THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604250528
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bob Hutchinson
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
If you've ever wanted to catch a big largemouth bass in Hampton Roads, there's never been a better time than now.
And there's no better place than the small, private ponds scattered about the area, although some local water-supply lakes also contain a few lunkers.
Bass are on their spawning beds, which means they're full of roe. That translates to some real heavyweights.
For example, Western Branch Reservoir in Suffolk produced a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass that was only 22 inches long. You can imagine what that fish might have weighed at 25 inches or more.
But a word of caution: If you want to improve the quality of bass fishing on your favorite lake, pond or river, handle your big, ripe fish with special ease and put them back into the water after you've measured and photographed them.
Remember, the state's trophy-fish program rules have been changed so freshwater fish can be measured for citation awards and released on the spot, provided you have a witness to the measuring.
Another caution: Now that the weather is warming, the spawning run will not last for long, so if you're interested in a trophy largemouth, get on the water and start casting. SIDE BAR
Freshwater:
Largemouth bass: As mentioned, bass are on spawning beds. Look for them in the shallows, especially in areas which get a lot of sunshine. Stalk them as quietly as possible.
Saltwater:
Flounder: Flatfish are hitting all along the Eastern Shore seaside. Big fish are not abundant, but the average size is better than a year ago. Many anglers report limits. TAPE MEASURE
FRESH WATER
Apollo Quiban of Virginia Beach has earned a citation award from the Virginia Fresh Water Fishing Program with a 7 3/4-pound, 24 1/2-inch largemouth caught at Western Branch Reservoir.
The Suffolk impoundment also produced a citation-winning, 25-inch pickerel for Paul Huggins of Chesapeake.
Dave Tucker of Chesapeake scored with a 12 1/2-inch yellow perch from the Norfolk-owned water impoundment.
SALT WATER
Tyler Fraser of Wanchese, N.C., has earned a citation award from the North Carolina Salt Water Fishing Tournament by releasing two red drum at Cape Point on Hatteras Island. His son T.J. Fraser, age 10, beached his first, a 35-pounder.
Ron Bodnar of Chesapeake has earned a citation from the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament with an 11-4 tautog, caught at Chesapeake Light Tower aboard the boat Scorpion. [Also, a list of places to fish and the kind of fish that can be found there.] ILLUSTRATION: Map
[places to fish]
by CNB