Occoquan Reservoir

[The Bream Reaper]

Has anybody fished occoquan reservior in the last week or so?  I'm heading out Saturday morning out of Fountainhead...was thinking working shallow points/coves and visbile cover not to far from the boat ramp early on w/topwater then moving to the deeper points in and around the main lake there also not too far from the ramp.  I'm assuming water temps will keep fish in the 10-15ft depth when that sun gets high...but it's been super hot this past week so any insight would be helpful.  Do i need to be thinking different patterns?  or should i be heading up river or farther down river?

[quanjig]

Plenty of good spots within sight of the marina. The point across from the ramp is a good spot to try first. Top water along the grassy point. If you don't get any takers, try a shakey head a little deeper along both the inside and outside of the point. You should also try the old Ryan's dam structure up lake. Try just about anything and anywhere in that area. You will probably see bass breaking on schools of shad up there. Have fun and be safe!

[The Bream Reaper]

Awesome, thanks so much!  I don't think i've ever fished it before (not in recent memory anyway), but have heard great things, picked up a topo map, and talked my buddy into getting up early with me before it gets to late in the summer.  Hoping for some good action. 

[quanjig]

I would fish the left hand bank from the point across from the marina all the way up the the old Ryan's dam. Pay closer attention to the grass beds and steeper bluff banks. Smaller finess worms and creature baits t rigged should get you some bites. Don't be surprised if you get into a big catfish! Loads of big flatheads in there!

[The Bream Reaper]

Good advice.  Much appreciated! 

[CatfishMother]

Yep, big cats for sure.  I aint never kept none of those bass i catch but those cats and the snakeheads make for some good eatin.  Ya outta get two lines wet with some stink bait and two more with some small kickin bream.  Let em soak while ya rod and reel for ya bass.  Man, you'll be a hobo ridin the Fried Fish Rail Line rollin on hushpuppy wheels before you know it.

[DJ 6_6]

You mentioned a topo map of the Res.  Where can I purchase one?

[quanjig]

They have them at the marina. GEMCO, just re issued the map with the locals lingo on spots. It gives you the general areas to start your search for "the spot!"

[s freud]

At fountain head marina? Thanks for the tip!

They have them at the marina. GEMCO, just re issued the map with the locals lingo on spots. It gives you the general areas to start your search for "the spot!"

[quanjig]

Yes, sorry, the fountainhead marina! They still had some there last time I looked!

[The Bream Reaper]

Ended up getting out sunday AM.  had a pretty good morning.  caught 8, 6 of which came in the first 2 hours.  biggest probably 3lb.  nothing much smaller than 1lb.  Had to throw some deep diving cranks as it got closer to noon...caught a couple decent ones after the morning bite died off probably in 10-12ft of water on the point directly accross main lake from the FH marina.  the other late morning bass was on the other main lake point where the one lone dock is also accross from FH marina.  He must have been in 8-10ft of water.  good confluence of creek channels, main river channel and some shallow water right there accross the main lake from FH.  never had any luck on the c-rig though. we were off by noon.

[The Bream Reaper]

should probably mention that top water action was awesome from about 6:30-8am (overcast may have prolonged it a little).  walking the dog with a popper at the edge of those grass beds and wood cover made it an interesting start.  had them blowing up on it every other cast...we missed some, the fish missed some, and we caught some.

 

also worth mentioning that yes they do in fact still sell GEMCO topo maps at the marina.

[quanjig]

Glad you were able to catch a few. The res is an awesome fishery, hope my advice was helpful!