When it comes to bass fishing in Northern VA, there are two main types of aquatic vegetation to look out for: submerged and emergent. Submerged aquatic vegetation, such as eel grass, milfoil, and Potamogeton species, grow completely below the surface of the water. Emergent aquatic vegetation, on the other hand, have parts that grow above the surface of the water, including water lilies, reeds, and arrowheads. For anglers looking to catch largemouth bass, live bait is a great option for beginners as it doesn't require any complicated presentations. When looking for bait or bass lure, it's important to consider whether it's alive or not.
The Strike King 4-inch Game Hawg, Berkley Powerbait Maxscent, General Worm, Bagley Bang O Lure Spinetail, Dirty Jig No Slack Swim Jig, and Googan Baits Bandito Bug are some of the best baits to attract spawning fish. Baitfish are also incredibly productive in deeper waters when hunting for huge bass. Jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are all excellent bass lures that can be used in most conditions all year round if presented correctly. Knowing how to use them effectively will significantly increase your chances of catching a bass in less time. Plastic crabs on the back of a jig or dragged onto a Carolina platform can also be used to attract bass. When it comes to spawning fish, live worms or night crawlers are a very effective way to fish for bass.
They become very aggressive when protecting their eggs, so anglers should aim to cause a reaction attack when fishing for them. BassFishingHQ is an excellent resource for teaching beginner or advanced anglers bass fishing tips & techniques. As an expert in largemouth bass fishing, I recommend using live bait as your go-to option when fishing in Northern VA. Live bait is easy to use and can be used in most conditions all year round. Additionally, baitfish and plastic crabs can be used to attract spawning fish.
Jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are also great options if presented correctly. Lastly, live worms or night crawlers are an effective way to fish for bass when they're protecting their eggs.