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.
