Possible Snakehead/bass fishing this saturday morning 9/13

[SimonSays]

Heya guys,

I've been wanting to snakehead fish for a while now and this weekend, weather permitting, seems like a good time for me and Ron who knows the location of some snakeheads.

The plan so far is early this Saturday morning at the Chopawamsik Bay on the Quantico Marine Corp Base or Aquia Harbor. I've never been to either of these places but from what Ron has told me they both have launch fees ($10 for the Base and unknown amount for the Harbor) refer to Ron's post below about fees. These places also have nice bass populations so if you're not interested in snakeheads you can target the bass!

More info to come later in the week. If you're interested, chime in!

EDIT:Just to keep info up top so you don't have to sift through it...

Directions:

The location that sells the fishing permits is off of Route 95 (exit 148).  You head west once you get to the end of the ramp and follow up until you see the military checkpoint.  There will be a road on the left hand side just before this checkpoint and there will be a white building on the left (a hunting weigh-in station), this is the building where you buy the permits.  The drive to this building from the highway is only about 5 minutes.  The drive from this building to Chopawamsic Bay will take us about 15 minutes.

Possible Lures/Tackle:

As for baits, I have been catching the snakeheads on worms, toads, shad and spinnerbaits in the shallow water.  The toads and shad I use are the Strie King Rage Tail baits.  This area has a lot of grass mats and lilly pads that can be interesting to navigate through.  On the plus side Jason, my friend and I have also caught large numbers of nice bass here as well.  The Cavitron works well here at high tide in the shallow water, it also works well in the channel and further into the bay at low tide.

[rondef]

Actually the Chopawamsik Bay does not have a launch fee. I base fishing permit is required and it costs $10 for one year from the date of purchase. This permit gives you access to all of their lakes, ponds and the two bays off of the Potomac River and you don't have to pay a launch fee when you have this permit.

Aquia Harbor I think is around $10 to launch at the marina for one day.

Chopawamsik has been providing quite the snakehead experience this year. I have caught six or seven snakeheads in this bay alone.

Simon this will be a lot of fun.

Guys there is also some good bass fishing here.

[A.Do?]

I might be in if I get all my work done and not forced to come into the office! sounds like it'll be fun...and wet... Bring the rain coats!

[eddieinva]

oh man I REALLY WANT IN on this snakehead experience..  I'll check to see if i can get SAT free from family obligations

[ptomacbass]

do i need a boat.  if not maybe my dad will let me come if thats okay.

[rondef]

You can come in mine if you want, I have room.

[ptomacbass]

thanks rondef i hope my dad will let me go.  if i go i think i'll use a ragetail shad or a shallow crank.

[rondef]

The shad and toads work well there for both snakeheads and bass.  Cavitron and spinnerbaits work well for bass there to.

[Sam]

Ron and Simon,

Don't forget the big tournament out of Leesylvania on Saturday.

Over 200 boats are expected.

We have our club tournament out of Hope Springs on Sunday.

With you two guys fishing and over 200 boats on the Potomac I sure hope there are some bass around for me to catch.  

[rondef]

Sam, not many bass boats come into Chopawamsic because the bay is really shallow and they can end up getting stuck in there when the tide is low. At High tide the water is about 4 to 5 feet, at low tide it gets as low as 1 foot deep in spots. The area we will be in really can only be accessed via canoe or Yak.

ptomacbass, I have extra toads if you don't have any.

Guys we will need to meet up at the Quantico location that sells the permits and then head to Chopawamsic. Ptomacbass I can pick you up if you need a ride.

High tide will be at 6:09 AM at Chopawamsic Bay low tide is at noon. Remember one thing about snakeheads, they love shallow water. I have been catching them in this bay in water two feet deep or less.

One more thing, you may want to have a metal leader tied on because the snakeheads have cut both my braid and monolines in the past.

[SimonSays]

Sam, not many bass boats come into Chopawamsic because the bay is really shallow and they can end up getting stuck in there when the tide is low. At High tide the water is about 4 to 5 feet, at low tide it gets as low as 1 foot deep in spots. The area we will be in really can only be accessed via canoe or Yak.

ptomacbass, I have extra toads if you don't have any.

Guys we will need to meet up at the Quantico location that sells the permits and then head to Chopawamsic. Ptomacbass I can pick you up if you need a ride.

High tide will be at 6:09 AM at Chopawamsic Bay low tide is at noon. Remember one thing about snakeheads, they love shallow water. I have been catching them in this bay in water two feet deep or less.

Great info Ron - Where exactly is the location that sells permits?

Also any tips on lures or tackle to bring?

[eddieinva]

Hey Ron,

I just picked up a cavitron yesterday, and ran it all night last night..  SLAYED those bass.. itwas CRAZY..  my regular spinner baits.. no chance..  that cavitron is PROVEN.  landed 5, missed 3.. my buddy landed 2 missed 2..  GREAT 30mins of fishing..

[rondef]

Simon,

The location that sells the fishing permits is off of Route 95 (exit 148). You head west on Russell Road once you get to the end of the ramp and follow till it merges with Camp Barrett Road (aka MCB-4) and then turn left on MCB-2 it is a couple of hundred yards before the military checkpoint. There will be a white building on the left (a hunting weigh-in station), this is the building where you buy the permits. The drive to this building from the highway is only about 5 minutes. The drive from this building to Chopawamsic Bay will take us about 15 minutes.

As for baits, I have been catching the snakeheads on worms, toads, shad and spinnerbaits in the shallow water. The toads and shad I use are the Strie King Rage Tail baits. This area has a lot of grass mats and lilly pads that can be interesting to navigate through. On the plus side Jason, my friend and I have also caught large numbers of nice bass here as well. The Cavitron works well here at high tide in the shallow water, it also works well in the channel and further into the bay at low tide.

I hope this information helps.

[rondef]

Eddie, the natural reaction is to set the hook when you see the strike but pause for a moment let them take the bait under so you feel the weight of the bass and then set the hook. Since I started following this advice (I read here on the forum) I hardly ever miss a bass now.

I really like the Cavitron buzzbaits, they perform well and I always catch fish with them.

[ptomacbass]

i hope i can come.  my parents might not let me though because they might think something bad will happen.  even if my dad came i might not be able to go.  if i can though i've got some shads and buzzbaits.  if i get a snakehead i'll probablly give it to rondef or simon so simon can "sink his teeth into it".  i don't think i want to eat it because where i fish on the potomac there are always dead rats as big as cats floating in the water and tons of trash.

[SimonSays]

where i fish on the potomac there are always dead rats as big as cats floating in the water and tons of trash.

Ooo, that's no good, lol

Hopefully that's not the care near the base, definitely want to see if they're any good to eat though!

[ptomacbass]

turns out i can't go.  my dad says i won't have the time and because i had been planning to fish our secret spot with him.  maybe next time though.  good luck guys.  i hear snakehead tasts great simon.

[rondef]

Good luck fishing with your dad, go catch some hawgs.

[Nottoway]

Hey Guys,

  Coming up Friday, fishing a tournament this weekend.  I love to throw buzzbaits along the grass.  Packed my top water box full of buzzbaits, however, after your post I think I have room or need, whatever the case, one more or 2,3,...  

Where can I get a Cavitron buzzbaits??

Thanks, and I'll post what I find this weekend.

[ptomacbass]

thanks rondef. we are also fishing gravelly point/haines point on sunday. maybe we'll get some nice rats ;D. have the bass started to move to the backs of the creeks yet? if so i'll try rock creek.

[SimonSays]

Hey Guys,

Coming up Friday, fishing a tournament this weekend. I love to throw buzzbaits along the grass. Packed my top water box full of buzzbaits, however, after your post I think I have room or need, whatever the case, one more or 2,3,...

Where can I get a Cavitron buzzbaits??

Thanks, and I'll post what I find this weekend.

Dick's Sporting goods have them, don't know anywhere else in NoVa

[rondef]

So who is up for this snakehead hunt Saturday?

[SimonSays]

Me and you for sure,

Andrew - 50/50 right now depending on work

Eddie - is a maybe

[Hung up Paul]

Is it too shallow for a 12ft jon boat/trolling motor with no heavy deck?

[rondef]

It could be at low tide  if you are not in the channel.  I see other jon boats out there quite a bit.