Ken Penrod's bass fishing report
Guide Ken Penrod of Life Outdoors Unlimited filed his weekly bass fishing report:
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: two and a half stars; clear with algae and floating grass; 79 degrees; 1 foot at Point of Rocks.
Bass fishing has improved in spite of the continuing drought There is substantial floating grass that makes fishing with action-like lures impossible—and it’s still tough on boaters, but things are looking up.
In the vicinity of Whites Ferry and Edwards Ferry, there has been a pretty good topwater bite and on those few cloudy days, we were able to catch bass all day. From Edwards, fish up river or down but concentrate on grass edges of wood cover with Mizmo tubes or the KP Series of teaser tubes. From Whites Ferry, we recommend that you motor to the center of the river and then drive upriver where we slowly drift—often simply holding position with a trolling motor. Big Mouth spinnerbaits cast to grass edges or Case Magic Stiks and Campground Special tubes are the ticket.
Around Lander, we do well in either direction where we continue to recommend Case Magic Stiks and Campground Special teaser tubes. Bass need some current when the water is hot. Cast over submersed ledges and allow the current to deliver your offering—as it would if it was natural.
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, PA: three stars; stained; 75 degrees; 4.2 feet at Harrisburg; 3.5 feet at Newport on the Juniata.
Bass fishing has picked up, as the river rose about a foot and the accompanying stain is actually a help to bass anglers. I don’t know how long the water will hold, but now is the time to go. Contact 1-888-881-7555 for current river conditions.
From Riverfront Campground in Duncannon, at the Juniata confluence, anglers are catching quality smallmouth bass between the Sherman Creek ledges and the Buffalo Ledges by casting Rattlin’ Rapalas, Campground Special tubes and Case Salty Shads. There is a topwater bite most days, early and late in the day. John Cunningham (717-877-2704) has boat rentals.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: two stars; 82 degrees; algae and floating grass in areas.
Bass fishing has been pretty tough for most of us this week and there are areas where you can catch blue crabs easier than you can catch a bass or two. The drought has allowed the salt-wedge to creep upriver and the commercial crabbers are creating land-mine-llike conditions for boaters in many areas.
In Washington waters, the river between Key Bridge and Little Falls is perfect now. Remember: It’s no wake and you must wear life jacket water. The fishing is good for bass and walleye and there are very few boats to interfere with your plans. Use Rapala DT 04 crankbaits (Hot Mustard) and green pumpkin tubes.
The bridge foundations--especially Key Bridge and Long Bridge--are holding all three bass species. The Washington Channel has a bunch of small stripers along the dropoff, but don’t get too close to General’s Row or you will be visited by the Harbor Patrol. By the way, lots of catfish action along channel drops, and some of these fish are huge.
Around the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, bass fishing has been pretty poor, although there are some very big largemouth bass is Penrod Cove, WW Barges and the submersed remnants of the former bridge. We do best with Rapala DT 06, 10 and 12 crankbaits or the Luhr-Jensen Hot Lips in firetiger pattern.
We also suggest Hog Island; boat docks and grass beds just south of Hog Island; Fort Washington Lighthouse dropoff, Bulltown Cove and Pomonkey Creek. Our grass baits include buzzbaits, Big Mouth spinnerbaits, Case Magic Stiks and frogs.
In the vicinity of Mattawoman Creek, it’s tougher to catch good bass within the “6 mph zone" lately. We do better between Smallwood State Park and the main river, with 6-inch Case plastics, both wacky style and Texas rig. Other decent stops should include Occoquan Bay grass and rocks; Leesylvania jetties; narrows in Chickamuxen and grass beds between Quantico and Chopawamsic Creeks.
DEEP CREEK LAKE: two stars; 75 degrees; lower than normal; clear.
Typical summer results here, but the water is cooling and before long the mass of pleasure boats will be gone and the fish will calm down. Brent Nelson (bbnelson@comcast.net) reports “decent” fishing from grass beds both uplake and near the dam. But during the middle of the day, it’s just tough. See http://www.fishdeepcreek.com for lots of regional information.
POCOMOKE RIVER: three stars; 78 degrees; normal color.
Largemouth bass fishing has been pretty good most days, and very good on days when a low tide occurs between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. We are casting Penrod Special spinnerbaits, Rapala DT 06 crankbaits, Mizmo tubes and Case Magic Stiks to spatterdock and cypress knee cover. Never hesitate to cast a buzzbaits. Best areas are near the Landing, Nassawango Creek and Cemetary Pond.
