Our annual largemouth bass roundup strives to point you to best-bet well-known waters across the state and smaller and lesser-known waters that also hold quality or good numbers of largemouth bass. Read on to find out which water is close to you.

TIDEWATER BASS WATERS
Chandler's Millpond is located in Westmoreland County about three miles west of Montross off Route 3. Chandler's is Scott Herrmann's responsibility as the VDGIF biologist in the district. Herrmann commented that during a 2005 spring sampling of the pond, he saw quite a few quality bass.

"The largemouth bass fishery appears to be in great shape with numerous bass in the 4- to 6-pound range. The four sample trips yielded a collection of 483 largemouth bass. The number of recaptured bass was 55 with large numbers of newly sampled bass appearing with each trip. The combined CPUE (catch per unit of effort) was 70 bass an hour. This rate ranks higher than most water bodies within District 1."

Anglers who visit the 75-acre pond will find that it is relatively shallow, with two major creek arms and plenty of cover in the form of blowdowns and lily pads. Herrmann relayed that many of the larger bass were hanging tight on the woody structure along the shoreline. The bass fishery was closed for harvest until this past season, when the lake was reopened to harvest. No bass between 12 and 15 inches may be kept.

The bass certainly have plenty to feed on at Chandler's. There are gizzard shad and sunfish and a few golden shiners in the pond.

Chandler's Millpond is for trolling motor use only. No outboard motors are allowed. The pond is open 24 hours a day.

Herrmann also pointed out a newcomer to our annual roundup that anglers may want to try. Diascund Reservoir is owned by the city of Newport News, but a portion of the water is in James City County. As of late, the 1,110-acre reservoir has been providing anglers with a decent bass fishery. Anglers will find a public boat ramp, a courtesy pier and a parking lot that VDGIF has established with the city of Newport News and James City County. There is some limited shoreline fishing in and around the parking lot area. Anglers should take a moment to review the rules for the reservoir posted above the ramp. The ramp is located just north of Route 60 on 603 about a mile or so from Lanexa.

During the 2005 sampling, a number of bass were collected in the 3- to 4-pound range. The reservoir is also known for the occasional 9- and 10-pound fish. The forage found in the reservoir consists of gizzard shad and bream.

Herrmann pointed out that the size distribution of the bass sampled looked good, which points to a healthy population. He said that the best area for bass was along the banks of the Timber Swamp creek arm. Another good spot to try is the tree line across from the boat ramp.

Bass anglers will find a slew of points and islands to target as they work their way around the reservoir. No gas motors are permitted, but trolling motors are allowed.

SOUTHERN PIEDMONT BASS DESTINATIONS
The southern Piedmont is well known for three important bass-fishing destinations: Buggs Island, Briery Creek and Smith Mountain Lake. As good as they are, these three impoundments are not the only good largemouth waters in the region. Fairy Stone Lake is also worth the drive for a day of bassing.