Conditions are right for black bass fishing to really take off at large impoundments. Though many smallmouths already have spawned, many largemouths are moving onto spawning beds. That can present some fun and challenging sight-fishing opportunities. Look for a peak in spawning activity when the full moon hits on May 7. After that, spawning action will pretty much be over for black bass.
Rivers continue to offer good action for smallmouth bass.
Many of the smallies have spawned already, and should start feeding heavily as they recover from that stress. David Shelton and Robbie Joyce had the tournament lunker, a 7-pound largemouth. Tracey Bowles of Roanoke and Ian McRoy of Boones Mill swept the overall and lunker awards at the Special Olympics charity bass tournament at Smith Mountain Lake on Saturday. The team's stringer weighed 11.99 pounds, and included a 5.99-pound largemouth. Tim and Jacob Goff of Forest won the Virginia Bass Fishing Teams tournament at Buggs Island Lake on Sunday.