|
Serving Fresh and Brackish Waters
of MD, VA, D.C. & PA
Fishing Report
July 25, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
Rivers are
extremely low—and hot. Be on the lookout for fish kills during this period.
While river flow is very low, the amount of pollutants from unregulated farm
practices and inadequate sewage treatment actually increase. Please write these
telephone numbers—or add them to your cell phone contacts.
Maryland
Fish Kill Hot Line: 877-224-7229
Pennsylvania
Fish Kill Hot Line: 814-359-5110
Unfortunately, there numbers are for state
Environmental agencies, which are understaffed and without adequate funding.
The information MUST be timely and
factual. You want to provide an estimate of the dead bodies; species affected;
exactly where and date with time. I would like to be included in any such
report.
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
**; 80-degrees; clear with algae; 1.0 @ Point of Rocks.
Fishing
success has been rather tough lately due to low water and massed grasses but
find the holes and you have found the bass. Plan for the very early hours of the
day—or the last few. If you sleep-in, stay home. Change to 6-pound test line and
stay seated in the boat. Long casts are a must. There are great conditions for
those that like to wade.
At LANDER, both up and down from the launch
offer good fishing if you can navigate the grass beds. Fish the edge of the
grass beds, but deeper home with current, where ledges or chunk rocks exist. We
continue to rely on Mizmo tubes, Campground
Special tubes and Case Magic Stiks.
There is a good trico hatch in the morning so you may find that topwater lures
will work.
At WHITES FERRY and
EDWARDS FERRY, bass fishing has been pretty good for some and tough for
others. You should catch more bass between 5:30 and 10:00 AM, than you will the
rest of the day. From Whites Ferry, I favor the upriver area where I’ll keep my
boat in the middle of the river and slowly float downstream. I maintain boat
position and float speed with my Minn Kota trolling motor. Most bass are small
but there is an occasional 18-incher most days.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA:
**;
near 80 degrees; clear; algae; 3.2 @ Harrisburg; 3.7 @ Newport on the Juniata;
2.5 on the Sinnamahoning Branch.
The
low, hot water has discouraged most from boating the river but those that
wet-wade or do float trips are doing pretty good.
On the Juniata
River, those that wade the upper reaches
scoff at the notion that small bass are endangered because they are catching
30-100 bass a day. Other are fishing above
Newport and
report very good results with Rattlin’ Rapalas
and the majority of the bass are 16-inches long or better.
On the main stem, in the Duncannon
vicinity, Riverfront Campground
and Rent-A-Boat owner, Johnny Cunningham (717-877-2704) will rent you a boat
and shuttle you upriver for productive float trips for smallmouth bass, musky
and walleye. John is the Distributor for the Ken Penrod Series of tubes known as
Campground Specials. He also sells the RAB jig heads we recommend as well as
Gator Rods, Rapala lures, Mizmo tubes,
Case Magic Stiks and Big Mouth Lure
spinnerbaits.
I received a report from “Dan” last week stating that he was fishing
downstream of the Danville ramp and found 15 dead fingerling smallmouth bass and
watched others swimming around with lesions on their skin. I reported this to
PF&BC and received a reply fro PA biologist Geoffrey Smith verified this kill
and sent 14 dead fish to USGS Leetown Science center for disease analysis. Smith
says that the YOY for this year, above the confluence, is the 3rd
highest on record BUT bass disease reports have begun to increase in frequency
this past week. May I repeat: The
Susquehanna River does not have a fisheries
problem—it has a very serious pollution problem and I’m told that there is no
legislation presently that regulates the disposal of farm animal waste.
In North-central PA, members of my summer youth camp have found
pretty good smallmouth bass fishing in the Sinnamahoning Branch ( a
tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna) where Mizmo teasers have been the top
producer. The George Stevenson Dam on First Fork (electric motor or
arm-power only) has been very kind to my camp attendees where Case Magic Stiks
and spinnerbaits have been best. The Curwensville Lake,
an impoundment on the West Branch, was “tough” last week but we fished a
blue-bird day with high barometric pressure. Case magic Stiks accounted for
every bass we caught. Trout fishing in Cameron County has been very good
in spite of low, clear conditions. The “boys” caught many nice brook and brown
trout during the last two weeks.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***;
88-92 degrees; algae; stained in areas.
Those
clear sky, high barometer days are tough, but on cloudy days, a falling
barometer and most early hours of the day have been very good in many areas.
Recent heavy storm have affected some of the tributaries but there is no muddy
water coming from the upper Potomac.
In the WASHINGTON D C jurisdiction, grass is
scarce but fishing has been “fair” for the most part. Above Key
Bridge
you can expect to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass on Mizmo tubes and Rapala
crankbaits. In the Washington Channel you can catch stripers and largemouth bass
from the dropoff along Fort
McNair. On the main stem,
fish the Long Bridge foundations, Gravely Point cove,
deep water along the airport and Blue Plains.
In the WW BRIDGE vicinity, Fox Ferry Point,
Penrod Cove, Points in Smoot Bay and grass beds in Belle Haven Cove, shoreline
above Broad Creek, shoreline below Hog Island, grass beds in Swann Creek and
Fort Washington Lighthouse. The best grass lures continue to be topwater frogs
and buzzbaits, Case Magic Stiks and spinnerbaits. For the deeper water, Mizmo
tubes and RAPALA DT06 crankbaits do the job.
DOGUE CREEK,
POMONKEY CREEK, GUNSTON COVE and the MARSHALL HALL
vicinity offers very good grass bass fishing.
In the MATTAWOMAN CREEK vicinity, the “6-MPH”
zone is still productive as is the grass beds between Marsh
Island
and the main stem. Frogs and Stiks have been very productive but you may want to
spend some time “punching” plastics through thick grass.
CHICKAMUXEN, TUG BOAT Cove, main stem grass near Chopawamsic Creek and Mallow Bay
are worthy visits.
KERR
RESERVOIR, VA: **; clear main lake; 299
feet; 85-90 degrees.
LOU Associate Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
wishes that the fishing was as hot as the air temperature but says that early
morning topwater action remains consistent for a narrow window in the morning.
Deeper water, typical summer pattern, is the game for the rest of the day. Carolina rigged plastics, jigging spoons and
Rapala DT14 crankbaits on points or channel
drops is recommended.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**; below normal pool; clear; 80 degrees.
LOU guide Captain Brent Nelson and
Bret Winegardner
report that fishing has been “typical summer results,” meaning that the low
light hours should be your focus for more reasons than one. Boat traffic is
horrific during the day. The guides are helping their clients catch bass from
grass beds and boat docks, using a number of techniques, and when they take
youngsters—they take minnows. See
www.fishdeepcreeklake.com for valuable information.
POCOMOKE
RIVER:
***; tannic; 75-80 degrees.
Bass
fishing has been pretty decent in this wonderful tidal river although a falling
tide is 3 times as productive as is high water. Fish the spatterdock and cypress
knees from Shad Landing to the Pocomoke City
Bridge; same pattern
toward Snow Hill—and Nasawango Creek may be the best bet of all. We like Penrod
Special spinnerbaits; buzzbaits, Case Stiks, Mizmo tubes and always, always cast
Rapala DT-06 crankbaits to the dropoff in front of the spatterdock. Bass have
been small to mid-size but the numbers have been acceptable.
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NRA
certified shooting instructor, Alan Mullis, prepares the boys for pistol
training at Ken’s summer camp. |
Yes—that’s Ken’s Ranger and he allowed four, 8-year veterans, to
use it on the George Stevenson Dam last week. The lake is electric motor
only and Ken and other counselors were nearby. |
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Trout fishing was very good in nearby streams in spite of low
water. |
Note
the Lowrance GPS units in the hands of some of the youth camp attendees.
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|
Bass fishing was pretty good at the Stevenson Lake. |
Gun safety is a major priority at Camp Sycamore. |
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Ken Penrod’s Summer Youth Camp is in full swing and the boys are
learning about fishing, shooting and other outdoor arts. |
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Ken Penrod’s Summer Youth Camp Report.
We are about half-done with our sessions where we take eight boys per
week, between the ages of 12-18 to my lodge to teach them fishing, hunting, gun
safety, and boating skills. Read the Susquehanna River fishing report above
because all of the waters we fish in this north central region is
Susquehanna River
water. It has not been as hot in this mountain region as it has been here—and we
managed to dodge thunder storms most of last week. We have “moved” three
black-phase rattlesnakes off of local roads to safer locations; viewed several
fine bucks and massive elk. The coyotes have managed to avoid us for the two
hunts we have attempted and the blueberry crop is quite prolific.
We
always have four first aid & CPR trained adults for every session. Gun training
is extensive, strict and well monitored. The boys can catch trout from Wycoff
Run which is 50-feet from our lodge. We have the Sinnamahoning Creek within a
mile where the attendees catch smallmouth bass while wadding and two lakes
nearby where we pursue bass from Ranger bass boats.
Fishing Report
July 18, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER:
***; 77 degrees; 2-feet @
Point of Rocks; stained.
Fishing
has been fair between Brunswick and Great Falls with the river rising a bit from
up-stream rains.
At WHITES FERRY/EDWARDS FERRY, we do well
upriver of the ferry but in mid-river habitat. The Harrison Island
pools and shallows are productive and near Edwards Ferry, Balls Bluff and ledges
downstream of the launch are productive.
Floating Rapalas twitched along grass lines were productive this week.
At LANDER, we do well both upriver and down.
Trico hatches occur in the morning and great numbers of small bass can be seen
eating the bug. We use Case Magic Sticks,
Mizmo tubes and Campground Special tubes on 6
or 8 pound test monofilament. Bass are found around underwater ledges and
current breaks, especially at mid-river.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
**;
clear; 77 degrees; 3.4@ Harrisburg. 3.9 @ Newport on the Juniata.
Low, warm
water is not the equation for jet boats now. Canoes and kayaks are the
ticket according to
Johnny at Riverfront Campground
. Tubes and grubs in the oygenated riffles and deeper ledges will
work. Bigmouth buzzbaits and
floating Rapalas during low light will bring up the lunkers. John will provide shuttle service to those that wish to do a float trip. Reach
Johnny at 717-877-2704.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***;
85 degrees; murky to clear.
Bass
fishing continues to be fair to good throughout the river, particularly grass
beds between Mount Vernon
and Aquia Creek. We are catching snakeheads throughout the river and especially
from grass beds in Mattawoman, Dogue and Pomonkey Creeks. Frogs seem to be the
favored lure for these river invaders.
WASHINGTON D. C. water is just “fair” as far
as bass fishing but there are surprising numbers of 12-20 inch stripers in
various sectors. The best areas include Key
Bridge; Long Bridge;
Washington Channel; Blue Plains and Fox Ferry Point.
Rapala’s DT8,
Luhr-Jensen Hot Lips;
Mizmo tubes and
Case Magic Stiks are recommended.
WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE vicinity is
“OK” but the lack of grass above the bridge contributes to fewer fish. Best
areas include Woodrow Wilson barges and underwater foundations; concrete in the
Spoils Cove; South Point; North Point; Belle Haven Coves; boat docks across from
Broad Creek (with grass). The best lures are buzzbaits, Big Mouth spinnerbaits,
chatterbaits, Case Plastics and frogs in grass beds.
Luhr-Jensen Speed Traps and Rapala’s
Rattlin’ Raps get good results in deeper grass beds.
In the POHICK
BAY
area, grass beds at the mouth of Pohick; Pomonkey Creek; Bulltown Cove; grass
beds above and below Marshall Hall and Hallowing Point Cove have been pretty
consistent. We recommend buzzbaits; Case Plastics and
Big Mouth spinnerbaits.
The MATTAWOMAN CREEK sector is still holding
up well. Pop-R’s and Rico topwater baits are hot in early morning. Grassbeds in
and around Smallwood
State Park hold plenty of
bass. There are some bass within the “6-MPH” zone along the outside edges of
milfoil. A medium to low outgoing moving tide seems to be best. Grass on the
main stem seems to be the best at the Mattawoman mouth. Five inch
Case Magic Stiks, Texas rigged on 15 pound
fluorocarbon line excelled for us this week. Other areas we rely on include Occoquan Bay grass; main river grass near the
Qauntico airfield and grass between Chickamuxen Creek and Tug Boat cove.
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
***; 299-feet; stained
uplake, clear down lake; 80 degrees.
LOU
Associate, Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports pretty good bass fishing throughout the lake, especially points and
channel drops between town and Nutbush Creek. Tim says the bass are “locked”
into summer pattern which dictates deeper water haunts when the sun is up. Carolina rigged plastics and
Rapala crankbaits work well. You can get
some shallow fish early in the morning. Stripers are consistant between Ivy Hill
and the dam. Find the fish with your Lowrance units then troll through them.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**; 75 degrees; normal
pool; clear.
LOU guides Brent Nelson (bbnelson@comcast.net)
and Bret Winegardner are entertaining
vacationing clients with pretty good results. Smallmouths are cooperating on
deeper grass beds while largemouths favor the dock and pontoon shade. Deeper
grass beds are giving up pickerel, perch and an occasional walleye. See
www.fishdeepcreek.com for more
information.
POCOMOKE
RIVER:
***; 79 degrees; stained.
LOU guide Brian Barnes reports pretty good
fishing when a falling tide is within the 7-4 time frame. Best areas include
spatterdock between Shad Landing and Pocomoke City and Nassawango Creek vegetation.
Best lures include Big
Mouth spinnerbaits and buzzbaits; Mizmo tubes;
Case Magic Sticks and
Rapala DT8 crankbaits.
Fishing Report
July 11, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
NOTES: I
will be conducting my summer youth camp for the next three weeks. I will be able
to return mails and cell calls from there. Brent Nelson will prepare the fishing
report for next week.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER:
**1/2; 77 degrees;
clear/algae; 1.1 @ Point of Rocks.
The river
is very low but the bass are biting well. It’s important to fish early in the
morning or the last few hours of daylight because on those sunny days the fish
just don’t cooperate. It’s also a good time to use six pound test, green
monofilament and keep a low profile.
At LANDER, either direction from the launch
is good although mass grass may hamper your boating activity. We use Gator
spinning rods and Daiwa reels to cast our KP Series teaser tubes and
Case Magic Stiks to submersed ledges
and chunk rocks in four feet of water. The best tube colors have been Penrod
Purple; KP Rose; KP Peanut Butter and KP Candy. You need to be careful when
running the river now because the submersed rocks are not providing a very good
signal on the surface.
At WHITES FERRY, be careful of the ferry
operation before running upriver to the first riffle. Stay in the middle and
slowly float downriver. Tubes and Stiks are the deal here also. Do not neglect
the edges of those grass beds.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***;
80 degrees; algae color and blooms in progress.
Largemouth
bass fishing has been pretty good in many areas of the river in spite of massive
grass growth. The major heat wave is affecting anglers more than fish
inhabitants.
WASHINGTON D C water is a good place to fish
during the heat of the summer because of the abundance of deep water available.
Above Key
Bridge, you can connect
with smallmouth bass by casting Rapala DT04
crankbaits and Mizmo tubes to dropoffs
and ledges. The many bridge foundations will hold all three bass species,
especially Long Bridge and
Key
Bridge. The Washington
Channel dropoff along Fort
McNair has been better
than average lately and we use Rapala DT06
crankbaits here.
WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE and vicinity
can be stingy and delightful from one day to the next. Probe the dropoffs in
Penrod Cove; Fox Ferry Point; WW Barges and the old foundations of the bridge.
There are fish in Smoot
Bay, especially on North
and South Points. Coves near Belle Haven Marina hold some bass as will main
river grass above and below Broad Creek—and directly across the river where the
long boat docks compliment the SAV. We catch bass in deeper water with Rapala
crankbaits, Mizmo tubes,
Case Magic Stiks and jigs. For the
grass beds, a frog, buzzbait,
Big Mouth spinnerbaits
or weightless Magic Stiks do best. Below PISCATAWAY,
the Maryland
side grass beds all the way to, and beyond Bulltown Cove may take some time but
you will find pockets of bass for your efforts.
MATTAWOMAN CREEK and vicinity still remains
the top choice and there are many options. Within the “6-MPH” zone, cast
Penrod Special
spinnerbaits and Case Magic Stiks
to grass beds in front of spatterdock. There are plenty of bass in the grass
mats between Marsh
Island
and the main stem where frogs, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and Magic Stiks do the
job. Nearby CHICKAMUXEN CREEK and grass on the main
stem, in either direction, is worth the time and grass beds between Quantico
Creek and Aquia Creek may be even better.
SUSQUEHANNA
RIVER,
PA:
**1/2;
77 degrees; clear/algae; 3.2 @ Harrisburg and 3.5
at Newport on the Juniata.
The
smallmouth bass didn’t take a bus out of town, although many think so. The river
is low and getting lower—and bass fishing is tough and getting tougher.
Remember, I’m speaking of the free flowing water, particularly between
Montgomery Ferry and Harrisburg.
This is a good time for topwater lures but never hesitate to cast
Rattlin’ Rapala lipless crankbaits over
chunk rock in water of three to four feet deep. Campground Special tubes and
Case Salty Shads will catch bass also.
Float trips are productive but even that’s a bear during the middle of the day.
Contact Johnny Cunningham at
Riverfront Campground (717-877-2704) for shuttle service.
LOU guide Chris Sanno (717-576-6849) is fishing the Danville sector where he reports good results
with Rapala XR-8 in Glass Ghost color. “I had about 20 bass in the two pound
class and they all came on that lure,” Chris says.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**1/2; clear; 70 degrees; a
little low.
Our
guides, Brent Nelson (410-799-9326) and
Bret Winegardner can always satisfy
clients, even if it takes a bucket of minnows for the kids and novice anglers.
Grass beds and boat docks-that’s the deal! See
www.fishdeepcreek.com for more
information including lodging.
CHOPTANK
RIVER:
*1/2; 77 degrees.
LOU guide,
Captain Brian Barnes reports “tough” fishing
on this tidal river but does do well on the
NANTICOKE
and POCOMOKE where he gives a rating of “**1/2.”
Fishing Report
July 4, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
NOTES: I’m writing my report of Thursday, July 1, as I will be at
Ocean
City
for the weekend|
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER:
**; 77
degrees; clear with algae; 1.2 at Point of Rocks.
The river
is very low and the water is extremely warm. These conditions are conducive to
fish kills. If you observe a fish kill, the Fish Kill Hotline is 877-224-7229.
It is common to see dead fish on the surface during summer months so do not be
concerned with just a few dead fish. You should see dozens of dead fish before
calling the hot line. Be very specific when you report: time of day; date;
approximate number and species.
Bass fishing has been pretty tough lately and the submersed aquatic
vegetation is making boating difficult. At both LANDER
and WHITES FERRY, we use Campground Special tubes
and Case Magic Stiks for best results.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
**;
clear; 75 degrees; 3.3 @ Harrisburg. 3.6 @ Newport on the Juniata.
Low, warm
water is making fish catch success difficult. LOU guide
Chris Sanno is looking to other local waters during these conditions.
Johnny at Riverfront Campground
will provide shuttle service to those that wish to do a float trip. Reach
Johnny at 717-877-2704.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***1/2;
88-92 degrees; algae in creeks and main stem.
Bass
fishing has been very good. In many areas and for the most part—it’s about
submersed grass beds.
The top producing lures continue to be buzzbaits, Case Magic Stiks, frogs
and Big Mouth
spinnerbaits.
The best areas have been Mattawoman Creek; grass beds on the main stem
north and south of Mattawoman; grass beds near Pomonkey Creek and SAV in Broad,
Swan and Piscataway Creeks.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**; 70 degrees; normal
pool.
LOU guides Brent Nelson and
Bret Winegardner
report “tough” fishing during the day but the low light hours, especially in the
morning, have been pretty good. The lake is extremely busy during high sun
hours.
Grass beds and boat docks is just about all you need to know. See
www.fishdeepcreek.com for more
detail.
Fishing Report
June 27, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
**1/2; clear; 1.3 @ Point of Rocks. 85 degrees.
The severe heat and lack of rain is beginning to strain the river
inhabitants and some fish kills were witnessed in the lower portion of the free
flowing river. This is certain to become more common as the water conditions
worsen. The MDE Fish Kill Hotline is 877-224-7229. When you call this number, be
very specific as to location, quantity and species of dead fish and date and
time of the observation.
Bass fishing has been fair to good in spite of the heat although it’s
tough to bet around because of the shallow conditions as submersed aquatic
vegetation.
At LANDER, we fish pools, current breaks and
submersed ledges above and below the launch. Campground Special tubes in the 3.5
inch size have been most effective. Best colors include KP Peanut Butter; Penrod
Purple; KP Rose and Troy’s
Trigger. To purchase these tubes, call
John Cunningham at 717-877-2704.
At WHITES FERRY, we do best upriver of the
launch by casting tubes and staying in the middle of the river.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
****;
increased algae; 90+.
This was a great tide week but the heat was brutal. Bass fishing has been
very good throughout much of the river. Hydrilla is now dominating the SAV beds
and we are seeing and catching more snakeheads.
In WASHINGTON D C, smallmouth bass fishing
has been pretty good above Key
Bridge and largemouth bass
catches are improved in the Washington Channel. Best baits for the smallmouth
have been tubes, Rapala DT06 crankbaits and
Case Magic Stiks.
The WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE vicinity is only “fair” but there are quality bass
in Penrod Cove, Smoot
Bay, nearby barges and Belle Haven coves. Grass beds
along the main river have been pretty good, especially above and below Broad
Creek—then on the other side of the river around the long docks.
Buzzbaits and frogs take some big fish at dawn, then we use
Big Mouth spinnerbaits
and Case Plastics.
MATTAWOMAN CREEK has been awesome where we
use Penrod Special
spinnerbaits and Case Magic Stiks. Nearby Occoquan and Chickamuxen grass
beds have been quite reliable.
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Lenny Romano
and Ken fished Mattawoman on Thursday when the air temperature was over
100 and the water was 91-degrees |
Gary and Mike fished with Ken and these are a few of the 40 bass
they caught on Case plastics.
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Tony Sciannella with a respectable post
spawn bass aboard LOU Capt. Brent Nelson's Ranger boat, in Mattawoman
Creek. |
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SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
**1/2;
clear; 3.6 at Harrisburg
and Newport.
The river is quite low and falling so we haven’t been spending much time
here recently. Bass fishing has been good in the morning but during those sunny
days you may as well take a break. Find chunk rocks in about 4-feet of water on
the main river and cast Rattlin’ Rapalas.
Contact Johnny Cunningham
(717-877-2704) at Riverfront Campground for shuttle service.
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
**1/2; 300 ASL; 80-90 degrees; clear.
Bass fishing has been “decent,” especially during low light hours reports
Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com.)
Tim does well with topwater offerings on main lake points but has to drag Carolina rigged plastics on those points when
the sun shuts-down the topwater bite. Deep diving crankbaits such as
Rapala DT10-14 and football jigs are other
good offerings. Tim like his chances
in Nutbush and Grassy Creeks. Crappie are in deeper water cover now and
you can troll between Eastland and Nutbush for stripers.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**1/2; 80 degrees; clear
LOU
guides Brent Nelson and
Bret Winegardner
report that bass fishing, early or later in the day has been “respectable.” They
find bass in submersed grass beds and around or under boat docks. Go to
www.fishdeepcreek.com for lots of
additional information—and don’t wait to long to book your vacation fishing
trips.
Fishing Report
June 20, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
I recently received a
report from a “Park” employee above Great Falls that provides visual concerns
about many dead fish floating in the river (Upper Potomac.) Please let me know
immediately when you discover this sort of sighting—and be as specific as
possible: when, where, time, species and estimate of dead fish including species
identification. A report a day late is too late. We have a duty to our rivers.
Let’s act on that please.
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
**1/2: mid 70s; clear; 1.6 at Point of Rocks.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been good as far as “numbers” go but the
quality bass, those 15-inches and longer have been scarce. Of the 40 bass we
caught on Tuesday, we didn’t have a bass longer than 12-inches.
At LANDER, it makes little difference
upstream or down. We generally spend ½ of the day in each zone. We use
Campground Special teasers (KP Candy, KP Rose & Penrod Purple) attached to 1/8th
ounce RAB jig heads on 8# Excel monofilament. Submersed ledges have been most
productive. We like the water from the power line to the south tip of
Bald
Eagle Island—and
upriver, we fish the ledges adjacent to Catoctin Creek and the Sawbuck. The
ledges just below the Fence ledge are productive also. There doesn’t seem to be
as much SAV this year but as the water gets lower it may become a hindrance.
At WHITES FERRY, the report is similar. The
middle of the river upstream of the ferry is always a good choice—and the
Maryland side of Harrison Island, all the way to Balls Bluff is
fairly productive.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***1/2:
80s; some algae.
The river is fishing well, actually better than well. This was a good
week although there were a few thunderstorms and wind on Wednesday. The grass
pattern is strongest but there will always be some larger fish on dropoffs and
hard cover.
In WASHINGTON
D.C., there are smallmouth bass on
bridge foundations, the dropoff at the Kennedy
Center and rocky cover above Key
Bridge. There are some nice largemouth bass on Long Bridge
foundations, in Pentagon Lagoon and dropoffs in the Washington Channel. We favor
Mizmo tubes (Penrod Purple, green pumpkin and
roadkill camo,) six inch long Case Magic
Stiks, Rapala DT08 and Rattlin’ Rapalas.
The WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE vicinity is fishing “pretty good” in Penrod Cove,
Smoot
Bay, Belle Haven coves and main river
grass on both sides of the river between Smoot Bay
and Broad Creek. We like buzzbaits for morning and Stiks and spinnerbaits for
grass work.
MATTAWOMAN CREEK & Vicinity is still the
best. We are doing very well within the 6-MPH zone by fishing grass and
spatterdock with Magic Stiks and
Penrod Special
spinnerbaits. Narrow strips of SAV along side marsh grass may be the best
pattern.
Between Marsh Island
and the main river, the SAV is the deal and there is no shortage. Buzzbaits,
frogs and Magic Stiks are our favored lures.
Main river grass beds on both sides of the main river in either direction
have been exceptional.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
**1/2; mid 70s; clear; 4.0 @ Harrisburg and 4.0 at Newport
on the Juniata.
Both rivers are slowly falling and it’s getting tough to run jet boats to
places you would prefer to be. This is a great float level however and
Johnny Cunningham will shuttle
you to upriver launches. Low light conditions are much better than mid-day light
so keep that fact in your mind.
Midriver ledges between the 322 bridge and Sherman Creek, where Rattlin’
Rapalas, Case Salty Shads and Campground Special tubes, is a good drift.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**; low 70s; normal pool.
LOU
guides Brent Nelson and Bret Winegardner
describes it as “post spawn blues.” “This must have been great spawn,” says
Nelson, “because we are seeing fry pods everywhere on the lake.
There are lots of males guarding the
fry.
Smallmouth bass are holding at the back ends of gangplanks leading to
docks where 4-inch wacky rigged Magic
Stiks do a great job for this pattern. Don’t neglect the deeper ends of the
docks either. Look to shoreline grass beds as a backup plan. The guys describe
boat traffic as “horrific.”
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
80 degrees; 301 asl;
clear.
LOU associate Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports an “off and on” week depending upon barometer and cloud cover. Tim is
favoring Grassy and Nutbush Creeks where the morning topwater bite has been very
good. On those sunny days, Tim fished main lake points with Carolina rigged plastics.
The crappie action has been good. Tim reports that on one of his 4-hour
trips this week, he and his clients landed more than 60.
Fishing Report
June 13, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
Captains:
Ken Penrod; Keith Barker;
Brent Nelson;
Dave Kerrigan; Brian Barnes; Alan
Mullis. Licensed Guides:
Mike
Breeding; Jon Drever; Danny Grulke; Chris Sanno; Andy Chiu.
NOTES: I am preparing this report on Thursday (10th)
evening as I must be out of town for the weekend. Please monitor weather reports
and rainfall levels which may change things.
For
those of you wanting to buy the Ken Penrod Series of Campground Special tubes,
please understand that we do not sell them. Contact Riverfront Campground;
Susquehanna Tackle Shop and Brooks Marine.
I do
have a new inventory of Gator Rods and if you contact me,, we may have the rod
you need.
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
***; 75 degrees; some stain; 2.7 @ Point of Rocks
The river rose about 6-inches this week, the water temperature changes by
7-degrees and the water color changed a little. Smallmouth bass fishing
improved—a lot.
Our best lures continue to be: Case
Magic Stiks; Campground Special tubes; Mizmo
tubes and Luhr-Jensen Speed Traps.
There is a window for topwater bites but give them only 20-minutes. This was a
good fishing week as water cooled and the barometer stayed under 30-inches.
At LANDER, we do best upriver of the
launch—but downriver is not a bad option. We use 8# test, green monofilament and
Gator rods. The “teaser” tube is the best option and the best colors include KP
Candy; Penrod Purple; KP Rose; KP Roadkill/Purple and Troys Trigger. Smallmouth
bass are in the perimeter of deeper holes; submersed ledges; current breaks and
“they are in current.”
At WHITES FERRY, we continue to do best
upriver of the launch, where we stay in the middle of the river and slowly
drift, controlling that drift with our Minn Kota trolling motors, while casting
tubes. We find that 1/8th ounce RAB jigs to be best and tubes must be
slowly moved about the bottom—SLOWLY.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
****;
75 degrees; algae in creeks.
Water temperature declined almost 10-degrees this week, but the barometer
remained below 30 inches and this was a “good” tide week. Bass fishing was
outstanding.
WASHINGTON
D.C.
water is not what it once was and that’s because of lack of water vegetation—but
it’s still a good gamble for bass and small striper ventures. The nice thing
about this area is the lack of fishing pressure and the substantial amount of
habitat. You must keep your options open while fishing here because of the
bottom contour. There is plenty of deep water dropoffs—yet plenty of shallow
habitat.
We use Rapala DT 04 to 08 crankbaits
for the dropoffs, yet Rapala Clacking Raps for flats. We use
Mizmo tubes for bridge foundations and
Case Magic Stiks for slow current
areas. It is worthwhile to venture toward Fletchers Boathouse when seeking
smallmouth bass but there are some good largemouth and a few walleye also.
Most productive areas continue to be: Washington Channel dropoffs (do not
get close to the Fort McNair wall); Long Bridge foundations; back end of the
Channel; unseen wharf remains below the Anacostia and
rip rap near Bolling Air force base. Need a
District of Columbia fishing license—get it on line at
https://encode.dc.gov/epermit/Page/Entry/Login.aspx (wow--why so difficult.)
Thanks to Mike Day for this.
In the WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE vicinity,
wind was an issue some days last week by Captains
Dave Kerrigan and Captain Keith Barker clients
caught some fine largemouth bass, to 5-pounds, in the vicinity. Best lures
continue to be: Mizmo tubes, Penrod Special tubes, Rapala DT06 and Case Magic
Stiks. There is a wide range of habitat in this vicinity so you must be
flexable.
Best area are Penrod Cove (two over 5-pounds this week); Smoot Bay; Belle
Haven Coves; grass beds on the north shore of Broad Creek—and then across the
river where the long boats docks have been constructed. In PISCATAWAY Creek,
never hesitate to cast Rattlin’ Rapalas to the
Fort Washington point, and inside the creek,
try the first cove on the left. Grass beds are sporadic within the creek but the
hydrilla is coming.
Nearby, Grass beds in Bulltown Cove, shoreline between Dogue Creek and
Gunston Cove; midway back in Gunston Cove and Pomonkey Creek have been very
good.
In the MATTAWOMAN CREEK vicinity, I spent
three days here within the 6-MPH zone and our “bad” day was 20 bass and our best
day was 50 bass. It was pretty windy near Smallwood State Park
grass beds much of the week. Good places include grass beds in the Occoquan
complex; back end of Chickamuxen; Wades
Bay and Mallows Bay.
 |
 |
|
Lou & Lenny Romano fished Mattawoman with Ken on Thursday and
Case Magic Stiks & Penrod Special spinnerbaits accounted for 35 nice
bass. |
Retired Firefighter Dave Main (L) and
Ryan Keller fished Mattawoman with Ken on Tuesday where Magic Stiks
accounted for most of the bass caught. |
 |
 |
|
David & father, Dr. Giammittorio fished with Ken on Wednesday
where they caught about 50 bass on Penrod Special spinnerbaits & Case
Magic Stiks. The Doctor’s largest bass weighed 4-lbs, 14-oz. |
LOU Capt’n Keith
Barker with a 5 # 13 oz. LM Bass he caught this week near the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge. |
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
**1/2; normal summer level; low 70s
Our guides have been very busy with vacationing anglers so don’t be
disappointed with tardy return calls. Brent
Nelson and Bret Winegardner know
exactly what to do on this busy lake, so call us for appointments. See
www.fishdeepcreek.com for valuable
information—but call us at 301-937-0010 or Brent Nelson directly at
240-460-8893.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
**1/2;
rising to fall: low 60s; 4,5 @ Harrisburg; 4.6 at Newport
on the Juniata.
There was a slight rise on both rivers this week but that just made
boating better, LOU guide Chris Sanno says that the “bite has been tougher” this
week. He has been fishing the Juniata above
Newport
and he complains about 12 bass in 3 hours. The main river, above the Juniata has been sporadic, but cast Rattlin’ Rapals over
chunk rocks above the 322 bridge and you will smile. Hook up with John
Cunningham at Riverfront Campground for great float trips in rental boats via
shuttle service. Reach Johnny at 717-877-2704. This is a great campground and
you can purchase the tubes, rods and other lures we recommend. The store also
sells fishing license, snacks and drinks in addition to everything you may need
to camp there.
NANTICOKE/POCOMOKE Rivers: ***;
mid-70s, tannic.
LOU guide, Captain Brian Barnes
reports a similar pattern on both rivers. Fish the pad edges—or the channel
drops, depending upon tide levels. There are plenty of bass but a falling tide
is best.
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
**1/2; 301’ ASL; 75-80 degrees; clear downlake—stained
uplake.Water temp 80's
Associate guide
Tim Wilson reports the water level has reached
300 which is full pull. Bascially the same stories
for the bass. Topwater bright and early.
Carolina
rigged zoom plastics the rest of the day.
A lot of the fish are
running small but you can always squeek out a few nice ones. PopR type baits are
really doing the trick fished quickly. The lower end around North Bend and Nutbush are working wonders for Wilson.
Plenty of crappie on brush but the trick is findiing the right brushpile that
holds big ones. Jigs tipped with minnows and jigs tipped with plastics such as
Garlands
cajun cricket work well. Stripers are scatttered with some good fish being
trolled up around Eastland Creek.
Fishing Report
June 6, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
Captains:
Ken Penrod; Keith Barker;
Brent Nelson;
Dave Kerrigan; Brian Barnes; Alan
Mullis. Licensed Guides:
Mike
Breeding; Jon Drever; Danny Grulke; Chris Sanno; Andy Chiu.
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
***; 80 degrees; light stain; 2.4 @ Point of Rocks
The
river has fallen nearly two feet during the last week and gained about five
degrees of temperature. Smallmouth bass fishing has improved in those areas we
guide. The most productive lures remain the
Penrod-Seris, Campground Special tubes in Troy’s Trigger, KP Rose;
Penrod Purple and Roadkill/Purple.
Four-inch Case Magic Stiks (green pumpkin/gold & white) have also been fish
catchers. The bass we catch have been small (9-14 inches long) but we generally
get a few in the 18-inch class. Quantity will range between 15 and 45 fish per
boat, depending upon weather and barometer.
At LANDER, there are opportunities both
upriver and downriver of the launch. Downriver, beginning at the power lines,
there are three good drifts: (the
Maryland
side, the middle region and The Huffman Rock ledge. We seldom go below the
southern tip of Bald Eagle Island. Upriver, we recommend the deeper water in the
vicinity of Catoctin Creek to the Sawbuck Ledge. We also do well two casts off
of the Virginia
shore, from the Fence to the Wall. We cast to submersed ledge, mid river holes
and area where chunk rock lie in four feet of water.
In the WHITES FERRY/EDWARDS FERRY area, we
are catching plenty of small bass with just a few in the 15-18 inch class. From
Whites Ferry, motor upriver and drift the center. The Virginia shore can be
productive during low light. From Edwards Ferry, the Maryland, shore in the vicinity of the power
lines—and the ledges just downriver have been productive.
SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS,
PA:
***;
78-81 degrees; clear; 4,0 @ Harrisburg; 4.5 @ Newport
on the Juniata.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has
scheduled three public meeting to secure input from anglers as it concerns the
Susquehanna River. The meetings were/are not publicized much. I attended the
second of three meeting on Saturday, June 5 at the
Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services facility on S. Cameron Street
in Harrisburg.
This meeting did not draw the amount of anglers that one would like to see but
the event was run professionally and there were plenty of Fish and Boat
Commission employees available to answer questions. The forum featured small
groups of anglers in a roundtable discussion where seven specific questions were
discussed and reported on. For the most part, all attendees stayed focused and
worked hard to cover the topics. There were a few major differences of opinion
but there wasn’t a person there that didn’t have the welfare of the fishery as a
priority. The general consensus was: The Susquehanna River
has a pollution problem; the abundant cormorant population is a negative impact
of fish populations and suppressed recruitment of YOY for the past several
years. Perhaps the majority in attendance recommended “no change” to current
fisheries management, but there was discussion about closing the season during
spawn; making catch & release an annual requirement; eliminating or restricting
tournament activity and/or changing creel and size requirements. The third and
last meeting is scheduled for June 9, at Kings
College
in Wilkes-Barre
between 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. See
http://fishandboat.com/susquehannabass.htm.
My personal position is and has been: the
Susquehanna does not have a fisheries problem—it has a pollution problem; there
is no need to change the regulations—but angler education can be improved.
Thank you PA
Fish and Boat Commission.
The main stem is getting pretty low now while the
Juniata is somewhat better. Bass fishing continues to be very good
in the lower Juniata and the area between
Riverfront Campground and the
Buffalo
ledges. Boaters must be very careful. Our best pattern is to cast
Rattlin’ Rapala,
Campground Special tubes,
Case Magic Stiks,
Big Mouth spinnerbaits
and soft plastic jerk baits to midriver ledges and chunk rock.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***;
84+ degrees; normal, but with algae visible in areas.
Bass fishing remains very good throughout the river—but some places are
much better than other.
In the WASHINGTON,
D.C.
sector, Captain Dave Kerrigan led his clients to
an “LOU Slam” which includes smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass species.
The Grand Slam includes the addition of a walleye. Dave reports a pretty good
catch from areas in Pentagon Lagoon, railroad bridge foundations and the
Washington Channel. Best lures include Rapala
DT06 crankbaits, Mizmo tubes and
Case Magic Stiks.
 |
 |
|
Barry Bonovich
caught this smallmouth bass in Penrod Cove on a Case Magic Stik while
fishing with Ken |
Ken used a
Rattlin’ Rapala to catch this Mattawoman bass. |
 |
 |
|
It’s Dr. Dave,
again, with a fine Mattawoman bass that he caught on a Case Magic Stik
while guided by Ken. |
Larry fished
with Ken and Dr. Dave last Wednesday and this Mattawoman bass was but
one of about 40 they caught. |
In The WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE vicinity, our
catch was no as good as last week. We do best in Penrod Cove, nearby barges,
Smoot
Bay, Belle Haven coves;
grass beds above Broad Creek and across the river at the boat docks. Our top
producer in the grass beds remain the Case
Magic Stik but Rapala DT 06 crankbaits
and four-inch Mizmo tubes for the dropoffs.
Other good areas include grass beds in Piscataway Creek, Bulltown Cove and Pohick Bay.
In the MATTAWOMAN CREEK vicinity, bass
fishing has been excellent in spite of a 200 boat tournament over the weekend.
Local angler Brian Schmitt won the event and Tackle Shop owner Terry Olinger
finished in 5th place. Within the “6-MPH” zone, Captain Keith Barker reports
very good results by casting Case Stiks,
buzzbaits or Big Mouth spinnerbaits
to spatterdock. Between Marsh Island and the main river, cast buzzbaits, Case
Stiks, frogs and spinnerbaits to grass beds. Other nearby areas that are worth
the time include grassbeds in or near Chickamuxen Creek; grass beds near
Chopawamsic and in Blue Banks and Wades
Bay.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
***; 67 degrees; normal pool.
LOU guides Brent
Nelson and
Bret Winegardner
reports that the spawn is nearing the end but fishing has been “decent” in spite
of extensive boating activity that keeps shoreline areas stained to muddy. The
guides suggest the back end of coves for largemouth bass; boat docks near deep
water for smallmouth bass and walleye prefer 1/8th ounce jigs tipped
with a minnow. “Fly rod anglers can have a ball with bluegills,” reports Nelson.
Please visit www.fishdeepcreek.com
for details including suggestions for tackle shops and accommodations. Call
Brent for vacation outings at 410-799-9326.
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
**1/2; 301’ ASL; 75-80 degrees; clear downlake—stained
uplake.
LOU Associate Guide, Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports that bass are now in post-spawn mode. “There is a pretty good topwater
bite in the early hours—and again near dusk where
Big Mouth buzzbaits and poppers work
nicely. After the sun is overhead, back off of points and probe with Carolina rigged plastics,
especially green pumpkin/chartreuse tail lizards. Tim likes Nutbush Creek and
points between Ivy Hill and the dam. Stripers are scattered but biting well
down-lake on live shad and trolled lures. Look for crappie around floating docks
downed trees near deep water—and find submersed brush piles in 12-20 feet of
water with your Lowrance sonar.
OCEAN CITY VICINITY:
***
LOU’s
Bobby Mullis and Alan Mullis have
been doing very well on flounder, in the region, with jigs. The bays and inland
waters are productive as has been tidal creeks in nearby
Virginia.
Captain Alan Mullis fished with Bobby Mullis in a Virginia tributary
recently and he
has his hands full of flounder that liked jigs better than live bait—this day.
Fishing Report
May 30, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
NOTES: I prepared this report on Friday, May 28, so forecast rains could
change conditions and it’s important to monitor that fact
Please
note that the above address is my residence—not a retail store.
UPPER
POTOMAC RIVER:
** & improving; 68 degrees; clearing; 3.2 and falling @
Point of Rocks.
In the
past three days, the river has fallen one foot. Fishing success always suffers
when the levels change quickly. Without significant rain this week, the river
should be perfect for fishing.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER,
PA:
***;
65 degrees; main river clear, Juniata stained; 4.3 @
Harrisburg (the Juniata is influencing the scale at
Harrisburg. The level is much lower above the route 322
bridge;) 5.2 @ Newport
on the Juniata.
LOU
guides Andy Chiu and Mike
Breeding had a very good week, catching good numbers and quality smallmouth
bass on Big Mouth
spinnerbaits, Campground Special tubes and Rattlin’ Rapalas from habitat
between the Campground and the Buffalo Ledges. In the Juniata River,
the guides are fishing ledges between the confluence and the Aqueduct on tubes
and spinnerbaits—and upriver in the Amity Hall pool,
Rapala X-Rap jerkbaits, Campground Special
tubes and Case Salty Shad jerk baits.
NOTE: Andy Chiu is a superb fly-fish guide, complete with drift boat and many
years of experience on
Montana trout
rivers.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:
***1/2;
75 degrees; stained upper region & some tributaries.
Dirty water and moderate flotsam entered the upper tidal river, from high
water flows in the free flowing portion. Largemouth bass fishing has been good
to great throughout the estuary, depending upon winds and barometer.
WASHINGTON, DC:
A DC
biologist reports “tremendous” shad runs earlier in the month and during April,
in part due to the stocking program over the past few years. This year alone,
more than 5-million American shad fry was introduced into the
Anacostia
River
alone. They also report a “better” river herring run than the past few years—but
worry about declining coastal numbers. The “striper” run was “weak” this year
although the first two weeks of April was “decent” and the biologist tagged
rockfish as large as 50-pounds. The biologists believe than many of the stripers
spawned downriver due to low flow near the fall line. The biologists confirm
that largemouth bass populations have been declining the past several years do
to the absence of SAV.
Blue
catfish and shakeheads have expanded their range into DC waters and stomach
analysis indicates that the catfish love the white perch—and that snakehead
stomach content has been virtually “nothing” on fish they examined.
Bass fishing in DC has been fair, with the best chances at bridge
foundations, Pentagon Lagoon, Washington Channel dropoffs and old wharf
locations south of the Anacostia River.
Out most productive lures have been Rapala DT
crankbaits, four-inch Mizmo tubes and
six-inch Case Magic Stiks. Keep in
mind that Fort McNair
is a sensitive military establishment and they have every right to ask
boat-anglers to stay away from the sea wall. Generally, if you stay outside of
the white buoys you will be fine.
The WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE vicinity has
been consistent this week with a “good to excellent” rating on most days. We do
best in Penrod Cove, Smoot
Bay, Belle Haven coves;
north side of Broad Creek and boat docks and grass beds south of Belle Haven.
Our most reliable “grass” offering has been the Case Magic Stik, Rapala DT
crankbaits, Penrod Special spinnerbaits and Mizmo tubes.
Captain Keith Barker has a new boat, a Ranger 2400, that
can accommodate up to four anglers so keep that in mind. Keith reports on bass
fishing chances mirror my observations and he says that catfish have been very
cooperative.
MATTAWOMAN Creek and vicinity has been very
productive, especially grass beds, spattrerdock and rocky shorelines. In
addition to Mattawoman, nearby Chickamuxen Creek; Occoquan Bay grass beds;
bridge structure at Neabsco and Powells Creek and grass near the marine base and
Chopawamsic Creek. Topwater action has been superb most days in the grass
between the park and the main stem.
I was scolded via email by a Navy spokesperson that
didn’t like my comments about the shoreline restoration along the main river at
the Naval
Surface
Warfare
Center
of Indian Head. My comments simply stated a fact: that construction has taken
away a very productive area this spring. I am not critical, just observant. I do
believe that that installation will provide excellent habitat—when they are
finished.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE:
***; 60 degrees; normal pool.
LOU guides
Bret Winegardner and
Brent Nelson
report “much improved” fishing results with substantial spawning activity
throughout the lake. The guides favor uplake grass beds and boat docks although
some of the flats have turned on as fish move in to spawn. You may wish to visit
www.fishdeepcreek.com for more
information including recommendations for motels and tackle stores.
KERR
LAKE,
VA:
**-**1/2; 70-78 degrees; 301 feet ASL; Stained upper
lake, clear lower lake.
LOU Associate Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports “off and on success this week with a good topwater bite early and late
in the day.” Tim favors buzzbaits and Zara Spooks for topwater, but when the
bass abandon the shallows, move out along points and feed them Carolina rigged plastics. Tim like his chances
in Grassy and Nutbush Creeks.
NANTICOKE:
Water 66-72
degrees, muddy. Fish Marshyhope & Broadcreek areas with
Rapala DT 6 Hot Mustard on outside pad edges
on stumps or any cover near pads for best bass production. Also any wood located
near channel inside or outside bends with clear path to wood skip green pumpkin
or black/blue 5" Magic Stix.
A few small
bucks remain in spawning areas, caught with
green pumpkin or watermelon wacky rigged
Magic Stix.
POCOMOKE:
Water 66-72 degrees, stained. At high tide periods, fish eating Baby 1 Minus
crankbaits or Penrod
Special Spinnerbaits in the sparse pad fields. As tide withdrawals,
creekmouths and outside pad edges producing with slowrolling Penrod Special
Spinnerbait or Rapala DT 6 Hot Mustard.
Fishing Report
May 23, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
Notes:
I have prepared this report a few days early as I wish to go to my
Pennsylvania
lodge for spring cleaning.
SUSQUEHANNA
RIVER/JUNIATA RIVER, PA: ***1/2;
59-62 degrees; clear; 4.9 @
Harrisburg
; 5.2 @
Newport
on the
Juniata
.
LOU
guide Mike Breeding says “smallmouth bass fishing is better now than it
was in April, and we are getting 40-60 per outing on Big
Mouth spinnerbaits and Rattlin’ Rapalas.”
It’s rare that the water level is near five-feet at the
Harrisburg
gauge at the end of May. If you are looking for some dynamic fishing action,
call us quickly.
The guides
are operating from Riverfront
Campground near the
Juniata
confluence. Both rivers have been about equal as far as productivity goes, and
the quality of the bass we are catching is excellent. Cast Golden Shiner
spinnerbaits to submersed humps with grass and brush showing. The down-current
eddy is holding the fish and they simply destroy spinnerbaits. Campground
Special tubes (
Troy
’s Trigger, KP Candy; KP Rose and KP Peanut Butter,) Case Salty Shads and Case
Magic Stiks are well accepted also.
The better
areas have been upriver of the 322 bridge and the pool at Amity Hall on the
Juniata
.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER
:
***; 60 degrees; stained; 3.5 and
steady.
Recent
rains have added about one foot of water this week and it’s stained but
smallmouth bass fishing has remained steady. The weather this week was another
irregular event but the barometer remained under 30-inches and that’s good.
LANDER has improved where we choose to fish
upriver of the launch and we target pools and ledges between Catoctin Creek and
The Fence. Campground Special tubes in the 2.75 and 4-inch models have been our
go-to offering in Penrod Special, KP Candy;
Troy
’s Trigger and Roadkill Camo.
WHITES FERRY is a safe area to fish much of
the year, even during low water. The best areas are upriver of the launch where
we tend to fish the middle of the river. This week’s rise will send more bass
to shorelines so keep all options open. Let me recommend Gator
Rods, Excel monofilament in 8# test and a good spinning reel with at least
5:1 gear ratio. TIP:
I see so many anglers without “enough” line on their reels. Fill the spool
to within 1/8th of an inch of the rim. The line should come off of
the storage spool from the face and it should be unwinding counter clockwise.
TIDAL
POTOMAC RIVER
: ***1/2;
64 degrees; stain on the way.
Bass
fishing has been very good this week in spite of cooler than below air
temperatures and easterly winds—but the barometer was under 30-inches most of
the week and the bass were eating.
WASHINGTON
D.C.
jurisdictional water will get
stained by this week end as the upper river jumped one foot from recent
rainfall. We acre catching some fine bass in Pentagon Lagoon, Long Bridge
foundations and Washington Channel dropoffs along the Fort McNair wall (NOTE:
don’t get to close to this wall because the Military Police will call the
Harbor Police.) We are using Case Magic
Stiks and Mizmo tubes in the Lagoon but Rapala
DT08 crankbaits do best on the dropoff in the Channel.
The
WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE
vicinity was the best area this week where we found and caught plenty of
big, post spawn bass on tubes and crankbaits. The best areas have been Penrod
Cove, Belle Haven coves; both sides of Broad Creek and grass and docks below
Hog
Island
. Other areas you may wish to fish include coves in Piscataway Creek (not much
grass in this creek this spring,) Greenway Flats, Pomonkey Creek and Gunston
Cove. The Magic Stiks and Penrod
Special spinnerbaits have been out top grass baits.
The MATTAWOMAN CREEK and
vicinity receives more fishing pressure than any other sector in the
system—but there is still plenty of bass activity—in a bunch of places.
Inside the 6-MPH zone, spinnerbaits cast to spatterdock/grass area, especially
where you find fry-pods, is a solid bet. The milfoil beds between Grinders and
the main river just keep on producing. In CHICKAMUXEN CREEK, fish the south side
but there are bass on both points. Grass and other cover between the
Quantico
airfield and Chopawamsic Creek is another productive area.
KERR
LAKE
,
VA
:
**1/2; 301 feet and rising; stained
in creeks and upper lake; 68-75 degrees.
LOU
Associate guide, Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports a “rising lake level” and pretty decent fishing. Mainlake points,
especially points near creek have been Tim’s targets last week where begins
each morning with topwater lures. Tim is still fish points when the sun is high
but he backs off and used
Carolina
rigged plastics. Tim has been concerned with this fishery for a few years now
and is assisting VDGIF with research and field work. He visited two tournament
sites last week and was very complimentary of one group but “appalled” by
another.
Striper
fishing has been best at night on main lake points with wake bait Redfins.
The crappie have moved to deeper water brushpiles and bridge foundations.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE
:
**; mid to upper 50s; summer pool.
Captain
Brent Nelson reports “tough” fishing earlier this week due to water
temperature loss and a high barometer. Brent says “we are doing best around
docks but pre-spawn smallmouth bass are staged on/near deeper rocks. The
largemouth spawn earlier this week was delayed by weather, especially
temperature, but that is still to come. Nelson noted that some monster
largemouths have moved to beds at the very backs of up-lake creeks by weeks
end. Visit www.fishdeepcreek for
more information.
OCEAN
CITY
BAY
& VICINITY: **1/2;
60s
Bobby
Mullis and Captain Dave Kerrigan report a
good flounder-bite behind Assateague and Dave says there are plenty of togs on
local wrecks. Kerrigan’s final footnote to his report said: I wish I was on
the Susquehanna.
Fishing Report
May 16, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
NOTES:
Navico/Lowrance News; Navico will shut down its email service over the weekend
(May 14-17) for maintenance. They expect it to be back in service by 7-AM
Monday.
Lowrance Pro Staffer Bob
Mullis will be at the Hampton, VA, Bass Pro Shop on May 21 and 22 to train
customers in the use of Lowrance sonar and GPS. Pro Staffer Vic John will be at
the
Harrisburg
,
PA
, Bass Pro Shop on May 22 and 23.
Pro Staffer Alan Mullis will be at the Ashland,
VA Bass Pro Shop on May 21 and 22—and then at the Hanover, MD Bass Pro Shop on
May 28 and 29. This is a great opportunity for you to become familiar with all
the new Lowrance and Eagle products—and the new Structure Scan will “wow”
you.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER
:
**; 65 degrees; minimal stain; 2.5 @
Point of Rocks
I fished
Lander two days this week, and the river is perfect—but the weather conditions
were all over the place. Strong winds, cold weather, then hot and the barometer
was very erratic. We caught 21, then 27 bass, most of which were small but a
client lost the biggest smallmouth I’ve ever seen after three out-of-the-water
jumps. We are using Campground Special tubes (KP Candy; KP Peanut Butter;
Troy
’s Trigger and Road Kill Camo.) Chunk rock and submersed ledges held the
majority of the bass we caught.
At LANDER, the best fishing is upstream of
the launch, especially the deeper ledges below the Sawbuck ledge; the
Virginia
side below The Wall and the holes and ledges below the Fence ledge.
At WHITES FERRY, the upriver pool is a good
place to be during strong northwest wind. Begin the
Virginia
side drift when you can see the smoke tower at the Dickerson Plant—then do
the middle drift. We usually stop these controlled floats at the cliff on the VA
side. If you are fishing thoroughly, each float should take about 1.5 hours.
SUSQUEHANNA
RIVER/JUNIATA RIVER, PA: ***;
nice stain; 59 degrees; 5.5 @
Harrisburg
and 5.2 @
Newport
.
It’s
rare to have this much water in May and that’s a good thing. LOU
guide Mike Breeding (443-614-9842) says the weather was the only negative
this week, with the loss of twelve degrees of water temperature, strong winds
and high barometric pressure. “We are catching from 25 to 40 bass per day,”
says Mike and while most are post spawn, there was some spawning activity this
week. We are fishing shoreline pockets, grass beds and ledges with Big
Mouth spinnerbaits, Big Mouth Chatterbaits, Campground
Special tubes and Rapala DT-4 & 6
crankbaits. Most of the smallmouths are between 15 and 19 inches long. Reach
Mike at 443-614-9842 and call Johnny Cunningham at 717-877-2704 for Campground
Special tubes (the Penrod Series) and RAB jig heads.
TIDAL
POTOMAC RIVER
: **
to ***; 65 degrees; clear except wind-stain areas.
We are not
“kicking butt” by any stretch, but some days were better than others as the
weather was very erratic this week. From a high of 52 on Tuesday to almost 80 by
Saturday, along with strong winds some days and a high barometer much of the
week, it’s no wonder the fish seemed confused. Still, we caught some quality
bass on Case Magic Stiks, Mizmo
tubes; Rapala DT-6 crankbaits, Big
Mouth spinnerbaits and even one ne a buzzbait.
In the
WASHINGTON
jurisdictional water, we do best in Pentagon Lagoon; certain bridge
foundations at
Long
Bridge
and former dock sites along the east side, below the Washington Channel. There
are some young stripers in the Channel.
In the
WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE
vicinity, we do best in Penrod Cove, Belle Haven coves, grass beds and docks
below
Hog
Island
; grass beds on the
Maryland
side upriver of Broad Creek and coves in Piscataway Creek (very little grass in
Piscataway Creek this year.) We had two bass in the 5-pound class this week but
our numbers have only been in the mid 20s.
GUNSTON COVE, POMONKEY CREEK and grass beds
near Marshall Hall are productive areas.
In the MATTAWOMAN CREEK vicinity, a fair
bite within the 6-MPH zone and a good bite in grass beds between
Marsh
Island
and the main stem. Nearby grassbeds before, inside and after Chickamuzen Creek
are worthy as are grassbeds near Quantico Creek and Chopawamsic Creek. AQUIA
CREEK grassbeds are also good stops. Captain
Brian Barnes has been catching bass to nearly 5 pounds with numbers as high
as 30+ bass per day in this area.
KERR
LAKE
,
VA
:
65-70 degrees; 300; stained upriver.
LOU
Associate guide, Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports a “strong” postspawn bite from the down-lake area where mainlake
points with rocks and wood cover has been his best pattern. “I’m using
topwater lures in the morning but switching to
Carolina
rigged lizards when the sun is high,” says Tim. “Some of our bass are five
pounds and better so I think the summer pattern has set-in for now,” explains
Wilson
.
NANTICOKE
RIVER
:
***; 65 degrees
LOU
guide, Captain Brian Barnes (302-745-4668) reports “pretty good” results
from the mid Marshyhope and main stem near
Seaford
. I’m using Big Mouth spinnerbaits, Rapala DT-6 (Hot Mustard) and creature
baits near spatterdock fields, channel drops and docks,” says Barnes.
POCOMOKE
RIVER
:
***; 65 degrees
If your
day includes low water, it should be quite productive. The bass are post spawn
and in summer pattern now so spatterdock, cypress knees and wet wood is a solid
pattern. The area between Shad Landing and
Pocomoke
City
is productive but so is the Snow Hill area. Penrod Special spinnerbaits, Rapala
DT-6 crankbaits and Case Magic Stiks do the job. Don’t hesitate to try the
buzzbait in the morning.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE
:
***; 55 degrees; normal pool; clear.
LOU
guides, Brent Nelson (bbnelson@comcast.net)
and Bret Winegardner reports pretty good
bass fishing and there is substantial spawning activity on the flats and coves
in the upper lake. Find out more about this at www.fishdeepcreek.com.
Fishing Report
May 9, 2010
4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Office: 301-937-0010 Fax: 301-931-2040.
Cell: 240-447-2206
E-mail: ken kenpenrod@comcast.net
Websites: www.penrodsguides.com
www.fishdeepcreek.
com
Captain Brent Nelson: LOU Guide, Webmaster & VP of Deep Creek Operations:
bbnelson@comcast.net
See
the photo below of the dead largemouth bass that an angler had scooped from the
surface in
Pohick
Bay
immediately after commercial fishermen and pulled and cleared their nets.
“There were many more dead bass as well as hundreds of other dead, discarded
fish at the scene,” said the reporter. This cannot be allowed to continue.
Our
summer youth camp sessions are full for this year.
These
dead largemouth bass were scooped from the surface by a concerned
fisherman--immediately after commercial fishermen had pulled and cleared their
gill nets in Pohick Bay. The angler reported that these bass were only a
sampling of those floating dead and there were hundreds of other fish species
dead near the shore where the nets lay on the bank. Some would call this
by-catch--I call it wonton waste and should not be allowed. I will contact
Virginia Game & Inland Fish and obtain their response.
TIDAL
POTOMAC RIVER
: ***1/2;
70s; creeks stained; main river clear.
Bass
fishing has been very good throughout the river and the tributaries.
WASHINGTON,
D C: May has always been a good month for this area and this May is no
different. Best results come from Pentagon Lagoon, Washington Channel, east
shore below the Anacostia and Blue Plains. Best lures continue to be Big
Mouth Spinnerbaits; Case Plastics;
Mizmo tubes, Rapala
DT6 crankbaits and Rattlin’ Rapalas.
WOODROW
WILSON
BRIDGE
and vicinity has been “above
average” this week where we catch bass consistently in Penrod Cove, Belle
Haven coves; north and south shores of Broad Creek and areas inside Piscataway
Creek. SAV in Piscataway Creek is a mere shadow of what we usually find this
time of year. Other good areas to the south include: Bulltown Cove;
Pohick
Bay
; Greenway Flats and Pomonkey Creek.
We are
using Case Magic Stiks (rigged
Texas
with 3/0 heavy wire hooks;) Penrod
Special spinnerbaits by Big Mouth Lure Company; green pumpkin, Mizmo tubes;
Rattlin’ Rapalas; Rapala DT6 crankbaits (Hot Mustard) and Rico poppers.
MATTAWOMAN
CREEK and vicinity continues to rank as “the best” but other portions
of the river are “catching up.”
In
Mattawoman, the 6-MPH zone is almost as good as the grass beds between
Marsh
Island
and the
Potomac
. Milfoil and submersed wood cover is red-hot now. I did catch and kill a 10-12
pound snakehead in the upper portion of the creek. On high water, Penrod Special
spinnerbaits, pulled over milfoil is deadly. Our go-to pattern is Case Magic
Stiks and Mizmo tubes. Rapala DT4 crankbaits and Rattlin’ Rapalas in deeper
grass seems to account for bigger fish.
Other
worthy areas in the vicinity include sections of shoreline between Mattawoman
and Chickamuxen; Chickamuxen Creek grass; grass and rip rap near Quantico Air
Field; Blue Banks and grass beds in Aquia Creek.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER
:
***; clear; 3 @ Point of Rocks; 70s.
LOU
guide, Captain Dave Kerrigan reports “good” smallmouth b ass fishing, as
the river becomes “kinder” lately. The fish are mostly small (9-14 inches
long) but the bigger bass are still in post spawn slow down. We use spinning
rods with 8# Excel monofilament. Best baits are Campground Special tubes (Penrod
Purple; KP Candy; KP Peanut Butter and Roadkill Camo. Stay away from eddies and
find submersed ledges, chunk rock in 4-feet of water and boundary edges of
deeper holes. Three angler trips average 30-40 smallmouth per outing.
LANDER
continues to be productive, especially upriver of the launch and
specifically the “holes” adjacent to Catoctin Creek; pools and ledges below
and above the Fence; grassy areas below the Wall; pools and ledges below the
Fence.
Whites
Ferry/Edwards Ferry fishing has improved although the bigger bass have not been
cooperating. From Whites Ferry, the upriver pool favoring the
Virginia
side, and the VA shoreline between the cliff and the ferry is a good drift.
Downriver, the drift along
Harrison
Island
, favoring the middle and the rocky shore at the south end of that island is
worthy. From Edwards Ferry, the ledges in the immediate vicinity and the
Maryland
shoreline near the power lines seem best.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
,
PA
: ***1/2;
some stain in the Juniata and east side of the main stem; 5-feet at
Newport
; 4.5 @
Harrisburg
; 65-70 degrees.
Smallmouth
bass fishing has improved dramatically recently as fish have recovered from
spawning duties.
LOU
guide, Captain Dave Kerrigan (301-252-5322), has been focused on grass bowls
between the route 322 bridge and
Purdy
Island
where just about any lure works these days. The spinnerbait bite has been solid
but Rattlin’ Rapals and X-Rap jerkbaits seem to catch larger fish. LOU
guide Mike Breeding (443-614-9842) repeats Dave’s observations and says
“right now it just doesn’t seem to matter where we go or what we use—the
bass are hungry and cooperative.” The guides average 30-45 bass per trip and
the bigger bass are showing up again.” Remember, I have guides in this water
all year long and we have added a fly-guide this year, Andy Chiu, a vetern of
Montana
trout rivers—and he has the perfect float boat. Reach Andy at 410-868-8400. John
Cunningham (717-877-2704) of Riverfront Campground carries the Camground
Special tubes; RAB jigheads, Gator Rods
and Mizmo tubes that we brag about. He will shuttle you upriver for float trips
and you can obtain your fishing license there.
DEEP
CREEK
LAKE
:
***; clear; 60s.
Bass
fishing has been very good and they have moved to shallow spawning areas where
jerkbaits, Mizmo tubes and Rattlin’ Rapalas account for big, fat bass now.
Reach
Brent Nelson
(410-799-9326) or
Bret Winegardner
(301-616-9889) for arrangements. See www.fishdeepcreek.com
for more details.
KERR
LAKE
,
VA
:
**1/2; 300.25; 65-75 degrees; stain
in creeks but clear main lake.
LOU
Associate guide, Tim Wilson (kickassbassin@aol.com)
reports a “slow-down” as bass transition from spawning activity to summer
pattern. Tim likes main lake points and coves near creek mouths where topwater
bites are improving during the early hours. “Try drop-Shot and
Carolina
rigged plastics over the points during the day,”
Wilson
advises. Stripers are making their way dowlake now after their spawn run.
Crappie are post spawn and favoring cover in the 15-20 feet zone.
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