Fishing Virginia Guide Service

Lakes

Kerr / Buggs Island Lake

Wayne and Partner, Dennis, hit big payday fishing Special Olympics Tournament sponsor by Hooter's

Buggs Island Lake is about 48,900 acres at full pool and has one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the country. Surveys on largemouth bass indicate high rates of reproduction and growth. Largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range are typical, however, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare. The best fishing is on the upper end of the lake and the lower end creek arms. Structure is important, and water levels affect how much structure is available. When water levels rise into the willow and sweet gum trees in spring, anglers should be sure to fish the backs of coves and the points. Channel catfish have traditionally been the most sought after catfish at Buggs Island; however, flathead and blue catfish have become popular as well.

Bonus Fish... Stripers are not uncommon on any of the waters I guide. This was a 16lb length citation caught while Bass Fishing Lake Country.

Lake Gaston

This 20,300-acre reservoir is 34 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline. The Virginia portion of this lake is primarily in Brunswick County, just below Buggs Island Lake (Virginia licenses are legal lake-wide). Lake Gaston has an excellent largemouth bass population. Many anglers like to fish the aquatic vegetation for largemouth bass. Boat docks also are likely places to catch largemouth bass. Striped bass, which are stocked by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, continue to produce a number of quality-sized fish. Striper fishing in the tail waters below Kerr Dam is an annual event. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) annually stock walleyes, and the best fishing is usually in the upper end during February and March. Lake Gaston also contains channel catfish, blue catfish, chain pickerel, and bluegill.

This 14" Croaker was caught by my Grandson Wesley. We caught Cats & Croakers for hours. Then we cut the bottom rigs off and tied on crankbaits and plastic and move to the Pads and Cypress and started catching Bass. Makes for a great day on the James River and Chickahominy River. Best time for Croakers May to July. Kids have to have action.

James River

The tidal James River and its tributaries support a nationally recognized largemouth bass fishery. The tidal James system was the site of previous Bass Master Classics and the FLW Tour Championship is scheduled to occur on the tidal James in September 2003. Upstream from Hopewell, fishing for largemouth is best in old river channels and abandoned gravel pits connected to the main stem. Downstream from Hopewell, largemouth fishing is most productive in larger tributary creeks, the main stem James River having very limited shoreline structure below Hopewell. The creeks between Hopewell and Hog Island provide excellent largemouth habitat, with abundant shoreline structure, such as old pier pilings and downed trees, adjacent to channel drop-offs as well as large expanses of vegetated tidal flats.

Lori had a great day fishing. This was her biggest. Lori let her husband Alan catch some too. Excellent Anglers from Pennsylvania

Chickahominy River

This river, with its beautiful cypress studded shoreline, has supported a nationally known largemouth bass fishery for many years. However, largemouth bass fishing in the tidal Chickahominy has been off somewhat for the past couple of years; likely a result of the ongoing drought the region has been experiencing over the past several years. Bass can be caught at any stage of the tide, but many anglers seem to think that the last two hours of the ebb tide are best. Crank baits are probably the most popular artificial used for bass, but jigs, spinners, plastic worms, and top water baits all meet with success.

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