Fishing Maryland

[TomAtkeson]

Fishing out east is not the same is it out west, I can say you guys are siting on a gold mine out there. Its tough out here. After visiting the Bass Pro in Arundel Mills and got some advice from one of thier guys out here (he holds some Maryland records) I hit a lake off base called Rocky Gorge its an interesting lake cought a few fish dropshoting and draging C-Rigs, but no size like I could be getting in California, man I can't wait to come back!

[Rick G]

Go to the Potomac River, it is one of the best fisheries in the U.S. Just like the Delta, but has big smallmouth. Has it all, rocks ,grass, docks and tidal influence. Rick G.

[TomAtkeson]

problem is I dont have a boat or a tube....is it fairly accessable from shore?

[Rick G]

You can catch-em walking the bank right by the Lincoln memorial. Bottom line is most BPS employees don't know squat, so find a good local independant bass store and they will show you the way. Rick G.

[TomAtkeson]

well this guy holds alot of Marylands records for black bass spot and striper. I know alot of them are local kids just lookin for a job and dont even fish and just bs thier way through advice.

[revrat]

I was stationed in Frederick at Fort Detrick back in the early 90's. There was some pretty good smallie fishing near there in the Potomac and the Monacacy rivers. Shore walking access is pretty good on the Potomac up there, and fair on the Monacacy. A little further upstream on the Potomac near Harper's Ferry, you come the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenendoah. The Shenendoah has some reall nice smallies in it, but I never walked the banks of that river. Those places may be a bit further drive for you, but there really is not that much pressure that far upstream. Most of the bass guys focused on the lower river towards DC when I was there, and they pretty much left the smallies alone. Fort Belvoir has a lot of riverfront down by Alexandria, and I believe the MWR office there maintains a fleet of rental boats, or at least they used to. Also take some time and look at farm ponds. I had asked for and was granted permission to fish several farm ponds, and also varmint shoot the groundhogs on some of the farms they were on. Just present yourself well, and assure the landowner that you are responsible, and won't trash their place, and you may be surprised at the little fishing holes out there. Fort Detrick also has a pond that they used to stock with hatchery trout year round. There were also some nice bass in that pond, though hard to catch. I did get one out of there that was about 6-7 pounds on a trout spinner. Fort Ritchie in PA has a good sized pond, but the only good fishing i got going there was crappie. Don't overlook the saltwater either. There is good striper and bluefishing in Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic surf. You can get partyboat type trips for the bay.


EDIT TO ADD: Look at the C&O Canal(I think that's what it was called). I don't remember precisely how to get there, but a freind of mine from Ft Meade took me there and we spanked the smallies and largemouth both from the banks. They weren't real big but they were a lot of fun.

[Hollywood]

Like Rick said check out the potomac.

I was stationed in Norfolk and made a trip up there a time or two. You can fish from the bank and kill them just where Rick G. said to try.

Bank fishing ain't as much fun as boating or tubing but you have to make good with what you have available to you...

In time you will be back in Cali and can spank them.

If your ever out here in Japan give me a call and I'll take you out on the lake here and you can flip and pitch your heart out!

Kevin Johnson

[Wild Bill]

Tom,
There are no "Florida strain" LMs nor crossbreeds of the resident "Northern strain" and "Florida strains" Bass in that area, I am sorry to tell you.
Add to that the shorter growing seasons [with far more severe winters} for the bass each year there than in the Cal-Delta area.

You will be dealing with Northern Strain LM there, and Smallmouth, too.

Dang, they got you bouncing back and forth across this country, don't they !
Yeah, I KNOW that's where the Oceans are...LOL
Hope all is good by you.

[TomAtkeson]

WB,
Yeah I figured that there are no Floridas up here. I was just reminising the good ol' days in california and reminding these guys they are siting on the best bass fishery EVER.

Yeah they have me bouncing around but this school is something I've wanted since I joined the CG. Im in my photography block now and loving it!

[TomAtkeson]

Hollywood,
I appriciate the offer and may have to take you up on that, the next duty station I want is Pacific Area public affairs office out of Alameda if I get that station Ill be able to deploy aboard the 378 high endurance cutters, which often visit Japan! Thanks again!

[TomAtkeson]

Revrat,
Thanks for the detailed advice Ill have to go try that this weekend or maybe next, before it gets too damn cold....then again the smallies don't care. I stayed in frederick when the Navy det. here didnt know what to do with me (the Coast Guard leaison was not notified I had orders to the school, gotta love communication break downs) Any how thanks again....any specific lures or colors you like?