Fishing for bass in a tanic river (the Pocomoke river)

[trevor]

I've been fishing alot since as far back as I can remember. And I mean seriously fishing, whenever I can, and that is often (my father is the captain of a charter boat), I go. But, I have always fished saltwater. I also have fished pretty extensively for big gills and crappies, with great success. Now I want something with a little more technique that I can easily access, because I don't have my own ocean going boat. So I figured bass fishing sounds fun and challenging, which is what i want. So ive tried to read up about it alot, but most magazines are about clear lakes, while I fish the most tanic river I know of. I just cant find information on fishing tanic, flowing water. Maybe im not looking in the right places. Does anybody have any information on fishing tanic rivers? Any tips or techniques htat you have found to work? I'm pretty familiar with most any gear you can think of, cause like I said, ive been injected with fishing knowledge since day one, but just not bass. I guess im in a weird possistion - new to bass but not new to fishing. any suggestions are greatly apprecited, and I am already finding this site helpful with some few articles ive read.

[roadwarrior]

We have many members in your general area,

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer

suggestions.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[Crestliner2008]

I wouldn't focus so much on the "tannic" part. What is the water visibility, which is more important. Put a white curly tailed worm down on the end of your line and see about where it disappears. Can you still see it 2' - 3' down? If so, I wouldn't worry about it. It's just another "stained" body of water. Look up the articles here on fishing stained water and you'll be way ahead of your neighbors.

If your visibility is a foot or less, now you have a problem, especially if the water is cold. Then you'll have to fish slow and on the bottom. A good option is to drag a tube.

If the water temp is above 65 degrees, make a ruckess with a large, slow moving spinnerbait or rattletrap.

You'll be getting a lot more suggestion from the fine folks here I'm sure. Good Luck! 

[trevor]

Thanks!

[trevor]

Also, the visibilty is about a foot

[The Bassinator]

I fish a little tannic reservior and ive caught bass on black worms and rat-L traps and ive read that gold is better than silver in tannic water for reflection.  Hope this helps

[nanticoke]

Hi Trevor, I live in Salisbury and fish the Pocomoke all of the time. You may be a little too focused on the color of the water, while it matters it isn't as important as technique. I would start in shallow water with a spinnerbait or a shallow crankbait like a minus one or a ratltrap this spring. Colors could be firetiger, gold black back or chrome black or blue back. And as for worms or jigs black with blue or chartreuse always works. Good luck

[nanticoke]

Trevor, I just remembered that Woo Daves has a dvd about tidal water fishing that Bass Pro sells. My wife and I met him at the Timonium bass show in the 1990's great guy and hec of a tidal water fisherman. ( they sell a box set of his dvd's for 14.95)

[stratos 375]

Bass will be in the same places in the Pocomoke as they will be in any other tidal river. The bass aren't actually aware that it's tannic 

First rule of fishing the Pocomoke:

Turn your rig around & head for Salisbury & fish the river, Johnsons & Leonards. A blind man can catch fish in Johnsons in mid May. I've fished the Wicomico since the late 70's. You wouldn't believe the stringers that came out of there from crankin the channel ledges. And an occaisonal moster as well.

Just be careful during the week with the barge traffic.

Same time period, Johnsons was giving up days with 20-30 keepers with usually a 5 lber each trip. I haven't fished it in a few years, but it's probably still giving up 20-30 fish days.

[stratos 375]

thinking back on all the good times I had around Salisbury, I looked at my old haunts on Google Earth. Looks like Leonards is all grown in except for a stretch by rt. 13. Can anybody local tell me what happened? That lake had some good fish in it.

[nanticoke]

Hi Stratos 375, I think looking at Leonards lake from Google Earth may be a little deceiving for the most part same old lake. They put in a new ramp a while ago and the right prong is silting in a lot, can be a great spot to fish.

[SteveV]

LOCATION AND RAMPS

The Nanticoke River is located in both Delaware and Maryland, and runs through several small towns all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. There are two ramps that you can access from Delaware. Phillips landing is the most popular. It has a big parking lot with room for about 30 boats and trailers. It has two ramps that can be reached by taking rt.13a to the town of Bethel, going over the Bethel bridges, and past the Bethel hole to Portsville. Take your second right after Portsville Pond, and follow the signs to Phillips landing. The other ramp can be reached by turning off rt.13, and taking rt. #20 west, down to Shipley Street in Seaford, and following the green signs to the launching ramp. There are restroom facilities, and room for about 40 trailers. There are two ramps there with deep water and good docks.

LOCATIONS AND LURES

           

     

     

           

The best location to start searching depends on the time of the year. In the spring from April to the end of May, launch at Phillips landing, and head to the right towards Broad Creek. About 1/4 mile up, past the lily pads on the left hand side, is a series of laydowns, and underwater boulders. The sun hits this area all day, and warms the water up a few degrees more than the rest of the area. Start working all the visible structure, laydowns, etc.with a fast moving bait such as a 3/8 ounce Terminator Spinnerbait in chartruese/white, with tandem blades.

   

If you don't get any takers in a short time, rework the same area with a crankbait parallel to the pads and in the wood. You should have a spider grub rigged on a spinning rod also, with 6-8 pound test line. Brown/orange or watermelon are a good choice. If you can't locate any bass in this area, then continue up into Broad Creek, all the way towards the Bethel Hole. Work the bridge pilings and the wood on the turn before the Bethel Hole, with a black/blue tube bait, jig, and a buzzbait. If these locations fail to produce, turn on the outboard and head back towards Phillips Landing.

Proceed past the ramps, and make a turn at the main channel towards the Woodland Ferry. There will be a series of docks and pilings a short distance before the Woodland ferry that should be worked well with a buzzbait and spinnerbait, then move in closer and flip a black/blue jig or a Senko. After working these docks, cross over to the entrance of the creek, and work the mouth with a spinnerbait and a buzzbait, then work all the wood with a jig and a Senko. Next, move down to the Ferry crossing, and throw small worms and Senkos right up against the sea wall, being careful of the ferry and the cable. After leaving this area, head up river towards Maryland to the next major creek on your right. There is a lot of wood there that should be worked thoroughly with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits first, then rework the same area with the jig and Senko. Many times while searching for bass here you will run into some decent size Stripers.

   

BEST TIMES

The best time to work these areas is the first two hours of the incoming tide, and the last two hours of the outgoing tide. Three days prior to a new moon in April are best, but other times produce with a little patience. Many 2-3 pound bass are caught in this area.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

When all else fails, run up into "Broad Creek," on either tide, and work the Bethel hole with tube baits and Senkos cast directly up on the bank and then pull them slowly into the water. This is a bass spawning area, and only one of a few on the river, so be respectful, and practice catch and release.

BAIT STORES AND LICENSE

A&K tackle has a variety of lures and bait, and are open year round. You don't need a freshwater license in Delaware to fish tidewater, but you need both a Freshwater and Bay Sport license in Maryland. The weekends will have a lot of boat traffic, jet skis and the like, but all in all, most people are pretty respectful. There is a variety of wildlife along the river to enjoy, so take the whole family sometimes. It will keep them occupied all day.

[SteveV]

I have fished Johnsons a lot and live nearby so if you need some info just let me know.