Because of the relatively warm water in Lake Anna, due to the nuclear generators and discharge, this body of water usually turns on before the other major lakes in Virginia – Buggs, Gaston and Smith Mountain. For 2016, Anna is right on schedule. Lots of nice bass are coming to scales according to Anna Point Marina and the crappie bite should happen soon.
Rion Summers, the Golf Pro at Meadowcreek Gold Course in Charlottesville, visited Anna on Leap Year Day, Feb. 29, and boated a 5-4 largemouth on a Red Eye Shad. Other nice catches include Mike Roy, 7-13 on a jig ‘n pig; Jim Funk, 5-2 on a jig ‘n pig; and Johnny Wolfe, 6-5 on a jerk bait. Rich Newton and Wilson Bradley combined for a total weight of 11-13 to won a local tournament. Their big fish weighed 4-10. It looks the fishing season for bass is underway.
The Rivers
The New, James, Shenandoah and upper Potomac were all running high and muddy after last week’s heavy rainfall, following the snowmelt. Nothing much to report except that the water levels are dropping and spring weather will soon be here.
Chickahominy River
The perch bite is on at the Chickahominy River. The Chick is somewhat protected from high water due to Walkers Dam. Mike Johncox at Riverside Camp in Lanexa noted that some of his clients were weighing in citation size yellow perch ((12-inches or better).
Crappie are also beginning to stir below the dam along with both channel cats and blue cats. Several bass pushing 8 pounds have been weighed recently on the Riverside scales.
Potomac River
Muddy water, tough fishing
Cold muddy water is very tough to fish. Finding clearer and warmer water is important this week. Water is still very cold, 38 degrees, but will warm over the next few weeks. Mid-March should provide much better fishing. What a week this was. Mid 60s to start the week, but 30s and snow by Friday. Overnight lows in the 30s.
Seeking warm water, locate Blue Plains, Four Mile Run, and Quantico Creek have warm water discharges and are in the upper 40s and into the low 50s. The closer to the discharge, the clearer and warmer the water.
In these areas, Lucky Craft Pointer 78 suspending jerkbaits will get somewhat active bass to bite. Longer pauses are needed. Light 6-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line on spinning reels enable longer casts and help keep baits down and suspending. Also try swim baits like Mann’s NEW HardNose Reel N Shads. Try the smallest, 3.75″ white on 6-pound test Edge. Again, long casts and slow retrieve. Cranking rods for both to allow fish to inhale baits.
For the rest of the river, it will be tough, look for deeper drops close to the bank in out of the current areas, like the Spoils, National Harbor, and Belle Haven Cove. Silver Buddy blade baits on 8-pound test Edge should be burped down the drops. Do not overwork! Gentle burps and pauses until fish are found. Follow up with Mizmo Tubes on 1/4-ounce insert heads and 3-inch Mann’s Stingray grabs on 1/4-ounce ball head jigs. Soak all plastics in garlic flavor Jack’s Juice Bait Spray. Use 6-pound test Edge and work baits very slowly with frequent pauses.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
Chickahominy Lake
Capt. Art Conway out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures were in the low 50’s in the lower main lake and the mid 50’s in the major creeks on Wednesday (3/2/2016). The lake level was about six inches above the top of the dam.
Some blue cats and a few bullheads were still in channels and winter holes, but others had moved onto flats and into creeks. Cats were hitting live minnows and cut bait. Crappie action was picking up as loose aggregates migrated into major creeks. Active crappie were hitting live minnows, Wright Bait Co. and Southern Pro curlytail jigs, small tubes, Kalin crappie scrubs, and small swim baits. Small to medium yellow perch were scattered or in loose aggregates on some main lake flats and in channels and were hitting live minnows, small drop shot baits, and small jigs. Some bass, pickerel, and bowfin were along drop-offs and in the backs of major creeks and when active were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, jerk baits, and jigs.
Buggs Island
Some decent bass are moving onto points at Buggs. Cold water is slowing the spawn somewhat, but the crappie are beginning to stir, moving into creek mouths. They are also biting on deep brush piles and along bridge structures. Striper action is slow.
Trout Stockings
Alleghany Co.: Clifton Forge Reservoir (3/2); Pounding Mill Creek
Smith Creek (3/2): Amherst Co.; Pedlar River (Lower) (2/29); Piney River (S. Fk. and Proper) (3/1)
Bath Co.: Back Creek (3/1)
Botetourt Co.: Middle Creek (3/1); North Creek (3/1)
Buchanan Co.: Dismal River (3/1)
Craig Co.: Potts Creek (3/2)
Floyd Co.: Burkes Fork (3/2); Little River (3/2); Mira Fork (2/29); Rush Fork (2/29)
Grayson Co.: Elk Creek (3/1)
Henry Co.: Smith River (Lower) (3/2)
Nelson Co.:Tye River (3/1)
Patrick Co.: Dan River (Below Powerhouse) (3/1)
Rockingham Co.: Dry River (3/1)
Russell Co.: Big Cedar Creek (3/1)
Scott Co.: Bark Camp Lake (3/2); Stock Creek (3/2)
Washington Co.: Tennessee Laurel (3/2); Whitetop Laurel (Lower) (3/2); Whitetop Laurel (Upper) (3/2)
Wythe Co.: Cripple Creek (Ravens) (3/2)
Virginia Saltwater
By Dr. Julie Ball
Anglers are facing slim fishing prospects right now. With seasonal closures, less that optimal availability of fishing opportunities, and even more fisheries management regulations up for consideration, folks are becoming disheartened. Hopes are high that the spring fishing season will bring better days.
With a limited selection of species to target inshore, most anglers will head to offshore wrecks in search of tautog during weather windows. Most boats are targeting mid-range wrecks, such as the Triangle Wreck area. Some decent fish weighing to over 20-pounds were boated from these areas lately. Be prepared to weed through tons of big sea bass to obtain your limit of three togs per person at 16-inches, but be sure to release the sea bass since they are out of season. With tog bait hard to come by, plan ahead to secure your bait. Clams, mussels, blue crabs, peelers, hermit crabs, green crabs, Jonah crabs, or stone crabs will all work.
Schools of big rockfish continue to roam 15 to 20 miles off the coast, well out of reach of boats. As these fish begin to head back into the Bay to spawn, anglers may intercept them for catch and release activity in the Bay for now, but most folks will not be interested. With the poor speckled trout showing this season winter, most folks are not trying anymore.
Although the bluefin tuna passed us by, a few boats are still getting in on the action by making the long run to North Carolina. Captain Jake Hiles, Skipper of the ‘Matador’ out of Rudee Inlet, had a good day with two nice bluefin tuna last week.
Deep dropping is always a good this time of year when the weather allows boats to get to deeper water. Nice blueline tilefish are still the staple species along the 50-fathom curve, with plenty of fish available weighing in over the 10-pound minimum for a state citation. Deeper areas along the Canyon edges are showing more activity with black-bellied rosefish and scattered golden tilefish. A variety of grouper and barrel-fish are also a possibility, but dogfish are making fishing for these deep-water species a challenge. A by-catch of black sea bass is almost a given in these areas, but they are illegal to keep. Both metal jigs and squid or cut bait is working well.
Nags Head
In the surf, it’s dogfish and skates. Water is still chilly and few are fishing.
Oregon Inlet
Action is picking up for blue water boats out of Oregon Inlet. On Monday, a few boats sailed and brought in a hefty Bluefin at 287 along with several yellowfin tuna. A nice Bluefin weighing 225 was brought in on Sunday.
Hatteras Surf
Wednesday report from Red Drum & Tackle: The weather has changed a little bit today, not as warm as Tuesday. We did have a few Puppy Drum, and Dog Sharks at the Point. Not as many folks fishing today
Tuesday report: The guys are out on the Point today trying to catch a Big Drum. Late afternoon yesterday there was some Puppy Drum again on the Point.
Monday report: The Point had a few Puppy Drum in the morning. Avon had some Sea Mullet. Yesterday they had a great bite on Blow Toads. Kara was at north of the Jetties Saturday and Sunday and caught some pretty Blow Toads.
Hatteras Harbor Reports
March came in like a lamb with temps in the 60’s and light wind. The sun was shining and you could feel spring around the corner. Several boats out fishing today there were Sea Bass on the docks as well as a 62″ Bluefin Tuna.
On Sunday, the weather offshore was breezy, but fishing was good. Aside from the Bluefin Tuna caught (2 caught, 1 released), charters reported good bottom fishing. Some citation size (5lbs), Triggerfish, Golden Tilefish, Black Belly Rose Fish, Almacojacks and one Glass Eye Snapper.