12 and 14 April Reports - Potomac River
A friend and I fished the river Thursday and Saturday. It was my first trip on the river this year. I launched Thursday morning in Aquia and found 52 degree water temps. It made it up to 55 degrees around 1:30 when we finished. Low tide was mid morning. We fished both sides of the creek between the bridge and the mouth of the creek and found a few strands of grass. I was expecting to see more but I know it grows quickly in April and it will be thick before we know it. Fishing was initially tough pounding the gravel banks. Not much the first few hours with shallow cranks, rattle traps, and spinnerbaits. I backed off to slightly deeper water and cover mid morning and found quality fish.
Saturday, we fished for four hours in Mattawoman and fished shallow wood and gravel banks and they were there. Shallow crankbaits and plastic worms worked well. Our fish were smaller today but we still caught several quality fish. We had 55-57 degree water. Observations: There is a good amount of shad in the river as they would hit your bait, follow it to the boat, or you would snag one. The water clarity is good especially for this time of year. No signs of lily pad growth yet. This should happen soon though.
1st Place VA East FOMNTT Potomac River 2006, VA East FOMNTT Big Bag 2006, VAO Frog Only Tournament Winner 2011