Maryland's Who's who!

[TheKingFisher]

Wow - I've been away too long. Lots of good reports and a fair amount of fish caught. Work is starting to get in the way again and I have been fairly sick as well. I did get on the board for the year Sunday. Caught about 14 inch LM on a Shakey head worm at Sharpsburg Pond. My son caught a little smaller LM on a Creme worm. He's outfished me 2-1 for the year. We've only been out a couple times. River has been too high when we had time and better when we had no time. Gas prices really cramping our style too. It's tough not having a lot of resources to enjoy fishing but we try just the same. I recently have been enjoying the Shepherdstown Bald Eagle Cam and have joined a group of Eaglet Momsters and will be visiting the nest this Saturday if all goes well. We have seen the nest and eagles when going to Dam #4. Really would like to see one in flight. When I was growing up they were endangered and I guess that is why I enjoying them so much now. We hope to get some better reports soon. We saw no spawning at Sharpsburg but fish were active. I would really like to get to Black Hills some Sunday. Just gonna have to make time. I'm working 6 days the next three weeks so I should have some OT coming. I hope everyone has good success.

WV, nice heads up on the eagle cam. Very cool! As for the eagles at BH, I've heard of them but never actually seen them myself.

Oh and I never sweat losing a fish too much. Although I will say I don't always realize exactly how much fun I've had until I reflect on it a bit later regardless of the tally at the end of a trip.

[KenLattimore]

Kevin, sorry about your loss (the fish that is)...lol! It beats being skunked though.

I've seen one bald eagle at the stick ups last fall. It was diving for a fish and pulled up at the last second and flew off...very cool.

I'm going out Sunday morning, weather permitting since they're calling for rain. If anyone wants to join me let me know. I plan on being there from 7-12.

[wv]

WV, nice heads up on the eagle cam. Very cool! As for the eagles at BH, I've heard of them but never actually seen them myself.

Oh and I never sweat losing a fish too much. Although I will say I don't always realize exactly how much fun I've had until I reflect on it a bit later regardless of the tally at the end of a trip.

TKF - Glad you enjoyed the cam. I just found out that I won't get to visit the nest now. My boss is on vacation next week and I need to go in early tomorrow. I can use the OT. Best of luck to you at Black Hills. I would like to get there someday...seems like the best place to catch bass from reading everyone's reports. I see you seem to lose equipment...my son and are pretty good at that, too. Not sure where you're located...but around here the Wal-Marts have a little section of reduced fishing stuff. Some soft plastices, some crankbaits, some topwaters and some spinners amongst other things. I've gotten some crankbaits(Norman or Bomber)for $1.96 or $2.96 some Tiny Torpedoes for same price, Yum and Zoom soft plastics for $1.96 and recently some Vicious spinnerbaits for a $1.96. Can't tell you if some of them are any good but they don't hurt as much if they don't come back to you. We really like the soft plastics for affordability and they do catch fish. Also - if you have a Gander Mountain they seem to reduce stuff from time-to-time.

[KenLattimore]

Made it out this morning to BH before the rain from about 7:30-12:00 and met Kevin I and a friend. I managed three, one dink and two 13-15 inches all on plastic.

[301-fisherman]

Glad to see a few of the guys made it out today. Saw Ken leaving and ran into Kevin at the stick ups. Managed one of a White spinner after kevin left, may have ran about 3lbs. A bunch of fish were jumping out of the water. Tried throwing plastic worm but had no luck

[basser89]

I did manage to get out saturday morning for a little while before it was time to pick up my daughter. Tried a change of pace and hit the Dam 4. Lost a decent one (guessing 17-18 inch range) on a tube shortly after I got there. Managed a little scrapper and had three other hits as well. One of those hits I'm 99% sure it was a musky. I was throwing the tubes on my flipplin stick with 20# mono, I felt the hit and dropped the tip and swung away. Never even felt any weight at all, inspecting the line it was a clean cut. I tried switching up and threw cranks for a while and got nothing. I even narrowed it down a little further finding they only wanted junebug tubes, I tried a few other colors couldn't even get a panfish to peck at it. Even though I didn't catch a ton or even had a lot of time to be out, sure was good to finally get on the board with my first smallie of the year!

[Jay Lagana]

My name is Jay. I'm a rookie from Laurel. Just started Bass fishing last summer. I fish Rocky Gorge reservoir, Cash lake and all the ponds/lakes @ Patuxent Research Refuge sites.

[Bill Poch]

I'm going to switch things up and talk boats.

My brothers and I are getting a jon boat from a friend for free. We've been bugging him for 2 years trying to buy it and he finally said he doesn't have time to fix it up (not in bad shape at all) and he won't use it if he does, please come get it if you want it. My question is about registering the boat. We are getting a 9.5HP gas motor with the thing (which we hope runs). Any ideas as to what/if we need to register this thing?

Back to fishing, I only managed to get out Fri after work this past weekend. I went up to the Potomac up by Harpers Ferry. The river was extremely low. River gauge up there said it was 3.14 feet. I didn't catch anything, but I love it up there. Also was able to make a mental note to myself that my old sneakers are not very safe jumping around on the rocks, almost took a nice swim. I may try some cheap beach/pool shoes although I know I really need to just bite the bullet and invest in some nice wading boots but they run $70 and up and don't fit in my budget at the moment.

[BrianinMD]

Welcome Jay, I don't get up to your area myself. But I am pretty sure we have a couple other members who fish that area. This forum is a great place to get Maryland specific info.

Bill, to get a boat registered in Maryland the trailer will need to be inspected and registered with the MVA. Any gas station which does MD State inspections will do it for you. Once you have that you can take the title, and inspection information to an MVA location to registered. Be prepared, you will need to pay taxes on the amount paid for the trailer. For the boat, its just filling out the paperwork from the DNR website. You can either send it in to any of the states DNR sites listed on the paperwork or you can stop by in person if one is close. Again you get to pay taxes on the amount paid. This is rather generic info, any specific questions let me know I will do my best to answer them.

[basser89]

Welcome to THE boards Jay! Like Brian had mentioned, I don't get up that way to fish either but I'm fairly sure there are a few members on this thread that do. If you skim back through the thread, I'm sure you'll find some that's close to you!

Bill, I believe Brian pretty much summed it up rather well. I'll add that boat registration is free for outboards under 7.5HP (if memory serves me right). Anything above that is $24 for 2 years. Keep us posted on your progress!

[BrianinMD]

Sean, did your fingers start burning when you typed I summed things up well

Hope this weather levels out here soon, these hot days to cold day swings is not helping the fishing.

[GOFORIT]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any good ponds or lakes to fish around the Glen Burnie, Ferndale area? I am new to the area and have only found a few spots most of which arent the best. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[basser89]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any good ponds or lakes to fish around the Glen Burnie, Ferndale area? I am new to the area and have only found a few spots most of which arent the best. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Hey GOFORIT, welcome to THE boards! Wish I could help you on spots for you to fish but I don't make it out your way. I believe there's a few members around you that are on here. If you skim back through the pages, I'm sure you're come across so members that can help you out! Good luck in finding some spots and keep us posted on how you do!

[GOFORIT]

Thanks for the welcome! I did manage to get out today with my new bait caster. Was going great until I got too cocky and tried to really hurl it out there. After about 10 mins finally got rid of the dreaded birds nest.. Long story short I did manage to catch the first fish of 2012 (ale be it a tiny Largey.) all in all a nice day seeing as it was beautiful. I am going to head back tomorrow.. will let you guys know how it goes!!

[TheKingFisher]

Hey guys, I've been out a couple times lately for an hour or so and have managed just a few dinks,

I know the fish have started spawning and I'm not really wanting to pull any fish off their beds, but what typically happens to the bite during and post spawn? Also how long does the spawn usually last?

Also, a big welcome to Jay and GOFORIT.

[Bill Poch]

Ran out real quick after work to a creek and managed 1 smallie but only fished for a very short time.

Also got a chance to take a look at the Jon boat my brothers and I are getting for free. The owner is still looking for the title to the trailer, but we may just go and pick it up just to get it up to use. Boat looks in very good shape and he is throwing in a bunch of PDF's, 2 swivel seats and a Mercury 9.8 gas motor. We did bring the motor home and it fired right up on the 2nd pull. The carburetor is spitting some gas out so it may be a little clogged.

Now I just need to find some places on the potomac that are deep enough to run the gas motor.

Here are some pictures.

[GOFORIT]

Wow a free boat.. I am jealous. I am looking to get a little John boat or a kayak myself.

[BrianinMD]

Welcome GOFORIT, unfortunately I don't really know any places in your area. I am down in Montgomery County. Let us know how the fishing goes, with the weather recently it could be a great bite if you catch it at the right time, or they will have lockjaw. Hard to predict until you get there.

Bill, nice looking boat. Trying to think of places on the Potomac to put in a prop motor. Only places i can think of is down here just outside of Germantown. Or a couple places in Washington County. Let me know if you are interested I will send you a PM.

Kevin, my observations during the spawn, others may disagree, are the bite gets very touch around the time of actual spawn and for a few days after. The bass just don't eat a lot during this time period. After the spawn the males can be caught while guarding the nest. The females will move to a little deeper water and rest but then the post spawn bite will start which can be great. The length of the spawn is a best guess, not every fish spawn at the same time, some already have, others will spawn during the full moon next weekend. Don't get overly worried about bed fishing, especially doing catch and release. They will move back once released.

[TheKingFisher]

Ran out real quick after work to a creek and managed 1 smallie but only fished for a very short time.

Also got a chance to take a look at the Jon boat my brothers and I are getting for free. The owner is still looking for the title to the trailer, but we may just go and pick it up just to get it up to use. Boat looks in very good shape and he is throwing in a bunch of PDF's, 2 swivel seats and a Mercury 9.8 gas motor. We did bring the motor home and it fired right up on the 2nd pull. The carburetor is spitting some gas out so it may be a little clogged.

Now I just need to find some places on the potomac that are deep enough to run the gas motor.

Here are some pictures.

Bill that boat looks like it'll make for a great set of waders! Good score from a very nice friend.

[Jay Lagana]

Thanks for the welcome!

[Jay Lagana]

I have to ask. I'm now sitting here looking at alllllllllll the unnecessary stuff that I bought last year. Since I pretty much used youtube when I started out on how to learn to catch Bass. I also used it to see what type of bait/lures/rigs to use and how to use them. And now I see thar 90% of the video's that I watched they had a boat. I do not have a boat. 100% shore. But anyway. The Banjo minnow. Was this a waste of money? Or does this thing really work and im doing something wrong??

[basser89]

Nice little ride you picked up Bill! My river knowledge lies in Washington county as well. Check out DNR's site for boat ramps in Frederick county, I believe there are a couple you could possibly use as well.

Brian, I'll disagree with you to a point about the spawn bite. Part of my argument is based on water clarity, if its stained, that will make it really tough but if the water is clear (and you have the patience) I've had success bed fishing (from the boat and from shore). The other part of my disagreeing would be that not all bass spawn at the exact same time so you do have the opportunity to fish for some bass that are either pre or post spawn.

Jay, I'll start by saying I don't own any but I know 2 guys that do and they have caught on them once in a while. That bait is one of the baits that is kinda frowned upon being discussed. The result of those talks is usually a locked thread. PM me if ya like about any questions about them. I might be able to get some info for you on when and how my friends use them.

[GOFORIT]

I think I am going to head out for a little tomorrow night. I was wondering what was working for everyone? I am fishing on a inlet of the Patapsco where the water is still pretty muddy. Any tips are appreciated!!

[BrianinMD]

Sean, on your first disagreement. Fish can be caught off of bed, but they are not feeding they are looking to get the bait out of their bed. Sometimes you can get an aggressive fish to bite quickly, sometimes it takes time and a bunch of cast. The second disagreement, we actually agreed not all fish spawn at the same time.

Not getting out this weekend, need to get some stuff down around the house. Have a tourney next weekend so won't be able to do it then. May get out after work on monday depending on weather.

[BrianinMD]

Bill, here is the link to the DNR's list of boat ramps http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/boatramps.asp

The one I am thinking of in Montgomery County is Seneca Creek/Seneca Creek Landing, after you go out of Seneca Creek and hit the river turn right. There is a series of islands which have good fishing around. As always keep a good eye out for shallow areas. The Washington County place is Dargen Bend.