Fishing the DMV

If you’re looking to dial in your Potomac River bass fishing this spring, this episode is packed with high-level insight on tidal river bass fishing patterns, spring bass behavior, and exactly how changing tides, water clarity, and warming temperatures are impacting the bite across the system.

Captain Steve dives deep into the historic significance of key sections of the Potomac River, explaining how decades of habitat changes, grass growth, and conservation efforts have shaped one of the most iconic fisheries on the East Coast. From legendary spawning areas to overlooked spring transition zones, we cover where to fish on the Potomac River right now and how to adjust as conditions evolve throughout April.

We also break down the best baits for springtime bass fishing on tidal rivers, including:
• Proven Potomac River spring lures for pre-spawn and spawning bass
• How to fish chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and crankbaits in tidal systems
• Key adjustments based on incoming vs outgoing tides
• The best techniques for targeting largemouth bass in shallow grass, wood, and current breaks

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]

Captain Steve Chaconas social media & contact information.

 If you want to book a trip with Capt. Steve Chaconas give him a call at: 703-380-7119 

 You can email Capt. Steve Chaconas at: [email protected] 

 Fishing reports:  www.nationalbass.com 

 Please Subscribe Capt. Steve Chaconas YouTube Channel!!!   https://www.youtube.com/user/NationalBassGuide 

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

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 

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On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we bring you a can’t-miss springtime Chesapeake Bay fishing report with special guest Chris Malgee of VB Backwater Guide Service. If you’re planning to fish the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach, or anywhere in the Hampton Roads fishing scene, this episode is loaded with high-level insight, tactics, and real-time conditions you need to know right now.

We take a deep dive into springtime fishing at Virginia Beach, breaking down everything from speckled trout fishing patterns to targeting aggressive puppy drum (redfish) in shallow-water environments that resemble the Florida Keys right here in the Mid-Atlantic. Chris shares expert knowledge on locating fish in skinny water, reading grass flats, and dialing in presentations that consistently produce bites during the spring transition.

This episode also covers:

• The latest Chesapeake Bay fishing report and how seasonal changes are impacting fish behavior 
• How to target bull redfish and slot-sized reds in the lower bay 
• Current speckled trout fishing conditions and how a recent cold snap could affect the fishery 
• Proven techniques for striper fishing in the Chesapeake Bay during the spring migration 
• Key areas around Virginia Beach fishing hotspots and how to approach them like a guide 

If you’re serious about Chesapeake Bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, and striped bass, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

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]

Link to Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbbackwater?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Link to website: www.vbbackwater.com 

Link to YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@vbbackwater

 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 

Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

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

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On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we’re breaking down one of the hottest spring bass fishing patterns in the Mid-Atlantic with a full Smith Mountain Lake fishing report you don’t want to miss! I’m joined by tournament angler Matt McCluskey, who just secured an impressive Top 5 finish at the Major League Fishing (MLF) BFL event on Smith Mountain Lake—one of the most competitive tournament fishing circuits in the country.

In this in-depth conversation, Matt reveals exactly how he approached spring bass fishing during the transition phase, when largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are moving shallow, staging, and setting up for the spawn. We dive into the winning patterns, key areas of the lake, and the exact tournament fishing strategies that helped him crack the code against a stacked field of anglers.

Matt McCluskey Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/matt_mccluskeyfishing/?img_index=1

 Matt McCluskey YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@gotgills4815/videos

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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 

 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

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 

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On this exciting update of Fishing the DMV, we bring you the FIRST official standings update for the Patreon Club Member Spring Bass Bash Fishing Tournament! 🎣🔥
Who’s off to a hot start? Is there already a new leader emerging, or is the competition still wide open? We break down the early action, key trends, and what it’s going to take to climb the leaderboard as the tournament heats up.
This is just the beginning—expect big moves, tight competition, and plenty of surprises as anglers across the DMV battle it out this spring.
Make sure you stay locked in… because things are about to get interesting 

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 

 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, we break down one of Virginia’s most underrated spring smallmouth bass rivers, the North Fork of the Holston River, with local expert Dale Allison.

We dive into spring river smallmouth fishing strategies, including where to find fish, how warming water impacts behavior, and the best techniques for targeting pre-spawn smallmouth bass in current. Dale also shares key access points, float tips, and what makes this scenic river a true hidden gem for Virginia fishing.

We also explore the river’s unique history, its recovery from industrial impacts, and why it remains one of the most fascinating and resilient smallmouth bass fisheries in the Southeast.

If you’re looking to improve your spring smallmouth fishing or explore new Virginia waters, this episode is packed with value.

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

Link to Dale Allison on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576402948861

 Link to TourneyX event: The North Fork of the Holston River in SWVA 

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

3fishing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishtagged?igsh=YTJiYXNhOHo5dmNk

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 

#fishing #bassfishing #smallmouth 

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On this episode of Fishing the DMV, VA B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series winner Justin Largen breaks down his 98-inch victory at Sandy River Reservoir, Virginia. Get a detailed spring bass fishing report, including how he used a Missile Baits Mini Swim Jig and a key flipping pattern to catch big largemouth.

We dive deep into kayak bass fishing techniques, including how Justin used the Missile Baits Mini Swim Jig to trigger aggressive springtime bites, plus a flipping pattern with a secret bait that played a key role in securing the win. This episode is packed with actionable knowledge for anyone fishing shallow water bass, flooded timber, and pre-spawn/spawn transitions.

Located in Prince Edward County near Farmville, Virginia, Sandy River Reservoir is a 740-acre water supply lake known as a true Virginia big bass factory. Built in 1994 and opened to fishing in 1996, this fishery is managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and continues to produce quality largemouth bass year after year.

If you’re serious about bass fishing in Virginia, kayak bass fishing, or learning how to break down a new lake quickly, this episode is packed with high-level insights you can apply immediately.

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]

Justin Largen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin__largen?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

Justin Largen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.largen.3 

MissileBaits: https://www.missilebaits.store/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGniacGIi9z6n4qtEmPSG9K5vEL0G13QSSIaWeDz5oz0UJJmRTzHsAVBxfKw50_aem_XMGiP6C6IMx1v5d4AUORVA 

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 
 

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! link right here:  https://bit.ly/4buUMb5 
 
#bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishing

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On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we’re joined by Lake Anna fishing guide and tournament champion Timmy Sheridan for a full springtime Lake Anna fishing report packed with high-level, actionable insight for serious bass anglers.

If you’ve been searching for the best Lake Anna bass fishing tips, spring bass fishing patterns, or how to catch largemouth bass and spotted bass on Lake Anna, this episode delivers exactly what you need. Timmy breaks down current Lake Anna fishing conditions, including water temperature trends, spawning phases, pre-spawn to post-spawn transitions, and where bass are positioning right now on one of Virginia’s most popular fisheries.

We dive deep into spring bass fishing techniques like targeting shallow flats, docks, brush piles, and offshore structure, and how to adjust based on water clarity, weather patterns, and fishing pressure. Whether you’re fishing tournaments or just trying to get more bites, this is a complete Lake Anna fishing guide for the spring season.

A major focus of this episode is on forward-facing sonar (LiveScope) fishing and how to become a more efficient angler using minnow-style baits, Damiki rig techniques, jighead minnow fishing, and sonar-based targeting strategies. Timmy shares expert-level insight into how to read LiveScope, track suspended bass, trigger reaction bites, and consistently catch pressured fish in both clear and stained water.

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]

Timmy Sheridan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083669022657 

Timmy Sheridan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmy.sheridanfishing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

High Pole Guide Services email: [email protected]

High Pole Guide Services Facebook page:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092234756251&mibextid=LQQJ4d

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

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! link right here:  https://bit.ly/4buUMb5 
 
#bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishingtips

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On this episode of Fishing the DMV, I sit down with Chad Boyce from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to break down the overlooked Suffolk/Norfolk lake system in southeastern Virginia.

We cover key reservoirs like Lake Prince, Western Branch, Burnt Mills, Lake Meade, Lake Cohoon, the Lone Star Lakes, and Lake Drummond — including their history, layout, and how they function as water supply fisheries.

Chad explains the critical habitat types (cypress, timber, flats, channels, and blackwater systems) and how they influence bass behavior, movement, and seasonal patterns. We also dive into how these low-pressure lakes consistently produce quality fish.

If you want to learn how to break down new water, find bass faster, and explore hidden Virginia fisheries, this episode gives you the blueprint. 

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]

Virginia DWR Website: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/ 

Virginia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDWR 

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 

#bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishingtips

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On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we’re joined by Taylor from Always Bent Fishing to break down kayak fishing in Ocean City Maryland, Eastern Shore fishing opportunities, and the hidden potential of Maryland’s legendary blackwater fisheries.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is the stretch of land east of the Chesapeake Bay, known for its vast network of tidal rivers, coastal bays, marshes, and backwater systems. It’s one of the most unique fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic, offering a mix of freshwater, brackish, and saltwater environments all within a short drive. This region is famous for its diverse species, consistent fishing opportunities, and less pressured waters compared to the western side of the bay. From shallow grass flats to open ocean access, the Eastern Shore truly gives anglers the ability to fish everything from kayak backwaters to offshore tuna grounds.

We dive deep into inshore kayak fishing techniques, back bay fishing Ocean City MD, and how to consistently find fish in the coastal bays, tidal creeks, and marsh systems that make this region one of the most diverse fisheries on the East Coast. If you're into saltwater kayak fishing, inshore fishing Maryland, or targeting species like striped bass, red drum, flounder, and speckled trout, this episode is loaded with actionable insight.

We also explore the highly talked-about blackwater fishing in Maryland, including tannin-stained rivers and low-visibility systems across the Eastern Shore. Learn why these dark water fisheries hold big fish, how to adjust your bass fishing techniques, and what lures and presentations excel in stained water and low-visibility conditions. This is a must-listen for anglers targeting largemouth bass in blackwater, tidal river fishing, and Eastern Shore bass fishing hotspots.

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]

Always bent.com https://www.alwaysbent.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alwaysbentfishing 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alwaysbentfishingoc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AlwaysBentFishingOC 

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 Richmon

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On this episode of Fishing the DMV, we dive deep into springtime bass fishing and the explosive world of topwater bass fishing with one of the most exciting techniques in the game buzz bait fishing.

I’m joined by Chris, the owner of 911CustomLures, and we break down everything you need to know about buzz baits, how to fish them effectively, and why they are one of the most powerful tools for catching big bass during the spring season.
If you want to learn how to catch more fish on topwater, trigger aggressive strikes, and understand when and where to throw a buzzbait, this episode is packed with real, actionable knowledge from someone who builds and fishes them at a high level.
We cover:
• How springtime bass behavior impacts topwater bites
• When to throw a buzz bait vs other topwater lures
• The best conditions for buzz bait fishing (water temp, cover, light, and wind)
• How to fish buzzbaits around grass, wood, and docks
• Modifications that make a buzz bait more effective
• The difference between cheap vs custom buzz baits
• Tips for getting more strikes on pressured waters
Chris shares the story behind 911CustomLures, a brand built from passion, perseverance, and craftsmanship. A retired paramedic from the Piedmont of North Carolina, Chris began building jigs during recovery from a hip replacement using Do-It molds. What started as a mission to create the perfect flipping jig that could skip under docks and penetrate heavy cover quickly grew into a respected custom bait company.

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]

911 Custom Lures Website: https://www.911customlures.com/  

911 Custom Lures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/911customlures/ 

911 Custom Lures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/911customlures/ 

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 

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! link right here:  https://bit.ly/4buUMb5 

#bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishingtips

Support the show