Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I spent the weekend at Virgina International Raceway doing my usual motorcycle racing.  On the way down I stopped at Briery Creek Lake since before I didn't even realize it was right there on the way.   There was only one boat out there.  I lost a spinnerbait on the first cast and I couldn't even catch a bluegill.  I was only there for 1/2 hour and not a very prime time so that's my excuse.


The track is located right next to the Dan River so that was one place I considered checking out.  But the track has a pond right next to the paddock too. Up until now I had never thought of taking a rod to the track.  The pond is surrounded by a fence just a few feet from the water.  I've never seen anyone one fishing there.  I don't know what the official policy is but there are not any "No Fishing" signs so I figured I'd give it a go from outside the fence.  At the very least security couldn't yell at me for trespassing for jumping the fence (all the gates were locked).  Security never said anything to me so I guess it's OK.

I started off with my Strike King bitsy minnow just to see if any lived in there.  I saw plenty of turtles and occasionally fish making ripples.  It was probably about 5-6pm and it was still really hot.  I decided I would come back once it cooled off.  As I was leaving I saw some big ripples and figured I'd make one more cast.  It paid off with the largest bluegill I've ever caught!  I thought I had a bass on. I didn't have my camera close by so no pic, this is the last thing I was expecting.  I didn't get an official measurement but simulating the size with my hands over a tape measure, 11" seems about right.

I came back later about 8:30-9 and there was still some light left. I tried a beetle spin along what I figured to be the deep end of the pond.  This time I had my camera for this 13.5" LMB.  Just as I landed it, another racer came up so see what I was up to.  He's from Texas and fishes as well.  He was wishing he brought his fly rod. 




I tried again early Sunday morning before practice started but got nothing.

Throughout my fishing time several other racers stopped by to how I was doing.  Most were saying the same thing about how they had never thought to bring a rod, but they would be next time.  We also talked about other tracks where we'd like to do some fishing but can't because of posted signs. There's a really nice looking pond at the track in South Carolina.