shenandoah is cold, and should be fished in the deep areas of the deepest pools. The water is 54 degrees, clear and at a normal level.
Western Trout Streams
Fishing for rainbows and browns in the stocked and delayed harvest streams in the Valley is quite good. Fish below riffles and deep pools.
The mountain brookie streams are too cold for good fishing.
Potomac River
Fish are on the Drops
Very short days and longer nights have dropped water temperatures and fish are moving to steep drops. The water temperature is settling in around 45 degrees – it’s now winter fishing.
Break out ½-ounce silver Silver Buddy blade baits. Tie to 8-pound test GAMMA Copoly on a medium action rod. Locate the first drops from 3-5 feet into 8 feet or more. Cast to shallows and gently burp and allow baits to fall on semi slack line. Watch for line jumps, set the hook. Take care with fish as a lot of them will be big, so don’t horse them.
Use suspending Lucky Craft Bevy Shads and Pointer 78DDs on 8-pound test with medium action rods. Casting gear, try Edge fluorocarbon, Copoly for spinning. Reel down a few feet and use slight taps with frequent pauses as long as 15 seconds followed by very slight taps.
Once the right fish depth is found, use 1/4-ounce ball head jigs with Mann’s Stingray grub, 3 inch avocado color on 6-pound test leader on 15-pound GAMMA Torque braid. Gentle lifts and slow drops keep baits parallel to the bottom, staying in the strike zone. A spray of Jack’s Juice gets fish to hold on longer.
Green pumpkin to junebug Mizmo tubes on the same line with a 1/4-ounce insert head fished the same the grub will also produce. Allow bait to glide horizontally and avoid hopping. Let baits sit between movements. Try shaking too.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River info@nationalbass.com
Chickahominy Lake
The lake temperature has plunged in to the 40’s. but the fish are still biting.
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Jesse Kelley had 13 crappie and 3 pickerel. Tom Porter had 19 crappie and 1 pickerel.