Sandy River Reservoir is another great bass destination. Dicenzo’s data shows that the average bass at Sandy River is 12 inches. There are a number of 3- to 5-pound bass and some that will even weigh in at 9 pounds. Sandy River is in the top 10 waters statewide for citation bass. This water is smaller (at 740 acres) and therefore easier to learn. Anglers find that the lack of dense cover when compared with Briery also helps in finding where the fish may be holding. During the summer, the catch rate at Sandy River is 1.25 fish per hour.

Anglers should be aware that on the first warm weekend in the spring, the ramp can get very crowded and the time necessary to launch and get to your spot can vary greatly. Keep this in mind when heading to this young reservoir. Fishing is better on overcast weekdays when fewer people are using the impoundment.

In a previous issue, we featured Briery Creek Lake. This 845-acre lake is well known and has leveled out in terms of the fishery. However, the lake is still much better for bass fishing than most of the lakes in the state. The abundance of cover can make it tough to fish, but there are plenty of fish to be had. The bass at Briery average 14 to 15 inches and may weigh up to 12 pounds. There is a slot limit of 14 to 24 inches. Only one fish may be creeled over 24 inches. The creel data shows that the catch rate is one bass per hour during the summer. During the spring, the lake gets very crowded, as anglers are seeking that lifetime trophy.

SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS
In the Southern Mountain Region, the best destination for bass anglers is likely Claytor Lake. This 4,475-acre impoundment of the New River looks more like a river than a lake but offers great fishing for three species of bass. Largemouth bass in the 2- to 4-pound range are common, but some bass weighing 8 pounds are around, waiting to be caught. There are smallmouth bass averaging 2 pounds and spotted bass averaging 1 pound that are caught with regularity. Fifty-eight percent of anglers fish for bass at the lake. A combined creel limit of five bass can be taken home.

With the habitat being shared by three species of black bass, the largemouth fishing can be a bit tougher than it might otherwise be. Biologists’ reports, however, show that the largemouth population is increasing. One of every three bass caught will be a largemouth.

The coves of the lake are by far the best places to cast for them. Peak Creek, Clapboard Hollow, Spooky Hollow and Texas Hollow are popular places to fish. Lures that imitate fish such as alewives and sunfish are the best baits for largemouths at Claytor. here are numerous ramps and access points at Claytor Lake to include the state park on the north side of the lake. Call (540) 643-2500 for information.

NORTHERN MOUNTAIN
There are two destinations for bass anglers that we want to profile this year in this rugged region. Lake Moomaw is a great destination for anglers and offers both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Paul Bugas, fisheries biologist for the region, reported that smallmouth sampling was above average and average for largemouths this past spring. Bugas told us that the average largemouth caught is 12 inches. Fishing the shallows in coves and along the shoreline is the most productive way to catch bass during the spring. Once the summer heat hits, anglers do well fishing on structure in water as deep as 25 feet. Another good place to fish is around the islands near Greenwood Point in the midlake area or on the flats. A day’s catch of 20 bass is not out of the ordinary.

We also spoke to Steve Reeser, who works in the northern portion of the region. Reeser gave a nod to a small sleeper water called Lake Laura, which is privately owned but managed by VDGIF and open to the public. This 44-acre lake is not known for numbers of trophy bass, but there is a very dense population of 12-inch bass there. This lake is a great place for a parent to take a young person to learn how to bass fish and be able to take some fish home to eat at the end of the trip. By harvesting some bass from the lake, anglers will help the population grow a bit and free up resources. The water is clear at Laura and there is some vegetation present at the upper end of the lake. There is a slot limit on bass 12 to 15 inches.

NORTHERN PIEDMONT
The Northern Piedmont added a real gem to its lineup this past fall. Hunting Run Reservoir in Spotsylvania County just off Ely’s Ford Road is a 455-acre impoundment that was stocked in 2003. Biologists’ reports place Hunting Run in second place in the entire region in terms of preferred size bass. There are a solid number of 15-inch fish at Hunting Run, but some fish up to 7 pounds have been sampled, too. The theory is that several farm ponds were flooded when the lake was created and the bass in those ponds had a completely new habitat to move into.

Anglers can launch small boats and canoes now at the primitive ramp off Ely’s Ford Road. A concession and other amenities will be built within the next year with a good ramp for larger boats. A county permit and a state fishing license are needed to fish the lake.

The lake is steep sided in some places but has coves with shallow water.

Steve Owens, fisheries biologist who helped stock and now manages the lake, told us that the builders put in some nice brushpiles that hold very respectable fish. Use a fish finder to locate these structures and fish them slowly.

Owens also pointed out that Hunting Run is a destination that anglers will want to fish for quite some time.

“Hunting Run is new and catch rates are high. We expect the fishing at Hunting Run to be great for the next 10 years before it levels out.”

Bass anglers have much to be excited about this season. Everywhere we looked the outlook was good. Be sure to fish some of the smaller lakes and ponds near your home as well as the ones we featured here. Good fishing!