Bdr 5/2/13

Winds were up more than forecast but that's normal for BDR.. Actually :) I only caught fish when wind was pushing boat sideways!
WT was 62-64, 20+ chain pickerel (CP) only small ringers in 7 or less FOW. 11-14FOW is where I caught my 4 crappie, but overall, I had a pretty good day ( 3 citation fish!)
Crappie were 6", 10", 12" and a 15"! .. caught several YP one was 12+"! One of the CP right on 24" ( I believe the one pictured) ( sorry for bad pic, had hard time handing him)
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps3d5d817a.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps1426ab39.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...psc2892375.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps6c73f20d.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps82e83800.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps6f914d1f.jpg
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WT must have been just right for CP, Never caught so many in my life! I even had a pickerel attack my bobber! ( another CP followed a bobber for @15sec )

Outstanding day - 3 citations in one day! Congratulations. You retired guys are amazing.

great report!

Those crappie eating CP fertilize the garden quite well.....jus sayn

UTR, I spend some time thinking about this issue last night, DGIF claims BDR is well balanced (fish wise) But, I bet I really caught 30 or more (they were hard to count it was so many) Over a period of 3 yrs I have fished it, I have often caught 2 CP (or more) to every crappie. Most bass fishermen tell me they catch a lot of them also. With the addition of grass carp, I am worried that now with less cover, crappie Pop may decline. I'm going to carry a cooler just for CP next trip..
BTW, I have often said, I prefer SI on spilt screen with 2d sonar.. I don't use DI.. the last few trips I have used DI on split screen with SI. DI really has been helping me! I would have missed a few places that look pretty sweet, had I not been using DI. ( all new structure found was dominated by CP's)

Congrats on the citations, other than the wind you had a great day and mix of fish. Thanks for the report.

Looks like U made the right decision ongoing to BD. 3 citations in one day will put a smile on any fisherman's face.
Wanted to tell you, a friend was was fishing a bass tournament and caught a 14" flounder in Wards Creek. I'll send U a pic.

Way to go Charlie,
Any day you are catching a lot of fish and not sitting a lot is a good day.
BTW, I told you that splitting the screen between 2D and DI was a good way to go. Many times they both really look similar, but at times you can see a big difference with the two looks.

Mike

A 3-citation day will be hard to beat! Another day like that and you will achieve Master Angler I in two days of fishing!! B-D holds some jumbo greenies (not that you should fish for them INTENTIONALLY or anything) and white perch. If you're already at 4, come over to DR for a citation New Kent billfish--1 or 2 trips & you'll have at least one of those toothy torpedoes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Texas Pete

splitting the screen between 2D and DI

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My 11197 screen is big enough to display 3 useful images: 2D and DI stacked on the left 40% of the display and the other 60% set to SI. Unless I'm doing something unusual, it stays set that way all day.

Corker, I never have taken a fish to get paperwork. I know I am in minority on this, but I generally release after measurement and a quick pic-- I don't know 100% why, one thing is I just don't care what-- Comm. of Va-- has to say about my fish. I don't mind/ care if others do.. who knows, one day I might do it.
Mike, thanks for all your posts/help on SI/DI. I recently been doing DI over SI ( on a 50/50 screen) When others make a choice, I believe that they are making a mistake believe DI is "as good, or almost as good" They really are 2 used in different ways.. At least I use them in different ways. SI finds more structure ( because it scans a lot more area) DI helps see what structure is ( when you over top of it).
Corker , I tried my screen split in 4 a couple times on recent trips.. Like you say, a bigger unit is better My 798 screen to too small. It makes each screen to small for me to see clearly at glance.

I am not one to get paperwork either but you dont have to take the fish somewhere to get it weighed do you? Dont you just need length girth and weight measurements? I have never done it.

At BDR it is fairly easy, they have ranger station at Ramp, but generally he is gone and you have to wait for him ( they have button that pages him) Ranger weighs/measures fish for you and does paperwork.. ( But, I hate to hang around after I get off water I am tired and want to get home!)
I read somewhere you can measure and show measurement on picture. Don't remember if you need witness,, Then send this in to DGIF? I know that my gold measuring Do-thingee ( measuring stick?), doesn't show on pictures.. (I have tried, so I could show pic's with measurements here on CC)

found it: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/forms/EDUC/EDUC-006.pdf
BTW, if I catch a 3# crappie... I believe its going to be checked in.. I always think, Do you want to kill "this fish" ?
MY answer so far has been No, and it makes me feel good to think I may catch it again,, Or better yet, some kid may catch it!!

NA- Length (and a willingness to part with $5) and the signature of a witness is all you need in order to register a citation. Full info about the program is here. If you catch a REALLY nice one, you have to get it weighed in order to be in the running for Angler of the Month and Angler of the Year. If you catch a REALLY REALLY nice one, you need a DGIF employee (such as a game warden) to witness the weigh-in. That qualifies your catch to challenge a state record.

way to go charlie! no mean feat, great pics as well.

Nice report.

Thanks for the great report. Nice mixed bag with some trophies in there. :highfive I live in suffolk and would like to take a trip out to BDR. First off, its a bit over an hour away from northern suffolk correct? And is there any permit or daily pass you need to fish the lake. Thanks to anyone who can fill me in on this.

Kitt

Don't used the DGIF map its incorrect. Below should have opening times. There is a small building at Ramp which you pay $6 daily fee.

Parks and Recreation: Beaverdam Park

Sorry I can't get mapquest to work ....

Thank you that's exactly what I needed. Hope to get out there mid next week.

Nice report Charlie. Beaverdam is one of my favorite places to fish but it is a wind magnet.I love catching pickerel but Beaverdam does seem to have an over abundant population of them during the spring. It also has become one of the best places I know of to catch a nice mess of tasty yellow perch. Used to be a paper chaser but now I only register those of certain species that I need to move up to another level. I would register a large crappie but it would have to be a 4 pounder so I guess the odds of that are pretty slim.

Thanks Roy. Some of us haven't seen our 3#er . yet !! :biggrin
I plan to fish out of Deltaville for the biggest part of the rest of this yr. So BDR will be home lake for me till then.