Fishing the DMV

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by Bassmaster Open Champion Cole Huskins to break down his incredible Bassmaster Open victory on Lake Norman! If you’re looking for a Lake Norman fishing report, Bassmaster tournament breakdown, bass fishing tips, tournament fishing strategy, or kayak bass fishing insight, this episode is packed with information to help you catch more bass.

Cole explains how a critical late-day adjustment to a Neko-rigged worm helped him land the giant bass that secured the win in one of the tightest Bassmaster Open finishes of the season. We also dive into postspawn bass fishing patterns, offshore bass fishing, dock fishing techniques, low water conditions, suspended bass behavior, and how changing weather impacted the tournament.

🎣 Topics Covered:
 • Bassmaster Open Lake Norman recap
 • Lake Norman bass fishing report
 • Neko rig bass fishing techniques
 • Dock fishing for postspawn bass
 • Offshore bass fishing strategy
 • Tournament-winning bass fishing adjustments
 • Kayak bass fishing applications
 • Main lake vs shallow pocket fishing
 • How to catch pressured bass during the postspawn

Whether you fish Bassmaster Opens, kayak bass tournaments, local bass fishing tournaments, or simply love learning advanced bass fishing techniques, this episode delivers high-level tournament fishing insight from one of the hottest anglers in bass fishing right now.

Cole Huskins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_huskinsfishing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

 Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech

Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]
 
Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168

Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by Chris Decker after his BIG BFL WIN on Kerr Lake (Buggs Island Reservoir)! Chris breaks down the exact spinnerbait fishing pattern that helped him win against a stacked field on one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country.

If you’ve been searching for a Kerr Lake fishing report, Buggs Island bass fishing tips, spring bass fishing patterns, or tournament-winning spinnerbait techniques, this episode is packed with information that can help you catch more bass right now.

Chris explains how he used a power fishing approach from start to finish, targeting largemouth bass from ultra-shallow water all the way out to deeper transition areas in 10 feet of water. Instead of constantly changing baits, Chris stayed committed to a chartreuse and white spinnerbait pattern and adjusted throughout the day based on weather, water clarity, and changing lake conditions.

In this episode we cover:
 • Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) BFL Winning Pattern
 • Spinnerbait Fishing for Big Bass
 • Spring Bass Fishing Techniques
 • Power Fishing Strategies That Win Tournaments
 • Bass Fishing Shallow Water vs Deep Water
 • How to Fish Changing Conditions During a Tournament
 • BFL Tournament Fishing Breakdown
 • Bass Fishing Lure Selection & Adjustments
 • How to Cover Water Efficiently for Tournament Bass Fishing
 • Virginia & North Carolina Bass Fishing Patterns

Whether you fish Kerr Lake, Buggs Island Reservoir, Lake Gaston, Smith Mountain Lake, Chickahominy River, the James River, or tidal fisheries across Virginia and North Carolina, this episode is loaded with tournament bass fishing knowledge and real-world tactics that are producing fish RIGHT NOW.

Topics Covered:
 Kerr Lake fishing report, Buggs Island fishing report, spinnerbait bass fishing, BFL tournament fishing, largemouth bass fishing, spring bass fishing, bass fishing tips, bass tournament strategy, MLF BFL, power fishing for bass, reaction bait fishing, tournament bass anglers, Virginia bass fishing, North Carolina bass fishing, shallow water bass fishing, offshore bass fishing, bass fishing patterns 2026.

🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to Fishing the DMV for weekly bass fishing reports, tournament analysis, fishing tips, lake breakdowns, and interviews with some of the best anglers in the fishing industry!

Chris Decker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DdcTZv2Qu/ 

Chris Decker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisCastsOutdoors 

 Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

 Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech:  https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 

Email: [email protected] 

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168

Support the show

On this special episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by Steve Kambouris from Kambotrout Fishing for an in-depth conversation before he leaves the Mid-Atlantic region for a new chapter in Chicago.
Steve has become one of the most recognizable names in the Northern Snakehead fishing world, helping grow the popularity of Maryland snakehead fishing, Potomac River snakehead fishing, kayak snakehead fishing, and tidal river fishing through YouTube videos, tournament coverage, educational fishing content, and conservation discussions.
In this episode, we break down Steven’s legacy within the Maryland fishing community and discuss how Northern Snakehead fishing exploded across Maryland, Virginia, and the Northeast. We also talk about where the snakehead fishery is today, the future of snakehead fishing tournaments, and how social media, kayak fishing, and YouTube helped turn Northern Snakehead into one of the fastest-growing freshwater game fish in America.
We dive deep into:
• Maryland snakehead fishing and Potomac River snakehead fishing
• Northern Snakehead tournament fishing and competitive kayak fishing
• Snakehead conservation and invasive species management
• Best snakehead lures, chatterbaits, frogs, swimbaits, and weedless setups
• Tidal river fishing patterns and locating snakehead in pressured waters
• Maryland Snakehead kayak fishing culture
• Conservation ethics, and fishery sustainability

Steve also shares quick but valuable tips on how to catch Northern Snakehead consistently, including understanding water temperature, vegetation, tide movement, bait selection, and stealth approaches for kayak anglers targeting giant snakehead in skinny water.
If you’re searching for the latest Maryland fishing report, snakehead fishing tips, Potomac River fishing advice, kayak fishing content, or Northern Snakehead tactics, this episode is packed with information for anglers who love chasing aggressive topwater bites and trophy freshwater predators.

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]
 
Below is a link to all of Steve’s social media contacts as well as determine organization. We talked about during the episode!  

Edgemere Bait and Tackle for his last Seminar: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078413486328 

Kambotrout Fishing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KambotroutFishing/featured 

Kambotrout Fishing on Instagram: instagram.com/kambotrout_fishing 

Kambotrout Fishing on Facebook: facebook.com/kambotrout

Kambotrout Fishing on TikTok: vm.tiktok.com/pGPdwG

VKAE-Virginia Kayak Anglers Elite Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1223658781819481

VKAE-Virginia Kayak Anglers Elite on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fish_vkae/ 

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168

Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by Hunter Smith and Lin Bell for an in-depth James River and Chickahominy River fishing report packed with current bass fishing patterns, tournament strategies, and the latest tackle trends from Virginia’s tidal fisheries! We also break down all the brand-new bass fishing baits and tackle that just arrived at Fishing Pro Tech located just outside Williamsburg, Virginia.

Hunter dives deep into how he located and patterned bass during constantly changing tidal river conditions, including how bass reposition throughout the day based on tide movement, fishing pressure, weather conditions, and boat traffic. We also discuss key high-percentage areas like grass lines, cypress trees, lily pad fields, creek mouths, backwater creeks, and tidal current seams that are producing quality largemouth bass right now on both the Chickahominy River and James River.

In this episode we cover:
 • James River bass fishing patterns
 • Chickahominy River bass fishing report
 • Tidal river bass fishing strategies
 • Tournament-winning lure selections and bait adjustments
 • Frog fishing, flipping, chatterbait fishing, and shallow water power fishing tactics
 • How changing tides impact bass positioning and feeding behavior
 • How Hunter adjusted throughout the day to stay on productive fish
 • How to replicate these patterns on Virginia tidal fisheries
 • New JDM tackle and bass fishing baits now available at Fishing Pro Tech

If you’re searching for a Virginia bass fishing report, James River fishing report, Chickahominy River fishing report, tidal bass fishing tips, or tournament bass fishing strategies, this episode is loaded with real-world information designed to help you catch bigger bass and become a better angler on tidal fisheries throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we break down the BRAND NEW Upper Potomac River data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)! We dive deep into the latest shocking data, electrofishing surveys, smallmouth bass population trends, trophy smallmouth numbers, walleye management, invasive flathead catfish expansion, fish stocking updates, and what all of this means for bass fishing in the Upper Potomac River heading into 2026!

If you love river smallmouth bass fishing, kayak bass fishing, bass fishing reports, tournament bass fishing, or fisheries biology, this is an episode you DO NOT want to miss!

We analyze the latest MD DNR catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data for:

Quality-size smallmouth bass (>11 inches)
 Preferred-size bronzebacks (>14 inches)
 Trophy/Memorable smallmouth bass (>18 inches)

We also discuss:

•  Upper Potomac River bass fishing conditions
•  Point of Rocks, Brunswick, Shepherdstown, Williamsport & Paw Paw survey zones
•  Why NO juvenile smallmouth bass stocking is planned for 2026
•  Big Slackwater fishery monitoring
•  Upper Potomac River electrofishing surveys
•  FishTagged.org smallmouth bass tagging project
•  Maryland DNR fisheries management strategy
•  Upper Potomac walleye stocking & tagging program
•  Invasive flathead catfish spreading through the Potomac River system
•  How flathead catfish may impact the smallmouth bass fishery
•  Trophy smallmouth bass fishing opportunities in Maryland, Virginia & West Virginia

Episode on the Smallmouth Stocking Program: https://youtu.be/ORoGSBSGfjk 

Maryland Department of Natural Resources:  https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/default.aspx 

Maryland DNR Muskie Survey:  https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/recreational/muskie.aspx

Fish Tagged Program: https://fishtagged.org/  

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Support the show

On this episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by Andrew Blair, owner of Tactical Fishing Company, for a behind-the-scenes look at the modern fishing industry, kayak bass fishing, tournament competition, sponsorships, and content creation in 2026.

We discuss Andrew’s recent kayak bass fishing tournament win, what it takes to compete at a high level in today’s bass fishing scene, and the realities of building a fishing brand through YouTube, social media, and the growing kayak fishing community.

Andrew also breaks down his recent BIG kayak bass fishing tournament win, discusses the grind of competitive kayak bass tournaments, Bassmaster Kayak Series-style competition, tournament preparation, fishing pressure, and what it takes to consistently compete at a high level in today’s bass fishing tournament scene.

If you’ve ever wanted to:
 • Start a fishing tackle company
 • Become a fishing content creator
 • Grow a fishing YouTube channel
 • Learn about fishing sponsorships
 • Understand the business side of bass fishing
 • Get involved in kayak bass fishing tournaments
 • Follow the Bassmaster and kayak tournament scene
 • Learn how anglers build fishing brands in 2026

 Andrew Blair Fishing on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@andrewblairfishing 

Tactical Fishing Company Website: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Andrew Blair Fishing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19m5uHDVTh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Andrew Blair on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrewblairfishing?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 

Andrew Blair Fishing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.blair_fishing/ 

Tactical Fishing Company TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tactical.fishing.company 

Tactical Fishing Company Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/tactical_fishing_company 

Tactical Fishing Company on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacticalFishingCompany/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web# 

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Support the show

On this action-packed episode of Fishing the DMV, I’m joined by NVKBA angler Nathan Updike, fresh off an incredible victory at the 2026 NVKBA Shenandoah River kayak bass fishing tournament! Nathan broke down an absolutely dominant performance, putting together an impressive 89.50-inch limit against one of the most stacked fields we’ve ever seen on the Shenandoah River.

NVKBA’s first river event of the 2026 trail season proved once again why the Shenandoah River is considered one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries on the East Coast for kayak fishing, river fishing, and tournament bass fishing. With mostly overcast skies and late-day rain showers keeping conditions perfect, 65 anglers combined to catch an incredible 262 smallmouth bass throughout the day.

Even more impressive, anglers recorded 5 Virginia citation smallmouth bass during the event, showcasing just how healthy and productive the Shenandoah River fishery continues to be. Along with giant bronzebacks, competitors also reported catching walleye, largemouth bass, and catfish while covering miles of moving water in search of winning fish.

In this episode, we break down:

• Shenandoah River smallmouth bass fishing patterns
• Kayak bass fishing tournament strategy
• River fishing techniques for pressured smallmouth
• Best baits and lures for Shenandoah River bass fishing
• Current conditions and seasonal river fishing trends
• How Nathan located and caught nearly 90 inches of river smallmouth bass
• Why the Shenandoah River continues to dominate as a premier kayak fishing destination

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

NVKBA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nvkba 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Click the link below to get free shipping off any Super Blue Stuff roll-ons when you use the code FISHING! Click the link below right here:  https://bit.ly/4buUMb5 

Support the show

On this episode of Fishing the DMV, I sit down with Billy Kohls of Smith Mountain Lake Guide Service to break down a can’t-miss Smith Mountain Lake fishing report and a masterclass on spring to early summer bass fishing transitions.

We dive deep into one of the most important—and often misunderstood—patterns in bass fishing: the shad spawn. Billy explains exactly how to identify a shad spawn, when it happens during the late spring to early summer window (May–June transition), and how to turn it into a tournament-winning pattern whether you’re fishing Smith Mountain Lake, the Potomac River, or any bass fishery across the country.

If you’re into Bassmaster-style tournament fishing, this episode is loaded with actionable insight. We cover shad spawn patterns, key bait selections, how to locate active fish during low-light feeding windows, and how to adjust once the bite shuts off. Billy also breaks down how to approach a lake strategically during this seasonal shift—giving you a blueprint for consistent summertime bass fishing success.

Topics covered include:

• Smith Mountain Lake spring bass fishing report 
• Shad spawn patterns and timing 
• Tournament bass fishing strategies (Bassmaster-level insight) 
• Late spring to early summer bass fishing transitions 
• How to locate and catch bass during the shad spawn 
• Summer bass fishing patterns that work on any lake 

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!!
      Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

Check out Billy Kohls website at:  Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Guide
https://www.smithmountainlakefishing.com/about

Check Billy out on Instagram down below:
https://www.instagram.com/billy_kohlsfishing/

Check out Billy Kohls YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@billykohlsfishing3697

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, I sit down with Megan Goin, Mark Harris, and Dustin Haymaker to break down the first-ever fly-fishing tournament for warm water species on the Shenandoah River!

Hosted at Shenandoah River State Park in partnership with Downriver Canoe Company, along with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Shenandoah Riverkeeper, this event is bringing something completely new to the region—competitive fly fishing for smallmouth bass, sunfish, carp, and other warm-water species on one of Virginia’s most iconic fisheries.

We dive into everything you need to know about this unique event—from how it’s opening the door for more anglers to get involved in fly fishing, to how it directly supports conservation efforts protecting the Shenandoah River. If you’re into smallmouth bass fishing, river fishing, kayak fishing, or fly fishing tournaments, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Tournament Details:
📍 Program Location: 884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA
📍 Main Park Address: 350 Daughter of Stars Dr, Bentonville, VA
🗓 Date: May 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM

This is a rain-or-shine event (weather and river conditions permitting) open to anglers ages 10 and up. Anglers 16+ must have a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. Competitors will fish using park-designated access points only, and all catches must be photographed on an official ruler with geo-stamp and timestamp enabled—no screenshots allowed. All submissions must be turned in by 3:00 PM at Downriver headquarters.

Event link: South Fork Fly Fishing Tournament

Link to Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Bentonville/ShenandoahRiverFlyFishingTournament 

lease support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 

Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we sit down with Hunter Smith, fresh off a dominant victory at the Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation Region 1 tournament on the Chickahominy River, where he brought in an impressive 18 lbs 5 oz with a 5 lb 6 oz lunker to seal the win!

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about tidal river bass fishing in Virginia, including tournament-winning strategy, bait selection, and how to pattern fish on one of the most consistent largemouth bass fisheries on the East Coast.

The Chickahominy River continues to be one of the top destinations for tournament bass anglers, producing strong catch rates and consistent 4–5 lb fish with the potential for true giants pushing 6–8 lbs or more . Known for having some of the highest largemouth catch rates of any Virginia tidal river, it’s a must-learn system for anyone serious about competitive bass fishing .

We also tie in current seasonal patterns from the nearby James River, one of the premier fisheries in the country, where May through June is prime time for both largemouth and smallmouth bass as fish transition into post-spawn feeding patterns . Tournament data and recent reports show that 20+ pound bags are often needed to win on Virginia tidal systems, highlighting just how competitive and productive these waters are .

Hunter dives into:

• How he located and patterned bass in changing tidal conditions 
• Key areas like grass lines, cypress trees, and backwater creeks 
• Tournament-winning lure selection (frogs, Senkos, spinnerbaits, and more) 
• Adjustments throughout the day based on tide, pressure, and fishing pressure 
• How to replicate his strategy on both the Chickahominy and James River 

We also break down top-producing baits seen in major tournaments like Bassmaster and MLF events, where power fishing techniques like frogs, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, and shallow crankbaits consistently dominate on the James River .

If you're looking for a Virginia bass fishing report, James River fishing report, or Chickahominy River tournament breakdown, this episode is packed with real-world insight to help you catch bigger bass and compete at a higher level.

Follow Hunter on his social media accounts below: 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hpsfishing/ 

Hunters Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 

Hunters YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcYT38BxL_yFHkbb977e_Hw 

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast 

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

Support the show