When to start hitting lower Potomac river creeks in the winter?

[Riazuli]

Hey guys, I enjoy kayak fishing Potomac river creeks and was wondering how soon bass start hitting up the creeks during the winter.  I hear that once they start heading in, they can hang around near cover rather than traveling long distance back out of the creeks. Any thoughts? 

[Sam]

Where are you putting in?

[Riazuli]

21 minutes ago, Sam said:

Where are you putting in?

Leesylvania/Powells creek

[Sam]

The bass should be deep and go shallow to feed.

 

They will also be looking for bluegills, crawfish and shad which are in the backs of the creeks.

 

Only problem is that there are not that many creeks on the Virginia side and you can't paddle across the river to the Maryland side. Too dangerous.

 

You can try Powell's Creek and hit the shoreline towards Quantico Creek.

 

If the water is calm you can fish deep and fish the drop offs.

 

Do you have the GMCO map of the Tidal Potomac River? If not, get one and you can see what I am talking about.

 

Also, go to the tide chart site and note the high and low for the day you are fishing. Here is the link:

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/potomacsites.html

 

You want an outgoing tide.

 

Good luck. The Potomac has some beautiful fish but it can be a dangerous body of water.

[Riazuli]

4 hours ago, Sam said:

The bass should be deep and go shallow to feed.

 

They will also be looking for bluegills, crawfish and shad which are in the backs of the creeks.

 

Only problem is that there are not that many creeks on the Virginia side and you can't paddle across the river to the Maryland side. Too dangerous.

 

You can try Powell's Creek and hit the shoreline towards Quantico Creek.

 

If the water is calm you can fish deep and fish the drop offs.

 

Do you have the GMCO map of the Tidal Potomac River? If not, get one and you can see what I am talking about.

 

Also, go to the tide chart site and note the high and low for the day you are fishing. Here is the link:

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/potomacsites.html

 

You want an outgoing tide.

 

Good luck. The Potomac has some beautiful fish but it can be a dangerous body of water.

Thank you for your detailed post.  It is very helpful and much appreciated!  I'll probably stick to Powells strictly for now at least until it gets warmer, but I'm interested that you mention the outgoing tide.  I was thinking that bass would come into the shallows on the incoming tide to follow baitfish into the back of the creeks - are they generally more active during the outgoing out there or is this more of a cold weather recommendation? 

 

I do have depth charts of the area and was surprised to see how shallow the entirety of powells creek is.  I did notice on some that there is a deep spot near the bridge.  I have a deeper sonar and plan to check it out when I make it out there.  I plan to do a thorough mapping of the entire creek over several trips (I have the pro plus model which does mapping).  

 

I definitely wouldn't try to cross the potomac in the kayak - not even when it's warm due to boat traffic.  The Potomac has been a beautiful experience indeed - so refreshing being out there on the kayak!  Thanks again for the post.  

 

 

[Sam]

Thank you for your detailed post.  It is very helpful and much appreciated!  I'll probably stick to Powells strictly for now at least until it gets warmer, but I'm interested that you mention the outgoing tide.  I was thinking that bass would come into the shallows on the incoming tide to follow baitfish into the back of the creeks - are they generally more active during the outgoing out there or is this more of a cold weather recommendation? - THE BASS FEED AS THE TIDE MOVES. BEST TIDE TIMES ARE THE FIRST TWO HOURS OF OUTGOING TIDES AND THE FIRS HOUR OF INCOMING TIDES. WHEN THE TIDES STOP YOU HAVE TO FISH SLOW TO AGGRAVATE THEM INTO HITTING YOUR BAITS. START READING ABOUT FISHING TIDAL RIVERS WITH THIS ARTICLE:

http://www.bernieschultzfishing.com/9403bm.htm

 

I do have depth charts of the area and was surprised to see how shallow the entirety of powells creek is.  I did notice on some that there is a deep spot near the bridge.  I have a deeper sonar and plan to check it out when I make it out there.  I plan to do a thorough mapping of the entire creek over several trips (I have the pro plus model which does mapping).  GOOD.

 

I definitely wouldn't try to cross the potomac in the kayak - not even when it's warm due to boat traffic.  The Potomac has been a beautiful experience indeed - so refreshing being out there on the kayak!  Thanks again for the post.  YOU ARE RIGHT.

 

YOU CAN CAST AWAY FROM THE BANK INTO DEEPER WATER OR FROM YOUR KAYAK TO THE BANK. TRY TO FIND DROP OFFS.

 

GOOD LUCK AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU DO.

[Riazuli]

Thank you, @Sam 

 

I've been reading up on tidal waters and remembered how bass like the moving water just wasn't sure why the outgoing tide was more active - reading up on that link now. Thanks again! 

 

Second reply: 

Found it!  "Falling water levels concentrate bait and put bass in predictable locations," he confides. "Rising water, on the other hand, spreads fish out, making them hard to find."

@Sam

[Sam]

5 hours ago, Riazuli said:

Thank you, @Sam 

 

I've been reading up on tidal waters and remembered how bass like the moving water just wasn't sure why the outgoing tide was more active - reading up on that link now. Thanks again! 

 

Second reply: 

Found it!  "Falling water levels concentrate bait and put bass in predictable locations," he confides. "Rising water, on the other hand, spreads fish out, making them hard to find."

@Sam

Yep.

 

Just remember to throw your baits so they flow with the tide.

 

Now go out there and show 'em how its done.

[Riazuli]

13 minutes ago, Sam said:

Yep.

 

Just remember to throw your baits so they flow with the tide.

 

Now go out there and show 'em how its done.

Yes, sir! Don't have to ask me twice

[5-20]

There's always some shallow fish year round even in the dead of winter. 

[Riazuli]

10 minutes ago, 5-20 said:

There's always some shallow fish year round even in the dead of winter. 

I prefer to avoid a wild goose chase  I've been bank fishing near a WWD most of this winter, but I prefer to kayak fish closer to home.  The odds of catching bass in regular creeks are lower than my desire to fish there during the middle of winter, especially when I'm able to catch bass bank fishing where I've been fishing.  Just personal preference I guess. 

[Turtle135]

I was on the Tidal Potomac today and the water in the main river was 34 degrees. I would start looking for them in the creeks as the water temperature pushes up towards 50 degrees.

[Riazuli]

I'll be hitting the water with my kayak soon!  Possibly next wkd and will report back. 

[Sam]

Keep us in the loop.

 

Be careful out there and keep an eye on the weather.

 

Tight Lines!

[Riazuli]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Keep us in the loop.

 

Be careful out there and keep an eye on the weather.

 

Tight Lines!

Will do, and thank you!