r/FishingRVA

Which is better? Pipeline or pump house park. mainly for smallies

I’ve live in rva for 4 years and i just got into fishing again and there’s a lot of places up here. I’ve tried all the small lakes and most of the time get skunked, river is the only part where i’ve got consistent bites, I see people post about pump house park on here alot but my buddies and others talk of times about the pipeline being the best. Which is better in your guys’s opinions?

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u/Potential-Charge-573 — 5 hours ago

Charter fishing boat?

My dad turns 65 in October and I want to bring him fishing. I don’t care much for fishing but I want him to have a great time. Are there any recommendation for charter boats? We live in the King William area, about 25 minutes outside of Richmond.

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▲ 521 r/FishingRVA+1 crossposts

We are taking real steps to identify who’s doing those and to hold them accountable.

If you find a fish in this state, report it to the authorities and dispatch it ethically. We have an idea where this is happening and likely those responsible.

u/Idc-f-off — 2 days ago

2026 FishingRVA meetup!

Alright everyone! The long-awaited 2026 meetup is finally here!

We’ll be gathering at Westhampton Lake at the University of Richmond on Sunday, August 30th, 2026, from 8 AM–2 PM.
45 Lakeview Lane, Richmond, VA 23173
Show up early, come by later, or stay as long as you’d like!

I’ll have worms, some tackle for the kids, and stickers. I also ordered another batch of the first-edition stickers, but I’m not sure if they’ll arrive in time for the meetup.

The main target species in the lake are bluegill and largemouth bass.

Bring your rods, bring the family, and come hang out and meet some of the community in person!
Looking forward to seeing everyone out there!

u/Idc-f-off — 3 days ago

Ethanol Free Gas Around RVA

Not strictly fishing related, but I imagine fellow boaters are on this subreddit. I recently acquired a boat and I am looking for a station around RVA that sells ethanol free gas. Do yall know of any?

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u/semphigh — 2 days ago

Power Outage Recovery Effort

That lightning storm was different, to say the least.

To push things along TODAY ONLY, group members and your friends / family can get brand new spinning rod / reel combos and free bait (3 regular live eels, 1-2 frozen gizzard shad (depending on size) for 50% off. Other items available, just ask! While supplies last.

Most rod and reel combos vary from $25-$50, come pre-spooled, for panfish / bass / catfish / pier setups. These are either Tsunami or Daiwa brand.

Let your peoples know and thank you! Please make sure to mention FishingRVA for the discount!

Just fyi, the storm knocked out power and killed almost all of my minnows overnight, but I still have some left if that's your preference.
You're welcome to message for number, directions, etc.
Thanks for the support, from Hook You Up Bait and Tackle, Sandston!

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u/Reasonable_Lime9837 — 4 days ago
▲ 117 r/FishingRVA+1 crossposts

"Snakehead being reported in the James River" The humble blue catfish:

u/LongMomo67 — 7 days ago

The Holy Roller Chatterbait pays off

Someone left a plastic Jesus figure on a shelf at my son's work a few months ago. Fast-forward to yesterday, when that son expressed interest in wading the James for smallmouth for the first time. That made me a happy dad indeed!

I did not want to take him on his first river fishing trip and outfish him, so I rigged up JC on a FlashBack Mini head and figured I would just throw it in the opposite direction of where I was showing him to cast his more traditional river smallmouth baits.

Well, he got some bites, but I landed the only fish. A channel cat on the one-of-one Holy Roller Chatterbait.

u/SweeetPappy — 6 days ago

Night crawlers for sale ?

Anyone know where to get night crawlers in the western Henrico area? I picked some up from Cabala’s last season and they were all dead the next day. Just seeing if there were other options in or around that area?
I’m heading towards Charlottesville this weekend and able to stop along 64 west or 250 west if there are any places out that way that anyone knows about.

Thanks for any info!

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u/BJ804RVA — 7 days ago

Cannot catch a Bass

Hey yall, I’ve been fishing salt water all my life. I grew up in the 757 and recently moved to the Richmond area (short pump/west end). Locally all I’ve been able to catch are Sunfish and Catfish. I’ve been trying for the last 3 months to catch a bass and I have yet to do so.

I’ve probably spent close to 120 hours trying, literally all my free time, to catch a bass. I have probably $150 in lures, 3 styles of rod combos, kayak, at least a dozen fishing holes, etc. I’m at the point where I joke with my wife that I’m willing to pay someone to teach me- because nothing is working. No matter how many posts I read or videos I watch.

If anyone has any advice or would like to teach me, I’m more than willing to exchange labor (I’m a master mechanic), pay for your time, or do whatever to catch a bass.

Thanks yall!

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u/AgreeableCrab5219 — 7 days ago

I'd like to start eating the fish that I catch

Nothing out of the James of course 😄

I would love some advice on what waters to target late summer/early fall and what species to fish for if my plan was to bring home a fish for dinner and a couple for the freezer. No crustaceans due to a family member's allergy, but I'm open to molluscs and gastropods. I'm willing to drive 2-3 hours for a good spot.

I grew up on the west coast targeting and eating rainbow trout in the Coast Range, so I'm just not as familiar with what's good to eat in Virginia. I know the DNR regulations book has suggestions for how often to eat fish out of different bodies of water, so that's probably a good place to start. But if any locals or expert anglers want to share some wisdom for turning this hobby into a way to keep my grocery bill lower, I'd really appreciate it. 🙌

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u/Sunf1re96 — 6 days ago

Dead Walleye? at Pumphouse today

Found this dead Walleye at the pump house today. Floated down the river. I’ve never seen a Walleye in Richmond before, let alone one this big.

u/HuckleberryCheap3901 — 8 days ago

Fishing James river near Scottsville

Not familiar with fresh water end of the james. Will be fishing near Scottsville for a bit so was wondering if anyone had some tips on what to bring along for a mid August weekend.

Got a couple small rods for ponds and lakes and a couple larger ones for salt water bottom fishing. Smaller rods a better fit for that part of the river? Love to try and catch some bass and smaller things like that.

Thanks!

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u/KinRva29 — 9 days ago
▲ 53 r/FishingRVA+1 crossposts

Lake chesdin fishing report

Big thanks to Kenya and her family for spending the day on the water with us at Lake Chesdin! 🎣

With water temps pushing 85°, the summer bite was definitely a bit of a grind, but this crew stayed focused and kept the rods bending!

We started off strong putting a nice mess of crappie and white perch in the boat. When the action cooled down, we turned around to work our way back and found a second wind—adding more crappie, perch, and a couple of solid largemouth bass to the tally.
The bass certainly gave us some drama on the way home, putting on an acrobatics show and spitting the crankbaits right back at us, but that's all part of the fun!

Warm water conditions just make the landed fish that much sweeter. Thank you again Kenya and family for fishing with us—we had an absolute blast with you all and are already looking forward to getting this crew back on the water with us in the spring! 🐟☀️

#LakeChesdin #FishingGuide #VirginiaFishing #BassFishing #CrappieFishing #FamilyFishing #TightLines #SpringFishing

u/GooberTimeGuide — 11 days ago

Best public access stretch of the South Anna for multi species fishing?

I make it up to the area once in a while and last time I waded a small stretch of the river around the Patrick Henry bridge. It was really productive for sunfish, but I'm wondering if the ground squirrel area is more productive for smallmouth/lmb/spotted bass. I'd be wading if it makes a difference. Last time I never hit a point where it was too deep to wade, is the ground squirrel area the same? Thanks a lot.

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u/Unlucky_Party_3058 — 11 days ago
▲ 19 r/FishingRVA+1 crossposts

Too windy past 1pm for kayak fishing?

Launching out of Gloucester Point and would like to fish all day. Too windy past 1pm? Forecast says windy until about 5pm. I’m in a Hobie Revo 13. Hope to catch something worthy to eat other than croakers.

u/iHungryForKnowledge — 13 days ago

Places to fish from the back of a truck?

Hello all,

Apologies if I don’t sound like I know what I’m talking about, because i really don’t. My girlfriend loves fishing and I have been trying to get into it so we can go together. I’d love to plan a date where we can have a picnic in the back of her new truck she just got and fish from it as well. Are there any spots around RVA that would be able to accommodate this? Typically we hike in a bit so I’m not sure of anywhere we could just back the truck up to.

Thanks in advance!

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u/neenieweenie13 — 9 days ago