The Potomac River

This report has been submitted by:
Outdoor Action with Teddy Carr
E-mail - teddy@outdoor-action.biz
Phone - (540) 854-4271

"Week ending April 25, 2009

The weather has been all over the place and so has the fish, but we're catching them and its been good, lots of adjustments and I like it that way .

 

Tidal Potomac River

I worked staging areas and deep marinas the first part of the week. Most of those fish were caught on drop-shots and shaky heads (you won't hear that to often in one of my Potomac reports). But as the week progressed I moved back south and went back to a red XCalibur lipless crankbait, Booyah Boogie Baits, and shallow running crankbaits. I mixed in grass fishing with some marsh fishing. We did very well with herring colored Booyah Vibra-Flx spinnerbaits in the marsh. On Friday I was in the run and gun mode and had a couple good ol' boys that were willing to run with me. We caught fish on just about every stop on a whole variety of lures. Look for the major spawn to happen on this next full moon, but I said that about the last new moon. I covered the river this week in Occoquan, Chicamuxen, Chopawamsic, Arkendale, and Aquia Creek. 

 

Lake Anna

Did not fish here this week.

For more info on Lake Anna check out this site www.va-outdoors.com

Rappahannock River

No report here this week.
 
Other Places
 
I traveled down to Buggs Island this past week and hit them pretty hard however we did not have any big fish. I worked around the mid-lake area. We found the fish inside the coves relating just out in front of the bushes. They more than willing to whack a firetiger Bomber Flat A crankbait. I look for the big girls to pull in tight to the bushes this coming week. 

 

 

Sponsor of the week: Mac's Service Center

 

For a second straight week I want to let you guys know about a guy I lean on very hard to help me out that is not an official sponsor. Mac McManus own Mac's Service Center in Ashland, Va. and takes care of all the needs on my GEICO Powersports suburban. I just had Mac hook me up with some new Cooper Tires and they ride superbly while towing my Z-9. They have a full service auto repair shop and Mac is one of us, a devout Bass Dude. His special this week I believe is buy a set of Cooper Tires and he'll come over and wash your bass boat!!   

This report has been submitted by:
Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"Low light and low tides make for exciting top water action. Good numbers of bass are available when a top water popper is smartly fished along grass edges during a receding tide or the first hour of the incoming tide, especially during low light times. A grass rat or a Strike King Popping Frog ,worked back in the heavier grass will also draw strikes. When the top water bite slows we switch to a weightless wacky rigged stick worm and fish along grass edges or creek channel edges where willing bass can be found. Try a lipless rattle bait in the same areas and you may be rewarded with a few good bass. Plastic worms, jig and craw combo’s, spinner baits and chatter baits will all work. On the incoming tide we look for areas where grasses channel tidal currents into narrow areas and if bait fish are present, often find a concentration of bass that like a rattle bait or the wacky worm. Snakeheads are encountered on a daily basis now and it looks like they are well established in most of the shallow creeks.
"

Water Temp: 82 degrees

Water Clarity: 2 feet plus

Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509
July 12th, 2009

"With the absence of daily rains, the river has had a chance to begin clearing and returning to normal levels. This week saw full moon and strong tidal flows and the fish were found in areas where they were able to get on the edge of the current and wait for food to come to them. On days where winds were light, a weightless soft plastic stickbait such as a Wacky Worm worked around the edges of hydrilla and holes in milfoil was a very effective method to catch bass, and we are beginning to see a switch in color preference to more natural colors, such as watermelon/gold flake, pumpkin/green flake, and green pumpkin/blue flake. On windy days, we have been finding willing bass on 8" Berkley Bungee Worms in blue fleck, june bug or green pumpkin rigged on a 1/8 or 3/16 oz. weight and a 3/0 X-point wide gap hook. In grass beds, a black or green frog worked over the thickest portions of the grass had paid off with larger than average bass, and when the bass refuse to strike the topwater offerings, we have switched to a 1 oz. tungstun sinker and a 4" Berkley Chigger Craw and have punched the heavy weight through the mats, finding bass under the thick carpet of grass. We have found that in order to keep from breaking off bass in this thick mat, we have been forced to use at least 65 pound braided line, and Spider Wire Stealth has been our choice of line. As the grass continues to thicken, we will probably be forced to up our weight to at least a 1/1-2 oz. tungstun weight to punch through the thick surface grass. In creeks where hydrilla lines the channel, a Rico popper has worked well on low tide, when the bass are sitting on the outside edge of the grass.

"

Water Temp: 83 degrees

Water Clarity: 1-2 feet

"Week ending June 28, 2009

We  had some very high tides the last three weeks in conjunction with a lot of rain water being dumped into the basin. This has taken a slight toll on some of the grass in the southern part of the Potomac River, I'm mildly concerned about it; we had already sustained some damage due to low tides and ice during the month of January. Currently the tides are beginning to normalize but we need a break in the rain as well. This concern is for the future, presently the river is a freak of nature in the sheer numbers of bass this river is churning out. 

Tidal Potomac River

I have been on the river the last 20 out of 21 days I couldn't begin to count the bass that have found their way to our boats. Summer patterns are in full swing and that means, topwater action is a big part of what we're doing. I'm working grass flats from Mount Vernon to Aquia just randomly picking them based on the best tide scenario that will provide matted grass to throw frogs up onto. We're taking bass on a variety of frogs from popping frogs to fast moving frogs like the YUM buzzin' frog. If the frog bites slows I switch to a YUM craw-papi in black/blue-shadow and pitch the pockets and small isolated clumps. On the higher tides we're using the new Booyah pip-zqueek buzzbait in quarter ounce.

Congratulations to new client Ames Owens who banged a 7-pound giant on a frog with me last week. A great way to welcome a new client and a great fathers day gift.

Congratulations to my first day co-angler in the Stren Series this past week; Mike Branham who finished 5th place overall. Mike had a great first day with me sacking a little over 15-pounds.

Just a reminder we are now running our Early Bird and Happy Hour trips on the Potomac a great way to experience the frog bite on the river and see it at it's most beautiful times.

 

Lake Anna

No Report this week.

For more info on Lake Anna check out this site www.va-outdoors.com

"Week ending April 26, 2009

 

Tidal Potomac River

I was on this river everyday this past week and what a week. Bass went on the move to the beds big time I actually sat on a grass bed down in Aquia on Friday and watched as they pushed right up and started cruising for bucks and beds there were literally hundreds of them. For the most part I caught my fish this week on a Bomber balsa model B (wake bait) in chart/black during the higher tides. I don't think the bass at Dogue Creek have ever seen one of these things. Also a red lipless crankbait worked well also.  As the water dropped the bass stopped chasing, so I switched to my go to bait a 5/16-oz Booyah baby-boo jig in black/blue with a green pumpkin craw-papi trailer. But as the water warmed toward the end of the week they switched off the jig to a weightless YUM dinger in green-pumpkin. (My down fall in the tournament this past Sat.; I didn't recognize the change fast enough.) Good areas Aquia, Dogue , Potomac, Piscataway, Chicamuxen and Mattawoman Creeks. I know what you're saying that's just about all the major creeks and grass beds, "well that's right it's just that good". If you can get on this river in the next two weeks you must do it the big girls will be coming to the boat! And if you need a guide we will be glad to assist!!

Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"With the rapidly rising water temperatures and the new moon falling on the 25th, there is a good probability that a spawn is underway. We still favor the grass pattern on the main river and in the creeks, especially on the high end of the tide. Our best baits this past week have been chrome/blue lipless rattle baits, white Chatter Baits and green pumpkin Paca Craws as well as Mann's Baby 1-Minus and stick worms.On the lower end of the tide,we pull to the outside edges of grasses with water deeper than four feet nearby and and use Chatter Baits and crank baits along the drops. Creek ledges, spatterdock pads and mud banks near deep water also produce bass that like a small, deep diving,crank bait, Paca Craws or jig and craw combo's. Spatterdock bass like a small white spinnerbait or chatter Bait.

"

Water Temp: 70 degrees

Water Clarity: 2 feet plus

April 13th, 2009

This report has been submitted by:
Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"Fishing was strong at the beginning of the week and then slowed a little in the middle of the week as night time temperatures dropped but fishing made a good recovery at weeks end.  We continue to find good bass in the grass on flats by using a shallow running crank bait like Storms Thin Fin. Chart/blue or chrome/blue worked well for us. White, ¼ oz. spinner baits and Chatter Baits fished in the same areas also work. We also work over the areas  with Chigger Craws or Paca Craws as well as jig and craws. The higher part of the tide is our preferred time on the flats. As the tide lowers we move to creek ledges where a Norman Deep Tiny N or a Bandit 200 draw strikes from quality bass. Chigger Craws, Paca Craws or jigs and craws do the trick as well in the same areas.
"

Water Temp: 56 degrees

Water Clarity: 1-2 feet

 

"WEEK ENDING September 21, 2008
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010. Fax: 301-931-2040. Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.    
Webmaster Brent Nelson: bbnelson@comcast.net
Guiding on fresh & brackish waters of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania & DC 
 
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: ****; 3.2 @ Harrisburg; mid-60s; clear.Great smallmouth bass between Fort Hunter and the Sherman ledges although you must be caution when boating this area due to low water. LOU guide Mike Breeding says “the spinnerbait-bite is awesome” where Big Mouth spinnerbaits take quality fish to 4.5 pounds.Rumors that NOAA will discontinue the National Weather Service, “Central Pennsylvania River Conditions,” obtained at 1-888-881-7555 are not accurate, as verified by a NOAA official.
 
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: ****; 1.5 @ Point of Rocks; 72 degrees; clear.The river is still very low, cooling but the submersed grasses are pulling free of the bottom and moving Bay-ward. Smallmouth bass fishing has been steady but we are not catching as many quality bass as we have become used to.At Whites Ferry, you have options. Downriver you nave to run through grass and negotiate the “skinny” water at the head of Harrison Island. Once in the deeper water, stay in the middle of the river and cast Mizmo Small Jaws on 1/8th or even 1/16th ounce jig heads. I’m finding 6-pound test Excell monofilament a bit more effective than 8# for now. Upriver of the launch, the center 2/3rd of the river is most productive.At Lander we like the upriver portion but getting through the grass matts can be tough. The Catoctin Hole (in front of Catoctin Creek in middle of the river); Penrod Pond (the flat water above the Sawbuck Ledge) and the Fence Pond (just below the Fence ledge. The Penrod Special tube, Case Magic Stiks and Big Mouth buzzbaits are most productive.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:  ***; normal tidal levels; clear but for algae; low 70’s.Largemouth bass fishing improved each day as the water temperature drops and grasses pull free and clutter the surface.In Washington, D.C., pretty good action in Pentagon Lagoon, bridge foundations, Submersed aqueduct foundations and old, submersed pier locations along the Air Station.We are using more crankbaits as the water cools and the firetiger Hot Lip for dropoffs—and the blue/silver Speed Traps for flats really do the job. In addition, green pumpkin, Mizmo tubes, green pumpkin/gold Case Magic Sticks and the Penrod Special spinnerbait by Big Mouth Lure Company are the tools we rely on.Some monstor catfish from the Channel and holes along bridge foundations.In the Woodrow Wilson Bridge vicinity, the old gravel barges abandoned in front of Penrod Cove and between the bridge and Penrod Cove is holding more fish every day. The former bridge deck islands and cove jetty concrete provides similar results I’m using the Mizmo tubes and Hot Lips crankbaits for this pattern.Belle Haven Marina sector is getting better also and you can catch some fine bass in the cove, in grass beds at Charlie Cove, around the downriver boat docks and barges in Broad Creek. The lighthouse dropoff and channel-edge grass is a pretty good pattern backup—and Pomonkey Creek, Gunston Cove and Hallowing Cove are nice opportunities.LOU guides Captain Keith Barker (301-509-2102) and Dan Gruelke team up to catch an average of 200 pounds of catfish per outing in this area. You may want to book a trip with Captain Barker this fall or early winter. I’m recommending 15# test, Green monofilament for the crankbaits and spinnerbaits—but 8 or 10# mono for the tubes and Sticks. My lure choices for grass includes Big Mouth buzzbaits and Penrod Special spinnerbait; Case Sticks (6-inch) in just about any color you like; frogs and Johnson Spoons. In the dropoffs waters, that firetiger Hot Lips crankbaits will be your best friend.The Mattawoman sector (includes the waters
avy Marina and Aquia Creek) is still the most productive zone although there are some anglers that are struggling here. I like the 6-MPH zone this time of year but the grass bed between the 6-MPH zone and the main stem of Mattawoman is very productive. It seems like incoming tide is most productive. We love the Case stick-like products, a big, white skirted buzzbait, Penrod Special spinnerbaits (see the link to Big Mouth on websites website’s front page).Chickamuxen grass edges and open areas are offering similar results and Mallows Bay, grass in coves at Aquia Creek and Potomac Creek are giving up some nice fish. The striper action is pretty reliable at the mouth of the creeks to.
NANTICOKE RIVER: ***; normal tides; mid-70’s; tidal clear.

LOU guide, Captain Brian Barnes (302-629-0392) calls this water “the best tidal river for largemouth bass of all the Eastern Shore tidal rivers. "I’m finding bass in the Seaford area around spatterdock, channel drops and dock structure. There’s a pretty good bite from Broad Creek spatterdock but don’t forget, you must have a Delaware license.”Brian likes the Penrod Special spinnerbait, Brush Baby crankbaits, Case Magic Sticks and buzzbaits and a falling tide.
POCOMOKE RIVER: **** on a falling tide day; 70s; tanic.The difference between a falling tide day and an incoming tide day—is dramatic. You want the outgoing tide, especially the last 4 hours, but the first few of incoming is almost as productive. Spatterdock between Shad Landing and Dividing Creek, especially spatterdock with cypress knees, fallen trees or a tidal ditch, is where the bass live. Look for action on the inside edge during high water times. Look for bass on the outside edge during low water. Don’t overlook the steep dropoff in front of the vegetation.          Best baits are: Luhr Jensen Hots :Lips for the dropoffs; Penrod Special spinnerbaits and Big Mouth buzzbaits for the pads; Mizmo tubes and Case Magic Sticks for vegetation edges and pockets.
DEEP CREEK LAKE: ****; lake drawdown in process; mid 60s; clear.This is a great time for serious anglers as the water temperature is dropping and so is the lake. Crankbaits for walleye in stump fields; spinnerbaits and buzzbaits for largemouth in grass beds and crankbaits, tubes and jerk baits for smallmouth on rocky shore and underwater humps. Reach Captain Brent Nelson at bbnelson@comcast.net for bookings—and see our site at www.fishdeepcreek.com.
"
 

August 3, 2008

This report has been submitted by:
Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"Good numbers of bass can be found in thick grass beds in creeks and on the main river. We start with topwater baits such as a buzz bait, poppers, spoons or a grass frog. Better size bass seem to like the grass frogs and they will hit them all day long. Work the frogs over the thick matted grasses. Along the outside edges of the beds, we do well with a variety of lures. Chartreuse/white chatterbaits, white spinnerbaits, shallow running chrome/blue crank baits, watermelon color stick worms and blue fleck or motor oil color plastic worms all catch bass. Wood cover as well as boat docks and rock piles also give up bass. Jig and craw combos find bass that are a little larger than average in these locations. The last few hours of the outgoing tide and the first hour of the incoming have been our most productive times.

"

Water Temp: 85 degrees

Water Clarity: 2 feet plus

 

July 21st, 2008

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: 
Bass fishing has been quite good, despite the hot weather, at Lander, Whites Ferry and Edwards Ferry where Case Magic Sticks, and small topwater baits have been best by far. Upriver, Twin Sisters and The Fence pool provides more prime habitat. We use Teaser or Big Boy tubes, in green pumpkin, Penrod’s Choice; roadkill and Pumpkin/purple, attached to six or eight pound test Xcell monofilament and Gator Rods. Case Magic Stiks are deadly for summer smallmouth, particularly near water stargrass. Water temp near 80 degrees, clear on the MD side, and murky along the Virginia side.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA:
The river reads 3.5 and steady at Harrisburg, which is normal for this time of year. You’ll need a 4.0 reading to safely navigate a jet boat. The main stem plus the Juniata River between Clemson Island and Fort Hunter is still providing plenty of smallmouth bass action, albeit a confining experience for larger boats. “Nice smallmouth bass in the morning on buzzbaits and poppers,” reports Mike Breeding. Good fishing from Swatara launch, especially upriver at—and near the short dam. John Cunningham of Riverfront Campground, Duncannon (717-834-5252) will shuttle you and your boat (or rent one from John) upstream to float back to the Campground.  Mizmo tubes, as always, are producing our quality fish with topwater lures garnering strikes from good bass in low light conditions.

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
District of Columbia water, Mattawoman Creek and bridge structure near Leesylvania provided our best action this week. In the District water, some respectable largemouth bass at Key Bridge and Long Bridge. Smallmouth bass across from Washington Harbor--and windows three through six at the Kennedy Center. The Washington Channel dropoff along Fort McNair and old underwater piers between the Anacostia and Bolling have been pretty good (we use Hot Lips crankbaits, Case Magic Stiks and Mizmo tubes). In the WW Bridge area we use deep diving crankbaits in front of the Spoils, parallel to the barges. Piscataway and Broad Creeks have been fair but we still manage to take some quality bass during high water with Case Magic Sticks. Pomonkey Creek was just “OK” this week where algae growth hinders lure placement. Mattawoman Creek was very good near the mouth. The grass and wood cover within the “6-MPH” zone was excellent (Bigmouth buzzbaits, Case Buzzin Frogs & Case Magic Sticks).  Chicamuxin grass was perhaps our best stop with topwater frogs and Case Magic Stiks on weed line edges.  Grass at select areas on Arkendale Flats and grass near Quantico are worth your while.


UPPER BAY:
The grass beds on the flats near the Battery Islands are holding some quality bass. The river continues to give up quality smallmouth, above Port Deposit and along portions of Garrett Island. Grass beds near Garrett Island are holding good numbers of largemouths where we throw topwater lures in the morning and Case Magic Stiks and Mizmo tubes as the sun rises.


NANTICOKE RIVER:
This eastern shore tidal river has been doing quite well recently, but you still need low water to hook decent bass. The Marshyhope was stingy but spatterdock, near channel drops, upriver from Broad Creek—and boat docks, have been fair to good.

POCOMOKE RIVER:
Nasawango Creek has been the best especially during the last few hours of falling water (buzzbaits, Case Sticks, Buzzin Frogs & Big Mouth Spinnerbaits). Fish average 2-pounds but we catch a 3-4 pound bass every trip. Between Shad Landing and Pocomoke City we find spatterdock with wood cover or a tidal gut as our high percentage areas.

Kerr Lake, VA:
”Water Temps are running 85-90 degrees. Water level is 298.4, main lake and creeks clear, while rivers remain stained,” reports LOU associate guide Tim Wilson. Fishing has been average. Most of the bass are suspended near baitfish, and in their mid-summer haunts. Topwater presentations are working in the early AM. After that, Tim goes to a Rattletrap as the sun rises.   Stripers are deep and can be caught from Henderson Point to the dam. Trollers are scoring best trolling spoons and bucktails. Good sized crappie are on deep brush and 1/16 ounce jigs are working well. Catfish are biting great in the rivers.

DEEP CREEK LAKE:
This has become our most popular summertime destination and Brent Nelson (bbnelson@comcast.net) and Bret Winegardner are pleasing their substantial clientele with catches of pan fish and bass. Largemouth bass fishing has been tough this week but smallmouths are cooperating in low light conditions.  Topwater poppers and Bigmouth buzzbaits are producing. www.fishdeepcreek.com

 

June 30th, 2008

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: Wow! The river is at an excellent level (1.9 at Point of Rocks) with just a little algae color but she is heating-up quickly, 77-degrees as of Thursday. A very strong ant hatch and later in the day—a fine May fly hatch.
The railroad tracks we must cross to reach the Lander launch are damn-near impassable. Be careful. The ruts are really bad. What a great neighbor they are.
At Lander it looks like a small tornado touched down in several places including the parking lot where big trees were uprooted and twisted apart. The fishing’s really good though.
It’s best upriver from the launch where we use Mizmo tubes (Irish Coffee, Penrod Special & Juniata Treat), Case Magic Stiks (green pumpkin/gold & pink), Luhr-Jensen crankbaits (speed trap in crawfish patterns) and in-line spinners. We had two bass over 18-inches long on Wednesday (one @ 19.5).
This is a “ledge pattern” where baits are cast over the surface bulge and allowed to drop into the canopy. In addition we had two separate musky strikes. We fish between the power lines at Hales Pool all the way upriver to Burkhart’s Riffle.


SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: The river is low , to low for our jet boat routine, but we are ready and willing when she rises again. We will be working stretches of the West Branch all of July when my summer youth camp kicks in. Meanwhile, try one of John Cunningham’s shuttle trips from Riverfront Campground. By the way, lots of dead and dying bass have been seen recently and I would hope the scientists are doing their jobs. “Pisssst; it’s the chicken, turkey and hog farms folks.”


TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: The bass fishing between Key Bridge and Little Falls has been quite good, especially if you cast crankbaits (Luhr-Jensen Speed Traps) to rocky cover on the Virginia side.
The river is in good shape again, free of that massive flotsam but warming quickly. Fishing has been only “fair” though. Low 80’s on the surface.
In the WW Bridge vicinity, Penrod Cove can be good or bad—depending on the day. We do well with tubes, L-J Brush Babys and Case Stiks on the conctete cover. The old bridge foundations have never been “quite” removed so I’ve marked them on my Lowrance GPS—and bass are gathered on the underwater rubble and I use crankbaits to bank the debris and catch bass.
In and around Belle Haven Marina, the coves are providing nice bass on Case Stiks and Penrod Special spinnerbaits. Hog Island and boat docks south of there are worth some time. Broad Creek is just so-so. Piscataway Creek is a tough-fish but if you work the outer edges of the massive grass bed you can catch some chunky largemouth bass. I like Big Mouth buzzbaits in the morning, Case Stiks and spinnerbaits.
South, we like Pomonkey Creek during a falling tide; Mattawoman Creek near the state park all day and the 6-MPH zone spatterdock with spinnerbaits.


DEEP CREEK LAKE: This is a very popular destination for Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania vacationing families--and my guides, Brent Nelson and Bret Winegardner are “locked-in” on the patterns. You will want to contact us as soon as possible because our days are very limited now. Remember that gasoline prices affect us also so we will be adding a surcharge when appropriate. Go to www.fishdeepcreek.com and get excited. Remember—fishing results are directly related to skill-level and mother nature.


POCOMOKE RIVER: Another Wow! The river is chock-full of medium-size bass but the cover (spatterdock) is extensive. This is a very underfished water. Great results with Penrod Special (Big Mouth Lures) spinnerbaits; Big Mouth buzzbaits; weightless worms in pink and white and LJ crankbaits


THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Mare Inc,; Ranger; Rangertrail Trailers; Xpress Boats; Lowrance Electronics; Luhr-Jensen; Minn Kota Trolling Motors and Battery Chargers; NRA; Gator Rods; Mizmo; Case Plastics; Big Mouth Lures; Jennelle Optics.
www.penrodsguides.com
kenpenrod@comcast.net
 

June 13, 2008

This report has been submitted by:
Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"This week has been excellent, with catches every day well over 20 fish, with many large bass in the catch. Topwater bites at low light has been consistent, with buzzbaits, poppers, and Zara Spook type baits working well on marsh banks during outgoing tides and milfoil beds on high tide phases. Chatterbaits and Berkley jointed blade dancers are producing both bass as well as several snakeheads this week. The snakeheads are apparently in the Potomac to stay, as we are catching at least one almost daily. Snakeheads and bass are occupying the same water, and the snakeheads seem to have little effect on the bass behavior. Mann's baby 1 minus crankbaits and Norman's deep tiny N in chatreuse work well on creek ledges where the water depth is less than 5 feet. Almost any type of soft plastic will catch bass, and we have had great success with Zoom finesse worms, Berkley hand poured finesse worms, as well as Wacky Worm soft stickbaits. Color preferences seem to be green or brown and green or gold fleck in the worms are an added attraction. On wood, Strike King bitsy flip or premier jigs work well, and we have added a Berkley Chigger Craw to the jigs, reducing the size of the craw trailer by at least an inch, but many times as much as 2 inches. For those times when bass seem to have lock jaw, a 3" Berkley drop shot minnow rigged on a 1/16 oz. jighead has been a proven way to catch wary bass, and several bass over 3 pounds have fallen for this bait fished around creek ledges.

"

Water Temp: 84 degrees

Water Clarity: 1-2 feet
 

June 10th, 2008

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: The river is a little over 4-feet at Point of Rocks and that makes it great for boating. The “falling” trend should continue all this week. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good at Lander, especially upriver from the launch where we find ledges and cast Mizmo tubes, especially the Penrod Special, green pumpkin teaser and red craw.
Caution stage, 70 degrees and stained. Underwater grass growth substantial.



TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: From Washington to Aquia Creek bass fishing has improved in spite of storms and a heat wave. In Washington D.C., we find smallmouth on the railroad bridge foundations and drop off at the Kennedy Center. We catch largemouth bass with tubes, Luhr Jensen Speed Traps and Penrod Special spinnerbaits in Pentagon Lagoon, Washington Channel dropoff and old pier locations south of the Anacostia.
            In the Woodrow Wilson Bridge vicinity we catch lots of bass in Penrod Cove (Brush Baby and Case Stix) and coves below Belle Haven (Penrod Special spinnerbaits and Case Brush Puppy). Piscataway Creek grass, near the river, has been productive and Pomonkey Creek has been good, particularly during falling water.
In The Mattawoman Creek vicinity another large tournament dominated the State Park most of the weekend but we do well in grass beds between Smallwood and the river as well as grass beds in Chickamuxen Creek. Best baits have been six inch Case Magic Stix in Green Pumpkin/gold and white, Big Mouth Spinnerbaits and the topwater bite has begun..
70’s with main river and some tribs stained.



SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: LOU guide Mike Breeding reports “fair” bass fishing between Harrisburg and Montgomery Ferry. “We are catching 25-40 bass per trip but the river is fallng quickly and I don’t know how much longer I can safely fish with my jet boat, says Breeding. We are using Big Mouth spinnerbaits cast to grass beds and Mizmo tubes cast to holes and ledges.
            4.0 and falling @ Harrisburg; 72 degrees and clear.

 

NANTICOKE RIVER: LOU guide Brian Barnes reports “pretty good” fishing although the main river is stained. “I’m doing best in the clear water above Seaford and head of Broad Creek,” says Brian. He is casting Case Magix Stix. Big Mouth Jigs and Big Mouth spinnerbaits and he reports that wood is his most productive habitat
            70’s and stained.


KERR LAKE, VA: LOU Associate Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com) reports that the lake level is 301.6 and the rivers are stained and the lake is clear. “Pretty slow” fishing is Tim’s assessment for the week as bass are in transition from post spawn to summer habits. Look to main channel points or the middle of coves where bass were suspended and not feeding much this week.
            301.8, clear, 75-80 degrees.



DEEP CREEK LAKE: LOU guide Brent Nelson has been pleasing his clients this week with nice catches of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. LOU guide Bret Winegardner just received his new Ranger from Mare Inc, and is ready to initiate it. See the report and other information at www.fishdeepcreek.com.
            Normal, clear, 60’s. 
"

Water Temp:  degrees

Water Clarity:
 

May10th, 2008

NOTES: Teddy Carr tells me that a massive fish kill occurred in Quantico Creek last week. Does anyone have any more information?Weather patterns this week caused difficult conditions and the fishery should not be judged by recent results.TIP OF THE WEEK: Try turning your sonar off when you are fishing shallow cover. You would not believe the noise the transducer emits.


 
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER:
I base everything I do on the water level at Point of Rocks which measured 6.8 feet Saturday, 03. I prefer depths of less than 4-feet. Monitor this water this week because it is falling like a scud. Call 703-260-0305 and follow the prompts.

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
The dirty water from up-river flooding is passing through D.C. now (Saturday 3) and we see the first signs at the mouth of Mattawoman. Water temperature is near 60-degrees—the cold front having pulled about 4 degrees from last week’s high. In the Woodrow Wilson Bridge vicinity we saw improvement. Fishing has been tough due to post spawn and weather related negatives. Luhr Jensen Speed Traps (firetiger), Big Mouth Spinnerbaits (Penrod Special) and Case Magic Sticks (green pumpkin/gold) served us well at Penrod Cove, Belle Haven Cove and Piscataway Creek.
In the Mattawoman Creek vicinity, we use Case Magic Sticks, Luhr Jensen Speed Traps or Sugar Shads and Mizmo tubes. We did much better outside the 6-MPH zone, especially grass beds between the State Park and river. The milfoil is just about as tall as high tide. Rocky banks upriver on the main stem will give-up a few quality bass and even a striper. The Navy Base is stabilizing miles of shoreline and it looks like future habitat to me.Grass beds in Chickamuxen, Chopawamsic, Wades Bay and the mouth of Aquia are good stops and this weeks result’s are not indicative of the potential.A very large and disturbing fish kill in Quantico Creek last week. Anyone have more facts?

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA:
The Juniata River is finally getting back to normal and we are fishing Sherman Creek again. The main river is beautiful and the spinnerbait bite is on. LOU guide Mike Breeding is having his customers cast Penrod Special and Golden Minnows to pockets below submersed islands where often a dozen bass are available. The level at Harrisburg as of the 3rd was 5.3 feet and slowly falling. This is perfect for our grass bed (submersed Islands) pattern between Riverfront Campground and Purdy Islands. Some of the best areas are just below Buffalo Ledges. The Juniata flow had dominated the Susquehanna Flow for more than a week, pushing nearly half way across. So the eddy has been very small near the wall. Still, the mud line has drawn fish there best caught on Sugar Shads. Sherman Creek is giving-up some giant smallmouth bass and seems to have more musky this year. The Mizmo tube is our go-to lure but that spinnerbait potential is exciting.

CONNOWINGO RESERVOIR:
LOU guide Mike Breeding reports excellent bass fishing between the dam and Peach Bottom where jerk baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits catch good numbers of bass to five pounds.


POCOMOKE RIVER:
I like this river over the other Eastern Shore tidal rivers because of the abundant habitat, non existing fishing pressure and potential for lots of mid size largemouth. Spatterdock dropoffs along the main stem and Nassawango Creek is a fairly reliable pattern where we cast white or pink Magic Sticks, Penrod Special spinner baits and firetiger Hot Lips crankbaits. Look for spawning activity around the new and full moons but for now, attach the outside edges.

KERR LAKE, VA:
LOU Associate Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com) reports a lake level of nearly 304 feet above sea level and the water temperature ranges between 63 and 68 degrees. The upper lake is downright muddy but clear water is found from Ivey Hill to the dam.  Fluctuating water levels has made fishing tough this week as rains cause rises and ACOE counters with releases. Tim’s guessing that the major spawn is still to come so he’s working shoreline cover and secondary points in Grassy and Butchers Creeks. Nutbush Creek is clear enough to sight fish. Tim is liking watermelon lizards and creature plastics. Crappie moved to deeper water brush piles now and search for stripers at the mouth of creeks downlake.

DEEP CREEK LAKE:
LOU guides Brent Nelson and Bret Winegardner reports that bass fishing is heating up as the fish begin to search for shallow water cover. It’s a different climate here than it is in the Piedmont. Reach Brent at bbnelson@comcast.net for reservations. 
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Water Temp:  degrees

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April 23rd, 2008

NOTES: Regional rivers are getting pretty low but this full moon will spawn a major spawn and Mother Nature wins again.
I heard from a representative of Maryland Department of Environment about my complaints of abuse and incompetence at the Salisbury City sewage treatment plant which is simply killing the Wicomico River. The “promise” is for improvement in 2008. I understand it’s a court order, but we will monitor this every day. I never heard from the Mayor of Salisbury. Will any of you vote for him?


HUNTERS BEWARE: The Dyke Marsh tree huggers are petitioning NPS to stop water fowl hunting in and around Belle Haven Marina. The last time back-doored us they had “no motor” regs in Belle Haven cove and Charly’s Cove. I applaud everyone’s outdoor preference but this crew is simply against anything we do.
I’m a little sorry about the brevity of my reports but I’m in Duncannon, PA, with my BB as modem.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: Wow! Don’t know how else to explain this.  Maybe “world class.” We are fishing between Harrisburg and Montgomery Ferry, operating from Riverfront Campground in Duncannon, where the Juniata River meets the mighty Susquehanna. LOU guide Danny Grulke had back-to-back 100-fish days for his clients and he never left the Juniata River. He’s using Mizmo “teasers” and Penrod Specials on 1/8th ounce Riverfront Campground jig heads. John Cooper and Brian Graves fished with me for four days and we easily caught 250 quality bass on the main river with Mizmo “teasers” in Camo; Roadkill; Black and Penrod Special. Lou guide Dave Kerrigan is fishing the main river, near Halifax and he has discovered an awesome Mizmo tube called Irish Coffee. LOU guide Mike Breeding is “kickin’ butt with jerk baits near Sherman Creek. LOU guide Jon Drever is still working eddys behind islands and his clients complain of “tennis elbow.”
I’ve caught a ton of bass on LJ Speed Traps,

BAD NEWS: The river is dropping like an in-love 10th grader. It’s about 4.9 as of Friday (18th) and we sweat the problem at, well, 4,5. I realize a lot of our report readers have been coming to RFCG because of our report, but please call 1-800-881-7555 for river conditions.  Johnny Cunningham of Riverfront Campground has the lures we recommend—and get that Gator rod.  Hate to say this—but we need rain.

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: Now, remember, I’m only reporting on my favored areas, between Edwards Ferry and Lander but let-there-be-no-doubt, the bass fishing is great. Use tubes on shore wood and mid river ledges.

KERR LAKE: “If you are not flipping bushes—you are not catching bass.,

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: LOU guide Keith Barker is happy again as he and his clients are catching hefty bass I in Penrod Cove and big stripers in Smoot Bay.
Grass and rock beds in Mattawoman and Chickamuxen are hust alive with bass best caught on Luhr Jensen Speed Traps.

TIDAL POTOMAC: KOU guide Keith Barker is pleased again knowing his bad-day clients are catching big bass in and around Penrod Cove. Big stripers moving up the river. Mattawoman and Chickamuxen doing well.
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Water Temp:  degrees

Water Clarity:
 

April 13th, 2008

This report has been submitted by:
Ken Penrod's Life Outdoors Unlimited
E-mail - kenpenrod@comcast.net
Phone - 3019370010

"SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: As of Sunday the level at the Harrisburg gauge was about 7.1 and just minor rises are expected. Bass fishing has been phenomenal in spite of nasty weather. We are using Mizmo tubes and Luhr Jensen Speed Traps in the Juniata, main stem and Sherman Creek for smallmouth to 20-inches long

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: The river is very “fishable” again and big bass are cooperating at Lander, Whites Ferry and Edwards Ferry.  Use Speed Traps and Mizmo tubes behind ledges and eddies.

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: It’s been tough here due to weather changes but LOU guide Keith Barker has been doing much better in Penrod Cove with Brush Baby crankbaits and Mizmo tubes. Lots of green grass to the south and Mattawoman and Chickamuxen have been pretty good. Use Sugar Shads on rocky points and spinnerbaits over grass.

KERR LAKE, VA: LOU Associate Tim Wilson says the lake’s coming up (302.3) and the bass will be in the bushes this week. Best creeks for Tim have been Butchers and Grassy but if you want crappie go to Buffalo Creek.

NANTICOKE RIVER, MD: LOU guide Brain Barnes is catching Nanticoke bass from steeper dropoff with Big Mouth spinnerbaits and Mizmo tubes.
"
 

August 15th, 2007

This report has been submitted by:
Reel Bass Adventures
E-mail - rbaandy@aol.com
Phone - 3019321509

"The pros were every where this week, crowding the river every day. We were able to locate places to fish in spite of the pressure. Marsh banks produced well on a falling tide, with Rico poppers and Stanley floating ribbit frogs working well when the current was running. On low tide, we moved to the outer edges of grass beds and located spots where the water was still flowing from the marsh. Bass were stacked up in front of the flows and we caught bass on Wacky Worms' Wackos (soft stickbaits) in pumpkin/green flake or watermelon/gold flake. Zoom finesse worms in red bug or junebug/red flake also worked well. The Berkley power hawg, which was re-introduced this year, is working well, and the 4" green pumpkin works best for us. Fish this bait around wood or marsh banks for good results. Mann's baby minus-1 crankbaits in brown/chartreuse or crippled alewife works in pockets where there is a current break, and larger than average bass are striking this bait, especially in clear to slightly stained water.

"

Water Temp: 86 degrees

Water Clarity: 1-2 feet
 

July27th, 2007

"The top water bite slowed a little this week, although some good bass were willing to hit a popper or a slowly worked 1/4 ounce buzz bait. Better bass came on a grass frog steadily retrieved over grasses. We found more active fish by using a four inch stick worm or a Zoom Fluke, slowly moved along edges of grasses and wood. When the tide fell, we went to drop offs in the creeks where bass responded to a four inch finesse worm rigged on a 1/8 ounce jig head. Red colors were best for us. Crashing the thick grasses with a creature bait rigged Texas style with sinkers an ounce or better still produces the larger bass. Patience is required when fishing this way. The bites sometime are paced well apart. Boat docks and baot wrecks, as well as downed trees hold bass that like a plastic worm or a jig and craw. "

Water Temp: 82 degrees

Water Clarity: 2 feet plus

12/3/06

The fishing has been a good for a variety of species. We have been catching small stripers, smallmouth bass, largemouth, crappie, yellow perch and large blue gills on the Mann's grub. We are using the two inch, avocado color, rigged on a 1/4 ounce ball head jig rigged with the hook exposed. Small, white, crappie tubes are also good for catching panfish. We use the garlic scented, Smelly Jelly fish attractant, on all of the baits. Main river rocky areas and shallow water around marina's in creeks have been productive.

Water Temp: 49 degrees

Water Clarity: 2 feet plus