It’s an active time across our waterways

Friday, May 9, 2008

There are even white perch to be caught now in some of our brackish waters. Wouldn’t it be great if the doomsayers were all wrong and the crabbing actually picked up sometime soon? Yeah, and maybe the U.S. Postal Service will shout ‘‘April Fool’s!” and postage rates aren’t really going up for us again on Monday.

Southern Maryland lakes & ponds –– The fishing derby last weekend at Gilbert Run Park was a huge success. Manager John Snow said lots of crappie and bluegill were caught along with a respectable number of bass and a few cats.

Even some of the recently stocked trout made for a few smiles although none of those true monster rainbows in here decided to make an appearance. Other small water anglers are reporting lots of bass now hitting 5- and 6-inch plastic worms.

Ken Lamb at the Tackle Box in Lexington Park tells of fine crappie action at St. Mary’s Lake. Lenardo Garcia brought one of them in that measured 17-inches and weighed nearly two pounds.

Mattawoman Creek –– 200 boats are going to launch at Smallwood on Saturday and another 200 next weekend will be entering nearby from across the river at Leesylvania State Park.

Local weekend anglers just can’t catch a break. Way upcreek, around Mason Springs, the herring run has been excellent. Ken Penrod, with the Life Outdoors Unlimited guides (301-937-0010) had his best luck for largemouths in here recently between Smallwood and the main river while fishing the grass. Just outside of the Mattawoman, the rocky banks upriver on the main stem are giving up a few quality bass and some stripers.

Upper Potomac River –– Depending upon the recent rains, it could again be high and fast. 703-260-0305 is the number to call for the latest, up-to-the-minute conditions.

Tidal Potomac River –– We’re into a postspawn pattern now for many fish and that can sometimes translate to tough fishing.

The pros from Reel Bass Adventures (301-932-1509) tell me that most of their action came this past week in water no deeper than three feet. They’re getting hits on the top around spatterdock pads and grass with popping baits, while chatter-type lures work when tossed over and through the green stuff.

Berkley Mud Critters and Chigger Craws along with plastic worms are all recommended in and around the grass and any natural wood cover⁄boat docks you might come across.

Penrod also recommends you stop by the grass beds in the Chicamuxen, Chopawamsic, Wades Bay and the mouth of Aquia throwing Case Magic Sticks, Luhr Jensen Speed Traps or Sugar Shads and Mizmo tubes.

Lower Potomac River –– This spring of 2008 looks like it’s going to be one of the better times for croaker throughout the lower river than has been seen around here in a long while.

George Quade at Quade’s Store in Bushwood said: ‘‘People are doing real well; it can’t get much better,” when describing the bottom fishing from St. Clements to Chaptico. There are also some catfish to be found and even a few perch hanging in those same areas right now.

Quade recommends you try to be there just as the tide changes for that seems to trigger the big bite. Evening hours are always best. Pound netters have already seen a few spot, while big stripers continue to roam around Stewarts Pier and St. George Island.

Patuxent River –– Some big white perch have been seen coming from Hawk’s Nest near the mouth of Cuckold’s Creek.

Susquehanna River, Harrisburg, Pa. –– The spinnerbait bite is on for the smallmouths. The LOU guides have been working a pattern of throwing over the submersed islands between Riverfront Campground and Purdy Island with great success. Even a few musky have been showing their teeth.

Deep Creek Lake –– Mark Collins at Bill’s Outdoors Center says the bass are moving up shallow in a definite prespawn mode. The smallmouths will hit anything thrown their way and are very aggressive. Crappie are taking minnows shallow, while the walleye, trout and pickerel prefer flukes or the larger shiners.

Lake Anna –– The lake remains at full pool and some bass continue to linger on their beds. Catfish have been active taking chicken livers readily.

A few huge crappie are also occasionally showing up for the lucky anglers as are decent stripers, in the 10-pound class, which are biting best on live bait.

Chesapeake Bay –– Christy Henderson at Buzz’s Marina reports that spot have showed up and breaking fish are all over the mouth of the Potomac.

‘‘Miles of breakers, not just acres of them,” explains Henderson.

Her husband has been jigging up keepers and Henderson also has been told by some trollers that their shads have had the tails bitten off. I wonder, could that be bluefish or might it be bluefish?

Lamb says he’s heard of nice croaker action right off the Point Lookout Pier.

The trophy rockfish season continues with most of the fish brought in now running between 30 and 40 inches. Lamb recommends umbrellas, tandem rigs and big MoJo lures.

Atlantic Ocean –– Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Tackle in Ocean City is reporting some nicer stripers in the surf there during the past few days.

A few bluefish are also being caught along with kingfish, black drum and lots of sharks. At the very end of the Oceanic Pier, a good tautog bite has been happening in the evenings.