Maryland's Who's who!

[basser89]

Lunch time at Black Hills today, they blocked the path I use to go to the stick ups area so ended up fishing the backwash area down by the boat ramp. That water was pretty stained (forgot to check the temp there). Ended up getting blanked. The way the wind was howling, the only thing I could really use (that I had with me) was a spinnerbait.

After work, I popped back over to Black Hills and after a little hike, I made it to the stick ups!     Saw a musky break surface and a huge carp came out of the water too. Wind was still blowing pretty good too. Maybe I got in there a little late, I figured with the front moving in, they would've been a little more active. I did manage one largemouth in the hour or so that I was there! Caught it on a spinnerbait in 4-5'. Didn't take a measurement but did weigh her. She was JUST shy of 3 1/2lbs, 3lbs 7oz to be exact. Took a crappy pick with the cell phone but haven't downloaded it yet to add. I did remember to get a water temp reading. My little cheapo thermometer read 70!    With the info Hellbenderman posted before and this cold front coming in, my guess is they may move out to a little deeper water but I don't think they're gonna venture too far.

Looks like the game plan for saturday when my brother and I hit Black Hills is probably going to be a reaction type bite but it really depends on how far the water temps drop and how stirred up the water gets from the rain we're getting now. Is my thinking too far off? Anyone else have any thoughts?

[basser89]

Tough day today! My brother and I headed to Black Hills for his first taste ever on the lake. We took a gamble and headed back the east arm. We didn't get back there until roughly 9:45 (got a late start) and found we were the only ones back there. There were only 3 other boats out when we got there and had them all accounted for before we got back there. Fished the stick ups the majority of the time. Water temps were in the low 60's when we first got there, by late afternoon we found the warmest water was about 67. Found a little pattern going on, on the far shore from the stick ups. Lost a 2 1/2-3lbr and a dink paralleling the drop off in about 7-8' and there needed to be laydowns going down the drop. I did manage a small one (about 10 inches) on that same pattern. As the afternoon went on, the water was getting cooler. I believe the rain and the air temps too its toll on the feeder creek back there. On our way out of the east arm, we saw bass I estimated to be in the 4-5lb range cruising the flat just off the boat rental area. As we headed down towards the boat ramp, we found a similar pattern. My brother had a good bass break his line as he was working another drop off (no wood around that area that I could find). The baits of choice for the action we had was a white Storm Wiggle Wart (me) and a Strike King Series 3 (and I can't remember the exact color his was using but it was light in color too).

Anyone else make it out? Hopefully, y'all faired better than we did today!

[Smiths.R]

I got out to Loch Raven yesterday.  It was so windy...really made it a lot less enjoyable.  Of course, had I caught fish, I probably would'nt have complained about the wind.  I lost two fish, and landed zero.  I thought after that little squall we had, they might have gone back out to deep water, but they were still cruising the shallows.  This week I think the beds will start to appear. 

Is the Potomac still high?  I can't wait to get back out there.

[basser89]

Hey Smiths.R,

I was wondering the same thing about the Potomac. I just checked the Hancock gauge and it's within a foot of normal flow. I did pop down by the Potomac here in Williamsport and it has a good color to it as well.

[BrianinMD]

Didn't make it out over the weekend, but should be heading to Black Hills after work tonight. Will probably be hitting the stickup area. Hopefully a couple days of stable weather will settle the bass down and I can get a few. If anyone is heading out to BH tonight let me know.

[Smiths.R]

Fished Loch Raven this morning.  Caught a small/medium bass, but found an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur B.C Reel.  Seems to be in pretty good shape.  Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped!

[BrianinMD]

Stopped by Black Hills last night for a couple of hours. Thought I could get into a few after a couple days a calm weather but no. Only hooked one on slider head with a zoom finesse worm. Lost it about 5 foot from the bank, was only about 15 inches. Got a couple bumps on a Rage Eeliminator. Had it C-rigged, then tried T-rigged a little later.

Was being entertained though by the carp making some very loud splashes after jumping. Only a couple bass hit the surface. I cast the slider head to a spot one jumped and hooked the one I lost.

Oh well, I may be able to head out Sunday, will have figure out were.....

[BrianinMD]

Anyone else planning to head out Sunday morning? If anyone is heading to Black Hills or somewhere in that area let me know, possibly we can meet up.

[basser89]

Had the pleasure of meeting up with Hellbenderman this evening for an outing on Black Hills.

He got there before I got off work and figured some things out. Once I got there we scooted back to a spot he wanted to fish. Water temps were (and correct me if I'm wrong Chris) 63. Got back to the spot and had the whole place to ourselves. Things started out a little slow until we slowly put the puzzle together. Chris boated the first bass of the evening on a Senko. I followed that up by being cut off by a musky. :-? LOL! We worked the area pretty thorough and Chris landed 2 more small ones. We were considering heading to another spot when I missed one on a Tiki Stick. Decided to stick it out there as long as day light would allow us. Turned out to be the right decision. About a half hour before sunset, I hooked up again. Turned out to be the best one of the evening! She measured 19 1/2" and went 4lbs 3oz on my scale (thanks for the assist with the net Chris!). As I picked the bass out of the net, I reached in and the hook fell right out. Over all, Hellbenderman caught about 10 bass (including the ones he caught before I got there) and I landed that one and lost 2 others.

It was great finally meeting you Chris! I had a blast! We'll have to do it again sometime!

Here are a pair of pics from this evening. Enjoy!

[Hellbenderman]

Sean is the man! I was getting worried it was going to be a total dink day! Saw a lot of fish in the coves on the way to pick up Sean at the bridge. All the coves were hoppin. Gave me great expectations. I was thinking we would catch several decent fish. We went to the western rock pile, and, unfortunately, that area is not quite as far along as the coves. There was really nothing much going on shallow, not much activity, no little blue gills, etc. It's in "any day now" mode, and a degree or two cooler than the coves, and Sean's fish came out an eight foot hole, back there, not two feet. That said, I figured it was still good structure and eventually something decent would show up if we were just patient. If Sean didn't catch a decent fish today, I would have felt bad, because I really feel the lake has risen to the point that there is a reasonable chance of catching a fish over three pounds every time you go out. The original forecast for today was partly cloudy and 5-7 mph wind from the west, sounded great. What we got was not a cloud in the sky, and from hardly a whiff to dead calm. I find these blue bird, windless days to be the kiss of death at BH, so this is a real testament to Sean's

fishing skills, and who ever was spreading that rumor that he has really big feet, well, they looked just like regular feet to me, so stop it.

[BrianinMD]

Man I am jealous of that one, nice fish Sean.

Hoping to get out Sunday, but have to keep an eye on the weather looks like another big cool down tonight and tomorrow. Will them in lockjaw mode for Sunday.

Chris, I am on vacation (Sean is too) the first week of May. Would love an opportunity to get out on the lake with you sometime. 

[Bwickfisher]

Hey guys, my name is Jeff and I live in Brunswick, MD. I fish mostly the Potomac between Point of Rocks and Harpers Ferry. Also Little Seneca lake(aka Black Hills, Boyds Lake), Cunningham Falls and various ponds such as Brunswick and Brownsville.

[basser89]

Hey Jeff,

Welcome to THE boards! Glad you were able to find your way on here! There's a lot of great anglers on here! If you have any questions, ask away and I'm sure someone can help you out!

You know, I've heard about the pond in Brunswick but I'm not quite sure where it is?

[Bwickfisher]

The Brunswick pond is on Petersville road. If you take the Brunswick exit off of Rte. 340, go toward the Sheetz, straight throught the circle. When you come to the streetlight make a left onto Petersville road. The pond is about a half a mile on the right. There is a sign that says Lion's club Merryland park. The pond is stocked with trout and catfish, but there are some nice bass too, although I have only seen one other person catch bass besides myself. I caught a three and a half pounder summer before last. If anyone is in the Brunswick area, I'd love to fish with you.

[basser89]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to check it out sometime. Maybe, we could meet up there sometime.

Think I told you when I met you at Brownsville pond, I do have a boat (just a little 16' jon with a 15hp outboard and a 43# trolling motor on the front right now). If I have an open seat, you or anyone else on the boards are more than welcome to it.

[Bwickfisher]

Here's a pic of that 3 1/2 pound bass. Caught on a brown and orange Cordell Big-O.

[wv]

Wow - Sounds like you guys are really getting it going in MD. My son and went to Dam #4 on Maryland side last night. Fished for about an hour with no luck. My son did manage a world-class tangle and that pretty much ended the day. Did see several people fishing mostly in boats or on WV side. Didn't see anyone catching anything. River looked clear and at a pretty normal level for this time of year. We'll probably try some ponds in our area to see if any beds are appearing.

[basser89]

Wow - Sounds like you guys are really getting it going in MD. My son and went to Dam #4 on Maryland side last night. Fished for about an hour with no luck. My son did manage a world-class tangle and that pretty much ended the day. Did see several people fishing mostly in boats or on WV side. Didn't see anyone catching anything. River looked clear and at a pretty normal level for this time of year. We'll probably try some ponds in our area to see if any beds are appearing.

wv, I had a 2 hour window that I could get out yesterday. Decided to give dam 4 a shot myself. I did manage 2 small smallies on a Bandit 100 series crank and lost what felt like a better smallie on a Senko style bait (bad hook set   :-[ ). Judging from the Hancock river gauge, the Potomac is back down to "normal flow". Looking around, had I wanted to, I could've made it up to the base of the dam from the rip rap wall yesterday. There was one spot that if you would slip, you'd get wet but it wasn't very deep.

As long as the weather cooperates, I may try to get the boat out next weekend for my (sadly) first trip on the Potomac next weekend. Which day is still up in the air though.

[wv]

Basser 89. Did see someone on the "rip-rap wall you talked about...may have been two guys not sure. I was at the end of that wall where a kindaa smelly little stream was running. My son was a little farther downstream in area with a lot of small  trees. We were there around 4 - 6 PM I would guess. Hope you have some success when you hit the river. My boss is on vacation and that usually causes me some stress. We may try some local ponds. Checked out one near Martinsburg(Poorhouse)and a man said they tried to spawn earlier and the weather cooled some. He thought maybe later in the week it could start. We''ll try some maybe Friday night or Saturday early.

[Boett43]

Basser, have you got any fish off the beds in either the dickerson or williamsport canal? I havent had any luck with them this year. Also middletown pond is pretty nasty on the opposite side of the concrete stand. its really thick goop on top, Just a heads up!

[basser89]

Thanks wv! Haven't decided where I want to put in yet. Guess I have a little time to make up my mind.

Hey Boett,

I was at Dickerson last thursday (if I remember right) for a couple hours. Saw one male that looked like it was starting a bed. When I walked up on him, he swam out into the grass and settled down. Pitched a Tiki Stick in to where he was and dead sticked it. Wasn't but a couple seconds when he picked it up. Ended up with 2 out of there. Have yet to see asingle bed at the canal in Williamsport. The lower section of the canal is getting real thick with grass and the upper section stays on the cloudy side so it can be tough to see them. Thanks for the heads up on Middletown! I was actually considering going there this evening after work. I may rethink that.

[Bwickfisher]

I went down to the Potomac here in Brunswick yesterday evening and managed three smallies. They were all under a pound and all hit a white grub.

By the way, if anybody's heading out to the river, don't forget your bug spray! I did and they ate me up. Although, the erratic action caused by swatting bugs may trigger strikes, but it's probably not worth it.

[Basser714]

I got out to black hill this weekend, and it seems that we are still in prespawn, but that the fish are not feeding as aggressively. Is that normal right before the spawn, for the voracious feeding of the past few weeks to slow down, or was it more likely the colder weather we had the past few days?

I figure they would be still feeding, and its more the cold weather. Since i got shutout, i figured i would ask. I didnt even see much walking the shore.

Good luck all

[wv]

Let me say I am in no way a great or expert fisherman. My son and I fish mostly two smaller ponds/lakes that are about 10 acres or so. About a month ago when it warmed up we saw some fish in shallower water..I'm guessing in what could be pre-spawn. Then the weather cooled, it rained, etc. I'm guessing the bass want to spawn but conditions aren't quite right. We'll probably head out again today or tomorrow and look for beds. From the Maryland reports on here the fishing is better than in WV. The Potomac looks a little low and clear now just from riding over top of it 5 days a week.  We might try the river some next week too. We are really into the soft plastic baits now. Yum, Zoom, etc. Just saw a show from Hank Parker today and he was talking about Berkley "Alive" baits...we may try them some and would like any feedback from someone that has tried them. We've had good luck with Yum Crawbugs(Green Pumpkin and Watermelon)and Yum Dingers in Watermelon. Just trying now Yum Tubes and Zoom Flukes now as well.

[Smiths.R]

Zoom flukes are great.  Yamamoto Senko's and Fat Ika's are amazing.  Berkly power worms are great...soft plastics are the way to go.