SE PA or NE MD - where to go for easy 1st trip w/ new boat

[RobA]

I should be getting my new Ranger RT178 in the next week or 2.    I'm looking for an easy, low pressure launch and easy to navigate water.  I'm OK backing up a trailer but not an expert.  Any thoughts on where to to go for my first outing to get used to the boat and do a little fishing?  Here are some fairly close to me.

- Peach Bottom Marina, Conowingo Reservoir, PA

- Glen Cove Marina, Conowingo Reservoir, MD

- Blue Marsh Lake, PA

- Rogues Harbor, Elk Neck State Park, MD

[Capt No Fish]

I am in SE PA as well.  The only ones here that I have been to is Elk Neck State Park.  They have 3 ramps and plenty of room to navigate you tow set up.  Plus there is plenty of water to test your new rig on.

 

If you want something close to home not knowing where you are at.  The Neshaminy State Park Marina has a nice launch as well and there will be plenty of water as well to test all speeds and break in that motor.

 

Good Luck!

[RobA]

Thanks @Capt No Fish  I hadn't thought of the Delaware or Neshaminy.  I'm in Nottingham, southwest Chester County.  Neshaminy is 90 minutes from me.  Conowingo and Elk Neck are about 30 minutes.

[padon]

if you go to conowingo you should be fine as far as rocks etc. doesnt get real tricky til you get up well past peach bottom. as far as crowds with covid and the weather just getting nice you never know. 

[newbiedmv]

Just a thought. You might want to consider Raystown Lake east of Altoona. It's a haul but it's very nice. Was up there about 6 weeks ago. No development 6-7 ramps, 2 gas pumps. It's looks like a really good lake to learn your boat on. I'm planing on going up this week or next for a few days to better learn my creastliner without having to fight the Potomacs current. The upper Potomacs current is deceptively bad in spots and there are a lot of the very dangerous low head damns there. The other places are the top of the bay and susquehanna. I've been told they are great but each time I was there, there were 1 foot chop everywhere. Good luck

[Bruce424]

well blue marsh might be a place to start. maybe on a weekday when its not so busy. has easy ramps and half the lake is a no wake zone. maybe that would help.

[Vrybusy]

You mention Elk Neck....good place to start with access to a lot of water! Don't forget, you can launch out of Anchor Marina and it might be closer to you that Elk Neck State Park. If you're close to Blue Marsh, you might be fairly close to Beltzville as well.

[RobA]

36 minutes ago, Vrybusy said:

You mention Elk Neck....good place to start with access to a lot of water! Don't forget, you can launch out of Anchor Marina and it might be closer to you that Elk Neck State Park. If you're close to Blue Marsh, you might be fairly close to Beltzville as well.

Whoa!  Didn't know about Anchor Marina.  It's only 11 miles from my house.  I'll have to check that out.