Mattawoman Creek 7/1

[bassassassin88]

Went out to Mattawoman this morning....First time since probably April or May. All I can say is WOW the hydrilla is TERRIBLE out there! Almost nowhere to fish effectively unless your fishing channel dropoffs or in the marina. Anyway, managed to get 3 lmb with this being the best of the day

If anyone has any tips for dealing with the hydrilla (as far as fishing it) please let me know. I know obviously weedless tubes, plastics, etc. but I would appreciate any other suggestions on how to fish it

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/scoobydude88/mattawomanlmb7-1.jpg

[billnorman]

Munitions. Weighted 1/4 sticks of dynamite. Either that or Clorox bleach, pour it in and pick the one you want when they come floating up. On a less serious side, carefully placed Texas rigged 6 to 8 inch Sinko-type worms with the point of the hook imbedded to make it weedless, twitched through the hydrilla, paused over holes and let it drop for a second or 10. Don't be afraid to use brokeback jointed rapalas twitched or retrieved on any clear spot. I fish there Wednesday, I'll let you know if any thing I said works, LOL.

[billnorman]

Fished Wednesday, only managed 7 keepers, all small. The large sinko type worm most effective. Twitched through weed patches. Some folks doing somewhat better with grass frogs, white seemed to be their favorite color. I found bubble-gum color effective, anything to contrast with the green hydrilla. Water temp up to 91+ degrees, hard to keep fish healthy even in a good livewell, although I lost none. Certainly not the fun found on Eastern Shore rivers with some shade.

[frogasm]

Most of what your seeing is actually milfoil. there is some hydrilla mixed in, but the winter freeze did a number on it. You ahve to fish over it or through it. throw a frog on top, and take a 1 to 1 1/2oz tungsten weight, peg it to your hook, and flip a creature bait into the thick stuff. Punch the mats, flip the edges, flip the holes. The grass is what makes the potomac good. Throw moving baits along the edges.

[bassassassin88]

billnorman....what rivers on the eastern shore are you referring to? I have been trying to figure out good places over there to go but have not been able to get much information. The other thing holding me back from going over there is the $9.00 toll for car/boat. Anyway, any information would be appreciated

[billnorman]

The Nanticoke river and its tributaries from Vienna all the way to its source is good. The Choptank near Denton and North is good on a low tide. The Wicomico near Salisbury in cooler months is good, it's great for crappies in the winter as most rivers are. The Chicamacomico is shallow and doesn't appear very affected by tide conditions and has bass, and there are LOTS of ponds, like the ones off Noble road and Smithville lake, here in Md. that produced a 9.3# a few years ago. Delaware has lots of ponds that have public free launch ramps and good fishing. All rivers that have bass here fish best at the last of outgoing tide and the first hour or two of incoming. The jewel of the Shore is Marshyhope Creek, I almost hate to say because it's my favorite. Fish here usually have no grass to hide in, they generally are "ambush" attackers. One tributary of the "festering" Chester holds big bass and there's the Northeast, Stillpond, the Sassifras and others that hold bass. I hear the last big tournament out of Havre-de-gras was 28 pounds for a bag, which is stellar. If you have a canoe, jon or or pond boat, some places inaccessable by bass boats can be great. The best way is to go with someone familiar with the territory, and remember, timing is critical, and knowledge of the territory is important.

[bassassassin88]

thanks for the heads up on those locations...I'll try to check some of those locations out in the next few weeks before I leave this communist state for good on 7/31

[billnorman]

Oh did I tell you? I left the tax queen known as Maryland last year and moved to Delaware. I was one of those that got Maine tags on my trailer when my boat trailer tags went from $13.50 to $51.50 a year. For a two wheel trailer. I vote with my feet.

[bassassassin88]

Thats certainly the way to do it! I am leaving due to military obligations but I am glad I am finally getting out of here!

[Salmo trutta]

It's $51.50 for two years isn't it? I pay that for a double axel trailer that' registered for 3,000 pounds although there's no way my whole rig is only 3,000 pounds.

They make some very decent top water frogs no a days that can be thrown right into the thickets of vegetation. One cheap one that comes to mind is the scum frog which seems to work well for me. I'd like to hear from others on their favorites too. Or a Zoom horny toad, rigged weedless, hook hidden, and fished right through the crap.