Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Aug-23-22 2:50PM

So...Bob and I were supposed to be helpers (Wounded Heroes) on the Redeemer today but due to unforeseen circumstances, the trip was cancelled. I told Bob to pick a place to white perch fish and we would go there. He picked Ches. Beach.

Then I realized that I had an appointment for the tow vehicle and needed to drop it Of f on Monday. Some knuckle-brain put a slight ding on the door as well as scratched it. Nut a key scratch but an expert needed to do it.

Side not: I picked up the QX today and most of the scratch is gone as well as the dent. And no paint! I highly recommend Paul Kordon of the Dent Shop (Waxpool Rd. , Ashburn). Magic!

Back to my story. I told Bob I was a no go and he said, "what if I pull your boat with the truck?". Yep...that would work but I had not charged the batteries but I knew they were new and I had not used them much with Greg so we made a plan.

I met Bob at 6:30a and off to the barn to get the boat. Yes, I cussed...when I realized that the lock for the trailer was in the tow vehicle. But I am a redundancy guy so I had Bob drive me back to my car and sure enough, I had an extra key with the boat motor key. Lots going on here but we finally splashed the boat and started fishing.

No top water action...

I took the skunk off 1st ...

We caught 3 fish before we headed up river.

On the way up, we saw John and stopped to chat a bit.

We started fishing and it was slow. I caught a couple of inks and then Bob connected with a couple of nicer smallies (15" & 15'5").

They were feisty!

At this point I had a 5-3 lead but Bob's two 15+"er2 probably outweighed my 5!

He then gets hit hard and declares he has a big fish o! I start talking kittie or carp. It was a Flathead!

These guys are not welcomed in MD waters. This one did not survive to tell a story.

I caught 1 more fish...

...before calling it a day but not before having a nice home made (Bob) ham/Swiss sammie.

The wind was a royal PIA at times. The water temps stayed around 80dF most of the day and the river was loooooow! I think I will give the UP a rest for a bit until we get more water.

We wondered what John thought when he saw this at the ramp.

Good day of fishing for sure!

drxfish · Aug-23-22 3:16PM

Nice job guys! Low water and high grass made swimming baits tough. I only caught 3 under 12". All on the tube jig spinner.

I saw Bob's truck and figured I would wait for the story.

Water is too low for me to run upriver. I will be giving it a break as well.

Congrats to Bob for big fish and saving the day!

drxfish · Aug-24-22 4:10AM

I forgot to mention I saw an eel about 3 feet long when I was floating back. It was swimming down in the clear water. I have never seen one up that far in the Potomac. Very cool.

https://potomac.org/blog/2020/11/1/potomac-river-eels

Last edited by drxfish (Aug-24-22 5:31AM)

Ernie · Aug-24-22 7:28AM

Interestingly, the river bumped up a bit in the morning. I did notice some stuff in the water but must have come from so,me rain somewhere way up upstream.

Ernie · Aug-24-22 7:28AM

drxfish wrote:
I forgot to mention I saw an eel about 3 feet long when I was floating back.

Never seen one up our way...

hookup · Aug-24-22 1:01PM

Glad you finally got the boat wet. Took enough work!

I've seen beds of eels in silty spots and smallies busting on them. Kayak down past the dam and there's a bunch. One reason I like a floating 3" black worm.

I caught a couple eels in Goosey back in the day. Slimy critters

Glad that flathead didn't make it to see another day

backtofuturetoyota · Aug-25-22 4:31AM

nice report! Are the flatheads not common in those areas?

Ernie · Aug-25-22 2:41PM

From MD DNR- Flathead catfish are native to the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins and can grow up to five feet long and 120 pounds. They were introduced into Virginia and Pennsylvania waters in the 1970s and have since spread into the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers in Maryland.

Chesapeake Bay blue catfish and flathead catfish are invasive species that have spread rapidly throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. These catfish have few natural predators, eat a wide variety of native fish and shellfish, and may cause ecological harm.

It is illegal to release live invasive catfish into a waterbody different than where it was caught. This illegal act is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500. Anglers are encouraged to catch and keep blue and flathead catfish year round. There is no minimum size or creel limit for these catfish.

Redfish12 · Aug-25-22 7:41PM

Ernie, did you check that into the CCA invasives tourney? We used to seek those flatheads out on the New River!

Ernie · Aug-26-22 6:11AM

I did not but I did report it to MD DNR.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Aug-23-22 2:50PM

8-23-22, UP

#2 Aug-23-22 3:16PM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#3 Aug-24-22 4:10AM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#4 Aug-24-22 7:28AM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#5 Aug-24-22 7:28AM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

drxfish wrote:

#6 Aug-24-22 1:01PM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#7 Aug-25-22 4:31AM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#8 Aug-25-22 2:41PM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#9 Aug-25-22 7:41PM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

#10 Aug-26-22 6:11AM

Re: 8-23-22, UP

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