Bass aficionados all over Virginia are ready to push the boat off the trailer this month in search of those pre-spawn, heavy egg-laden hawgs of a lifetime. Although some of the big-name waters are still in our forecast lineup, there are others that have been overlooked and we aim to rectify that so that anglers can find a water close to home to get in some great fishing.

TIDEWATER REGION
For this forecast, we found a pair of waters not regularly mentioned in magazines. Chad Boyce, fisheries biologist from the Virginia Beach area, brought us up to date about the best spots in the far southeast corner of the state.

Lake Prince is one of the oldest lakes in the region and it is still going strong. Its 900-plus acres of water have remained a favorite with local anglers. The lake's narrow coves and swamps with cypress trees and structure give it the look of a bass angler's dream water.

Boyce pointed out that Lake Prince is once again in the top 10 lakes in the state for citation bass. The total number of bass in the lake is very good, with excellent size distribution as well. The length-to-weight ratio of the lake is also very good. The average size fish is 2.5 pounds, and plenty of fish are in the 12- to 15-inch range. Gizzard shad and blueback herring provide a solid forage base for bass.

Boyce commented that the spawn tends to start a bit earlier here than in many Virginia impoundments. By late March, the spawn is on and the bigger fish are sure to be a draw to anglers.

The second water that we got the scoop on from Boyce was Burnt Mills Reservoir. This lake sprawls to over 700 acres and contains stumps, trees and plenty of cypress. Boyce stated that the average size largemouth at Burnt Mills, like those at Prince, is about 2.5 pounds -- but the potential for a really big fish is quite good at Burnt Mills. This is particularly true in the early spring during the pre-spawn. Some fish over 10 pounds can be caught out of the reservoir. The boat ramp has been closed for two years but is scheduled to be open by the time you receive this issue. If the boat ramp is open, the fishing is likely to be spectacular as the pressure at the reservoir has been essentially nonexistent.

SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
The Southern Piedmont is so full of great bass destinations it is tough to cover them. Buggs Island is a mammoth bass lake that gets a good deal of ink each year because it is a top fishery for so many species of fish, including largemouth bass. In the last sampling, fish averaged 13 to 14 inches, and there is enough potential for 7- to 8-pound fish that any bass angler would be content to fish its waters. If Buggs is your destination, be sure to fish the upper lake, the creek arms and in the spring, don't be afraid to go to the back of the creeks in very shallow water. The spawn takes off in March, so don't miss it!

No bass forecast about this region would be complete without mentioning Briery Creek Reservoir either. This is the best bass lake in Virginia, according to the droves of anglers that come from out of state and even other countries to fish it. The average fish caught from Briery is going to be between 15 and 16 inches. A 16-pound bass has been hauled from its waters and biologists would not be surprised if the state record came from there soon. March through May is prime time to fish Briery. Be mindful of the slot limit of 14 through 24 inches when fishing at Briery.