Virginia Fishing News

HUDDLESTON, Va. - The Walmart Bass Fishing League is headed to Smith Mountain Lake Oct. 13-15 for one of six Regional Championships. This three-day tournament features the top 40 boaters and 40 co-anglers from each of the Buckeye, Northeast, South Carolina and Volunteer Divisions. They will be competing for a Ranger 198VX with a 200-horsepower outboard and a Chevy 1500 Silverado in the boater division and a new Ranger 198VX with a 200- horsepower outboard in the co-angler division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.- The weather's power and rage showed itself recently with the devastating springtime tornados that roared through the south. For recreational boaters, summer thunderstorms bring danger not only with wind and waves, but also with lightning strikes. BoatUS' Seaworthy Magazine recently took a look at how to protect yourself from this hazard while boating, sailing and fishing on the open water and has these tips:

ALEXANDRIA, Va.- Boaters are keeping their butts out of the water - and we're not talking about the kind in swim trunks. The BoatUS Foundation reports that the 43 marinas that participated in its 2010 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program saw an amazing 63% average reduction in the amount of cigarette litter - which ultimately would have ended up in the water.

HUDDLESTON, Virginia - The Walmart Bass Fishing League is headed to Smith Mountain Lake March 26 for the first of five stops in the Shenandoah Division. As many as 400 boaters and co-anglers will be competing for top awards up to $9,500 and $3,000, respectively.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - With the EPA's recent decision to allow the use of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol (E15) in 2001 and newer model cars and trucks, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says that trailerboaters will need to remain extra vigilant when filling up their truck and trailered boat at the local gas station. That's because while E15 could be fine for the tow vehicle, it's not good - nor authorized by the EPA - for use with boats. A strong solvent, ethanol has been known to degrade marine fuel systems, damage engines, add safety concerns, and lead to expensive repair bills.

Virginia Beach, Va - The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series, the nation's longest-running and most popular course on recreational marine angling tactics and techniques, will take place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Saturday, January 22, 2011.

Alexandria, VA - The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Center for Coastal Conservation, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, International Game Fish Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) decision to delay a ban on all bottom fishing in a 5,000 square mile area of the South Atlantic until June 2011. An already existing ban on commercial and recreational fishing for red snapper in federal waters from North Carolina to northeast Florida remains in effect. NOAA Fisheries is delaying implementing the ban on bottom-fishing until June to allow time to consider the results of a new scientific assessment of red snapper. According to NOAA Fisheries, the red snapper population is in better condition than was previously estimated.

Suggestions on How Boaters Can Idle Away Their Winter Months
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Across much of America, boaters, sailors and anglers have put away the boat for the season. With spring a long way away, what will keep boaters' passion for water alive all winter long? Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has these suggestions:

Annapolis, Md.- Recent fish kills at Kerr Reservoir and Briery Lake in Virginia have been linked to largemouth bass virus (LMBV) by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists. LMBV has not been implicated in fish kills nationally for nearly a decade. However, the Virginia incidents are a reminder that the organism may still pose some risk to largemouth bass populations. LMBV poses no risk to humans.

Alexandria, VA - - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted 10-4 to reject a proposal to increase the commercial harvest of Atlantic striped bass in state waters Tuesday. In May, the ASMFC proposed anaddendum to its current striped bass management plan, which would have increased the commercial striped bass quota by up to 50 percent. Striped bass is a popular sportfish and the nation's largest marine recreational fishery. Recreational anglers from across the country are united in opposition to this proposal, which would have had negative impacts on the striped bass fishery as well as the businesses and communities that depend on it.