Fishing the DMV

Thomas Arens
  • 4.9 (68)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Fishing the DMV Podcast is a leading bass fishing podcast delivering the most up-to-date fishing reports, bass fishing tips, bass fishing techniques, and tournament bass fishing strategies for anglers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Covering Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, this podcast is your go-to source for largemouth bass fishing, smallmouth bass fishing, tidal river fishing, lakes or the Chesapeake Bay we are the go to source for all things fishing in the area.  Hosted by Thomas Arens, Fishing the DMV features expert interviews with professional anglers, fishing guides, tournament anglers, fisheries biologists, and fishing industry experts, breaking down bass fishing patterns, seasonal fishing strategies, pre-spawn fishing, spawn fishing, post-spawn fishing, summer bass fishing, fall bass fishing, and winter bass fishing. Every episode is packed with actionable advice on best bass fishing lures, fishing tackle, rod and reel setups, bass fishing gear, sonar and fish finders, forward-facing sonar, electronics, kayak fishing, bank fishing, and offshore fishing techniques. Get detailed fishing reports and bass fishing intel for top fisheries including the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Anna, Smith Mountain Lake, Chickahominy River, James River, Susquehanna River, Shenandoah River, Claytor Lake, Lake Gaston, Kerr Lake (Buggs Island), and more. Learn proven tournament fishing strategies, how to catch big bass, how to find bass, and how to catch more fish with real-world insights from anglers who fish these waters every day. Whether you're searching for the best bass fishing podcast, daily fishing reports, bass fishing tips and tricks, or advanced bass fishing techniques, Fishing the DMV Podcast delivers everything you need to improve your fishing, stay on top of current conditions, and dominate on the water. Subscribe now for the latest bass fishing reports, fishing tips, and tournament strategies to help you catch more bass and become a better angler.

  1. 1d ago

    Occoquan Reservoir Bass Fishing: Summer Baits That Get Bit

    Occoquan Reservoir can humble even experienced bass anglers—but when you understand timing, rotation, and the right summer presentations, the Rez can produce some incredible largemouth bass fishing. In this episode of Fishing the DMV, local angler and tournament winner Jake Ham breaks down how he approaches summer bass fishing on Occoquan Reservoir, one of Northern Virginia’s most challenging and rewarding fisheries. Jake explains why simply finding good-looking water isn't always enough on Occoquan. Being in the right area at the right time can be the difference between going hours without a bite and suddenly putting multiple quality bass in the boat. We also dive into Jake's recent Occoquan Reservoir tournament win, where he caught an early three-fish limit before spending the rest of the day searching for the bigger bites needed to upgrade. Jake explains how practice helped narrow down productive areas, why he kept his bait selection simple, and how he was able to win by fishing shallow without relying on LiveScope. IN THIS EPISODE: Why Occoquan Reservoir bass fishing can be so humbling Why timing and fishing productive areas in rotations can be critical How Jake approaches the reservoir during the dog days of summer Fishing grass, standing timber, rock walls, shallow cover, and offshore structure Why a drop shot has become one of Jake's confidence baits Using jigs and big worms for summer largemouth bass Jake's tournament-winning shallow-water strategy How he put together a tournament limit roughly 45 minutes after launch Why tournament practice helped him narrow down his best areas and presentations Fishing areas around Fountainhead, Lake Ridge, Sandy Run, Bull Run, and the lower reservoir The difference between fishing Occoquan from a boat and a kayak Giant largemouth, snakehead, flathead catfish, and some of the wild fish stories surrounding the Rez Northern Virginia tournament fishing and the local Occoquan bass community JAKE'S TOURNAMENT-WINNING APPROACH During his Occoquan tournament win, Jake focused heavily on what he already had confidence in rather than constantly changing presentations. After launching from Lake Ridge Marina, Jake and his partner started in an area known as the Fingers and quickly put together their three-fish limit. As the morning bite slowed and summer heat set in, they rotated through additional areas before eventually finding the bigger fish needed to upgrade later in the day. Among the presentations discussed are the Bronco Bug, custom jigs, drop shots, and large plastic worms. One of Jake's biggest lessons from fishing Occoquan? Finding fish is only part of the equation. Timing can be everything. Jake Ham is a Northern Virginia angler who grew up fishing the banks of Occoquan Reservoir before eventually transitioning to fishing it from a boat. 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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com  Green Top: https://www.greentop.com/  Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/   Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Support the show

  2. 6d ago

    (WARNING EXPLICIT CONTENT) Kayak Bass Fishing SECRETS: Guntersville, Potomac & Rappahannock

    On this episode of Fishing the DMV, we’re coming to you on location from Jake’s Bait & Tackle for a wild conversation covering everything from the KBF National Championship on Lake Guntersville to the Rappahannock River, Upper Potomac River, ICAST, kayak setups, tournament strategy, and the origin story of Team Bent Carrot. We sit down with members of the Bent Carrot crew to talk about what it takes to compete against some of the best kayak anglers in the country. We break down how they approached the massive waters of Lake Guntersville, how research and Google Earth helped narrow down productive areas, and why sometimes having fewer options can actually make you a better tournament angler. 🎣 IN THIS EPISODE: • The hilarious origin story of Team Bent Carrot • Fishing the KBF National Championship at Lake Guntersville • How to break down massive bodies of water from a kayak • Google Earth, mapping and pre-tournament research • Why getting away from bass boat pressure can be a huge kayak advantage • Chatterbait, spinnerbait, jig, swim jig and shallow-water strategies • Breaking down the Rappahannock River • Finding summertime smallmouth on the Upper Potomac River • Why limiting your tackle can eliminate “analysis paralysis” • Tournament strategy when cell service disappears • Kayak selection for shallow rivers and moving water • The latest kayak motors and upcoming Bonafide setups • The current NVKBA Angler of the Year race • Upcoming Virginia kayak tournaments and events We also get John's full report from ICAST, including his conversations with Rick Clunn, Trey McKinney, Dustin Connell, Carl Jocumsen, John Crews, Mike Iaconelli, Christine Fisher and Mike Bucca. Then we dive into some of the tackle and technology that caught his attention — including new Urchin-style baits and rigging systems, Shimano releases, Rapala products, revamped 13 Fishing rods and reels, new kayak motors, sinking ElaZtech-style baits, glide baits, wake baits and more. If you're into kayak bass fishing, river smallmouth, tournament fishing, bass fishing tackle, or fishing the Mid-Atlantic, this episode is packed with information — and plenty of stories that probably shouldn't have made the final cut. 😂    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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com  Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/   Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Green Top: https://www.greentop.com/    Support the show

  3. Aug 17

    How Ewing Minor WON the Susquehanna | BIG Smallmouth in Shallow Water

    On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, I have on Ewing Minor after another huge Susquehanna River victory to break down exactly how he approached one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the country—and how changing water, heavy fishing pressure, ultra-shallow bass, and one critical adjustment nearly turned his tournament upside down before helping him win it. Ewing is putting together an incredible season, including winning the Tennessee Bass Nation AOY, leading the Bassmaster Kayak Series AOY race at the time of our conversation, earning his second national victory, and stacking up roughly seven wins this season. But this episode isn't just about winning. It's a masterclass in Susquehanna River smallmouth fishing and tournament decision-making. Ewing breaks down why topwater fishing is so important on the Susquehanna, how he attacks grass islands, shade lines and ridiculously shallow water, and why he pays almost as much attention to OTHER ANGLERS as he does to the fish. Day Two is where things get really interesting. After catching a 19-inch smallmouth minutes into the morning, Ewing thought he was about to crush them. Instead, the bite disappeared. He found himself fishing behind other competitors, missing bites and watching his tournament begin to unravel. That's when he went into SEARCH MODE. Ewing Minor Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ewing_minor/  Ewing Minor Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009161149401  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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com  Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/   Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Green Top: https://www.greentop.com/  Support the show

  4. Aug 10

    The BEST Smallmouth Tubes You’ve Never Heard Of ?! | River Rock Baits

    On this episode of Fishing the DMV, I sit down with Robert of River Rock Baits. We talk tubes and about natural forage, and what really gets pressured bass to bite. If you fish the Shenandoah River, Susquehanna River, Juniata River, Potomac River, James River, or other Mid-Atlantic rivers, this conversation is packed with information that can help you better understand smallmouth behavior and bait selection. One of Robert’s most interesting theories is what he calls the “95/5” approach to smallmouth fishing. He believes that much of the time, especially on pressured water, anglers aren’t simply putting a bait in front of an actively feeding fish—they’re provoking or enticing the strike. That leads into a detailed discussion about why size, color, presentation, scent, and especially soft-plastic texture can matter when targeting river smallmouth that have already seen plenty of fishing pressure. We also break down why tube fishing remains so effective for smallmouth bass decades after the technique became popular. Robert explains how River Rock Baits hand-dips its tubes, why he believes that process creates a different texture and action than many molded soft plastics, and how matching the hatch influences everything from bait size to color selection. We discuss common brown crayfish in the Shenandoah Valley, seasonal crawfish color changes, gobies, minnows, madtoms and stonecats, along with colors such as Amber Smash, Dark Erie Green, Goby and Red Swamp Craw. The conversation also gets into seasonal smallmouth patterns. When cold water reduces the availability of crayfish, Robert explains why baitfish can become increasingly important around Susquehanna River wintering areas and why an extremely slow-moving minnow presentation can produce cold-water bites. We also compare Susquehanna and Shenandoah smallmouth, discuss the importance of local knowledge, and look at how experienced river anglers have helped Robert develop baits for specific fisheries from Pennsylvania and Virginia to larger northern smallmouth waters. In this episode, we cover: • Why Robert believes many smallmouth strikes are provoked rather than feeding bites  • Why tubes remain one of the best baits for river smallmouth bass  • Size, color, scent, presentation and texture for pressured smallmouth  • Matching crayfish and baitfish forage throughout the seasons  • Susquehanna River vs. Shenandoah River smallmouth fishing  • Hand-dipped tubes vs. molded soft plastics and why texture matters  • Stonecat/madtom, goby and crawfish imitations for river bass  • Winter smallmouth fishing and ultra-slow baitfish presentations 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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com  Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/   Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Support the show

  5. Aug 6

    Chickahominy River Bass Fishing: Topwater & Spinnerbait Tournament Pattern

    On this episode of Fishing the DMV, Ty to break down his second-place finish in the Virginia Bass Nation Kayak Series tournament on the Chickahominy River in Virginia. Ty landed 81.50 inches of largemouth bass while figuring out a changing tidal bite built around buzzbaits, poppers and spinnerbaits. Anglers interested in Chickahominy River bass fishing, kayak tournament strategy and summertime tidal-water fishing will hear exactly how he adjusted throughout the day. Ty entered the tournament with limited recent experience on the Chickahominy River system and made a last-minute decision to launch from Chickahominy Riverfront Park instead of returning to the water he practiced near Rockahock. He began by searching a winding creek, concentrating on bends, grass, cypress trees and other shallow-water cover. His usual drop shots, shaky heads, wacky rigs and soft plastics failed to produce consistently, forcing him to abandon his original plan and pay closer attention to what the bass were actually doing. The pattern changed when a buzzbait generated three strikes within roughly 10 minutes. Ty then picked up a popper and found largemouth bass feeding around grass and chasing large baitfish that appeared to be gizzard shad. He explains why accurate casts, lure color and matching the available forage were so important, along with how incorrect replacement hooks contributed to several lost popper fish. When the clouds disappeared, the wind increased and the water became muddier, Ty transitioned to a spinnerbait and caught the biggest bass of his day. One of the most valuable lessons involved presentation angles. Several spinnerbait strikes came while Ty retrieved the lure in the opposite direction from what he expected based on the current. Once he recognized that pattern, he repeatedly covered the same productive stretch instead of leaving. His Old Town Autopilot 120, remote steering and Spot-Lock helped him stand up, maintain position and make precise casts between isolated grass clumps. In this episode, we cover: How Ty finished second with 81.50 inches on the Chickahominy RiverLocating largemouth bass in tidal creeks, grass and cypress treesWhy he turned off LiveScope while fishing shallow waterSwitching from soft plastics to buzzbaits and poppersMatching large baitfish with topwater lures and spinnerbaitsAdjusting to changing wind, sunlight, tide and water clarityUsing unexpected casting angles to trigger spinnerbait strikesKayak positioning, Spot-Lock and tournament decision-making  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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com  Bass and Furious on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BassandFurious   Bass and Furious on Facebook: facebook.com/tybassandfurious  Bass and Furious on Instagram: instagram.com/bassandfurious  Check out Ty’s sponsors down below.    Nest Realty:  https://www.nestrealty.com/fredericksburg/   Rapala: https://www.rapala.com/us_en/  Bass and Furious Shop  https://www.bonfire.com/store/bassandfurious-shop/  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: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Support the show

  6. Aug 3

    Why Lake Anna Keeps Getting Better | DWR Biologist John Odenkirk

    On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV I have on Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources biologist John Odenkirk for an in-depth Lake Anna fishing report covering largemouth bass, northern snakeheads, striped bass, hybrid stripers, Saugeye, crappie, chain pickerel and the lake’s forage populations. Anglers fishing Lake Anna, the North Anna River, Pamunkey Creek, Contrary Creek and the greater Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County area will get a detailed look at why this Virginia fishery continues to improve. Lake Anna’s largemouth bass population is producing historic survey results. During DWR’s latest standardized electrofishing survey, biologists collected an average of 138 bass per hour and 122 adult, stock-size bass per hour—both new records for the lake’s long-term sampling program. John explains why those numbers are so impressive for a large, clear-water reservoir and how submerged aquatic vegetation, water willow, woody cover, abundant forage and a productive watershed have helped Lake Anna move far beyond its old “Dead Sea” reputation. We also break down the return of hydrilla and other aquatic vegetation, the difference between today’s limited grass carp management and the massive stockings of the 1990s, and why healthy vegetation matters for bass habitat, shoreline protection and nutrient control. John discusses wake-boat concerns in the narrower portions of the lake, harmful algal blooms, drought conditions and the potential effects of future water demands and data-center development within the North Anna watershed. Beyond largemouth bass fishing, this episode covers the future of Lake Anna’s northern snakehead population, DWR’s striped bass and hybrid striped bass stocking strategy, and the major success of the saugeye program. John explains why pure stripers grow slowly at Lake Anna, why hybrids may be better suited to the reservoir and where anglers may find saugeye during the winter. We also discuss rising crappie numbers, chain pickerel in the upper Contrary Creek area, the difficulty of measuring blueback herring and threadfin shad, and other improving Virginia bass fisheries such as Nye Reservoir, Occoquan Reservoir and the tidal Rappahannock River. In this episode, we cover: Record-setting Lake Anna largemouth bass survey resultsHow hydrilla, water willow and aquatic habitat support bassNorthern snakehead population trends and possible future regulationsStriped bass, hybrid striped bass and saugeye stocking updatesCrappie, chain pickerel and Lake Anna forage populationsProductive areas of the North Anna and Pamunkey armsGrass carp management, wake boats and shoreline erosionNi Reservoir, Occoquan Reservoir and tidal Rappahannock bass fishing  Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast Fishing the DMV now has a website: https://www.fishingthedmv.com/  If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com Northern Snakehead: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/snakehead/#:~:text=Any%20unusual%20fish%20needs%20to,804%2D367%2D2925).  Report snakehead: 804-367-2925 Virginia Department of Natural Resources website: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/  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: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Support the show

  7. Jul 27

    Virginia’s Hidden Bass Lakes: Giant Largemouth Near Williamsburg with Brain Boog

    Williamsburg, Virginia, is surrounded by more bass fishing opportunities than many Mid-Atlantic anglers realize. In this episode of Fishing the DMV, I sits down with Brain Boog, a local tournament angler and Woods & Waters writer, to discuss largemouth bass, spotted bass, chain pickerel, and bowfin fishing throughout Williamsburg, Newport News, Gloucester, Suffolk, and the greater Hampton Roads region. he  breaks down the lakes he has been fishing through a local electric-only tournament trail, including Waller Mill Reservoir, Diascund Reservoir, Lake Prince, Beaver Dam Reservoir, Chickahominy Lake, and several of the Suffolk water-supply reservoirs. Anglers planning a Virginia bass fishing trip will hear firsthand observations about which fisheries are producing quality fish, which lakes can become difficult under tournament pressure, and how these bodies of water change throughout the summer. A major part of the conversation focuses on Chickahominy Lake, located above the Chickahominy River near Williamsburg. Bryan explains why the lake remains one of his favorite places to fish large wake baits around shallow cover, grass, and warm summer water. The discussion also covers the impressive weights being brought into local Tuesday-night tournaments, the lake’s largemouth bass population, and the bowfin that regularly surprise bass anglers. Brain also highlights Harwood’s Mill Reservoir as an overlooked destination for anglers searching for quality largemouth bass and trophy-sized chain pickerel near Newport News. Other valuable topics include punching thick vegetation at Newport News Park, targeting offshore structure at Diascund Reservoir, fishing bridge pilings at Lake Prince, and learning how to use forward-facing sonar without allowing electronics to distract from productive fishing. Thomas and Brian also discuss access changes at Little Creek Reservoir and Western Branch Reservoir, the unique bass fishing opportunities around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and the possibility of a future Virginia state-record largemouth coming from an overlooked lake or private pond. That conversation was inspired by a massive bass caught from the runoff lake beneath the roller coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In this episode, we cover: Chickahominy Lake summer bass fishing and large wake-bait techniquesHarwood’s Mill Reservoir largemouth bass and chain pickerel fishingWaller Mill, Diascund, Lake Prince, and Beaver Dam tournament conditionsPunching grass mats at Newport News ParkForward-facing sonar and the challenges of learning new electronicsLittle Creek and Western Branch Reservoir access updatesOverlooked bass fishing lakes around Williamsburg and Hampton RoadsVirginia’s largemouth bass record and hidden trophy fisheriesWhich Williamsburg-area lake are you fishing right now? Leave a comment with your latest fishing report, the lure producing your best bites, or the Virginia fishery Bryan should cover in his next Woods & Waters article. Subscribe to Fishing the DMV for more Virginia bass fishing reports, Mid-Atlantic tournament coverage, local lake breakdowns, and conversations with the anglers who know these waters best. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen to Fishing the DMV on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please support Fishing the DMV and join our Club 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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com    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: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt Support the show

  8. Jul 23

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report with Captain Tom Weaver | Rockfish, Cobia, Pickerel & Stories

    Captain Tom Weaver of Tom Weaver Fishing Guide Service joins the Fishing the DMV Podcast for an information-packed conversation about more than 35 years of fishing and working on the Chesapeake Bay. Operating from the Annapolis area, Captain Weaver offers light-tackle fishing, Chesapeake Bay fly fishing, and family-friendly fishing charters targeting everything from shallow-water rockfish and winter pickerel to bluefish, cobia, red drum, and other seasonal species. Captain Weaver shares how he arrived in Maryland in 1990, just as striped bass fishing reopened following the moratorium, and immediately fell in love with the Chesapeake Bay. Before becoming a full-time Chesapeake Bay fishing guide, he spent approximately 25 years racing sailboats professionally, competed in America’s Cup campaigns, raced around the world, helped lead an Italian America’s Cup team, and later started a boatbuilding company. He also spent more than a decade guiding during the winters in Key West before earning one of Maryland’s limited-entry guide licenses and building his Maryland fishing charter business. The conversation takes a detailed look at how Chesapeake Bay fishing has changed since the 1990s. Captain Weaver explains how major schools of striped bass gradually shifted north from traditional Mid-Bay locations such as The Hill near Poplar Island toward Love Point, Swan Point, Tolchester, Baltimore, and the Susquehanna Flats. Rather than following those fish farther north, he adapted by locating smaller groups of rockfish in extremely shallow water around Eastern Bay and the Choptank River. He now regularly fishes in three feet of water or less, sometimes sight-casting to wary striped bass in water barely deep enough to float his boat. He also discusses the growth of the Severn River chain pickerel fishery, improving water clarity, expanding grass beds, oyster restoration, striped bass spawning conditions, and serious concerns surrounding white perch recruitment. Captain Weaver also breaks down his favorite Chesapeake Bay fishing techniques. During the summer, he frequently throws topwater lures throughout the day—even under bright afternoon sun. His preferred spinning lures are the Heddon Super Spook XT and Heddon One Knocker, modified by replacing the treble hooks with inline single hooks. For fly anglers, he recommends eight- or nine-weight equipment, accurate presentations, clear fly lines when fish are especially wary, topwater poppers, and learning to use a proper strip-set instead of lifting the rod with a traditional trout-set. Captain Weaver also shares memorable Chesapeake Bay fishing stories, including catching large winter striped bass near the Bay Bridge, targeting pickerel on fly tackle, encountering a group of huge tarpon south of Taylor’s Island, and getting shots at 17 cobia near Poplar Island during a single fly-fishing trip. He explains why late summer can bring opportunities for cobia, red drum, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and speckled trout, while winter offers catch-and-release opportunities for trophy striped bass and chain pickerel. The episode also explores Captain Weaver’s fisheries advocacy work. He explains why he supports responsible winter catch-and-release fishing, how seasonal closures can protect striped bass during periods of high water temperatures, and why keeping anglers connected to the resource is important for the long-term future of Chesapeake Bay conservation. His observations come from decades spent on the water, but he also emphasizes the importance of listening to fisheries biologists, managers, and scientific research.  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 fishingtheDMV@gmail.com   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishwithweaver/  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fishwithweaver?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  Website: https://fishwithweaver.com/home  FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt 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: lin@fishingprotech.us Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168     Max4 Fishing: https://bit.ly/4unuiOs  Flint Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/43t8h5N  #FishingtheDMV #FishingReport #ChesapeakeBayfishing  Support the show

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4.9
out of 5
68 Ratings

About

Fishing the DMV Podcast is a leading bass fishing podcast delivering the most up-to-date fishing reports, bass fishing tips, bass fishing techniques, and tournament bass fishing strategies for anglers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Covering Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, this podcast is your go-to source for largemouth bass fishing, smallmouth bass fishing, tidal river fishing, lakes or the Chesapeake Bay we are the go to source for all things fishing in the area.  Hosted by Thomas Arens, Fishing the DMV features expert interviews with professional anglers, fishing guides, tournament anglers, fisheries biologists, and fishing industry experts, breaking down bass fishing patterns, seasonal fishing strategies, pre-spawn fishing, spawn fishing, post-spawn fishing, summer bass fishing, fall bass fishing, and winter bass fishing. Every episode is packed with actionable advice on best bass fishing lures, fishing tackle, rod and reel setups, bass fishing gear, sonar and fish finders, forward-facing sonar, electronics, kayak fishing, bank fishing, and offshore fishing techniques. Get detailed fishing reports and bass fishing intel for top fisheries including the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Anna, Smith Mountain Lake, Chickahominy River, James River, Susquehanna River, Shenandoah River, Claytor Lake, Lake Gaston, Kerr Lake (Buggs Island), and more. Learn proven tournament fishing strategies, how to catch big bass, how to find bass, and how to catch more fish with real-world insights from anglers who fish these waters every day. Whether you're searching for the best bass fishing podcast, daily fishing reports, bass fishing tips and tricks, or advanced bass fishing techniques, Fishing the DMV Podcast delivers everything you need to improve your fishing, stay on top of current conditions, and dominate on the water. Subscribe now for the latest bass fishing reports, fishing tips, and tournament strategies to help you catch more bass and become a better angler.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Arens
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    613
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fishing the DMV
  • Show Website
    Fishing the DMV

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