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treed942000:
Fish Lines

By Gary Diamond
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, April 2, 2004; Page WE60


Fish Lines

What's the Catch?

Washington & Vicinity

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER -- Blue Plains, Fox Ferry Point, Washington Channel and pier pilings in Pentagon Lagoon all provided anglers with good to excellent catches of largemouth bass over the past weekend. While the vast majority of the bass ranged just 12 to 15 inches, there were a few exceptionally large caught as well. Tube lures and crankbaits cast near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge pilings and worked slowly close to the bottom resulted in arm-jolting strikes from bass, which just a week earlier were quite lethargic in chillier waters. The coves near Belle Haven Marina provided some excitement for anglers tossing spinnerbaits and Sassy Shad when a mix of striped bass and tidewater largemouths slammed their offerings. In Mattawoman Creek, the shallow flats adjacent to the 6-mph zone were extremely productive, particularly during late afternoon when water temperatures were at their highest point of the day. Largemouths to four pounds smacked Silver Buddies and Sassy Shad cast into the emerging spatterdock and worked over the channel edge. Hickory shad arrived in the vicinity of Fletcher's Boat House, where shore-bound anglers casting shad darts caught and released large numbers of fish over the weekend. Additionally, fair numbers of American shad, big white perch and large channel catfish were caught in the same vicinity by anglers fishing from both rental boats and from the adjacent shores. Most of the catfish ranged from three to eight pounds and were taken on bottom-fished night crawlers and cut herring baits, while the perch hit night crawlers and bloodworms.

 
 
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER -- The river's upper reaches have cleared considerably, particularly in the vicinity of Whites Ferry, Edwards Ferry, Lander and Point of Rocks, locations where smallmouth bass to two pounds slammed live minnows, live hellgrammites, tube lures and tiny, shallow running crankbaits fished in the deeper pools.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER (PA.) -- The Juniata River's mouth provided relatively clear water and good smallmouth bass action for mid-afternoon anglers casting tube lures to the fast-flowing waters adjacent to the rock wall and downriver of the bridge pilings. The stretch of main river between Fort Hunter and Montgomery Ferry also proved productive for bronzebacks ranging up to four pounds. Most were taken from small coves where eddies were created from large, partly submerged boulders relatively close to shore.

Maryland

TRIADELPHIA AND ROCKY GORGE RESERVOIRS -- Most action centered around crappie, which are just beginning to migrate into the shallows of both impoundments. Several midsize channel catfish were also caught by weekend anglers bottom-fishing with night crawlers and live minnows.

LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR -- Crappie to 10 inches were caught from the decks of Dulaney Valley Bridge, most taken with live minnows suspended about six feet beneath a small float. Boating anglers should find small to midsize largemouth bass lurking in the shallows of coves situated along the impoundment's northern shore, locations where water temperatures are considerably warmer.

LIBERTY RESERVOIR -- The impoundment is extremely clear, and several large rockfish to 21 pounds were taken on large live minnows, the largest taken by Travis Hawkins while fishing just above the launch ramp in the lake's lower reaches. Niccodemus Bridge anglers caught a few large crappies on small minnows, tube lures and Minnie Mites.

DEEP CREEK LAKE -- The impoundment came to life last weekend when water temperatures rose into the mid-40s. Shorebound anglers using night crawlers and live shiners caught a mix of yellow perch, chain pickerel and the season's first walleye while fishing some of the shallow coves near Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Virginia

LAKE ANNA -- Lots of smaller bass being taken from the lake's shallows, fish that average less than two pounds. The larger fish seem to be holding in depths of six to 10 feet, where tube lures and deep-diving crankbaits have been effective. Striped bass action has been good at both ends of the lake, with the best catches now reported from the lake's main body from Dukes to d**e III, and also the upper end from Christopher Run and Dillards Bridge. Sea Shad, Sassy Shad, Boss Baitfish or Storm Wildeye lures, mainly pearl colored, proved highly effective. Five-year-old Hunter Gatewood caught a 10-pound, 12-ounce striper. Crappie are stacked beneath piers and in the tangles of most underwater brush piles, many of which measure up to 12 inches in length. Live minnows, tube lures and shad darts have all been effective.

KERR RESERVOIR -- Water temperatures in the back ends of north-shore coves climbed to the upper 50s last week, high enough to trigger an incredible spawning run of crappie. Almost every submerged brush pile held slabsides to 15 inches, and all you needed was a bucket of live minnows to fill a cooler with these fish. Large channel catfish were in the same areas, with most lurking in depths of 10 to 15 feet, where jumbo shiners and bottom-fished night crawlers proved effective.

Chesapeake Bay

UPPER BAY -- The upper bay's catch-and-release striper season has been a hit-or-miss situation. Last Friday, the action was great, with some anglers reporting huge catches of fish to 42 inches, but by the next day it was difficult to find a fish. The same held true for Sunday, but on Monday the action resumed with fair numbers of midsize stripers migrating into the North East River's shallows near Rocky Point. Shore-bound anglers caught a few big white perch and released an occasional striper from the shores of Elk Neck State Park at Turkey Point. Most were bottom-fishing with bloodworms and night crawlers. Scattered catches of channel catfish were made at the same location by anglers bottom-fishing with cut herring baits. Anglers fishing from the decks of Eastern Neck Island Bridge caught a mix of white perch and stripers during the past few days. Most of the perch measured eight to 10 inches, but a few were in the 12- to 13-inch category. Bottom-fished bloodworms produced the best perch action when fished during high tide and the first few hours of ebb tide. White perch were also caught at Millington in the Chester River's upper reaches and several of the smaller tributaries to the river's middle reaches. Western shore anglers found large white perch lurking in the shallows at Beachwood Park, located in the Magothy River. Some of the perch measured up to 13 inches and many anglers claimed to have caught several dozen before the tide ebbed. Most were taken on bottom-fished grass shrimp, but bloodworms were a good second-choice bait. Trout were stocked at Patapsco State Park, where Berkley Power Baits lured rainbows to 16 inches, with the average fish measuring nearly 12 inches.

BAY BRIDGE AREA -- Red Bridges, Marshyhope Creek and Blackwater Creek were among the weekend hot spots for white perch. Most anglers said they caught good numbers of white perch to 12 inches, while the average fish measured 8 to 10 inches. Bottom-fished bloodworms and grass shrimp were the best baits, but some folks said live minnows were equally as productive. Fair numbers of crappie and a few channel catfish were also caught at Marshyhope, and rockfish were caught from Sandy Point, Mattapeake Terrapin Industrial Park's piers on bloodworms, some measuring up to 32 inches. The stripers were all released.

CHOPTANK RIVER AREA -- Anglers fishing from the Choptank River's public fishing pier caught a mix of small white perch, small stripers and some hefty channel catfish. Most of the catties ranged from two to six pounds and were taken on chunks of cut herring fished close to the bridge pilings.

HONGA RIVER AREA -- Many of the smaller creeks in the river's upper reaches are loaded with white perch of varying sizes, from eight-inch males to 12-inch females. This time of year, however, is also when the area's insect life emerges from the tidal marsh. Swarms of mosquitoes, gnats, ticks and other biting, stinging insects will greet visiting anglers fishing the fertile waters of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and other nearby waters. It's a good idea to spray your pants legs and boots with a high-quality repellent.

TANGIER SOUND AREA -- A few croaker have been caught in pound nets as close as Onancock, Va.

CAPE CHARLES -- Croaker to 15 inches and tautog to eight pounds were caught from among the submerged boulders of the CBBT's Forth Island and across the bay at the Small Boat Channel. Croaker were also found at the mouth of the York and James rivers, where bottom-fished bloodworms lured fish to 15 inches last weekend.

Atlantic Coast

OCEAN CITY -- Headboat anglers continue to catch tautog to 10 pounds while fishing some of the offshore wrecks, and nearly all were taken on bottom-fished green crab baits. Inshore, several anglers fished from Ocean City's Route 50 Bridge with bloodworms and clam strips in hopes of catching a stray striper or two, but the few fish that were caught had to be released because they only measured 20 to 22 inches. A few anglers said they found tautog among the submerged boulders at Fourth Street's bulkhead, but the catches were not confirmed by local tackle shops.

OUTER BANKS -- Outer Banks anglers had a good week on speckled trout and puppy drum, both of which were plentiful just inside Oregon and Hatteras inlets, and several locations within the back-bays. Most were taken on bottom-fished bloodworms during high and ebb tides. Pier anglers fared best on puppy drum, and a few reported catching an occasional flounder as well. Offshore, yellowfin tuna to 55 pounds slammed rigged ballyhoo and mullet baits fished along the Gulf Stream's edge, but it's still too early for billfish. Morehead City headboat anglers reported great sea bass action, good numbers of snapper and even a few keeper-size grouper on days when the weather cooperated.

treed942000:
Fish Lines
By Gary Diamond
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, April 9, 2004; Page WE59

Maryland's 2004 recreational crabbing season opened April 1, the same day the recreational crabbing license was re-established. For Maryland residents, the cost is $5; for nonresidents, $10. The Chesapeake Bay pleasure boat sport fishing license ($40) is also good for crabbing. Details on catch limits and other regulations are available at the Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us.
   
The following Fish Lines details conditions up to April 2.
What's the Catch?

Washington & Vicinity

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER -- The river was high, muddy and difficult to fish, particularly for largemouth bass. However, anglers inside some of the river's smaller tributaries found small pods of relatively clear water close to shore where good catches of bigger bass were reported. Another productive location was the main river just downstream of Blue Plains, where the plant's warm water discharge had some positive effects on water clarity and temperature. The waters adjacent to Fletcher's Boat House continued to provide good-to-excellent catches of channel catfish to nearly 10 pounds, fair numbers of chunky white perch and lots of action on hickory shad. The shad catches, naturally, are best when water quality improves and the fish can readily see shad darts tossed in their direction. A few anglers also reported fair catches of hickory shad using streamer flies.

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER -- The river's upper reaches are extremely high and muddy, conditions not conducive to any activity requiring access to the river.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER (PA.) -- Before heading to the Susquehanna River above Harrisburg, it may be a good idea to call 888-881-7555 for current river conditions. Water temperatures reached the 50-degree mark by last week, and bass fishing really improved.
Maryland

TRIADELPHIA AND ROCKY GORGE RESERVOIRS -- The upper reaches of both impoundments were a bit muddy, but bottom-fished night crawlers produced fair catches of channel and bullhead catfish for anglers willing to brave the elements. Bass and crappie action came to a halt when the cold front passed through.

LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR -- The impoundment was in excellent condition, and boating anglers had no trouble finding good numbers of chunky, pre-spawn, largemouth bass lurking in Dead Man's, Pierce's, School House and Hampton coves. Most of the bass were lurking near submerged stumps and large boulders, locations where they'll begin fanning out nests in the lake's sandy bottom during the next few weeks. Scattered catches of chain pickerel were reported at the same locations, and an occasional northern pike was caught and released from the shallows of Pierce's Cove. Only a few crappie were taken from the decks of Dulaney Valley bridge, but anglers fishing a half-mile above the bridge from shore managed to catch a mix of crappie and white perch from a location known locally as the Log Jam. Both were taken on live minnows suspended beneath small floats.

LIBERTY RESERVOIR -- While the weather curtailed much of last week's fishing action, a few die-hards reported catching a mix of crappie and white perch from the decks of Nicodemus Bridge and from the lake's shores near Bollinger Mills using live minnows. Scattered catches of stripers to 23 pounds were made by trollers using deep-diving crankbaits fished in the deeper water just above the Route 26 bridge. Local ponds have been stocked with a mix of rainbow and brown trout, the largest checked at Old Reisterstown Bait & Tackle, a brown topping four pounds that smacked a live minnow.

DEEP CREEK LAKE -- The passage of last week's cold front dumped a few inches of snow on the mountains surrounding this western Maryland impoundment, but there were fair numbers of chain pickerel, walleye and a few northern pike reportedly caught by local anglers dunking live minnows in some of the deeper coves.
Virginia

LAKE ANNA -- In contrast to last week's weather, striped bass action has been hot throughout much of the lake. Most of the larger fish have come from the mouth of Sturgeon Creek, d**e III and the Splits, locations where four-inch Sassy Shad proved highly effective when rigged to half-ounce leadheads. Crappie fishing beneath piers, near brush piles and among bridge pilings has been awesome, with some fish measuring 12 inches or larger smacking live minnows suspended beneath small floats. Small largemouth bass ranged in and out of the shallows, while larger fish seemed to still be holding along the edges of deep drop-offs in depths of 12 to 15 feet.

KERR RESERVOIR -- Bluestone, Grassy and Buffalo creeks were the hot spots for both largemouth bass and big crappie. Most of the bass measured 12 to 16 inches, with many of the crappie only an inch or two shorter. Spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits lured most of the larger bass from the stumps and blowdowns, while the crappie seemed to prefer small, live minnows lip-hooked to the back end of tiny tube lures and suspended beneath a small float.
Chesapeake Bay

UPPER BAY -- Striper catches improved in the bay's upper reaches toward last weekend, when the rains finally began to subside and water temperatures ranged from 48 to 51 degrees at the Susquehanna Flats. Local guides casting Bass Assassins caught stripers to 17 pounds near Rocky Point, Red Point and the shallow waters between Rocky Point and Perryville. White perch are plentiful throughout the area, with some measuring 12 to 14 inches in length. A few of the striper guides caught perch using lures intended for rockfish. Bottom-fished bloodworms and grass shrimp produced good numbers of 10- to 12-inch white perch in the lower Susquehanna River from depths of 18 to 22 feet found just upriver of the Interstate 95 bridge. Hickory shad were caught by shorebound anglers at Lapidum Landing, the mouth of Deer Creek and upriver near the base of Conowingo Dam. Tiny shad darts produced the best results. Most of the upper bay creeks were loaded with blueback and branch herring. Good catches of channel catfish to 15 pounds were reported last week in the C&D Canal near Chesapeake City. Most were taken on bottom-fished night crawlers, clam snouts and cut herring baits. Down the bay near the mouth of Chester River, scattered catches of both striped bass and white perch were reported by shorebound anglers using bottom-fished bloodworms and grass shrimp for perch. Some of the stripers caught and released measured up to 36 inches. Upriver, beneath Chestertown's Route 213 bridge, channel catfish to 10 pounds, small white perch and a few small stripers were taken. All the stripers were subsequently released.

BAY BRIDGE AREA -- While most of the larger female white perch have already spawned and began making their way downriver, there were still large numbers of medium-size males and a few large female perch lingering at Millington, Shipyard Creek and inside Kent Narrows. Bottom-fished bloodworms, grass shrimp, night crawlers and live minnows were all effective perch baits. Anglers fishing from Mattapeake Pier for white perch were surprised to find stripers to 32 inches lurking just a short cast from the pier's end.

CHOPTANK RIVER AREA -- Scattered catches of white perch were made at Red Bridges and Blackwater River. A few small white perch and yellow perch were also caught and released at Marshyhope Creek, both types taken on bottom-fished bloodworms, live minnows and grass shrimp.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA -- Most of the area charter captains said they're just waiting for a break in the weather before heading out on early scouting parties to find where the rockfish are traveling.

HONGA RIVER AREA -- Tributaries in the river's upper reaches provided anglers with fair to good white perch catches early last week, but as the weather turned progressively colder, the fish moved back to deeper water.

TANGIER SOUND AREA -- Rumor has it that a few croaker were caught in local pound nets last week, and large numbers of big menhaden were found migrating along the bay's eastern shore shallows. This is a good sign for the next few weeks.

CAPE CHARLES -- Croaker to 17 inches slammed bottom-fished bloodworms and squid strips fished along the bay's channel edges near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) on days when the wind was not howling from the northeast. Croaker were also caught at the mouth of the James and Rappahannock rivers. Scattered catches of tautog to eight pounds were made at the CBBT's Fourth Island and from among the submerged wreckage of Kiptopeke's Liberty Ships. Chunks of crab and pieces of sea clam were the most productive baits.
Atlantic Coast

OCEAN CITY -- A few stripers were taken from the Assateague surf last week by anglers bottom-fishing with chunks of fresh-cut bunker. The largest, a 17-pounder, was taken by a local angler that said he just didn't have anything better to do that day so he decided to go surf fishing. While there were a few rockfish caught from Ocean City Inlet as well, none were large enough to keep.

CHINCOTEAGUE & WACHAPREAGUE -- Flounder to 25 inches were caught at both inlets, most taken with live minnows drifted along the bottom. Similar catches were also reported at Quimby and Shipshoal inlets, where combinations of squid and live minnows produced most of the larger fish.

OUTER BANKS -- Skates, spiny dogfish and a few scattered black drum were reported recently from the beach along the south end of Hatteras Island, and a few blowfish were caught near Cape Point at Buxton. Striper fishing between the two bridges in Croatan Sound was fair to good. All were holding close to the bridge pilings where they're feeding on small baitfish.

treed942000:
Fish Lines
By Gary Diamond
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, April 16, 2004; Page WE60
Fish Lines
What's The Catch?

Washington & Vicinity

POTOMAC RIVER -- The river is fairly turbid, but that hasn't dampened the spirits of anglers hoping to catch hefty largemouth bass that are in the pre-spawn mode. Toss a tube lure anywhere near the pilings of Woodrow Wilson Bridge or the submerged rocks at Fox Ferry Point and eventually something of size will materialize and engulf your offering. Tube lures, shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits produced fair numbers of largemouths when cast in areas immediately downriver of Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant, some tipping the scales at more than five pounds. The shallows of Mattawoman Creek continue to provide anglers with largemouth action, however, most of the fish caught during the past week at this location were smaller males. Apparently, the larger females are busy preparing spawning beds and not interested in artificial lures unless they land right in front of their noses.  Channel catfish to nine pounds inhaled cut herring baits and bottom-fished night crawlers near Fletcher's Landing, and there are still fair numbers of chunky white perch lurking close to shore. Swarms of blueback herring, hickory shad and good numbers of American shad were also found at the same location, most smacking small shad darts cast into the murky, fast-flowing waters. A few monster carp were taken by anglers bottom-fishing with night crawlers for white perch in Washington Channel, some reportedly weighing more than 20 pounds.

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER -- While the river's upper reaches are still quite cold, murky and above normal levels, the waters have receded sufficiently to permit anglers to fish some of the deeper segments. Scattered catches of smallmouths were made at Whites Ferry, Edwards Ferry, Lander and Point of Rocks, locations where tiny tube lures and live minnows were effective when cast in the back eddies of large boulders close to shore.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER (PA.) -- When river flows subside to near normal rates, anglers fishing the Juniata River's mouth catch good numbers of bronzebacks to four pounds while casting dark-colored tube lures rigged to half-ounce leadheads and fished slowly, tight against the bottom. Live minnows and crawfish are also quite effective.

Maryland

TRIADELPHIA AND ROCKY GORGE RESERVOIRS -- Still not much activity but during the early part of the week, there were reports of crappie moving into the shallows of both lakes to spawn. Live minnows suspended just a few feet beneath a small float provided the best action. Scattered catches of largemouth bass were made in the upper reaches of both reservoirs. All of the bass were released unharmed.

LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR -- Loch Raven Fishing Center opened last week, and much to the delight of anglers, the reservoir's waters were clear, relatively warm and provided good to excellent fishing. The shallows of School House, Dead Man's and Pierce's coves produced good catches of pre-spawn largemouth bass and chain pickerel for anglers casting plastic worms, spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits tight against submerged logs and stumps. A few crappie were caught from the decks of Dulaney Valley Bridge by anglers dunking live minnows, but the best crappie reports came from uplake coves near Warren Road Bridge, where warmer waters triggered an early spawning run at some locations.

LIBERTY RESERVOIR -- Crappie fishing seems to be improving beneath Nicodemus Bridge, where small, live minnows lured slabsides to 12 inches a few afternoons last week. Upriver, white perch have arrived at several traditional spawning haunts, where bottom-fished night crawlers and tiny shad darts lured perch to 10 inches. Trollers found a few stripers lurking near the end of Oakland Mills Point and downlake in the deeper waters just above the Route 26 bridge. Deep-diving crankbaits and jumbo shiners slowly trolled eight to 10 feet beneath the surface were effective.

DEEP CREEK LAKE -- Chain pickerel, yellow perch, crappie and smallmouth bass have migrated into many of the shallow coves. Live minnows fished near floating docks, submerged brush piles and partly submerged trees proved highly effective, particularly late in the day.

Virginia

LAKE ANNA -- From Dukes Creek to d**e III, and also the upper end from Christopher Run and Dillard's Bridge and uplake, large numbers of stripers to eight pounds are slamming a variety of lures and live shiners. Although the best catches were made in the lake itself, don't neglect the shorelines, especially early and late in the day. Sea Shads, sassy shads, Boss Baitfish, or Storm Wildeye baits, pearl in color, have all been equally effective. Largemouth bass action has been up and down, depending mainly on wind conditions. On windy days, the fish retreat to depths of eight to 12 feet, where tube lures and plastic worms are effective. Crappie action has been hot beneath piers and bridges, where tiny shad darts and live minnows lure slabsides to 12 inches.

KERR RESERVOIR -- The lake is still fairly muddy, but crappie action continues to hold up well at the back ends of many of the larger, spring-fed coves, where water temperatures and conditions are significantly better than those found in the main lake. Scattered catches of largemouth bass were also reported at the same locations by anglers casting shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits close to shore.

Chesapeake Bay

UPPER BAY -- Spring finally arrived in the Chesapeake, particularly in the upper reaches at the Susquehanna Flats, where catch-and-release striped bass action finally got underway. Good numbers of fish to 40 inches were caught and released near Red, Rocky and Turkey points, and the shallows situated between the VA Hospital and Rocky Point, locations where Bass Assassins and large streamer flies proved effective late in the day. White perch ranging from six-inch runts to 14-inch monsters were found in the Susquehanna River's lower reaches just above the I-95 bridge. Bottom-fished bloodworms and grass shrimp were successful when fished in depths of 22 to 25 feet. Good catches of hickory shad were made from the bulkhead of Lapidum Landing and the Susquehanna River's shores near the mouth of Deer Creek. A few hickory shad were also taken in Deer Creek near Stafford Road Bridge and upstream near the pumping station, mostly by anglers casting weighted streamer flies with sink-tip lines. Rock Hall anglers found fair numbers of small white perch lurking beneath Eastern Neck Island Bridge where bottom-fished bloodworms and pieces of clam snout lured perch to eight inches. Scattered catches of larger perch were reported in the Chester River's confines near Chestertown's Route 213 Bridge and the mouths of some larger, downriver tributaries. Channel catfish to six pounds were found lurking in the river's shallows, well within casting distance of piers.

BAY BRIDGE AREA -- Scattered catches of stripers were made by anglers fishing for white perch from the decks of Mattapeake Pier. Many of them will be big enough to keep when the season opens. A few anglers fishing the fast waters of Kent Narrows found post-spawn white perch migrating through the area earlier in the week, but the action was short-lived. White perch to 12 inches were found a bit farther down Eastern Bay near the mouth of Crab Alley Bay, where bottom-fished bloodworms and pieces of clam snout were effective.

CHOPTANK RIVER AREA -- The river's upper reaches continue to provide anglers with good catches of white perch, but most are too small to keep. The larger female perch have all spawned and retreated downriver, and some have arrived beneath the Route 50 bridge. Bottom-fished bloodworms lured perch to 10 inches from the river's channel edge just below Chancellor Point, while beneath the fishing piers, channel catfish to five pounds and a few large rockfish smacked cut herring baits. The stripers were all released.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA -- Nearly all of the area charter captains are talking of big stripers roaming the channel edges between the Gas Docks and Radar Towers, where large spoons, umbrella rigs and tandem bucktails should lure good numbers of legal-size fish measuring 28 inches or larger.

SOLOMONS AREA -- Local angler Michael Fahey caught the first croaker of the season that was checked into the Tackle Box on April 9. Shop owner Ken Lamb says Fahey was fishing Point Lookout Pier in the state park, and most of the fish were in the 16-inch range. About a dozen croaker as well as stripers ranging from 20 to 28 inches were landed that night by the pier anglers. The rockfish were released as the season does not begin until Saturday. Maryland's rivers do not open until June 1, except the Potomac, which goes by Bay rules. Trollers who have ventured out in the bay to test the rockfish action found plenty of big fish eager to strike all manner of lures, with the umbrella rigs the favorite. Daisy chains, big spoons, parachutes, glass-eyed bucktails and Manns Stretch swimming plugs should all be effective on days when the weather cooperates.

HONGA RIVER AREA -- The rivers upper reaches are loaded with small to mid-size white perch and fair numbers of crappie. The same holds true for the fast-flowing tidal waters beneath Blackwater River Bridge, where small, live minnows and grass shrimp lured perch to 14 inches and crappie measuring up to 10 inches. There are lots of small stripers in this area as well, most measuring 10 to 12 inches at best.

TANGIER SOUND AREA -- Croaker arrived in the shallows of Fox, Janes, Smith and Tangier islands. Some measured up to 14 inches in length. This is a prelude of what anglers can anticipate during the next few months when huge numbers of these tasty fish will soon show up along the sound's deeper channel edges.

POINT LOOKOUT AREA -- A huge school of croaker moved into the Potomac over the last 10 days, many of which were caught in the deep water nets. The fish refuse to come inshore in the cold, and may have headed back out to the bay to wait for warmer weather. Netters found their nets empty the past few days, so the pattern of migration is anybody's guess. Sunny days will likely bring them into the shallows at night to seek food, and things should get back to normal.

CAPE CHARLES -- Croaker are still migrating through the area, however, the vast majority seems to have made their way north. They've been replaced by fair numbers of tautog ranging up to six pounds, fish that have taken up residence among the tangled wreckage of Kiptopeke's concrete ships, the Mussel Beds and the submerged boulders of the CBBT's Fourth Island, where chunks of crab were the most effective bait. Within the next few weeks, black drum should arrive at the Cabbage Patch and flounder will be in the adjacent shallows.

Atlantic Coast

OCEAN CITY -- Headboat anglers continue to catch good numbers of tautog at the wrecks. Many tipped the scales at five or more pounds. The week's largest weighed nearly 10 pounds and was taken on a green crab. Inshore, anglers fishing from the U.S. 50 Bridge managed to catch a few stripers, however, none were big enough to keep. The larger fish should begin arriving sometime in mid-May or early June after the spawning run. A few legal-size rockfish were reportedly caught from Assateague's surf earlier in the week, but none since.

CHINCOTEAGUE & WACHAPREAGUE -- Flounder to six pounds were caught by anglers drift-fishing with live minnows just inside the inlets of both ports, mainly from along channel edges. Limit catches were also reported at Shipshoal, Quimby and Great Machapongo inlets as well.

OUTER BANKS -- Offshore, on days when the wind's were not howling, excellent catches of yellowfin tuna were made by both the Hatteras and Oregon inlet charter fleets. The tuna were mixed with mid-size dolphin, and a few wahoo. Inshore, pier anglers found scattered pods of speckled trout lurking just inside the inlets, while surf and pier anglers caught a mix of puppy drum, speckled trout and other panfish species.

Fat Boy:
Just to let everyone know that these reports are typically a few days late, so use them with a grain of salt.  For fishing info, they're fine, but for conditions on the upper rivers, use the links on the river threads that I put there for the water levels.  Learn what is normal for your area and then compare them each time you plan a trip with the current level.

Right now, for example, in our area, the Potomac crested at Little Falls yesterday afternoon and is much higher than it's been in the past 2 months, very muddy and dangerous.  So, if you go there, be very careful.

treed942000:
Fish Lines


By Gary Diamond
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, April 23, 2004; Page WE60



Fish Lines

Maryland's striped bass season opened with mixed success, and of course, lots of stories about the big one that got away. Most anglers on charter boats reported limit catches of stripers up to 40 pounds. The daily limit is currently one fish measuring 28 inches or larger per angler. That soon will change to two fish daily measuring 18 inches or larger, but only one can measure more than 28 inches. For additional information, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us and click on "fishing."

What's the Catch?

Washington & Vicinity


TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER -- Much of the river resembles chocolate milk covered with patches of floating sticks and other debris. Consequently, there were only a small number of largemouth bass caught, and most of them were taken from Mattawoman Creek, where the water was somewhat clearer. White perch, channel catfish and a few hickory shad dominated the action near Fletcher's Landing over the weekend, but most of the perch were a bit too small to keep. Bottom-fished night crawlers and bloodworms accounted for the best perch action, while cut herring baits lured catties to eight pounds.

UPPER POTOMAC RIVER -- The river's upper reaches are clearing to some degree, but before heading upriver for smallmouth bass it would be a good idea to call 703-260-0305 for river conditions.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER (PA.) -- Water temperatures are slowly rising, and levels falling to near normal. If the weather remains warm and dry for a week, levels should be back to normal and smallmouth bass action near Duncannon should be outstanding.

Maryland


TRIADELPHIA AND ROCKY GORGE RESERVOIRS -- Local angler David Wong caught a walleye measuring 24 inches, with a girth of 11 inches and weighing 3 pounds, 12 1/2 ounces while fishing with a live minnow below Brighton Dam. Water temperatures were just 54 degrees when the fish was caught. A largemouth bass measuring 24 inches with an 18-inch girth was caught at Triadelphia by Joe Clem of Rockville while casting a pig-N-jig combination.

LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR -- Most boating anglers caught good numbers of largemouth bass and chain pickerel while casting shallow-running crankbaits along the impoundment's north shores. A few northern pike were also caught and released. Crappie are beginning to stack up in the submerged brush piles, many measuring 12 to 15 inches. Live shiners produced the best crappie action when fished tight against the submerged brush piles.

LIBERTY RESERVOIR -- Anglers fishing from the decks of Nicodemus Bridge caught a few crappie and channel catfish, but overall the action has not been up to par for this time of year.

DEEP CREEK LAKE -- Water temperatures are still too cold for bluegills to migrate into the shallows, but there have been good catches of chain pickerel and yellow perch reported by anglers bottom fishing with night crawlers and small live minnows.

Virginia


LAKE ANNA -- Stripers to 12 pounds were taken from the impoundment's upper reaches during the past week, but muddy water conditions slowed the action to some degree. The most productive areas were Christopher Run, Dillard's Bridge and Terry's Run, locations where four-inch Sassy Shad rigged to half-ounce leadheads and cast to depths of four to six feet proved effective. Largemouth bass to six pounds were caught and released from the lake's shallows near the mouth of Sturgeon Creek and other locations where sharp drop-offs make up much of the structure. Limit catches of crappie were reported from throughout the lake, most taken from depths of four to six feet by anglers dunking live minnows.

KERR RESERVOIR -- The reservoir was high, muddy and almost to the point of being unfishable last week. Fortunately, there were a few clear water locations found within Bluestone, Grassy and Buffalo creeks, where crappie to 14 inches slammed live minnows suspended beneath small floats.

Chesapeake Bay


UPPER BAY -- Upper bay catch-and-release anglers caught fair numbers of stripers while fishing with chunks of cut herring at the Susquehanna Flats, some measuring up to 40 inches. Unfortunately, flood gates have been opened at Conowingo Dam, thereby churning the upper bay's waters to a sea of mud loaded with flotsam. This makes fishing with artificial lures nearly impossible. Bottom-fished night crawlers and bloodworms produced good catches of channel catfish and white perch in the Susquehanna River's lower reaches between the mouth of Deer Creek and the Interstate 95 bridge, while inside Deer Creek, swarms of hickory shad were seen beneath the railroad bridge, Stafford Road Bridge, and also in the fast waters just downstream of the pumping station. Trollers fishing along the bay's western channel edge between the Patapsco River's mouth and Gibson Island found a few big stripers measuring up to 42 inches that were willing to smack umbrella rigs trimmed with Sea Shad. A few similar-size fish were also taken on tandem-rigged bucktails and large, silver spoons trolled at speeds of 1 to 2 knots. Anglers bottom-fishing with bloodworms in the Chester River's upper reaches caught fair numbers of small- to mid-size white perch near Chestertown's Route 213 bridge and at the mouths of several creeks. Large channel catfish to 10 pounds were also taken from the same areas on bottom-fished chunks of cut herring. Scattered catches of smaller stripers were reported inside the Patapsco River's mouth near Bodkin Creek, Fort Carroll and Fort McHenry, locations where bottom-fished bloodworms produced the best action.

BAY BRIDGE AREA -- Anglers fishing from the decks of Mattapeake Pier caught a few keeper-size stripers on bottom-fished bloodworms, but the lion's share of larger fish were taken by trollers dragging a mix of umbrella rigs, tandem-rigged bucktails and large spoons at various depths ranging from four to 12 feet beneath the surface. Most were found lurking along the bay's eastern channel edge between the Bay Bridges and Bloody Point Light, suspended over depths of 40 to 70 feet. Scattered catches of white perch were made in Kent Narrows by weekend anglers fishing the south end of the narrow's jetty with bloodworms and grass shrimp. A few larger perch were also reportedly taken at the mouth of Crab Alley Bay and several locations along Eastern Bay's channel edges near Parson's Island.

CHOPTANK RIVER AREA -- A few white perch were caught at Red Bridges by weekend anglers, but most were small males measuring eight to nine inches at best. Larger perch and some hefty channel catfish were taken from beneath the Route 50 bridge fishing piers by anglers bottom fishing with bloodworms and chunks of cut herring.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA -- The charter fleet reported a great weekend of striper action with catches that ranged in size from 28 to 47 1/2 inches. Nearly all were taken along the bay's channel edges while trolling large umbrella rigs and parachute bucktails trimmed with nine-inch Sassy Shad. However, some of the largest fish slammed smaller lures, bucktails that were trimmed with six-inch white shad.

PATUXENT RIVER AREA -- Umbrella rigs were the hot ticket -- mainly chartreuse, white and bubble-gum pink -- for trollers fishing the bay's western channel edge between the Gas Docks and Cedar Point Rip, locations that produced limit catches of stripers to 47 inches. Daisy-chain rigs were also very popular, along with big spoons and swimming plugs.

HONGA RIVER AREA -- Area charter captains had a banner weekend trolling for stripers along the bay's eastern channel edge just south of Hooper Island Light. Rockfish to 46 inches slammed an array of lures fished just beneath the surface over depths ranging from 45 to 75 feet and trolled in a zigzag pattern. A few croaker were found lurking in the river's shallows, some measuring up to 16 inches. Bottom-fished bloodworms were the ticket to success for both croaker and small stripers when fished in depths of just four to six feet near Lower Hooper Island and Bentley Point.

TANGIER SOUND AREA -- Croaker arrived in the shallows of Tangier Sound near Fox, Janes and Smith islands, where bloodworms bottom-fished in the sloughs and guts lured fish to 17 inches.

POINT LOOKOUT AREA -- What an incredible weekend for shorebound and boating anglers alike. Stripers to 44 inches were caught both from charter and private boats and from Point Lookout State Park's public fishing pier. Additionally, large numbers of croaker to 16 inches were taken from the pier as well, most caught late in the afternoon and evening, and again just before sunrise. Bottom-fished squid strips and bloodworms produced the best croaker action, particularly during the first few hours of moving tides. Upriver, croaker have arrived at the mouth of the Wicomico River, some measuring up to 16 inches. Bottom-fished bloodworms produced limit catches of these fish.

CAPE CHARLES -- Huge schools of big croaker have been passing through the area for more than two weeks, producing great bottom-fishing action at dozens of locations between Cape Charles Light and Kiptopeke. Rumor has it the season's first black drum was caught and released at the Cabbage Patch, but this has not been substantiated by local tackle shops. Buoy 36A was the weekend hot spot for fantastic flounder fishing in the confines of Chesapeake Bay, which produced flatfish to more than six pounds. Tautog were caught at the Mussel Beds, Kiptopeke's concrete ships and the CBBT's Fourth Island, some weighing up to five pounds. Nearly all were taken on chunks of fresh, hard-shell crab.

Atlantic Coast


OCEAN CITY -- Headboat anglers caught a few tautog and the season's first sea bass while fishing some of the offshore wrecks. Still no reports of mackerel, but they may be offshore and out of normal cruising range. Inshore, a few stripers were taken from the Assateague surf and also the Route 50 bridge by anglers dunking bloodworms during the first few hours of ebb tide. Flounder fishing was slow.

CHINCOTEAGUE & WACHAPREAGUE -- Flounder action ranged from fair to good at both ports, with flatties to seven pounds weighed in at local tackle shops. Most were taken on a combination of live killfish and squid strips fished along the channel edges just inside the inlets.

OUTER BANKS -- On days the weather cooperated, charter boats running from both Oregon and Hatteras inlets found yellowfin tuna and a few mid-size dolphin. Inshore, pier and surf anglers caught a mix of flounder, sea mullet, speckled trout and a smattering of puppy drum. Headboat anglers fishing from Morehead City caught a mix of large sea bass, triggerfish, grunt and snapper while bottom fishing along the Gulf Stream's edge.

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