YOUR source SINCE 1987 VOL. XXXIII ISSUE VII Woods& March 2020 Wat ers W2’s Big Fish Best Waters! HUNTING One Shot Spring Gobber Hunt SHOOTING Pull, Bang, Crush! BASS FISHING Plus: Cold Crankin’, Ned - W2 Profile Riggin’, A-Rig Fools - Book Review - 44-lb. Limit? BOAT REVIEW - New Record Spotted Bass - Wildlife ‘20 Skeeter FXR visit woodsandwatersmagazine.com maps, videos & books order To Foundation Grants PLUS: CALENDAR OF EVENTS /// TIDE CHARTS /// TOURNAMENT Results /// OUTDOOR CLASSIFIEDS March 2020 woodsandwatersmagazine.com 1 “Visit the dealership and ask about Country the Woods & Waters Off-Road Edition Silverado Package!” - Steve Myers Warrenton, VA 20186. Great vehicles for SILVERADO HD the outdoors. W2 BIG BASS CONTEST magazine & Country To Enter... 2019 Winner John Huckstep Snap a photo of your big bass and with 13.20 lb. bass caught as well as record the weight and Dec. 13. email it to us at woodsandwa- [email protected] or post it to our Facebook or Instagram pages. We’ll judge all entries based on weight. Contest runs through December 31, 2020. COLORADO Winners Receive... A Country Chevy hoodie, Country Chevy t-shirt, Country Chevy cap and $50 Green Top Gift Card. 11 East Lee Hwy, SILVERADO Warrenton, VA 20186. SALES (540) 347-9000 Visit a dealership that welcomes SERVICE (540) 905-4501 11 East Lee Hwy, anglers, hunters and families that just 2018 Winner want to enjoy the woods and waters! Rodney Stubbs with a 13-7 Warrenton, VA 20186. largemouth caught in December. 2 woodsandwatersmagazine.com March 2020 “Dad can I try turkey hunting with you this year?” CHECK WEBSITE FOR SALES! Get a youngster in the woods. We’ll help! Our team can help get your youth outfitted. Mossburg 500 Super Youth Bantam Turkey 20 Stoeger M3000 Compact 12 Gauge Gauge - 22” Barrel - Mossy Oak Obsession 26” Barrel - 3” - Black Synthetic CHECK WEBSITE FOR SALES! The Mossberg Youth 500 Super Bantam pump-action shotguns provide The solidly constructed Stoeger M3000 shotgun will more than fulfill an affordable opportunity for beginning and growing shooters to get your hunting needs. It’s the perfect choice for waterfowl, wild turkey, started with a safe and reliable shotgun. The EZ-Reach™ forearm or upland game birds. For reliability and performance, no other (12 and 20 gauge only) is conveniently located closer to the shooter semi-auto in its price range compares to the rugged, practical M3000. for easier cycling operation. Each 20 gauge Bantam model includes 3-inch, 12-gauge, Inertia Driven® semi-automatic that handles loads a factory coupon good toward a standard sized replacement stock. up to 3-inch magnums without adjustment. Drilled and tapped to ac- The Super Bantam’s adjustable stock is an innovative solution to the commodate Weaver-style scope bases. Ventilated, stepped rib and changing needs of growing shooters. Reduced dimensions and lighter fiber-optic front sight on the barrel for quick target acquisition, even in weights mean more control and a more enjoyable shooting experience low light. for young hunters. A top mounted safety is conveniently placed, highly visible and ergonomic. ARCHERY • SHOTGUNS • RIFLES •AMMO Shop Online Now! FREE SHIPPING over $99! www.DancesSportingGoods.com 804.526.8399 Colonial Heights, VA Dance’s Sporting Goods March 2020 woodsandwatersmagazine.com 3 TOuRnAMEnT RESuLTS b’s Bo FISHING HOLE Northwest River BFH Fishers of Men Virgina EastTour - Teams consisting of one angler The Sturgeon Creek Marina Lake Bob’s Fishing Hole held several nament Director Andy Lavin has over 19 and one under 19 will Anna Winter Series concluded bass tournaments last month and announced the 2020 schedules fish five events around the at the end of January with the will commence their weekly events for both theTeam circuit and the region. team of Matt Martin and Josh this month. Legacy Division. On March 28 the teams begin Hall crowed the Winter Kings with The heaviest sack for February The VA East Teams will open on Lake Anna out of Sturgeon 160.65 pounds of bass caught in went to Dustin Alley and Joey Der- February 29 on the Chicka- Creek Marina. On April 11 they 10 events - 49 fish total. ezinski with three for 12.20 lbs. hominy River out of Rockahock, will visit Lake Chesdin fishing This despite a strong charge by See www.facebook.com/bob- then fish again April 4 on Lake out of Seven Springs Marina. Nate Sullivan and Eric Johnson sfishinghole for more results and Chesdin from Whipponock On May 9 they will fish Lake who won three out of the last five event dates. Marina. On April 18 they will Gaston out of the Pea Hill Public events. For info visit www.face- travel to Lake Anna’s Anna Point Boat Landing. May 30 will find book.com/sturgeoncreekmarina. Marina. On May 16 they will them at Chickahominy Lake out fish Bugg Island out of North of Ed Allen’s Boats & Bait. June Bend.June 6 will see them on 13 will be the final event on the tidal Potomac River from the Chickahominy River out of Hope Springs Marina. They will Rockahock close the season June 27 on For more information visit the James River out of Osborne www.facebook.com/sturgeon- Landing. creekmarina. The popular Legacy Series trail, with Curtis Weldon as Tourna- ment Director also has dates announced. Martin/Hall with Week 8 winning bag. Alley/Derezinski’s February 12.20. Join us for a Profound Party! PROFOUND PARTY Azuma Claud Hopper, Jr. Sunday, March 22nd. All Profound Outdoors baits will be 20% off. Azuma Claude Hopper Profound Outdoors/Hooker Bait & Tackle Azuma Z Boss Pro Staffers Rob Uzzle and Mike Cherry will be present to help anglers make their choices. Other Hooker Bait & Tackle Pro Staffers will also be on-site. Azuma Bray Z State’s Largest Selection We also have extraordinary selection of many other brands including: hookerbaitandtackle.com WE SELL PROFESSIONAL GRADE TACKLE 757 566-9050 7828 Richmond Rd., Toano, VA 4 woodsandwatersmagazine.com March 2020 TOuRnAMEnT RESuLTS The longest-runnning bass tourna- ment series on the tidal Potomac Team Tournament River is back for 2020 with the Bass Trail Tournament Trail following dates: April 4, April 18, The VA Top 100 trail debuted last The Hooker Bait & Tackle Team May 17, June 13, June 21, July18, VA Elite70 Tournament Director year and paid out an amazing The Tournament Trail (HBT4) has an- August 1, August 22, Oct.3-4. All Steve Camp has announced the team of Ryan Ingalls and Brad nounced its dates for 2020. tournaments launch from Leesyl- schedule for the 2020 trail. Wilkerson took first with 19.48 lbs All events will go out of Chicka- vania State Park. The teams will start the season and $10K! Hoffman and Gardner hominy Riverfront Park/Rt.5 ramp. 52 teams fished the two-day 2019 on Saturday, March 21 on Lake Anna were second with 18.83 lbs. and Six tournaments with a two-day Classic held September 21-22 with out of Anna Point Marina. Next up is won $4,200. Tyson and Phillips classic will be held. Dates are as a $18,400 total payout. a visit on Saturday, April 4 to Smith were third with 18.75 lbs. - good for follows: March 28, April 18, May 30, PJ Mosley and F. Rahimi werer Mountain Lake to fish out of Parkway $2,800. The team of Terry Olinger June 13, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, October first with 30.77lbs. Vince Morris Marina. Stop #3 will be Saturday, and Jeremey Southerly took over 24-25 (CLASSIC). and Chris McManus were second May 2nd on Lake Gaston out of Holly the the regular season points race For more information and the with 27.19lbs. Grove.The teams will fish Saturday, and will look forward to the Cham- 2020 touranment schedule visit The duo of Josh Burnley and Jason June 20th on the James Riverout of pionship held in March 2020. www.hbt4.com. Tibetts were crowed 2019 Team of Hopewell Marina. Friday and Satur- For more information visit www. the Year. day Oct 16-17 will be the two-day vatop100.com. For more information visit www. fall event held on Buggs Island out potomacteams.com. of Occoneechee State Park. This trail features full fields of 75 teams representing many of the best anglers in the state. Camp is now accepting entries. For more information visit www. vaelite60.com. Brad Wilkerson and Ryan Ingalls. Josh Burnley and Jason Tibetts. GET PAID TO WIN IN A Congratulations to Cody Pike for being a part of the COME SEE Phoenix Owners Group and winning $14,000 THE NEW of First Flight Money! 921 PHX! www.phoenixbassboats.com When You Your area Phoenix Dealer: Are Ready To See The Difference! 540.657-1136 www.mareinc.com AQUIA, VA March 2020 woodsandwatersmagazine.com 5 March 2020 Staff & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF W o o d s Waters C.C. McCotter MANAGING EDITOR Christine McCotter ONE SHOT VA TURKEY HUNT PUBLISHER Turkey hunters across Virginia are preparing for the biggest Woods & Waters Publishing, LC spring gobbler event in the Old Dominion. 16 PRO STAFF C.C. McCotter - Freshwater Pete Wallace - Saltwater Steve Chaconas - Potomac River Peter Brookes - Fly Fishing Kate Ahnstrom - Wingshooting Ken Davis - River Fishing STAFF WRITERS Walter V. Claxton • Steve Chaconas Ryan Rogers • Aaron Ball Peter Brookes • Kate Ahnstrom 18 Montana Grant FEATURES REGIONAL PRO STAFF The Area Sportsman’s Authority For Over 30 Years Authority For Over 30 Area Sportsman’s The Aaron Ball Steve Chaconas Jeff Poling BIG FISH BEST BETS ‘20 12 Donnie Bell Tom Cundiff Jared Mounts 12 Where to go for largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, Lin Bell Ed Hall Rich Newton muskie, striper & catfish.