Pre-fall, pre-bite trip to DR

Yesterday was this kind of day at Diascund Reservoir-

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030403.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030400.jpg

At times the wind made it tough to stay on spots in the open lake, and then it would be like this-

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030401b.jpg

Lake was at full pool +. WT was cooler, ranging from 81.5 to 83, but the bite is still pre-fall.
Clarity was off a bit and there was some FAV, but neither was bad. Grass beds are growing,
but nothing like last year.

It's too bad there's no way to train these-

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030407.jpg

to eat more of these-

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030402.jpg

and leave the specks alone. Both species were VERY active yesterday. In my boat,
they all get the Radar treatment.

Greenies also consumed lots of minnows, but they got a pass.

Also getting a pass was this 14.25-incher,

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030406b.jpg

one of only 17 crappie for this dawn-to-dark fishing day. Regardless of the bite, the weather
was excellent and it was a joy to be on the water.

Avian activity provided additional entertainment. I've never seen a place where the gulls are faster
at spotting used minnows and snatching them up for a snack. They can spot the smallest of minnows
from a mile away & are on it within minutes. This fellow had a bone to pick with a fish hawk that went by
so fast I couldn't get the camera ready for a shot-

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030408a.jpg

This wasn't the prettiest of sunsets, but it beat sitting at home!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030409b.jpg

Great photos and good report, Thats a healthy looking crappie.

You seem to attract the gar. Better you than me. :biggrin

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Originally Posted by TapOut64

You seem to attract the gar.

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This lake is loaded with the things & they're especially active when the water's warm. I used to break the line when I had a big one, but now I try to land them and give them the Radar treatment. How many small panfish do you think a 3' - 4' gar can eat in a year? The way I see it, my CF-inspired gar policy has the same effect as adding crappies to the lake.

Good post!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corker

This lake is loaded with the things & they're especially active when the water's warm. I used to break the line when I had a big one, but now I try to land them and give them the Radar treatment. How many small panfish do you think a 3' - 4' gar can eat in a year? The way I see it, my CF-inspired gar policy has the same effect as adding crappies to the lake.

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I like it!

Corker it was a very nice day yesterday. I wish i could have fished longer but had family things to do. I dont mind though kids are getting older now and it wont be long and they will be gone. Enjoy them why you can. By the way what brand canepoles are they? I have shooting stars but can't find the 20 footers anymore.

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Originally Posted by GETTHE NET

what brand canepoles are they? I have shooting stars but can't find the 20 footers anymore.

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I've used Shooting Stars and several other brands, but fell in love with B&M's Skeeter Poles. They are strong but extremely light for their length. They're only available up to 14', so that's what I use most of the year. I carry a set (mixed brands) of 10-footers and pull them out whenever the fish are shallow. I also carry a few 20-footers (B&M's "Black Widow"), but only use them as a last resort. They weigh a ton and are hard on my shoulders. I'd rather put a 20' line on the 14-footers and pull the last 6' by hand.

Great report! I'm install new kitchen cabinets this week, and this cooler weather has me thinking CRAPPIE!
LMK, if you hit LCR, DR or BDR.. Interested in results :)

nice slab corker! while you were fishin' i was mowing. gamblin and i are hitting anna tomorrow!

great post and even better pics. work seems to be slowing down a little now that its starting to cool. looking foward to doing some fishing soon. did a little on labor day in the mountains on the james rv. the money grub was the ticket. it out fished a white curly tail grub, a mepps sqirrel tail, and the chartruise/fire ball head grub. would have posted some pics but lost the camera to water damage after we crashed into a rock and almost flipped. hope to cross wakes with you soon

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Originally Posted by woodduck1956

lost the camera to water damage

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That's too bad...but the perfect excuse to upgrade to something with a nice long zoom lens & high resolution. Today's high-res images have enough detail so you can crop out and enlarge small pieces of much larger images.

Nice report and Pics. I’m just snooping around the VA state forum because I’m visiting from MO for some work training here in Waynesboro.

keef- Welcome to VA! How long are you here for the training session? Did you bring your boat?

There are several reservoirs and small lakes east of Waynesboro in Albemarle County that surrounds Charlottesville, but I don't remember that any of them rent boats & TMs.

If you have your boat and are here long enough, Lake Anna would be a good choice. A few posts up this thread, DWAW says that he and his partner are hitting Anna today. Hopefully, they will give us a report tonight or tomorrow.

There are many good crappie holes in VA. DGIF provides details about every public fishery in the state, here. Also, it's quite likely that EVERYBODY will be fishing one or both days this weekend, so you should be able to locate an open back seat if you're interested.

Just this week so no time. Super offer but I leave at 6 am tomorrow! This site is great! THANKS

anna was tough. 2 cats 1 lmb 12 small crappie a couple of gills. no keepers. the lake, however, was great. very few boats. the sturgeon creek marina guy said its been slow- crappie wise. we marked a lot of fish. a lot of shad on the surface. fished the bridge pilings.