New to Occoquan reservoir

[Chuckleschuck]

I'm thinking about taking my new bass boat to the Occ reservoir, I've never been there so I was hoping to get some tips for crappie fishing since it's still a little too early for bass, but any tips would be greatly appreciated! Where's the best boat launch? Bull run or fountainhead? Places to avoid? Places to go? Thanks to everyone who responds! 

-Charlie 

[bigbasshunter]

Occoquan reservoir is horsepower restricted to 10hp. It's a decent size body of water so you'll definitely want gas engine to get you around and trolling motor to fish. 3 main launches that are not owned by HOAs. Lake Ridge, Fountainhead and Bull Run marina. Lake Ridge is located in PWC and gets you closest access toward the d**n. Fountainhead is in FFXC and is a central location on the reservoir. Bull Run is in FFXC also and accessed by key and annual pass purchased through FCPA at fountainhead. 

There is a bass tournament that launches out of FH usually every other Sunday so parking can be a little rough at times. Other than that it's the most well equipped marina on the reservoir. 

This place is riddled with high school and college crew teams. They have a private marina(sandy run) that they use, as well as launching out of LRM and BRM. Their race coarse is locate down near the dam. Theyre usually pretty good about watching out for fisherman but sometimes things are not on our sides. Give them space and they usually do the same. Be prepared for the bull horns too lol

On to the fishing. There's tons of fish in that place. From bluegill and crappie to channel and monster flathead catfish. There are some elusive smallies swimming around in there. There are giant bass in there. The forage base is gigantic. Shad schools the size of city blocks and numerous variety of crawfish for fish to gorge on. 

Tons of structure and cover to fish so electronics will be your friend. Make sure you get a map from FH and hit some of the named Hotspots on it. Also go watch some of the tournament weigh-ins. Some big fish are brought in. 

All the normal baits work. Spinnerbaits, Carolina and Texas rigs, crankbaits even little grubs fishing for crappie bring in some giants. 

Welcome to the Rez and hope to see some catches

[Chuckleschuck]

Hey thanks man, so would it be worth it to buy a key for BRM or just stick with FH? I've heard about the gas motor restriction which is a bummer cause I have a 75 hp merc on my bass tracker so I won't be able to use that at all ?, however I have a 71 lb trolling motor so I think I'll be ok it's gotten me around pretty well at other lakes. I just got a new fish finder on my boat as well so I'm hoping to find some good structure and find some crappie or bass if they will be biting. Don't know if I will go out tomorrow or not cause I'm going solo right now and it's a pain to load and unload this boat by myself without the motor. Thanks for the input!

-Charlie 

[Chuckleschuck]

Another thing, I am new to crappie fishing are live minnows really THAT much better or is it a waste of time to find some and I should just stick to using jigs? 

[bigbasshunter]

Fountainhead sells live minnows, I've only used them a hand full of time. My biggest crappie outta the rez was 2lbs 1oz and came off a white crappie crank. I've had luck catching numbers off jigs. The Rez is a bass fisherman's paradise, that's my main focus when I'm out there.

Bull run is nice as it has 2 floating docks to port your boat while parking. It also helps break the winds when it's really whipping out there. It also gives you the quickest access to the upper reservoir and the creeks (occoquan and bull run).

With that 75hp you might feel more comfortable out on the occoquan river and the potomac. Tons of crappie around the bridge tressles/pilings. It's tidal too so the fish are alot more predictable. 

[mudkart]

Ummmm....bass are biting on the rez. ??? No need to target crappie if you don't want to.  And, with your rig, I would be on the P'mac.  Very limited on the rez if you are electric only (and do not have a craft designed for that). Finally, I (and many others) launch and retrieve by our lonesome selves, no biggie, would not let that stop me from fishing.

[Chuckleschuck]

I have been on the Potomac but so far this year I have got nothing so I figured It was too early for bass still and I would give crappie a shot (but what do I know lol). I'm not used to a boat this big it's quite an upgrade from my Jon boat so for me personally it's hard to do without use of my gas motor, but I guess practice makes perfect lol. Hoping the weather holds and I can manage to get out, at this point with cabin fever I would be happy to catch a cold.

[Nitrofreak]

4 hours ago, Chuckleschuck said:

I have been on the Potomac but so far this year I have got nothing so I figured It was too early for bass still and I would give crappie a shot (but what do I know lol). I'm not used to a boat this big it's quite an upgrade from my Jon boat so for me personally it's hard to do without use of my gas motor, but I guess practice makes perfect lol. Hoping the weather holds and I can manage to get out, at this point with cabin fever I would be happy to catch a cold.

Congrats on the new ride and welcome to BR, there are lots of places you will find that engine on the back rendered useless, lots of places where you can enjoy some terrific fishing without the use of that engine, about half of the bodies of water that I fish in my area are electric only but it's the only craft that I have so I take it everywhere I can.

Docking, loading and unloading just takes practice, we all had our first times with the learning curve and we all have our way of doing it, even with experience you will still have your off days, you will find more friendly people at the ramps than you can imagine if you just ask, otherwise, we will sit back and enjoy the show LOL !!

Keep the idea in mind to make sure that when you launch that you are ready to launch and back your boat in nice and easy, always remember to look ahead before you pull ahead because others may be pulling in and launching beside you.

Good luck and be safe!!!

[quanjig]

If you feel the need to fish and are more comfortable getting the boat back on the trailer with the big motor, I would go play on the lower Occoquan in a heartbeat!! 

Bass are readily available in both the res and the river right now, why play with specs when you can get the big pull from the green trout!!!

[Chuckleschuck]

Good to know, I didn't even think about the Occoquan RIVER, is it as good as the Rez? 

[Choporoz]

In some respects, better.  

In my humble and limited experience, I think the river is better overall.  BUT, I strongly suspect that those who have been on the rez for many years will disagree.  The Occoquan reservoir can be a tough nut to crack.  I think, though, that the guys with a LOT of hours on there are able to do well fairly consistently.  It takes a while to learn the ledges, flats, channels, humps, deep forests, etc.  It can be quite fickle.

The river has different challenges, but for me, are easier to overcome.  You have to deal with tides and heavy pressure on the river.  Not just sustained seasonal pressure, but sharing a marina dock with 3 or 4 other boats at times.  I just seem to find that the river seems to give up its bass in more 'predictable' ways...or maybe just better for my style of fishing. 

[quanjig]

The launch and out to the main river is no wake primarily so just be aware of that. There are plenty of bass opportunities in the occoquan river! Lots of boat docks for your crappie fix! Bass, perch, shad and striper call that stretch of the river home. It is tidal but that will at times make things very predictable. Just fish anything that looks fishy and you should get some action!! I have not fished there this year but in years past have done well this time of year. I generally downsize my baits to get bites and adjust accordingly!

[Chuckleschuck]

Ok that sounds good to me! I went out to the Rez today and got a whole lot of nothing. While I was there I did miss my motor a lot so I would like to go to the river, any tips as to where I should launch from? Thanks!

-Charlie 

[Chuckleschuck]

Also I would love to catch some decent stripers in the river, is that possible? Is live bait good there? If so where can I buy it or what is the best way to catch it? Going to the river tomorrow morning before the rain. 

-Charlie 

[Choporoz]

I'm probably late, but Occoquan Regional Park is where you want to launch from.  Good luck. 

No idea about stripers.   I've never fished for them, but I have caught rare individuals on swimbaits. 

[quanjig]

I've caught a bunch of stripers there, usually around the end of April to the beginning of May. Drop in at occoquan regional park and turn right headed up to the Rapids. Be careful as you get to the walking bridge as there are some large boulders!

[Chuckleschuck]

So I didn't catch anything today any tips for good places to go? I used a Texas rig, rattle trap, top water Spro frog and rooster tail and didn't get a nibble.

[quanjig]

On both the res and river, a smartly retrieved spinnerbait or chatterbait will get you a bite or two. Small jigs and t rigged creature or beaver style baits also do well. Small tubes are a go to this time of year. 

Look for transition areas and spend a little time picking them apart. Look for downed trees and brushy areas as well. 

[Chuckleschuck]

Ok I will try that thanks, anyone have any tips for lake Anna? Bass and crappie?

[quanjig]

The search tool is your best friend!

37 minutes ago, Chuckleschuck said:

Ok I will try that thanks, anyone have any tips for lake Anna? Bass and crappie?

 

[Nitrofreak]

On March 17, 2016 at 8:25 PM, Chuckleschuck said:

Ok I will try that thanks, anyone have any tips for lake Anna? Bass and crappie?

Lake Anna is a fickle ol' girl, the crappie fishing is really good there around quite a few docks and some of the rock piles and over passes especially in the old river arm, talk to the guys at the marinas for your crappie adventures, the bass however are a good bit different, it depends on what your after, if your going for numbers then focus on the docks and grass, you will even pick off an occasional big'un with this method, if your going for quality then your primary focus needs to be on structure.

This thread however is about the Occaquan and I don't want to go into to much detail about Anna but just touch on the basics since you asked the question. As quan stated the search tool is a great option for what you are looking for.