Pacemaker Fishing Forum

POTOMAC RIVER - D.C. - Bass fishing picked up in the city last week, before the big slug of cold, muddy water moved down the river. Since this slug is moving out and the temperatures are coming back up this weekend, look for the same conditions this weekend. The fish should be roaming around structure and vegetation in shallow water. Plastic worms, rattling crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the better choice for baits. Crappie fishing has picked up.

Fletcher's Boathouse area is producing good numbers of fish, when Spring rains allow boating. Species caught are white perch, catfish, hickory and American shad, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and lots of striped bass. The perch are taking bloodworms and nightcrawlers, shad and herring on shad darts, catfish and stripers on cut herring and bass on rattling crankbaits. The shad run is the best in many years, with everyone catching Hickory shad and a few American shad as well.

POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE - Fishing should be good in this area this weekend as the temperatures increase and the water falls and clears. Bass in this area will be cruising the emerging lily pads, hydrilla and milfoil beds. Main river milfoil beds have been producing well, as have gravel and sandy banks with 3-4 feet of water on them. Crankbaits produce better on high tides, while plastic baits are the better choice for outgoing tides. Crappie action is red hot, with fish being taken in shallow water and around submerged brushpiles on live minnows and tiny jigs. Catfish action has picked up, with fish to 15 pounds being taken on cut bait. Chumming with corn kernels is producing good sized carp for those who enjoy sportfishing.

Bowhunting for carp is also very productive.

POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW ROUTE 301 BRIDGE - Anglers braving the wind are catching stripers around the Route 301 bridge, mid channel markers, at the mouth of Monroe Bay, and as far down as the mouth of Nomini Creek. Trolling parachute rigs and Mojos are producing the best catches, but casters are catching their share as well.

OCCOQUAN RIVER - Bass action should be fair to good on firetiger crankbaits and plastic worms. The fish are located throughout the river, from the mouth to the rocks in the back end. Crappie action is best on minnows and tiny jigs around dock pilings. Catfish are hot in the mouth of the river, around the islands. Cut herring is the bait of choice.

OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR - Bass action is excellent for those anglers who fish a prespawn pattern. Water temperature ranges from 55-59. Lots of large bass have been caught, primarily on spinnerbaits in shallow water. Anglers are catching good sized bass from the pier. Crappie success is slow. Catfish action is improving.

BURKE LAKE - Bass action is good. Better action is to be had on buzzbaits, plastic worms, Rat-L-Traps and jig 'n pig. Fish the outside edges of the
weedbeds throughout the lake. With the water level up and clearing, anglers should be catching bass on jerk baits around the brush and on plastics fished deep in the brush. Crappie action is fair. Some of the crappie being caught are the largest seen in years. Catfish are being taken on cut bait, but patience is required.