When it comes to bass fishing in Northern VA, it's essential to understand the structure of the area. Smallmouth bass are commonly found in rocky ledges or on slopes, as well as around logs, underwater meadows, and emerging aquatic willows. These fish use these structures as shelter and can be located along the current veins, where fast water meets slow water. To increase your chances of success, try fishing in a quiet area behind a rock in the middle of the river, or aim for the tail of an island where two streams meet. When it comes to bait, use a medium-sized dive bait such as the Storm Wiggle Wart.
Choose brightly colored patterns in spotty water and natural patterns in crystal clear water. The bait must be deep enough to hit the bottom. A template with a plastic loop at the tip is another great option for slowly exploring an area. Use black and blue in stained water and pumpkin or watermelon in clean water. From April to June, smallmouth bass will be in several stages of spawning, congregated at depths of 10 to 20 feet.
In late June and July, they move to a deeper structure in the range of 20 to 25 feet. In August, they move to even deeper structure (25 to 35 feet) before returning to shallow waters in autumn. In reservoirs, look for humps and gravel drops at depths of 15 to 25 feet. When fishing on a ledge, place the bait deeper in the tree than most men don't worry about getting hooked, it's part of fishing. Early in the morning, bass will be positioned to the outside, so pull to the edge of the grass and fish parallel to it. When fishing for bass in large lakes such as Lake Champlain or other great natural lakes in the north, observe the northern sections of the lake, especially south-facing shorelines which are exposed to sun for long periods of the day and protected from cold northerly winds.
The most basic way to catch bed fish is to throw a 4- or 5-inch soft plastic bait (with Texas tackle) beyond the bed and move it slowly to the bed. Although bass in shallow water tend to be more aggressive, they also experience more tilt pressure than seabass that is maintained in deeper waters. What makes fishing for largemouth bass so difficult is that these fish are constantly on the move. To increase your chances of success, get tips and tricks from experienced anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Sea bass is often confused with a warm mouth (Lepomis gulosus), but it can be distinguished by the number of spines on the front of the soft ray anal fin; 3 spines on the hot mouth, but 6 on the seabass. To maximize your chances of success when bass fishing in Northern VA, consider all these factors when choosing your spot. Make sure you have all your gear ready before you go out on your fishing trip.
Choose your bait wisely depending on water clarity and color. Pay attention to seasonal changes and adjust your strategy accordingly. Finally, get tips from experienced anglers who know what they're doing.
