Did you get out over the weekend or on one afternoon and do any fishing?

I got out last Wednesday afternoon and slipped over to Wilna Pond to search for some of those big female bass that live there. The fishing was slow to start, but I managed to find some of the smaller bass, which is a good sign of a healthy population.

A wacky rigged worm was the only bait I was able to catch them on, but it was working great. I ended the day by catching a nice 3 pound bass that put up a heck of a fight.

Thursday, I got over there right at sunrise to start my hunt. I played around a little in some areas I always love to fish without any bites before I moved into the shallows around the lily pads.

I made a nice cast across the edge of some of the pads and started working my frog through them. Right as I got almost to the edge, the pads shook as a bass exploded on my frog. I counted to three, felt the weight on my line, and set the hook hard.

What a great fight as she tried to run back into the pads to get free. I held my line tight and moved closer so I could get her out and into my net, and then let out a big whoop as I pulled the net up with her inside.

I pulled out my scale and she weighed a sweet 6.38 pounds. I took a few pictures and then released her back into the pond, thanking her as she swam off to complete her spawning cycle for this year.

I continued to throw the frog in the lily pads, covering as much water as possible. I came across the tip of a little point in the lily pads and something just slurped at my frog. I stopped, but it missed it.

I then started to work it again and another slurp as it took my frog this time. A small bass for sure, and I let down my guard and didn’t set the hook as hard as I normally do. And then it happened — she decided to take a big jump. As she broke the surface, getting her whole body up and out, head shaking, my frog was sent sailing back at me.

I had a moment of regret as I knew I should have set the hook like normal. That small bass turned into the biggest miss of the day. What a beautiful big bass! And it was all my fault because I thought it was “just a little bass!” I didn’t find another bass and headed home before it got too hot.

Friday morning I was back out there to try and find another big bass. I didn’t play around with the other spots and headed straight to where I had found them the day before.

I had my frog in hand and worked the lily pads hard. Finally, as I worked over a small patch, my frog disappeared with a big splash and I set my hook hard, not wanting to make the same mistake again.

What a fight as she worked up under the boat and then back out. I then slipped my net under her, securing her so I could take a few pictures and release her to grow. What a beautiful 4 pound bass as I slipped her back into the water and watched her swim away.

I kept fishing around with my frog and watched a couple bass hit at it and miss before I moved toward another area. I stopped and made a few casts with the frog but got no takers.

I switched over to my spinnerbait and started to cover the area, slowly working it along the bottom. I felt it rise up and over a stick and then felt it get slammed. I set the hook hard and it just sat there for a moment before it started to move, putting a big bend into my rod and pulling line off the reel.

What a fight as I made up the line it took before she once again made a run and pulled off more line. Slowly I managed to bring her closer to me and the net, but once again she had other plans and went up under the boat, making me work to pull her back. Then I slipped my net under her as she made a jump and I rejoiced in the moment.

I secured her in the net as I got everything ready to take her picture. I pulled out the scales to weigh her but the batteries were dead. I knew she was at least 7 pounds and thought it might be even more, but I will never know for sure. After a couple pictures, once again I thanked her and watched as she swam away.

I kept moving around but did not find any more bass willing to take my bait. I left and headed home to put everything away before I had to be back at Wilna to pick up the things I would need Saturday for the Earth Day event in Tappahannock.

River Action

In the Rappahannock River, the shad and white perch bite is still very good, especially around the City Docks in Fredericksburg. Anglers using fresh cut bait are finding plenty of big catfish in the river.

The crappie fishing is still very good. The largemouth bass action is good in both the river and the feeder creeks. Most target around the wood, but the lily pads are holding plenty of big bass as well.

Around the Pond

In the local ponds, the fishing can be slow, but it can lead to some big bass. The bass are in three stages right now: some have already come up and spawned, some are just spawning, and some are waiting for the next full moon.

Work the shallows and the areas just off the spawning areas. A topwater bait is always a great choice and each serves a special need.

A frog can be fished over open water, but it really shines around laydowns and in the lily pads with its weedless setup. A buzzbait can be worked through more sparse cover and in open water while a popper and walking style bait are for the outside of cover and more open water where they won’t get hung up so easily.

Fish the shallows with a variety of baits. A squarebill crankbait covers a lot of water and deflects off cover. A spinnerbait or bladed jig will cover a lot of water and can be thrown up very shallow.

A jig or Texas rigged soft plastic can be worked in and around any cover. A wacky rigged worm thrown up very shallow can catch both big and small bass. When it lands, keep an eye on your line as it starts to sink looking for that twitch or for it to start running off.

The crappie and bluegill bite is really good right now. Although they will eat some of the same baits, a curly tailed jig under a bobber is a great way to catch them.

Safety in Mind The river is calling and more people are starting to venture out to take advantage of the water. That means we need to ensure we respect everyone.

Follow the rules of boating safety — they are there to ensure we stay safe. Wear your life jacket, especially when the motor is engaged. The law requires we have them, but having them stored away doesn’t do any good in an emergency.

As the operator of the boat, make sure to wear a life jacket and have the kill switch attached to it. If you are in a kayak, canoe, or on a jet ski, wear it always.

Leave a float/bank plan with someone and let them know if you make any changes to the plan. And if bank fishing, make sure to check for ticks when you get done. And make sure to wear your sunscreen. Think safety first, have fun, and live to fish another day.

Working the Refuge Booth for Earth Day Festival Saturday morning, I headed over to Tappahannock to get everything set up for the Friends of the Refuge booth. The morning was so beautiful — a little breeze and the hint of the heat to come, a day full of great promise.

Kathryn Murray joined me there and we had a great time talking with all the visitors who came over to check out everything that the Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge system has to offer them.

There are plenty of ways for the kids to learn about nature and have fun. The event was great, but I do wish we had been closer to the Farmers Market so more people could have learned about us and all the other Earth Day opportunities.

Just as it was starting to get warm, the day came to an end and we packed everything up so I could return everything and set up for church Sunday. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us.