Tough Potomac River

[10pounderWill]

My friend and I bass fish around Belmont Bay and have had a hard time catching bass up there. Any tips?

[Turtle135]

search google for "baybass" and check his fishing reports, he is on that water frequently and gives detailed reports on what he is using

[Choporoz]

and Steve Chaconas' site and also Charlie Taylor's site.

 

@10pounderWill, are you fishing from shore, boat, kayak....?   What have you tried thus far?  Lures?  Tides?  Specific areas?  Times of day?  Search Potomac here and read some of the other threads about it...takes a while to get used to the tides and grasses

[10pounderWill]

We fish from a jon boat. We have tried texas rigs and chatter baits. We fished during the middle of the which I know isn't the best. The grass was extremely thick.

[Logan S]

The bass live in that grass.  You can make things a little easier on yourself by targeting the edges near the main channel or fishing the docks inside the marinas.  Both baits you mentioned will catch bass...Probably 2 of the most productive techniques on the river, especially now.  Add a senko and frog and you'll have everything covered.  

Since you're in a john boat, you also might consider fishing some of the smaller creeks in that area.  Sometimes it's a little easier to put yourself in smaller water when figuring things out.  Kanes Creek and Massy Creek are in Belmont.  These creeks will both offer more 'traditional' looking targets to fish as opposed to the seemingly endless grass flats that composes most of Belmont/Occoquan Bay.  Bass boats can still access these creeks so it's not a secret, but they do receive a little less pressure overall. 

This time of year you definitely want to be on the water early in the morning or late in the evening if you can...Bass can be caught all day, but early and late are typically very productive.  

[Choporoz]

A number of the best bass fishermen in the world weighed less than a limit yesterday.  I'm trying to feel bad for them, but ashamedly a little happy about it.

[Dypsis]

Sometimes when there is slack tide - you could throw anything and they won't bite.  Keep at it and you'll catch.  The potomac is a fickle beast for sure.  

Try throwing frogs as well.

[Wayne P.]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

A number of the best bass fishermen in the world weighed less than a limit yesterday.  I'm trying to feel bad for them, but ashamedly a little happy about it.

KVD had no bass yesterday and only one so far today.

[BrianinMD]

Logan S. is his marshall for the day...sure that is going to be a fun day.

[Choporoz]

 

1 hour ago, BrianinMD said:

Logan S. is his marshall for the day...sure that is going to be a fun day.

Very cool!  I see a couple of his photos in today's running blog.....one of which shows KVD holding a barely legal......smallmouth?