Maryland's Who's who!

[Hellbenderman]

Welcome to anyone I haven't said welcome to...hehehe. Well, about Smith Mountain Lake...I was weighed, I was measured, and I was found wanting...sheeesh. Got to SML on Saturday and met up with a fishing buddy of 35 years. He brought his two college age sons and we acted as guides for them on Saturday and did no fishing ourselves. The kids did fine including a 2.5 smallie, his first. The kids were leaving Sunday morning and while it was fun to see them catch some nice ones, we were ready to get into them ourselves. The kids left Sunday about 11 and we went out and got a couple two pounders, and a 3lb smallie. By 1:00 some clouds rolled in and it started to drizzle. We said, OK, cloud cover should help and we can fish in the drizzle. We did not catch another fish Sunday afternoon...or Monday...or Tuesday...or Wednesday morning. It rained steadily the entire time, but the real problem was the temperature drop which went from 85 to 55 in one day, with mid 40s at night. It got so cold on Monday our hands were numb and we had to go warm up. The surface temp dropped from 75 to 65 in one day or so. We fished hard, and tried everything we could think of, and fished from 1 to 60 feet...nada. We were gabberflasted. I have never seen a place go so cold so fast. I mean even in bad conditions you should be able to pick up one....sheeeesh! I almost packed up and left Wed. morning, but they were calling for clearing skies that afternoon...so, I stayed. Went out Wed morning and...nada. Gave up on the bass and went striper trolling and caught 3 in an hour, two threes and a fiver. Finally about 2:00 the sun broke through and I got 6 bass by 8:00 including a decent 3.5...sheeeeesh. I have been fishing a long time and I have never seen a place shut down like that. It has taken me days to get past the depression and shaken confidence...rofl...hahahaha. On a side note, blew out a trailer tire at 75 mph on the way home Thursday...cute. I had to spend the rest of the day in Hagerstown. I am still a huge fan of SML. This is the first time we have been clobbered by the lake in about ten trips, so I can't be too complainish. Last years highlights were a 6 and 4 lgm and a 4 smallie plus many others, and I will be back in the fall. Think I might have to head out to BH this week to heal my wounds.

[Browtine]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes !

Work has been keeping me busy the past weeek or so but I managed a couple of evenings on the water.

Big Pool, The water level is still very high. Fished hard from 3 pm to dusk. Caught a couple of dinks throwing cranks early and then it died. Later in the evening I did get 2 good ones. The bigger fish were tight to banks where the steep drops were. Weeds are get thicker. I wish the darn Park didn't close so early. I'm sure I could have picked up another fish or two.

Blairs Valley, I live real close and got about 2 hours in. Picked up a couple of the usual 12 inchers. The highlight was a tiger muskie that ate my spinnerbait. Not a big one around 30" but better than nothing. Blairs Valley is one lake that just doesn't produce decent Bass for me. I fish there because it is close and better than TV. If anyone has the secret on BVL please share.

[Browtine]

There are bass here in Warshingtun Countee Merryland?

Don't overlook Cunnigham Falls of Greenbrier as I have pulled 6+lb bass out of both of them.

Allen

I fish Greenbrier and it sure has it's moments. I avoid weekends as it sure can get crowded. This time of year I like Rocky Gap. Picked up a really good one there last week. I'll post a picture once I get enough posts to be allowed.

[Bwickfisher]

Basser-Amanda caught her fish on a texas-rigged pumpkinseed powerworm. He was in the middle of the bigger side of the pond. I think he hit it on the fall after the cast.

[wv]

My son and I go to fish Greenbrier on Tuesday night from shore. He caught two smaller ones 7/8 inches on a yellow and blue crankbait. I hooked two on a Yum Dinger but couldn't bring them to shore.  Saw a lot of fish  mostly close to shore and between 7 to 12 inches or so. Liked the place but didn't really like to pay the entrance fee. Looked like a good place for our small jon boat though. Bwick - Is my crankbait still in that lone tree on the side with houses at Brownsville? :-[

[Smiths.R]

Happy Memorial day to all you guys.  If any of you have lost someone, you have my utmost respect, condolences, and thanks.

Going out to fish the Potomac tomorrow for the first time this year.  Needless to say, I AM PUMPED.  Anyone been around Harpers Ferry this year? 

[Smiths.R]

Fished the river this morning.  It was tough...water was VERY high, and VERY stained.  We really couldn't get that far out, but that didn't stop me from getting my PB bass.  Not just small mouth, but bass period.  She was huge.  No waterproof camera, so just memories.  She was about 22'' though and fought like crazy!  Hopefully the river will come down soon...

[basser89]

Cool deal Bwickfisher! Think I told you before, outside of the one bass I caught in the beginning of May, I haven't caught a bass out of that place on any type of soft plastic!

Smiths.R, Congrats on your new PB! That's one heck of a smallie! I bet that thing did fight like crazy!!!

Got moved in to my new place over the weekend. Now just have to get settled in. Once that's all done, I really hope I can get some serious fishing in! I'm going through withdraws again! LOL!

[Smiths.R]

Thanks Basser.

Anyone know of a website that publishes the water depth on the river?  I swear that some of the rocks I usually fish around and sit on are completely under water right now!

[basser89]

I use the USGS gauges. I track the gauge at Hancock since it tracks a couple of the areas I fish pretty close. Here's a link to all the gauges for MD: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/rt

From what I'm seeing, it looks like sunday, the levels were about 3' higher than normal.

[Hellbenderman]

Had a good day at BH with Brian yesterday. Caught a bunch, most still shallow on the lumber.

[BwickBassHunter]

Hi Guys,

I am just getting into this Bass fishing thing. I am originally from MN and fished Northern, Musky, Walleye, Trout and Catfish. I now live in Brunswick. I have been down to the Potomac a few times fishing off the banks. I have also fished the Merryand Park pond with no results. I don't know any of the secret Bass fishing techniques but I have got quite a few crank baits and just picked up a couple of packs of Zoom 6" lizards in watermelon and pumpkin. I hear this can get pretty addicting but I am still looking to hook into a fish of any size. I am using pretty light tackle. A 5'6" collapsible rod with 8lb test. I like a good fight. Any pointers would be great. If any of you are looking for a fishing partner I'd love to come along and pick up some tips. Happy Hunting!!

[BwickBassHunter]

I just got back from the Merryland park pond in Brunswick. I had two strikes in about an hour and a half, missed one, but caught the other. It was a 2lb fish. I caught it in the weeds, near the shore, on a Texas rig with a 6" watermelon lizard. Not a big fish, but it was fun on my light gear.

Like I said in my earlier post, I am a rookie at this Bass fishing, but in theory, it seems that it's not too much different than fishing for Northern Pike or Musky but on a smaller scale as far as the baits are concerned. Both species are predatory and like to ambush their prey from heavy cover. I could be completely off base with my thought process but regardless, finding and catching them sure is a lot of fun.

Any thoughts or tips to help the new guy out?

Happy Hunting!!

[wv]

Hi BWBH - Lots of good info on here. My son and I fished the Brunswick Pond a while back. There was a lot of dead catfish floating on top amongst a lot of weeds/scum/algae. We did see a nice fish down along shore at end near building. Might see you there some time. Good luck fishing.

[basser89]

Welcome to THE boards BwickBassHunter!

As wv mentioned, there's some good info shared on this thread (which is one of the reasons I created this thread!). Been a crazy spring for me but I hope to start contributing a little more soon!

[Munkin]

Hi Guys,

I am just getting into this Bass fishing thing. I am originally from MN and fished Northern, Musky, Walleye, Trout and Catfish. I now live in Brunswick. I have been down to the Potomac a few times fishing off the banks. I have also fished the Merryand Park pond with no results. I don't know any of the secret Bass fishing techniques but I have got quite a few crank baits and just picked up a couple of packs of Zoom 6" lizards in watermelon and pumpkin. I hear this can get pretty addicting but I am still looking to hook into a fish of any size. I am using pretty light tackle. A 5'6" collapsible rod with 8lb test. I like a good fight. Any pointers would be great. If any of you are looking for a fishing partner I'd love to come along and pick up some tips. Happy Hunting!!

Fishing the Upper Potomac you only need a few lures.

Shallow crankbaits in crayfish #1, shad/white and firetiger/chart. I recommend Bandit 100's as they are cheap and work well.

For soft plastics; Zoom baby brush hogs in green pumkin, black and maybe watermelon candy but I fish the first two 95% of the time. Senkos; watermelon, green pumkin and the Kinami natural shad color really work. Zoom flukes in pearl white or Albino work around grass and in shallow water. Just watch out because the Muskee like them.

Topwaters; Heddon tiny torpedo, Jitterbug and a white buzzbait. In the fall jerkbaits and I use Lucky Craft which are expensive but a Husky Jerk #8 in Silver works.

Allen

[Munkin]

Blairs Valley can be tough but I fished it only once this year and caught over 30 fish. Now I usually only catch about 10-15 per trip there but they are all in the 12-17" range.

Greenbrier has the problem of too many small fish. I can go there in the summer and just wreck 10" LM on a black DS worm. Bigger fish are always caught on jigs or topwater and my largest last year was about 6lbs.

Allen

[Bwickfisher]

Hey WV, if you lost a little silversided, blackback crank that looks like a Cordell, I have it but the hooks are rusted. It was in that tree.

Welcome BwickBassHunter. I fish here in Brunswick a lot. Anytime you want to go after 'em let me know. 8-)

On another note, I have been fishing a backwater area off the Potomac, here in Brunswick. I went twice this week, and hooked and lost five largemouth over two pounds. I don't usually lose fish that I have hooked, so this is driving me crazy. It makes me want to keep going back 'til I get them though. It's this kind of challenge that makes me REALLY love bass fishing. ;D

[bigdog321]

hello to all you marylanders. trying to find out where I can buy live minnows in germantown area.Would appreciate any help.Thanks

[BrianinMD]

Welcome bigdog!!!

While I also live in Germantown I have no idea where you can purchase live minnows. I haven't used live bait in a few years.

But hopefully you can find a place and let us know how the bite goes for you.

[wv]

Hey WV, if you lost a little silversided, blackback crank that looks like a Cordell, I have it but the hooks are rusted. It was in that tree.

Welcome BwickBassHunter. I fish here in Brunswick a lot. Anytime you want to go after 'em let me know. 8-)

On another note, I have been fishing a backwater area off the Potomac, here in Brunswick. I went twice this week, and hooked and lost five largemouth over two pounds. I don't usually lose fish that I have hooked, so this is driving me crazy. It makes me want to keep going back 'til I get them though. It's this kind of challenge that makes me REALLY love bass fishing. ;D

Hi BWICK. Mine was gold sided and black on to. I think you got somebory elses. Thanks for looking out for me. As for my reports...not much. We were at Harpers Ferry Dam #3 area(what's left of it that is). Didn't get to fish...was raining Saturday night. We fished on Potomac at mouth of Antietam Creek and at Rumsey Bridge at Sheperdstown on Maryland side with no luck. Did hear of people catching fish on river. River looked good. We hope to get out again maybe Saturday evening and definitely Sunday.

[basser89]

hello to all you marylanders. trying to find out where I can buy live minnows in germantown area.Would appreciate any help.Thanks

Welcome to THE boards bigdog!

Wish I could help you out on the live bait too but I only use artificials. Like Brian said, hopefully you can find a place! Good luck and keep us posted on how you do!

[Hellbenderman]

Hello Big Dog. There used to be / may still be, a store near the corner of RT28 and Seneca Road RT112 that sold minnows, but it has been sometime since I have been there. Other than that, the only other place I know  is in Frederick, named Fox's, right on the main drag 5 minutes off 270.

[Boett43]

Haha going to Fox's is an adventure in itself, i havent been able to get out of that store in under 5 mins since going there. They really like to talk about everything whether you want to hear it or not haha

[wv]

My son and I got out last night. He caught about a 12 inch LM at Sharpsburg on a Creme worm and lost another that would most likely be 2-3 lbs on same lure. I caught my second ever SM ;D ;D. What a fighter he was. Guessing he was 12/14 inches. Caught it on a Heddon Tiny Torpedo(frog color). He jumped about 10 times and tried to hang me in some tree branches. After catching him I really appreciate why some people on these forums love smallmouth fishing. They seem to be powerful fish. Caught it at Rumsey Bridge on MD side across from Shepherdstown boat launch.  We were heading to Blairs Valley with our small jon boat but our truck was needed elsewhere and the weather looked a little iffy. On vacation next week and may try to get there before leaving for Delaware on the 25th.