Anyone havin luck on the potomac lately ?

[soccplayer07]

I wish I knew where in mount vernon you caught 9 fish in 2 hours soccplayer, I saw nothing but muddy water when I was there yesterday, I didnt even so much as see a largemouth bass in the 2 hours I was there. Im hopin the water will clear up by today or tommorow so I can try my luck again. What were you catchin them on ?

Most were on swimbaits. 2 on frogs.

[Bigs]

oh and another thing, theres a family of mexicans that fishes next to that bridge and they keep everything they catch including a baby striper yesterday. There wasnt much I could do since I was on my boat . We watched them put a striper in their bucket that couldnt have been more then 8-10 inches long. If you guys are fishing from shore there , please be aware of that kinda thing. It really effs up the population and is illegal.

[Thai]

oh and another thing, theres a family of mexicans that fishes next to that bridge and they keep everything they catch including a baby striper yesterday. There wasnt much I could do since I was on my boat . We watched them put a striper in their bucket that couldnt have been more then 8-10 inches long. If you guys are fishing from shore there , please be aware of that kinda thing. It really effs up the population and is illegal.

That the one thing that irks me the most, i know they are trying to feed their families and all but seriously get a license and abide by the regulations...

If I ever see them down their I will be making a call to the game warden, taking fish or not I'm still calling since chances are good they are unlicensed and they always leave their trash down there

[mudkart]

I wish I knew where in mount vernon you caught 9 fish in 2 hours soccplayer, I saw nothing but muddy water when I was there yesterday, I didnt even so much as see a largemouth bass in the 2 hours I was there. Im hopin the water will clear up by today or tommorow so I can try my luck again. What were you catchin them on ?

Most were on swimbaits. 2 on frogs.

Try Belmont Bay. It was very clear Sunday - Tuesday.  It may be closer than M. Vernon/L. Hunting Cr. if you're launching from Pohick, and is definitely closer if you launch from one of the Occoquan marinas. 

[Dan:]

What is wrong with dark water? Just change your approach. Use bigger blades, rattles, and darker colors.

[mudkart]

I didnt even try throwin the flukes yesterday , maybe I should have. Are you guys using weights with flukes and if so what weight and what hook ? I had one rigged up weightless, just never threw it. The weekend and monday are gonna be great for fishing, mild temps but more importanly hardly any wind at all. Today is agood day too with winds around 5-7 mph. I cant stand fishing in the wind from my boat, I end up constantly on the trolling motor and I can never stay in one good spot for more then a minute or too without drifting.

Weightless 90% of the time, the size of hook depends on the size of the fluke, usually 2/0-4/0 offset shank (I like Owners).  The other 10% would be C-rigged or w/ a circle hook through the nose. 

Try the salty shads from Case Plastics: I feel they are superior to flukes.  They are of a different consistency/density than Zoom flukes. Think of a fluke made out of senko-like plastic.  IMO, they are thus heavier and cast easier than flukes.

[Bigs]

What is wrong with dark water? Just change your approach. Use bigger blades, rattles, and darker colors.

Bass love clear water esp on the potomac. Stained water isnt nearly as bad as chocolate water tho. Once the water gets dark then the sun stops hittin the grass and it dies. Thats why the places with clearer water right now have greener grass and way more fish. They love the oxygen in the green stuff. I noticed when I took thai to my grassbed at fort washington all the grass was dead and the water was brown. Total waste of time. I only fish the clear and stained stuff. And I know thai said the water was stained out there but infact alot of it was brown also. I'm gonna give belmont bay a try since its a mile or two from leesylvania. Im not gonna keep payin to launch out of pohick when I have an annual pass to lessylvania. It's addin up fast.

[Dan:]

What is wrong with dark water? Just change your approach. Use bigger blades, rattles, and darker colors.

Bass love clear water esp on the potomac. Stained water isnt nearly as bad as chocolate water tho. Once the water gets dark then the sun stops hittin the grass and it dies. Thats why the places with clearer water right now have greener grass and way more fish. They love the oxygen in the green stuff. I noticed when I took thai to my grassbed at fort washington all the grass was dead and the water was brown. Total waste of time. I only fish the clear and stained stuff. And I know thai said the water was stained out there but infact alot of it was brown also. I'm gonna give belmont bay a try since its a mile or two from leesylvania. Im not gonna keep payin to launch out of pohick when I have an annual pass to lessylvania. It's addin up fast.

the lack of light kills the grass within a few days? that doesn't sound right.

But either way, I get the point, dead grass=no bass and I definitely agree with that one.

re: Pohick, you could always get the all-year pass for Pohick as well. I don't know how the expiration works (year from purchase or end of the calendar year) but it could be a good investment.

[Dan:]

I didnt even try throwin the flukes yesterday , maybe I should have. Are you guys using weights with flukes and if so what weight and what hook ? I had one rigged up weightless, just never threw it. The weekend and monday are gonna be great for fishing, mild temps but more importanly hardly any wind at all. Today is agood day too with winds around 5-7 mph. I cant stand fishing in the wind from my boat, I end up constantly on the trolling motor and I can never stay in one good spot for more then a minute or too without drifting.

Weightless 90% of the time, the size of hook depends on the size of the fluke, usually 2/0-4/0 offset shank (I like Owners). The other 10% would be C-rigged or w/ a circle hook through the nose.

Try the salty shads from Case Plastics: I feel they are superior to flukes. They are of a different consistency/density than Zoom flukes. Think of a fluke made out of senko-like plastic. IMO, they are thus heavier and cast easier than flukes.

Not to mention they sink better, hence the "Sinkin' Salty Shad" name. They are great baits when you want to fish a little deeper than a traditional fluke, but as with senkos, they seem to be less durable (not that flukes are all that durable themselves).

I have been using Wave Tiki Shaddicks lately. They are fairly tough, and they have great action.

If you want to fish deeper, just grab some 4/0 or 5/0 keel weighted hooks in 1/8 or 1/16oz. I use them a lot for flukes. As long as you rig them straight they will still allow the fluke to walk side to side at a deeper depth.

[Thai]

What is wrong with dark water? Just change your approach. Use bigger blades, rattles, and darker colors.

Bass love clear water esp on the potomac. Stained water isnt nearly as bad as chocolate water tho. Once the water gets dark then the sun stops hittin the grass and it dies. Thats why the places with clearer water right now have greener grass and way more fish. They love the oxygen in the green stuff. I noticed when I took thai to my grassbed at fort washington all the grass was dead and the water was brown. Total waste of time. I only fish the clear and stained stuff. And I know thai said the water was stained out there but infact alot of it was brown also. I'm gonna give belmont bay a try since its a mile or two from leesylvania. Im not gonna keep payin to launch out of pohick when I have an annual pass to lessylvania. It's addin up fast.

Thats not the reason why the water was muddy at Ft. Washington that one day, i believe it has to due with lack of water circulation, lack of circulation means nutrient rich silt wouldnt be deposited in quantitys that creek mouths get like the mount vernon area. Which might also be why the grass in alot of places are dead and brown while mount vernon is still alive. And without live plants the natural filtration process is slowed. As far as light reaching the plants, at depths we see in the potomac light esp in the 5000k-10000k spectrum, (which is what freshwater plants need) wouldnt have a problem penetrating murky water.

[Dan:]

So what's killing the grass? Colder water?

[Thai]

colder water deff, but some places the plants have been able to live a little longer due to good circulation and nutrients

[Bigs]

I feel ya Thai, Im just goin on what a local guide told me. The fall/winter sun is weak right now and the grass just isnt gettin nearly as much light and less direct sunlight for sure. During the spring and summer you have 11 am till 3 pm for peak sunlight, thats the brightest and warmest part of the day. Right now you dont have that at all. It doesnt get brighter and warmer thruout the early afternoon like it was a few months ago. Im sure what youre sayin is true but theres alot of truth to what Im sayin as well. And ya a few days of low light can affect how plants grow. If it rains and is windy for several days in a row you can get crappy clarity for many days. The wind affects water clarity as much as the rain does. I seen it happen esp in areas with alot of bluffs such as fort washington where those bluffs wash right down into the river when it rains. Mt vernon doesnt have those bluffs and therfore less dirt to wash into the river. Im just using logic here , I'm no expert on the vegetation in the river. I know the colder water has alot to do with it too of course. I think its a combination of factors. Everything you said def makes sense tho.

[LHC - Bank Robber]

I fished off the front of riverside park today, and got about 7 or 8 mostly on flukes fished weightless, with 2 or 3 on a spinnerbait and 1 on a rico. I keep expecting the topwater bite to get better as the day goes but the last two days only hits on top were both right around sunrise. Around 9:30 the bite died down so I headed up to hunting creek, fished for hours. I Only caught one nice lg mouth on a spinnerbait.

[Jake...]

I fished off the front of riverside park today,  and got about 7 or 8 mostly on flukes fished weightless, with 2 or 3 on a spinnerbait and 1 on a rico.  I keep expecting the topwater bite to get better as the day goes but the last two days only hits on top were both right around sunrise.   Around 9:30 the bite died down so I headed up to hunting creek, fished for hours.  I Only caught one nice lg mouth on a spinnerbait.

I've fished the front of Riverside once, do you have any tips for parking around Hunting Creek??

I just don't wanna be intruding in someones backyard ya know?

[Thai]

Its practically all private access and the few places I know that aren't, suck this time of year. The mouth of the creek is the best right now

[LHC - Bank Robber]

hunting creek its just before old town alexandria and theres not much of homes around it, im guessing you mean little hunting creek, and the best place to park for there is riverside park and just walk up to the bridge. 

[Jake...]

hunting creek its just before old town alexandria and theres not much of homes around it, im guessing you mean little hunting creek, and the best place to park for there is riverside park and just walk up to the bridge. 

yea sorry i was thinking of little hunting creek since you mentioned Riverside Park.

anyways I've been to riverside park once, didn't have any luck . so you are allowed to fish Little Hunting? it looked like it was private to residents or something

I know theres a trail on the left of the bridge, never checked the other side where it feeds into Little Hunting.

[Bigs]

Im thinkin bout takin a 2 or 3 day excursion down south somewhere for some fishing. This cold windy weather is a bummer. Where would be a good place to go ? I was thinkin florida or texas but its too far. Anywhere in NC, SC, or GA that is still warmish and great fishing ? I might just pack up the expedition, stratos, dogs and my ole lady and vanish for a few. What ya guys think ? Am I crazy ? Wait Thai, dont answer that 

[LHC - Bank Robber]

yea sorry i was thinking of little hunting creek since you mentioned Riverside Park.

anyways I've been to riverside park once, didn't have any luck . so you are allowed to fish Little Hunting? it looked like it was private to residents or something

I know theres a trail on the left of the bridge, never checked the other side where it feeds into Little Hunting.

Yea you can get down on all side of the bridge,  but off the front at riverside has been my most productive spot this year, you just gotta catch high tide. 

[Thai]

Im thinkin bout takin a 2 or 3 day excursion down south somewhere for some fishing. This cold windy weather is a bummer. Where would be a good place to go ? I was thinkin florida or texas but its too far. Anywhere in NC, SC, or GA that is still warmish and great fishing ? I might just pack up the expedition, stratos, dogs and my ole lady and vanish for a few. What ya guys think ? Am I crazy ? Wait Thai, dont answer that

Ill answer that with this. " Got room for another crazy guy and his dog?" LOL! Finding a lake with warm water discharge somewhere closer might be a little more doable!

[Thai]

hunting creek its just before old town alexandria and theres not much of homes around it, im guessing you mean little hunting creek, and the best place to park for there is riverside park and just walk up to the bridge.

yea sorry i was thinking of little hunting creek since you mentioned Riverside Park.

anyways I've been to riverside park once, didn't have any luck . so you are allowed to fish Little Hunting? it looked like it was private to residents or something

I know theres a trail on the left of the bridge, never checked the other side where it feeds into Little Hunting.

The mouth side where water feeds into the creek has been the most productive part of riverside for shore fishing this year. Fish the side closer to Mount Vernon, you have access to more holes on that side.

[Bigs]

Im thinkin bout takin a 2 or 3 day excursion down south somewhere for some fishing. This cold windy weather is a bummer. Where would be a good place to go ? I was thinkin florida or texas but its too far. Anywhere in NC, SC, or GA that is still warmish and great fishing ? I might just pack up the expedition, stratos, dogs and my ole lady and vanish for a few. What ya guys think ? Am I crazy ? Wait Thai, dont answer that

Ill answer that with this. " Got room for another crazy guy and his dog?" LOL! Finding a lake with warm water discharge somewhere closer might be a little more doable!

I always got room for you dude . And you do know my house on lake anna is on the warm side. The fishing there should be gettin good in the next month. The only issue is the water level. I was there a few days ago to pick up some mail and the water was down at least 18-24 inches. I did observe one 8 inch bass chasing around hundreds of baitfish and he couldnt catch one dang minnow, poor fella. Im thinkin bout goin out tommorow but still unsure. If I do go then Im goin out from lessylvania and hittin belmont and mattawoman.

[steveb1]

Hi All,

Just wanted to chim in and start by thanking everyone for the great information being shared on this thread. I moved to the NOVA area a little over a year ago from Rochester NY. I have been fishing the Potomac from my cedarstrip canoe mostly out of Algonkian and Point of Rocks. I've also been to Occoquan, Lake Anna and Beaver Creek Resevoir. Excellent results during the summer, not so great lately. I haven't tried the tidal region yet, but am planning to.

I tried Riverbend last weekend, which was a bust, high muddy water. No bites at all.

I only started fishing the last two years. It now looks like the fishing bug has really sunk its claws into me, and I am planning on going up to the next level and purchase a bass boat. I am seeing a lot of really great bargains on Craiglist, but I am relative uneducated on what to look out for. I think I have the basics covered:

Must have clear title

Engine runs good. More HP is better.

Trolling motor and electronics.

No leaks

Trailer in good shape

Any other important criteria I should be checking?

I have never actually been out on a bass boat. I would love to go out with someone who has a bass boat to get a feel for what features are good/bad as I make this decission. Please PM me if you would like to take a fellow fishing addict out fishing some weekend. Short notice, but I am available tomorrow (Saturday Nov 7) if someone is planning on going out and wants some company.

Steve B

[soccplayer07]

I may be heading out tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Are you leaning towards glass or aluminum? I recommend that you have a mechanic check the engine out prior to your purchase (around $200). Depending on the age of the boat make sure you check the transom very thoroughly. I just changed mine and it is not a fun process. If the motor and transom check out you are good to go.Take your time and don't settle. I hate to say it but plan on many unexpected costs (the joy of owning a boat)!Good luck