Shenandoah River
The river is at full pool and clear. Smallmouth and largemouth have been hitting jig ‘n pigs, live minnows, crankbaits and plastic grubs.
Rappahannock River
There is good crappie fishing to be had just below the city, in the brush along the banks. Small minnows and tiny jigs are the ticket. Bass anglers are catching an occasional largemouth. Catfish anglers are doing fairly well on cut shad and bream.
Lake Anna
Stripers, bass, crappie and perch are hitting throughout the lake. Stripers are schooled tightly and are working the baitfish schools. Best areas are from the 208 Bridge up to Jetts Island, Contrary Creek, Pigeon Creek and the Stubbs Bridge area. Stripers are also being caught on live shad around the dikes and on top water baits early and late in the day. Crappie are found in deeper water around beaver lodges, bridge pilings and brush piles. Bass are taking shad-colored crankbaits, plastic grubs and worms and jig ‘n pigs. The larger fish are generally in 8-14 feet of water.
James River
The river is in excellent shape. The upper river is giving up some nice smallmouth for those few who are fishing. In the tidal section of the river, smallmouth are being taken on the drop-offs around Dutch Gap. Channel and blue catfish are still taking cut bait and live shad in the channel bends. Largemouth bass fishing is slow. Stripers are active around the Benjamin Harrison Bridge and downriver, near the power lines.
Chickahominy River
Some largemouth bass are being caught by anglers drifting large minnows at the mouths of major feeder creeks. Bass are also found on cypress trees adjacent to drop-offs. Senkos and plastic lizards are the baits of choice. Yellow perch fishing is fair, with a few fish of citation size being caught from docks. Minnows are the preferred bait. Crappie are biting well around submerged structure. Catfishermen are still catching fish on cut bait. The cats are running 1-14 pounds. Striper anglers are taking fish at Walker’s Dam.
Chickahominy Lake
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Steve Thady had 1 bluegill, 11 crappie, and a pickerel. Tom Porter had 22 crappie and 1 bass.
Lake Gaston
Anglers trolling bucktails and shad around the dam are catching striped bass. Crappie are holding in 8-10 feet of water over brush piles and around boat docks. Largemouth are taking jig ‘n pig baits, but are also being caught on live shad by striper fishermen.
Buggs Island Lake
Some large crappie are being taken from the bridge pilings and submerged brush piles on live minnows and tiny jigs. Lots of bass are being caught, particularly in Bluestone and Grassy Creeks. Shallow running crankbaits and Carolina-rigged plastic worms are the more productive baits. Striper anglers are taking fish to 14 pounds, trolling Cordell Redfins and bucktails from Clarksville to the mouth of Bluestone Creek.
Smith Mountain Lake
Live shad are working well for the stripers in this mountain reservoir. Lots of 10-14 pounders were taken this past weekend. Anglers will find stripers feeding on shad in shallow creeks. Largemouth bass are also shallow, feeding on shad, but are beginning to move to deeper water. Crappie anglers are being rewarded nicely for their efforts.
New River
Muskie fishing is good throughout the river. Large Mepps spinners and double-jointed plugs are productive. Smallmouth bass fishing is slow.
Lake Moomaw
Some yellow perch and bass are reported, but no significant trout catches.
Potomac River
Below freezing temperatures have put water temperatures where they should be this time of the year. Fish are running on high metabolism, and eating!
Water has cooled to around 50 and will drift slowly down.
Mann’s Classic spinnerbaits with white skirts should be fished in the same areas, especially with clouds, chop or stained water. Same line, 12-pound Edge. Bump and fade when hitting wood or snapping from grass. Use 3/8 at higher tides and stained water. Smaller 1/4-ounce size is perfect for low water.
Fish are moving with bait. Find feeding birds and leftover grass. If you see bait, bass will be nearby. Bait is headed for warmer water in backs of creeks. Outgoing tides with warmer water will put bait and bass toward creek mouths.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River info@nationalbass.com