Rain, Occoquan Bass, and Cicadas

Last weekend started out to look like a total washout. I finally caught a break late Saturday for about an hour, so I decided to hit a local residential pond for some action.After missing out on a big girl, I ended only with a feisty dink. It was great to get out out of the house if only for a short period of time.

The following day, the forecast called for 60 percent chance of rain in the morning, clearing up until 3'oclock p.m., and 40 percent chance of rain the remainder of the day. I loaded up and headed out towards Occoquan Regional Park.

I began pounding the banks with overhangs as I made my way up towards the bridge and lily pads. As I got to the first bridge, I finally landed an 18" largemouth on a Gulp 3" minnow.

She put on a good fight and made the trip worthwhile. Even if I was looking over my shoulders as storm clouds approached.

I continued my way landing a few more dinks until I reached the lily pads. Along the way I had seen some huge snakeheads cruising along. I decided to target them by throwing top water frog and a spinner bait. But, no such luck.

On the way back, the sun began to peak but darker clouds began to form, it was time to call it a day. As I enjoyed the scenery, I had some hitchhikers onboard who decided to go on a cruise. Cicadas!

  

It was a fun little trip. I finally had a chance to see these somewhat clumsy insects flying around crash landing in the water.

Beating the Bank

I thought about heading out to Beaver Dam Reservoir in Ashburn, VA in 16-20 mile winds but decided against it. I did not want to be fighting the wind in my little 10 footer. So, off to a nearby pond I went. It is a well covered pond surrounded by many trees. Unfortunately, this pond does have "No boating" signs posted. My only option was to hit the banks.

I caught a couple on a swim jig with a a Zoom Fat Albert Grub. Both were caught by making a perfect cast to a spot near rocks that had some shadows from pine trees just off the bank. The biggest of the two hit the jig just as I began to make my retrieve. The other hit once, a slight tap. I slowed down the retrieve, paused, then the fight was on.

Here is my swim jig setup and Largemouth bass.