chickahominy lake

The Major League Bass Anglers continued the 2026 season with our seventh club tournament, held on Chickahominy Lake. With another competitive day on the water, our teams battled it out for bragging rights and the coveted MLBA Belt!

Seventh Tournament Champions: J.R. & Scott delivered an impressive performance, bringing a winning weight of 16 lbs 50 oz to the scales to claim 1st Place and take home the MLBA Belt!

They also captured Big Fish honors with an impressive 5 lbs 87 oz bass, completing a clean sweep of the tournament’s top honors.

Congratulations to J.R. & Scott on another outstanding victory! Their strong performance on Chickahominy Lake adds another win to their 2026 season and keeps the competition for Team of the Year heating up.

Thank you to all of our MLBA members who came out to compete and continue to represent the club with great sportsmanship, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.

The belt is back in the hands of J.R. & Scott - who’s coming for it next?

“Where passion meets the water!”
#TightLines

#MLBA

MLBA Giving Back to Our Community!

Thanks to the incredible success of our Popcorn Fundraiser, Major League Bass Anglers was once again able to give back to our community through another successful Backpack Donation Drive!

This year, we were proud to donate backpacks to students at four local schools - three elementary schools and one middle school. 🎒📚

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported the fundraiser, donated, participated, and helped make this possible. Your generosity and support allowed us to make a positive impact on students and families in our community as they begin another school year.

MLBA is about more than just fishing and competition. It’s about fellowship, community, and making a difference beyond the water.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s backpack donation another success!

Major League Bass Anglers
“Where Passion Meets the Water!”

anglerS spotlight

First MLBA Open Tournament a Great Success!

The Major League Bass Anglers hosted our first Open Tournament of the 2026 season on 28 June 2026 on the Potomac River, and it was an outstanding day of fishing!

We had a great turnout with 14 boaters competing, creating a fun, competitive atmosphere from launch to weigh-in. It was exciting to see both familiar faces and new competitors come together to enjoy a day on one of the region's premier bass fisheries.

Congratulations to J.R. & Scott, who put together an outstanding performance to claim 1st Place and take home the tournament victory!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and helped make our first Open Tournament a success. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing everyone at future MLBA events.

tips & tricks

september Fishing Tips & Tricks

“Follow the Bait – The Fall Transition Begins”

September is a month of change on the water. As the days become shorter and water temperatures slowly begin to cool, bass start transitioning from their summer patterns toward fall feeding areas. This can make fishing unpredictable-but anglers who follow the bait and stay flexible can find some great action.

1. Follow the Baitfish

September bass are beginning to focus heavily on shad and other baitfish.

Look for:

  • Baitfish near creek mouths
  • Schools of shad on your electronics
  • Surface activity
  • Birds feeding over the water
  • Bait moving toward the backs of creeks

Find the bait, and you'll usually find the bass.

2. Start Shallow Early

Take advantage of cooler mornings by targeting shallow water at first light.

Focus on:

  • Shallow flats
  • Grass edges
  • Riprap
  • Points
  • Laydowns and other shoreline cover

Topwater baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and shallow-running crankbaits are great options.

3. Keep a Topwater Ready

September can produce some incredible schooling activity.

Keep a walking bait, popper, buzzbait, or fluke ready whenever you see bass chasing bait on the surface.

Don't wait to retie when the action starts-have a rod ready to make a quick cast.

4. Don't Abandon Deep Water Too Soon

September is still a transition month. Some bass will move shallow while others remain on their summer structure.

Continue checking:

  • Ledges
  • Channel drops
  • Deep points
  • Brush piles
  • Offshore structure

If shallow water isn't producing, don't hesitate to move back offshore.

5. Use the Wind

A windy September bank can be a productive bank.

Wind pushes baitfish toward points and shorelines while breaking up the surface and making bass more comfortable feeding shallow.

Try moving baits such as:

  • Spinnerbaits
  • Chatterbaits
  • Crankbaits
  • Swimbaits

6. Target Healthy Grass

Vegetation can remain productive throughout September.

Look for green, healthy grass, especially near deeper water. Bass use these areas for shade, oxygen, cover, and easy access to baitfish.

coming up next

Our next MLBA Open Tournament on Lake Anna has been officially canceled.