Potomac River Smallmouth Fishing in Northern Virginia
The best smallmouth water in NoVA runs right past the suburbs. Ledges from Riverbend to Seneca, what to throw, and the licence rule that confuses everyone.
Burke Lake Fishing Guide: Muskie, Bass and a Free Ramp
218 acres in Fairfax County with largemouth, muskellunge and walleye, a free 24-hour ramp, a fishing pier and boat rentals. No gas motors.
Occoquan Reservoir Fishing Guide: Crappie, Bass and Catfish
2,100 acres between Fairfax and Prince William with an outstanding spring crappie run and a 10hp limit that keeps the water calm.
New River Smallmouth Fishing in Virginia
One of the oldest rivers on Earth, flowing north through southwest Virginia, holding record muskie and walleye — plus a 14–22 inch bass slot you must know.
Falls Lake Fishing Guide: Bass, Crappie and Catfish Near Raleigh
Raleigh's closest big water. Stained-water tactics, seven public access areas, and some of the most underrated catfishing in the Triangle.
Jordan Lake Fishing Guide: Bass, Crappie and Bank Access
Flooded standing timber, an outstanding March crappie run, and the best public bank access of any big reservoir in North Carolina.
Shearon Harris Lake Fishing Guide: North Carolina's Big Bass Lake
Warm water, heavy timber and grass, and a genuine shot at a double-digit largemouth thirty minutes from Raleigh.
Lake Norman Fishing Guide: Alabama Bass, Stripers and White Perch
North Carolina's biggest lake, why it fishes best in winter, and what the Alabama bass takeover means for the way you fish it.
Best Bass Fishing Lakes in North Carolina
Ten lakes, what each is actually good at, and how to pick between a trophy hunt, a numbers day, and somewhere you can fish from the bank.
Fishing the Appomattox River: Petersburg & Colonial Heights
Big blue catfish, bass, and the spring shad and striper run at the Petersburg fall line — on a river almost nobody fishes.
Lake Chesdin Fishing Guide: Richmond's Closest Big Reservoir
Largemouth in the timber, landlocked stripers in open water, and a strong spring crappie bite 40 minutes from Richmond.
Rappahannock River Fishing: The Fredericksburg Guide
Smallmouth above the fall line, shad and stripers below it, and a river that runs free since Embrey Dam came out.
Shenandoah River Smallmouth: Virginia's Best Float Fishery
Ledges, grass beds, and more smallmouth per mile than anywhere else in the state. Float it or wade it — here's how.
Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Guide: Virginia's Striper Lake
20,600 acres of landlocked striped bass, dock largemouth, and an excellent spring crappie bite. Find the shad, find the fish.
Claytor Lake Fishing Guide: New River Stripers and Walleye
A deep, clear mountain reservoir with the best walleye fishing in Virginia — plus a famous smallmouth tailwater below the dam.
Lake Gaston Fishing Guide: Grass, Largemouth and Stripers
One of the best grass-fishing bass lakes in the mid-Atlantic. Frogs over mats, swim jigs on edges, and two states' worth of rules.
Mattaponi and Pamunkey River Fishing: Virginia's Quiet Tidal Rivers
Big blue catfish, tidal largemouth, and a February yellow perch run — on two rivers most Virginia anglers drive straight over.
Best Bass Lures for Beginners — The 8 That Actually Work
Four lures cover almost every situation you’ll face, and four more handle the rest. What to buy first, how to fish each one, and what to skip.
How to Catch Crappie for Beginners — Find the School, Then Catch 20
Crappie are either right in front of you or nowhere near you. Here is where they hold through the year, the jig and minnow setups that catch them, and how to find a school fast.
How to Catch Catfish for Beginners — Simple Rigs, Cheap Bait, Big Fish
Channel, blue, and flathead catfish explained, plus the two bottom rigs and the baits that get bit from the bank at any hour.
Trout Fishing for Beginners — How to Catch Trout Without a Fly Rod
Stocked trout, a light spinning rod, and the four presentations that account for most trout caught in America. No fly casting required.
Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) Fishing Guide — Virginia's Biggest Water
50,000 acres of stripers, largemouth, crappie, and trophy blue catfish on the VA/NC line. Where to launch and how to narrow it down.
How to Catch Bass from the Bank — No Boat Needed
The four ways to fish without a boat, the eight shoreline spots that hold bass, and the casting angles that turn a walk into a catch.
Best Rod for Bass Fishing Beginners (2026)
The right rod makes a real difference when you're starting out. Here's the one we actually recommend and why it outperforms the competition.
Best Line for Bass Fishing — Mono vs Fluoro vs Braid
Line choice affects sensitivity, hooksets, and how many fish you land. Here's which type to use and our specific picks for each situation.
What Size Hook for Bass? — The Right Hook for Every Setup
Wrong hook size is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Here's the exact size to use for Texas rigs, wacky rigs, and drop shots.
Texas Rig for Beginners — Setup and Technique Made Simple
The Texas rig catches bass year-round in any condition. Here's how to set one up in 2 minutes and fish it effectively from day one.
Spinnerbait vs Chatterbait — Which One Should You Throw?
Both catch bass, but they're not interchangeable. Here's when to reach for each one and which specific lures to buy.
Best Time of Day to Catch Bass — When Fish Are Actually Biting
Bass don't bite evenly throughout the day. Here's the science behind when bass feed and how to adjust your timing by season.
Pond Bass Fishing Tips — How to Catch More Bass in Small Water
Small ponds hold big bass — if you approach them correctly. Here are the tactics and lures that produce fish in ponds consistently.
Bass Fishing Setup Under $100 — Everything You Need to Start
You don't need to spend $500 to catch bass. Here's a complete rod, reel, line, and lure setup under $100 that will actually catch fish.
What Size Hook for Bluegill? The Simple Answer
Use a hook that's too big and they'll steal your bait. Too small and you'll miss hooksets. Here's exactly what to use and why.
Best Spinning Rod for Bass Under $100
A great spinning rod doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are the best options under $100 that deliver real performance on the water.
Best Tackle Box Setup for Pond Fishing
What goes in a well-organized pond fishing tackle box? Here's exactly what to carry and what to leave at home.
Fishing Lake Anna for Beginners: Best Fish, Baits, and Places to Start
Lake Anna is one of Virginia's top freshwater lakes. Here's how to get started with the right setup, baits, and spots for bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.
Best Fishing Spots in Richmond VA: The Complete Local Guide
Pony Pasture, Belle Isle, Robious Landing, Dutch Gap, Swift Creek Lake, and more — every spot worth fishing in and around Richmond, Virginia.
Fishing the James River from Robious Landing, Richmond VA
Robious Landing gives you free access to one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in Virginia. Here's how to fish the James River from this popular Richmond-area launch.
Fishing Swift Creek Lake at Pocahontas State Park
The best beginner-friendly fishing lake near Richmond. Swift Creek Lake holds bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish in a quiet electric-motors-only setting.
James River Smallmouth Bass Fishing: The Complete Richmond VA Guide
Where to catch smallmouth bass on the James River in Richmond — the best spots, lures, seasonal timing, and river reading tips.
Fishing Belle Isle Richmond VA: A Local Guide to the Rocks
Cross the suspension bridge and fish downtown Richmond's most unique urban fishing spot for smallmouth bass, stripers, and shad.
Fishing Pony Pasture Rapids: Richmond's Most Accessible James River Spot
The best beginner-friendly wading and bank fishing spot on the James River. Everything you need for a productive first trip.
Chickahominy River Fishing Guide: Bass, Crappie & Catfish Near Richmond
Trophy largemouth, spring crappie, and huge blue catfish — the complete guide to Richmond's under-appreciated blackwater fishery.
Fishing Ancarrow's Landing: The Tidal James River Guide
The closest tidal James access from downtown Richmond — trophy blue catfish, spring stripers, largemouth, and how to fish them.
Best Bait for Bluegill: Worms, Crickets, Bread, and More
Worms are the best all-season bait, crickets dominate in summer, and wax worms shine in cold water. Plus, which artificial lures actually work for bluegill.
How to Catch Bluegill for Beginners
The complete starter guide — gear setup, where to find bluegill, how to rig a bobber setup, casting technique, and what to do when the fish bites.