Don’t think for a minute the fishing isn’t good over the winter in the Chickahominy region. All those 8-10 pound largemouth bass don’t vaporize. No, what happens is that they head for overwintering areas where they can find schooled baitfish and continue to feed, albeit less frequently, all winter long.
Some traditional areas to look for winter bass on the tidal Chickahominy River include the backs of lower river creeks like Morris, Tomahund, Gordon’s, Shipwreck and Yarmouth. Largemouth bass will school by the dozens in deeper creek bends with wood. You can target them with a three-inch swimbait on a 1/4-oz. jighead or a similar bait on a drop shot rig.
In the upper Chickahominy, you’ll want to target the region from the first big bend up from Riverside Camp up to Walker’s Dam. In this region, savvy anglers know hundreds of fish school in the deep channel bends. Don’t be afraid to fish 18’ of water with blade baits like a Riverside Ripper or Crazy Blade. Many species are harbored in this deep water including largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch and catfish.
Crappie will school around Walker’s Dam this month, too. Be careful to observe safe fishing practices around this structure. Crappie love the concrete and wood structure in the water here where the river is separated from the lake.
Nearby Adam’s Sports Mart welcomes anglers and hunters. It’s still the place to stop on the way to lake or river and fuel up the boat/truck and you with a hot food bar, plus a back room of tackle and live bait. Adam’s is crappie fishing headquarters with jigs, terminal tackle, floats and live minnows.
Up on Chickahominy Lake, guide Art Conway says February can be a very good month to catch crappie. For the panfish he’ll target deep wood with minnows and ultra-light jigs with his clients in the lower section of this lake.
When you are on the middle river, use Riverside Camp & Marina’s facilities which include a fine boat ramp and piers, tackle shop and campground with rental cabins. On the upper river, Rockahock Campground (and cottages) is fishing headquarters.
Up on the lake, Ed Allen’s Boats & Bait is fishing headquarters on the lower end of the lake. Here you’ll find a boat ramp, jon boat rentals, minnows, tackle shop, restaurant and fishing pier.
Another Chickahominy Lake launching option is Eagles Landing. Located a couple miles above Walker’s Dam, Eagles Landing offers a concrete ramp, rental boats, tackle shop and live bait.
In nearby Toano, a bit down Rt. 60 there’s a great gun shop and an awesome tackle shop. The wife might want to accompany you. Drop her off at the nearby Williamsburg outlets. Reconvene for lunch or dinner at the waterfront Lakeside Restaurant at Ed Allen’s.
Toano General Gun Store is area headquarters for hunters and firearms enthusiasts. Inside you’ll find everything from long guns to handguns, accesories to ammunition. You can also pick up a gun you’ve ordered online from the shop.
Visit Fishing Pro Tech this month for the new Megabass IxI Shad TX or the classic Vision 110 Minnow. ProTech is also a stocking dealer of the CAST US Prodigy swimbait and over 40 ZOOM baits, some in special run colors.
Tomahund Marine is the area headquarters for marine resupply, repairs and winterization. They also sell War Eagle boats so if you are looking for a duck and fishing boat, perfect for hunting and fishing the marshes of the Chickahominy and James River they have options. Beavertail boats and motors are on the way to Tomahund. If you are a duck hunter you’ll want to take a look at this popular line.
