Post by Striper on Jan 20, 2007 9:05:52 GMT -5
As reported by McCotters Lake Anna Guide Service on Annapoint.com (Anna Point Marina)
Contact CC MCCotter for your next fishing trip
Fishing Report
January 15, 2007
Overview: Much warmer than normal temperatures have Lake Anna's fish in an "extended play" period heading into what should be the coldest time of the year. Water temperatures a full 10 degrees above normal have kept fish shallower and further up in the lake this winter. Normal migratory movements of baitfish have been interrupted or altered and the gamefish have just reacted accordingly. Here's what you can expect on your next visit over the next 25 days.
Largemouth bass: Excellent fishing for anglers willing to take the time to find the large concentrations of deep, schooling fish near bait. If you want to try the early winter brushpile pattern, it is still working, too, you just won't find the big schools. The mouth of Sturgeon Creek, Mitchell Creek, Contrary Creek, Marshall Creek and Pigeon Run are all worth fishing. Try a swimbait like the Berkley Realistic Minnow to locate the fish, then use a Shaky Worm or drop shot rig to entice more. Structure like brush or rocks near where the creek channel meets the main river channel is best. When baitfish are present, lock down and fish hard, the bass will be nearby. Expect a good suspending jerkbait bite to begin early in the midlake and downlake region. If it stays mild, you can even catch bass in the rivers using a Tiger Shad spinnerbait or a jig and pig on shallow structure like rocks.
Striper: Perhaps the oddest year in a while for these roaming eating machines. The best action recently has been above the bridges in the North Anna and Pamunkey. Small swimbaits are the best producers for casters. Use 2-4" baits because the fish are still on threadfins due to the warm water. Live bait is effective, but the casters have enjoyed a great couple of months. One of our old clients (Leewood Davis) had 11 stripers that weighed 80 pounds. He caught them all on lures. I don't anticipate the bulk of the stripers to move back into the 208 region given the time of year, but they could if the water gets much colder. There are some fish at the mouth of Pigeon, but they are not as big as the uplake fish.
Crappie: It's been a great winter for these fish. We had one citation in December and just missed another a week ago. I'm finding plenty of fish on structure 9-15' near creek channels. Uplake bridge pilings are OK for fish, but the bigger fish are on less pressured spots. Now is the time to create your own. The best fishing areas for crappie have been from The Splits on up to the second bridges. 1" tube jigs have been my best producers.
C.C. McCotter
Editor-In-Chief
Woods & Waters Magazine
www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com
540-894-5960
Contact CC MCCotter for your next fishing trip
Fishing Report
January 15, 2007
Overview: Much warmer than normal temperatures have Lake Anna's fish in an "extended play" period heading into what should be the coldest time of the year. Water temperatures a full 10 degrees above normal have kept fish shallower and further up in the lake this winter. Normal migratory movements of baitfish have been interrupted or altered and the gamefish have just reacted accordingly. Here's what you can expect on your next visit over the next 25 days.
Largemouth bass: Excellent fishing for anglers willing to take the time to find the large concentrations of deep, schooling fish near bait. If you want to try the early winter brushpile pattern, it is still working, too, you just won't find the big schools. The mouth of Sturgeon Creek, Mitchell Creek, Contrary Creek, Marshall Creek and Pigeon Run are all worth fishing. Try a swimbait like the Berkley Realistic Minnow to locate the fish, then use a Shaky Worm or drop shot rig to entice more. Structure like brush or rocks near where the creek channel meets the main river channel is best. When baitfish are present, lock down and fish hard, the bass will be nearby. Expect a good suspending jerkbait bite to begin early in the midlake and downlake region. If it stays mild, you can even catch bass in the rivers using a Tiger Shad spinnerbait or a jig and pig on shallow structure like rocks.
Striper: Perhaps the oddest year in a while for these roaming eating machines. The best action recently has been above the bridges in the North Anna and Pamunkey. Small swimbaits are the best producers for casters. Use 2-4" baits because the fish are still on threadfins due to the warm water. Live bait is effective, but the casters have enjoyed a great couple of months. One of our old clients (Leewood Davis) had 11 stripers that weighed 80 pounds. He caught them all on lures. I don't anticipate the bulk of the stripers to move back into the 208 region given the time of year, but they could if the water gets much colder. There are some fish at the mouth of Pigeon, but they are not as big as the uplake fish.
Crappie: It's been a great winter for these fish. We had one citation in December and just missed another a week ago. I'm finding plenty of fish on structure 9-15' near creek channels. Uplake bridge pilings are OK for fish, but the bigger fish are on less pressured spots. Now is the time to create your own. The best fishing areas for crappie have been from The Splits on up to the second bridges. 1" tube jigs have been my best producers.
C.C. McCotter
Editor-In-Chief
Woods & Waters Magazine
www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com
540-894-5960