Episode Details

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we sit down with Hunter Smith, fresh off a dominant victory at the Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation Region 1 tournament on the Chickahominy River, where he brought in an impressive 18 lbs 5 oz with a 5 lb 6 oz lunker to seal the win!

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about tidal river bass fishing in Virginia, including tournament-winning strategy, bait selection, and how to pattern fish on one of the most consistent largemouth bass fisheries on the East Coast.

The Chickahominy River continues to be one of the top destinations for tournament bass anglers, producing strong catch rates and consistent 4–5 lb fish with the potential for true giants pushing 6–8 lbs or more . Known for having some of the highest largemouth catch rates of any Virginia tidal river, it’s a must-learn system for anyone serious about competitive bass fishing .

We also tie in current seasonal patterns from the nearby James River, one of the premier fisheries in the country, where May through June is prime time for both largemouth and smallmouth bass as fish transition into post-spawn feeding patterns . Tournament data and recent reports show that 20+ pound bags are often needed to win on Virginia tidal systems, highlighting just how competitive and productive these waters are .

Hunter dives into:

• How he located and patterned bass in changing tidal conditions 
• Key areas like grass lines, cypress trees, and backwater creeks 
• Tournament-winning lure selection (frogs, Senkos, spinnerbaits, and more) 
• Adjustments throughout the day based on tide, pressure, and fishing pressure 
• How to replicate his strategy on both the Chickahominy and James River 

We also break down top-producing baits seen in major tournaments like Bassmaster and MLF events, where power fishing techniques like frogs, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, and shallow crankbaits consistently dominate on the James River .

If you're looking for a Virginia bass fishing report, James River fishing report, or Chickahominy River tournament breakdown, this episode is packed with real-world insight to help you catch bigger bass and compete at a higher level.

Follow Hunter on his social media accounts below: 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hpsfishing/ 

Hunters Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 

Hunters YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcYT38BxL_yFHkbb977e_Hw 

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If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ 

Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech 

LMD Enterprises: http://lmdoil.com/ 

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