End Of The Year Stats - December 26th, 2025

 2025 has proven to be a good year for number of fish and fishing efficiency while also being a year that lead to significant transition in how I want to fish going forward. In 2025 if fished 51 days at 12 different venues (Two farm ponds, Glade Creek, Knapps Creek, Bluestone Lake, Claytor Lake, Mountain Valley Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Norman, New River VA, New River WV,  Greenbrier River).  In those 51 outings I documented landing a record for me 1,551 fish over at total of 212.5 hours fished. I averaged 30.41 fish per trip, also a record high for me. I landed on average a fish every 8.22 minutes over the course of a year which equates to 7.29 fish per hour while on the water. 

  I made the decision this year to go away from lake fishing and spend more time on rivers and streams. The minutes per fish has been running between 4.5 to 6 times higher on rivers versus lakes. Lakes have become a zoo since covid and forward facing sonar. I want to spend more time on less pressured waters and avoid other anglers where possible. The other decision that drives this is cost. The cost of traveling to good lakes the cost of maintaining and insuring a boat just don't add up when we have arguably the best smallmouth river fisheries in entire country at my doorstep. I sold my Ranger in September and plan on using my Jackson Coosa HD to pick up the slack created by no longer having a big boat. There was one trip to Smith Mountain Lake after a three day Cabalas Big Bass Event that also involved a cold front that was a primary driver of my decision making process. 

In 2026 I want to spend more time on the New River in VA and WV as well as the Greenbrier. I hope to see a few sections of each that I have yet to fish. I want to get back to Cranberry and Smoke Hole for a day or two when the conditions are right. I also want to do a trip to the South Branch of the Potomac and a trip to the Susky in PA this spring/summer.  My fish catch goal will be lower this year likely only 1,000 instead of 1,500. I want to pursue quality over quantity and I may do some mid summer fly fishing for bass also that will drag my catch rate and totals down some. 

2025 Year End Stats: 

- 51 days fished

-12 fishing locations in three different states

-1,551 fish caught 

- 212.5 hours fished = 12,750 minutes fished. 

- 30.4 fish per trip

-8.22 minutes per fish 

-7.29 fish per hour

- Biggest fish = 5lbs. 8oz. LMB from Bluestone Lake in March only bite I got in 7 hours of fishing

- Most productive Lure = Zoom Super Fluke (Chartreuse) 

- Runner Up = Joe Fly Elite in line spinner. 

Sunday Afternoon on the River - September 28th, 2025

 Mike and I did an afternoon float. There were some storm that come through yesterday and knocked a bunch of dead grass loose that made it a little tougher than last time. The water temp is till hanging around 76 degrees in the afternoon and bass are chasing good. We did have a little wind but we were able to get in some cloud cover that helped with the bite. 

Total Fish = 51

Biggest Fish = 17.0"

Best 5 Fish = 74"

Minutes Per Fish = 3.8

2025 Annual Fish Catch Total = 1,551

Fall's Very Best - September 24th, 2025

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 I fished solo on what was the best conditions day of the fall so far. I caught a rain front pushing in and fished much of the day in the rain. It started off slow but as the rain picked up the numbers and size of fish did as well. I ended up catching 92 in 4 hours and 45 minutes of fishing, but also had 7 fish over 15" while somehow managing to loose two 18 to 20" class fish. I pushed forward and longer to try to reach my 2025 goal of 1500 fish which I was able to do. You never know when hurricane rain is gonna close out the year early. They were on deep structure ledge in the middle of the river primarily. The water was a perfect level of clear and what little wind I did have was pushing down river. 

Total Fish = 92

Biggest Fish = 17.25"

Best Five Fish = 80.5"

Minutes per Fish = 3.4

2025 Fish Catch Total = 1500

Quality Overtaking Quantity - September 17th, 2025

 I fished my usual run. The bite was good from daylight at 7:30am until 9:15am or so when the wind kicked up and the fog burned off. I am seeing the number of fish > 13" go up while numbers are slowly trending down as we begin the ascent into the darkness of the winter months. I crosssed over the 1,400 fish mark for the year. My goal is to try to get to 1,500 fish in 2025. 

Total Fish  = 35

Biggest Fish = 18"

Best 5 Fish =  71.25"

Minutes per Fish = 6 

2025 Annual Fish Catch Total = 1,409

September Runup - September 6th, 2025

 

                             

Brad, Colt, and I floated at day break with some rain headed in for the afternoon. Other than about 20 minutes of wind it was near perfect conditions. We caught size and numbers not seen since spring, Colt was pumped because he caught a 16” fish right at takeout. 

Total Trip Fish = 115

My Fish = 63

Biggest Fish = 18”

Best Fish 5 Fish = 67”

Minutes per Fish = 3.33

2025 Fish Total = 1374

Bakers Dozen X 1000 - August 27th, 2025

        

 I floated from Brooks to Sandstone alone. Fishing was solid for numbers but lacking size. I boated 32 in 2.5 hours before the wind kicked up but none bigger than 12”

Total Fish = 32 

Biggest Fish = 12.5”

Best 5 = 58”

Minutes per Fish = 4.68

2025 Fish Total = 1311

That One That Got Away - August 20th, 2025

I was fishing solo again this morning. I got a late start around 7:45am and the fog burned off earlier than usual to give way to a hot, humid, bright, sunny day making the bite a little less friendly than I would like. I managed to catch 26 in 2 hours and 45 minutes of fishing,  Around 9am on a ledge set adjacent to some deeper water in the middle of the river I hooked a really nice 20" plus class fish. Had a good fight with him that included a couple jumps then for no reason I can explain other than I sloppily had my drag set too tight and had not retied my hook in a month of Sundays he broke off. Not gonna lie that stung a little, maybe a lot. Other than that both size and numbers were down due most likely to persistent heat and falling water levels. 

Total Fish = 26

Biggest Fish = 12.5"

Best Fish Fish = 56.5"

Minutes per Fish = 6.34

2025 Fish Catch Total = 1279

Back At It - August 13th, 2025

I found my way back to the river on cloudy overcast morning for a solo float with a rain front pushing in. Bite was slow early and they did not seem to want top water for some reason. As the rain pushed in things improved and took off. I found a few good fish but the fish were spread out to all manner of areas. 

Total Fish = 37

Biggest Fish = 16.75"

Best 5 Fish = 71.25"

Minutes per Fish = 5.67

2025 Annual Fish Total = 1253

Summertime Smallies - July 7th, 2025

Brad and I floated the New on a hot, humid, summer afternoon post Fourth of July weekend. We did better in both size and numbers than I thought we would do, it was an awesome day to be on the river, we had a great time, 

Total Team Fish = 59

My Fish = 36

Biggest Fish = 18.25”

Best 5 Fish = 68.25”

Minutes Per Fish = 4.58

2025 Fish Total = 1,214

(100 Fish per Month Average Goal Reached )