The late Don Arthur was a fishing guide on the Chickahominy Lake. A heart attack knocked him out of the corporate world but didn’t prevent him from slipping into his oversized jon boat for a day on the lake. Don kept meticulous records – he could tell you every fish he ever caught and when. There was never a question about what bait or lure he caught the fish on. It was always live bait – minnows.
He told his clients they could use whatever bait they wanted, but if they wanted to catch fish, a minnow was the best bet. Don also would tell you that the best time to fish the Chickahominy was in winter. He caught most of his big fish in the months of December, January and February. Unless the lake was iced over, Don fished throughout the year. In the cold months, Don consistently caught big pickerel, largemouth bass, catfish and stripers. Sometimes an ugly old bowfin would latch on. What fighters!
Today, another guide is happy to take clients fishing on the beautiful Chickahominy Lake – Capt. Art Conway. Below is his latest report and contact information.
Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures were in the mid to high 40’s in the main lake on Saturday. The lake level was about even with top of the dam. The water was medium brown and very slightly cloudy in the central lower lake.
Blue cats and a few bullheads were in channels and winter holes and were hitting live minnows and cut bait. Moderate numbers of crappie were in loose schools in the main lake on deeper flats, channel edges, and channels, usually at depths of 7 to 15 feet, sometimes suspended, and frequently in the neighborhood of wood cover. Active crappie were hitting live minnows, Wright Bait Co. curlytail jigs, small tubes, Kalin crappie scrubs, small swim baits, jigging spoons, and blade baits. Some small to medium yellow perch were scattered on deeper main lake flats and were hitting live minnows, small jerk baits, spoons, and small jigs. Most bluegills and shellcrackers had moved to the deep edges of hydrilla flats, to mid-depth wood cover, or into channels and when active were hitting live crickets and worms, small blade baits, tubes, and jigs. Most bass and pickerel were on deeper flats and in channels in the main lake and were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, jerk baits, and jigs.
Fishing with Capt. Conway, John Smith had 10 crappie, 8 white perch, 6 blue cats and 1 bass. Carolyn Conway had 1 bluegill, 18 crappie, 2 white perch, and 2 bass.
Potomac River
Fish Faster
Last week’s unexpected warm-up has fish willing to take moving baits. Trigger strikes with faster presentations of most techniques. Fish are close to 6 feet toward the shallow part of the drops.
Water is around 4,5 getting to 50 during the warmest part of the day. Another mild week with highs in the mid 60s before rain and cooler temperatures arrive by Thursday with upper 40s for the weekend. Warmer nights with morning temperatures in the low 50s before dropping to around freezing on Saturday.
With the delayed winter and warmer water, fish are willing to chase baits in their zone. Cast tight-wiggle crankbaits like Lucky Craft Flat Mini DR, suspending Pointer 78 jerk baits, and suspending Bevy Shads on 10 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon along warmed areas like rock. Jerk, twitch and pause. Find a cadence to trigger fish. Also try Mann’s Classic 3/8-ounce spinnerbaits on 12-pound test Edge. Willow/Colorado gold blades and a white skirt baits need to be crawled very slowly staying in contact with the bottom. Lift over cover and drop. These hits are hard!
As for drop shot, split shot, and shaky head, use 5-inch Mizmo Doodle Worms. Use a variety of presentations, including faster and jerkier movements to trigger strikes. Soak plastics in garlic flavor Jack’s Juice Bait Spray attractant.
Fish Silver Buddy blade baits a bit faster with 10-pound test Edge and a lighter medium heavy rod. Sharper snaps and higher lifts, keep the bait moving. Jerk, lift and drop. Hop and repeat. With all presentations, speed is key. Watch for even a 2-degree warmer area, like over and around chunk rock.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
Lake Anna
Some really nice fish are being caught this month at Lake Anna. Anna Point Marina reports that the leaders in their big fish contest for December are: Scott Shiflett (12/11) with a 2 -3 crappie; Lance Seal (12/11) with a 9-15 striper; and Melvin Fulk (12/11) with a 5-7 largemouth. On November 27, Andrew Patterson weighed a 7-7 largemouth.
Recent Trout Stocking
Bath Co.: Douthat Lake & Wilson Creek (12/14)
Henry Co.: Smith River (Dam) (12/14)
Page Co.: Cub Run (12/14)
Rockbridge Co.: Maury River (12/15)