My First Colonial Beach Trip.

[thill]

I FINALLY decided to fish the potomac while checking out the boat I ended up buying, so I hooked up the jon and headed east.

I launched in the creek and ran out to the main river. It was hot, the middle of the day, and the water was muddy, so I was skeptical. Headed north, just a little south of Colonal beach, just past the last red bouy. Rigged a double bottom rig, baited it with some shrimp I cast net in NC last year. Started tying a second rig when I HEARD the rod (in a rodholder) bucking violently.

This is something I've never experienced before. A rodholder attached directly to an aluminum metal boat makes it so that when a fish hits, the entire boat vibrates and you can hear it throughout the entire boat.

Anyway, up come two white perch in the 8" range. I re-bait, cast and try to tie the other rig on again, but again, the boat starts thumping. This time, a perch and a small croaker. Again and again this happens, with fish ranging from 3" up to several croaker that went 15" or so. I eventually got the second rod out, but then I missed more fish than I caught, so ended up going back to a single rod. I didn't expect such constant action!

It was time to go look at a boat, but I really enjoyed my first bottom fishing trip in the Potomac since moving south. I kept a half-dozen fat croaker for friends, and released all the rest to continue growing. A nice day on the water.

-TH

[KenY]

Good to hear you catching on your new boat !!!

[usmcfireman]

Once sept.-oct gets here if you bring that jon down I'll put you on all the shallow water rockfish trolling you can stand. And by shallow water I mean 2 to 4 feet deep and 30 feet off the bank. Only thing is that if your on a jon that means that you gotta have a rod holder for every foot that the boat is long......its a rule.

[1987-cobb]

I was out Friday afternoon and did well with the croaker. Also catching big spot and many of the perch are keeper size. Really good fishing in this area of the river.

[thill]

I have to say, I'm impressed and relieved at how good the fishing was. It's an hour and a half closer than running down to VB, with no sacrifice in action. I don't know it like I do down south, but that could change with time.

USMCFireman, I might have to take you up on that offer! I've done some light tackle trolling in perhaps 10' of water, but never in 2-4'! Would I be using the trolling motor or the gas? Sounds very interesting!

Cobb,
What did you catch the spot on? I never got a single one on shrimp, only croaker and perch.

Hi Ken! How did that black drum eat?

-TH

[wiseguys4]

went out friday early am to beat the heat and sat. am, caught bunches of croaker and some spot along with some catfish, picked up 2 small stripers on cut spot. was a great 2 days , got our fill. everyone enjoy the fishing!

[1987-cobb]

What did you catch the spot on? I never got a single one on shrimp, only croaker and perch.-TH

Blood worm fishbites. These will also catch croaker and perch. This is a fish
product that does work. One bag will go alot farther that a dozen bloodworms.

[thill]

Wiseguy,
Congrats on the good fishing. Drifting or anchored? I'll have to rember to try cut bait on one of my rigs. Last time I did that, I caught a 40" red drum on a croaker rod - fun.

Cobb,
I keep hearing fishbites, but I'll definitely have to try them, now. Were you using flicker hooks or plain? Thanks for the info.

-TH

[wiseguys4]

hey thill, i was drifting, also used the fishbites and squid. most of the catfish hit on the bloodworm fishbites.
i would love to hook a drum , sounds like fun!

[1987-cobb]

Wiseguy,
you using flicker hooks or plain?-TH

Have been using small circle hooks. Makes "hands off" un-hooking a fish easy.
Plus long nose pliers.
Also make my own bottom rigs, easy and it saves a few $$$