Gizara said the expectations are the same at Cohoon as they are at Burnt Mills. The average fish in May ranges from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds, but many larger fish are common, too. His biggest largemouth from Cohoon tipped the scales at 7 pounds.

"A decent day would be eight or nine largemouths per person; however, a good day would be more like 15 per fisherman, but I've caught as many as 30 in two hours on an exceptional day," Gizara said.

Kinsey's best Cohoon largemouth is in the 8-pound range; however, he has seen an 11-pounder caught there.

"The lures and techniques are the same for me at Cohoon as they are at Burnt Mills: I throw floating worms and tubes -- these are really the only two baits I throw this time of year," he said. "The only exception would be if we had an exceptionally warm spring and the spawn ended before the end of the month. If this were the case, traditional topwaters would be a great choice. Ricos, Pop-Rs and buzzbaits are ideal once the water gets in the middle to upper 70s. The main thing in May is to fish shallow."

Gizara targets 5 to 12 feet on edges of drops or points in the morning, looking for a fat, post-spawn pig. He casts Pop-Rs and Zara Spooks over likely areas. Once the day gets up, just like Burnt Mills, he heads for the coves to catch shallow bass with watermelon seed plastics.

"Calm areas where the wind isn't blowing will also help your chances," Kinsey added.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Burnt Mills Reservoir has a primitive ramp -- with limited parking -- located adjacent to the dam off Route 603. Gas motors (9.9 horsepower maximum) are allowed. The city of Norfolk has amended its codes to allow boats with outboard motors larger than 9.9 horsepower to access the lake if the gas tanks are removed or the outboard is disabled (prop removed). Bank-fishing is prohibited. A daily or annual boat permit is required from the city of Norfolk.

Lake Meade & Cohoon Bait & Tackle Shop at 1805 Pitchkettle Road (off Route 58) has a paved boat ramp for Lake Cohoon and Lake Meade, and offers boat rentals, trolling motors, bait, tackle, beverages and snacks. The concession is open only on weekends during winter months, but seven days a week otherwise. Gas motors as powerful as 9.9 horsepower are allowed. Bank-fishing is limited to the shoreline at the fishing station, excluding the dam. For more information, call (757) 539-6216. A permit (daily or annual) from the city of Portsmouth is required for fishing or boating at Lake Cohoon. These permits can be purchased at the Lake Meade & Cohoon Bait & Tackle Shop or through the city of Portsmouth Lake Kilby Water Treatment Plant, phone (757) 539-2201, ext. 0.

The city of Norfolk Web site (www.norfolk.gov/utilities/resources) has lake maps in Adobe Reader format. Anglers are required to have a city of Norfolk boat permit (in addition to a Virginia freshwater fishing license) to launch private boats in Burnt Mills. These can be purchased through a mail-in form by visiting the above Web site. To learn more about the Suffolk Lakes, visit www.dgif.virginia.gov online.