Trolling Northern VA Potomac?

[RandyGOP]

I'm thinking about trying to troll for rockfish on Sunday near Pohick Bay. When I've fished from shore for spawning rockfish I've always gone to fletchers but I don't think there is an easy place to put in near there that won't be too crowded.

Have any of you had any luck in that far past the wilson bridge? I'm new to Kayak fishing and was going to try to find some tubes to troll with.

[jffoley]

I've caught schoolie stripers around the other side of Mason Neck in Occoquan Bay from a boat.

As for tubes I've got of couple of these: http://kayakcarl.com/

I'm also new to kayak fishing this year. Tried it while on vacation in Costa Rica over the winter. Really enjoyed it. I've been fishing from shore around Chain Bridge during the shad run and haven't even gotten my kayak wet yet! If you're interested in company PM me. I'm in Fairfax.

[Bassman07]

Ive been doing well trolling x-raps along structure in the Severn for the past few weeks for stripers. You may want to try a similar type of lure, they are easier to run while kayaking then a tube in the rivers. Tubes tend to work better when the water depth is deeper for me.

[RandyGOP]

Thanks guys for the help. Jffoley, I'll PM you. I have a feeling my girlfriend will grow tired of the fishing aspect of kayaking pretty soon.

[jffoley]

So far I'm lucky in that my wife, while she doesn't fish, loves to be on the water. She'll paddle a kayak, man the helm of the boat if I get a fish while trolling (and keep it straight!) or just read a book and hang out while I'm shore fishing. She's also pretty cool if I want to hit the Potomac after work by myself a few nights or early mornings on weekends. That is great during the annual shad run. RandyGOP, we're on a boat today so may not get back to you until later. There's a small craft advisory up so may call it early. We'll see...

[jffoley]

Hey RandyGOP,

Me and the missus going to Pohick Bay tomorrow morning, Sunday to paddle around. Essentially, based on your post. Sounded good. Expect to be there around 8am. I'll be bringing my fishing gear and see what happens. Never been there so looking forward to it. She's in a blueish, teal colored Cobra Explorer and I'm in a yellow OK Drifter. Hope to see you.

John

[RandyGOP]

jjfoley, sorry I missed you yesterday. I ended up going out of jacks near the key bridge to try to catch some rockfish instead. Just drifted the bottom with some salted herring I got at Giant. Definitely not as good as fresh herring as all I caught was a few catfish. How did you guys do?

[jffoley]

Sorry for the late report. Been busy today. Yes, we did get out but need to get there earlier. Spoke to a guy who had good success. He was leaving as we were getting there at 8am! Still a bit breezy yesterday so I didn't spend as much time as I'd like as the wind pushed me off spots pretty quick.

Saw some big gar in open water and some big fish were splashing around up in the weeds. Not sure what that was all about. Maybe carp spawning? Interesting place not too far from home. Will try again.

BTW, a good place to get fresh seafood for bait is an H-Mart: http://www.hmart.com/ There's one in Fairfax, Annandale & Falls Church. They have an extensive seafood section.

[Salmo trutta]

If you're looking for stripers that's a good place to try in late March, early April. Right around now you could get in on some good LM bass fishing up in the pads near the ramp and all over Pohick Bay. Snakeheads will also be around, as will gar like you saw. Huge blue catfish too on the channel edges at the mouth of the bay.