Favorite Lake or River To Fish In Virginia?

Mike B. · September 28, 2018, 05:40:00 PM

Whats everyone's favorite lake or river in Virginia to Fish? Please tell us a little about why. Looking forward to hearing others opinions, hopefully this might encourage some of us to try something different. If you have more than one please share both.

Mike Cork · October 03, 2018, 12:09:27 PM

Everyone must have been out fishing and not around to talk about their favorites the last couple of days.

Where have you been fishing Mike?

zippyduck · October 03, 2018, 12:16:09 PM

The Potomac is one of the best rivers in the country.
Smith Mountain Lake is one of a kind. It fishes like a river or a highland reservoir.

Bud Kennedy · October 03, 2018, 12:32:55 PM

I have known many folks that just love Kerr Reservoir on the NC/VA Boarder. Kerr is also known as Bugs Island

TheLastRodBender · October 03, 2018, 01:43:15 PM

I LOVE fishing the Potomac, problem is it has to happen when it's on. When the Potomac is on, it's hard to beat. That said... when it's off, it's such a grinder, nasty, stinky, hot, and uncomfortable place to be lol. This year was an odd one for me on the Potomac... (the best rationale I can come up with) The muddy waters through spring truly killed any real chance of good grass coming in on the main river and in the creeks, so it kind of threw a wrench into the way you fish it. My favorite type of fishing out there is Frogs and flippin... both has their moments this year, but I LOVE dissecting a grass bed... something I was not able to really do this year. I'll say it's probably my favorite place because of how truly good the fishing can be.

1b. Shenendoah river. My name is Derek and I'm a Smallie-aholic. I can't get enough of the bronzebacks. There is nothin like slammin smallies all day out on a river system... wading in a cool river to keep your body comfortable... 30 - 40 fish days are not the unicorn some other water systems are.

I've also got some access to some private areas, which I can't really put on here because it's not exactly fair :D

I do also love Lake Jackson. I have access through someone so again, not really fair to use that as an example as it's a limited opportunity.

Mike B. · October 03, 2018, 07:05:04 PM

Mike,

I really like the Rappahanock River in the fall. In the years past there is usually one heck of a crankbait bite in the fall. I look forward to it every year! You usually don't even need to fire up the big motor from Hicks Landing. Lots of fun!

TheLastRodBender · October 04, 2018, 08:21:01 AM

*** i apologize, I was trying to quote you and I hit the wrong button, i did not modify your post ***

Quote from: Mike B. on October 03, 2018, 07:05:04 PM
Mike,

I really like the Rappahanock River in the fall. In the years past there is usually one heck of a crankbait bite in the fall. I look forward to it every year! You usually don't even need to fire up the big motor from Hicks Landing. Lots of fun!

I used to go camping with my Uncle down SOMEWHERE on the Rap that I honestly have no idea where it was. It's been 20+ years since i've been down there.... Some decent fishing from what I can remember, but I'd love to get my butt on some big water on there as well as the James. I've heard a LOT of positives, just never had the chance to get out there unfortunately.

Mike B. · October 05, 2018, 08:26:47 PM

Bender, You really should give the Rapp. a try again its awesome. Just be really careful, can be a tricky river to navigate. I rely heavily on my electronics and my Navionics Map to lay down a safe trail. Even then if you happen to hit the river at high tide, when you make your way back and you see the crap you navigated through it will scare the heck out of you to see it when the tide goes back out. But, like I said in a previous post if you launch at hicks you don't have to go far. No real need to fire the big motor up at all. One draw back is the long gravel road to get down to the ramp, make sure your rods are in your rod locker or that dust will jack up your reels.

TheLastRodBender · October 08, 2018, 02:51:41 PM

Quote from: Mike B. on October 05, 2018, 08:26:47 PM
Bender, You really should give the Rapp. a try again its awesome. Just be really careful, can be a tricky river to navigate. I rely heavily on my electronics and my Navionics Map to lay down a safe trail. Even then if you happen to hit the river at high tide, when you make your way back and you see the crap you navigated through it will scare the heck out of you to see it when the tide goes back out. But, like I said in a previous post if you launch at hicks you don't have to go far. No real need to fire the big motor up at all. One draw back is the long gravel road to get down to the ramp, make sure your rods are in your rod locker or that dust will jack up your reels.

Don't currently own my own boat, so it's limited my ability to venture out onto new waters. My Aunt did recently purchase an aluminim v-bottom with a 9.9 on the back. My goal is by next spring to get it close to 'bass boat' conversation. Gonna get platforms along the floor to level it out... try to find a decent foot controlled TM for the front, throw a couple electronics on it, and see what we can do. The Rapp is on the list of bodies i'd like to hit with it. I've heard a lot of great things...

Mike B. · October 11, 2018, 06:39:55 PM

Bender,

Man you will really be able to get into some of the back waters with a small aluminum boat. I use to have so much fun building small fishing boats! always did put a lot of effort into some camo patterns and building casting decks with storage access. The good thing about the Rapp. is that there are ramps all throughout. The City Dock for the upper end, Little Falls for the middle and Hicks Landing further down. Even a couple more after that Lol. I really like getting into Massaponax Creek when I had a small boat Crappie fishing in there is awesome! There are also really good clubs around that are usually looking for non-boaters as well. Great place to learn more for anglers of all experience levels and also allows you to check out different boats and learn things you might like about each. Below is a picture of the creek if you haven't already fished it.

TheLastRodBender · October 12, 2018, 07:02:03 AM

Yeah I need to do some more exploring... We actually just found out about a month ago that we're pregnant again, so next summer is going to be... interesting... but I wanna get out more. The Rap, the James, and Beaverdam are 3 places i really wanna hit next year. I've got family on the Piankatank so I wanna hit Dragon run too, but that's not a day trip, that's a weekend trip.