Maryland in the fall

[Broke bass fisherman]

Hello,

 

Looking for any help for bass patterns here in Maryland, outside DC Rockville specifically.  New to the area so still getting the fishing figured out. 
 

Went out Sunday and again today and am not finding much luck. Hit Little Seneca Lake and got nothing in 6 hours. Went out this evening to Widewater and nothing as well. Specifics; shore fishing in both situations Seneca, went through the tackle box, cranks, multiple plastics in rigging and form, top water, and everything in between.
 

Wide water was crank, buzzbait, small swim bait. 

 

No strikes, no nibbles, I’m pretty sure nothing even looked at them.

 

Suggestions from you Marylanders? 

 

 

[Junger]

What areas did you hit at Little Seneca? There's a little cove here that I like: https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'39.2%22N+77%C2%B017'43.8%22W/@39.194223,-77.2960422,219m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1942219!4d-77.2954952

 

Also here, which is reachable from the Clarksburg Rd trail:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'36.1%22N+77%C2%B018'13.2%22W/@39.1933575,-77.3044452,310m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1933562!4d-77.3036697

 

There's also the bridge piling that you can reach from a little path, there are usually crappie hanging out by the piling, but depth will vary on the water temp.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'23.5%22N+77%C2%B018'32.1%22W/@39.189865,-77.3094712,219m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1898636!4d-77.3089243

 

I haven't been to Little Seneca since pre-spawn, but depending on the water temps and conditions, I like throwing poppers in those coves. Otherwise match the hatch (craws, bluegill, perch and crappie).

 

Widewater is hit or miss, but I would guess water temps are in the upper 60's, low 70's and I presume you fished the C&O trail side from the south end near the water tower structure? The topwater bite there is tough, and I've only had success there pre-spawn and just post-spawn with poppers and walking baits. A buzzbait might work better at other sections of the canal, like Great Falls Park (MD side). Last time I was there the water was down a lot and I've never really had a lot of success on the lower bank area, but Iwould throw a spinnerbait there until you hit the elevated bank wall. I've had a lot more success fishing the long stretch of bank wall with paddletails, spinnerbaits, and jigs, except you have to hoist a fish up 15 feet or so. When you get closer to the north lock, that whole area is good because of all the rock structure. Worms, jigs, flukes, spinnerbaits, just throw stuff til you get a bite and figure out a pattern. On the other side (Berma Road), there are two easily accessible spots that you can fish that I've had good success because of wood laydowns. If you walk about 1/4mile past the north lock, you'll hit a cross over bridge to Berma Road, then you walk down until you see some clearings with unmistakable paths that will lead you to the water.

[Fried Lemons]

Widewater is all about deep structure. It’s difficult now because the water is down 3-4ft from usual so most of the near shore structure is too shallow now. The Berma Road side has deep drop offs which are probably still holding fish but access is sketchy and timing is important. The place is also pretty pressured so to succeed you should try fishing a little out of the box. I can guarantee you those fish have seen hundreds of worms, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. 

 

So in short:

Fish spots with poor access

Fish baits you don’t see others throwing

Fish deep structure. Every visible target has been cast at thousands of times per season.

[Junger]

45 minutes ago, Fried Lemons said:

So in short:

Fish spots with poor access

Fish baits you don’t see others throwing

Fish deep structure. Every visible target has been cast at thousands of times per season.

Yep, I killed it on a pompadour post spawn there, pretty sure that doesn't get thrown a lot there.

 

I plan to map out the bank with a Deeper this winter to really pin point some of the deep structure that isn't visible.

[fishwizzard]

Another summer has passed without me dragging my kayak out to Widewater.  I know if I can manage the wind it will be an amazing way to fish the place, those offshore rock piles/islands call to me every time I am there.  

[Deleted account]

19 hours ago, Junger said:

What areas did you hit at Little Seneca? There's a little cove here that I like: https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'39.2%22N+77%C2%B017'43.8%22W/@39.194223,-77.2960422,219m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1942219!4d-77.2954952

 

Also here, which is reachable from the Clarksburg Rd trail:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'36.1%22N+77%C2%B018'13.2%22W/@39.1933575,-77.3044452,310m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1933562!4d-77.3036697

 

There's also the bridge piling that you can reach from a little path, there are usually crappie hanging out by the piling, but depth will vary on the water temp.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B011'23.5%22N+77%C2%B018'32.1%22W/@39.189865,-77.3094712,219m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89b62eb176c3ac1d:0x5b9dc8c56a8ac8f3!2sLittle+Seneca+Lake!3b1!8m2!3d39.1914068!4d-77.3001325!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d39.1898636!4d-77.3089243

 

I haven't been to Little Seneca since pre-spawn, but depending on the water temps and conditions, I like throwing poppers in those coves. Otherwise match the hatch (craws, bluegill, perch and crappie).

 

Widewater is hit or miss, but I would guess water temps are in the upper 60's, low 70's and I presume you fished the C&O trail side from the south end near the water tower structure? The topwater bite there is tough, and I've only had success there pre-spawn and just post-spawn with poppers and walking baits. A buzzbait might work better at other sections of the canal, like Great Falls Park (MD side). Last time I was there the water was down a lot and I've never really had a lot of success on the lower bank area, but Iwould throw a spinnerbait there until you hit the elevated bank wall. I've had a lot more success fishing the long stretch of bank wall with paddletails, spinnerbaits, and jigs, except you have to hoist a fish up 15 feet or so. When you get closer to the north lock, that whole area is good because of all the rock structure. Worms, jigs, flukes, spinnerbaits, just throw stuff til you get a bite and figure out a pattern. On the other side (Berma Road), there are two easily accessible spots that you can fish that I've had good success because of wood laydowns. If you walk about 1/4mile past the north lock, you'll hit a cross over bridge to Berma Road, then you walk down until you see some clearings with unmistakable paths that will lead you to the water.

DON'T TAKE TO GOOD SPOTS LIST

...

Junger