Blackbeard Pond in Westmoreland County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Blackbeard Pond is one of the Westmoreland County waters in Virginia. The coast is 0.3 miles away. Small at around 17 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is low-lying compared with other Virginia water we list. Leonardtown is the closest place, 10 miles off. Alexandria is the closest city, 51 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Blackbeard Pond

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Time trips to the tide table rather than the clock here. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Westmoreland County include alewife, blueback herring, white perch, bluegill and blue catfish. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Treat Blackbeard Pond as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 78°F in July and bottom out at 36°F in January. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Blackbeard Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. For boats, Coles Point Marina lies half a mile out. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Newtons Pond sits 6.4 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Blackbeard Pond may have changed since it was mapped.