Thread: Mattaponi perch?

Get in the sharp bends, in the deeper water. Also go down stream from Aylett enough where the water isn't crystal clear.

Nightcrawlers on a bottom rig work. Bobbers work too but make sure your baits deep enough. Most of the river is going to run about 2-3 feet deep on this run but in the corners/sharp turns you'll find water in the 12-15 feet range. I lived in Mechanicsville and spent quite a bit of time putting in at Aylett and going downstream...I got to know that stretch of the river fairly well.

And since I'm not in Virginia and don't fish it now, I don't mind giving up this honey hole.......Go downstream from Aylett (toward Walkerton). Find on the map where Aylett Creek comes into the river. It's where route 600 is closest to the river. Find where the creek comes into the river and fish the opposite shoreline, just before it takes a 90 degree turn. I don't know if it's still there or not but there was some timber in the water right there. When the perch are "on" there will usually be 5-6 boats parked on this 90 degree corner.

I caught some chock full of eggs there back in 2008-2009 which is the last time I lived in that area.

I might not have been fishing deep enough, usually 4-6' under a bobber. I'm definitely going with a bottom rig this time. You gotta love those deep holes in the bends! Thanks for the info. I won't catch them all.

Going tomorrow, Aylett to Walkerton. Temps pushing 70 degrees, couldn't resist the urge.

Good luck. Ekim is correct about that spot. Get your bait close to the bottom. If they are not in the deep water don't forget to try shallow. Like 2'.

Got my butt kicked by the wind today! I put in at Aylett around 9am and paddled down river a ways. FF marked lots fish, but no takers. By noon, the wind was pushing me back up river, despite the outgoing tide. I decided to paddle back to Aylett rather than fight the blustery headwind. So I had to paddle against the tide and occasional gust of wind to get back to Aylett. It was slow going, but I think better than risking the open water and wind down toward Walkerton. I/m feeling it, no question, safe, and got back home in time to catch a few crappie in the pond.

The water looked great. I think fish are there. Gotta try that again.