Fish below Conowingo Dam

[bluefin tony]

Any reports of Stripers below Conowingo Dam around the Fisherman's Park area?? If so,what are best cut baits and lures to use?

[27 sailfish]

The key to catching Rock at the dam is moving water - just like in the bay.

Most guys use surf rods so they can cast very far to reach the fast water. I've done well with a 1/2 oz white bucktail with a white 4 '' twister tail.

The trick is to use a 1 , 2 or 3 oz in line sinker about 2-3 feet in front of the bucktail so you can cast it far enough. 2 oz works best most days.

General idea - if looking straight out at river and dam is 90* to your left. Cast to the 10:30 - 11:00 position and retrieve lure as it gets swept down stream. Most hits will occur as lure swings into the 1:00 - 1 :30 position.

Right at dawn often is great - if water is moving. Close to sunset is good too. A cloudy / rainy day often sees them biting all day plus less people there.

[wind knot]

I've fished there. There are some regulars that think they own the place. One guy in late 20 early 30's is a real a$$hole. Aside from those- most of the older guys are really nice and helpful.

[bluefin tony]

I just happen to one of the older guys but with a helpful attitude to other fishermen.Met a guy like that on the upper Susky who thought the river was for him and his kayack only.Started doing all sorts of fancy stuff right in front of me in the rapids I was tossing big Rebels with trebles on them.Need I say more...

[Capt.Nick]

Any reports of Stripers below Conowingo Dam around the Fisherman's Park area?? If so,what are best cut baits and lures to use?

To do it right you'll also need waders and a 10 Tsunami mh surfrod to sling your rig half way across the river to hit the white water.As far as the river hogs go,I just wait til they break off a rig then move inThere used to be a guy that would catch stripers and give them away to bystanders.I doubt they even had fishing licenses.The problem was, he hogged the spot up for hours while other fishermen couldn't get to fish.I guess he thought everyone else came there to watch him catch fish and give them away?Anyway,I'd jump in his grave after he caught his limit.When I caught mine,I'd give someone else a shot and move out.

[Slipsinker]

I use a 12' TICA heaver with a Shamano 6500 Bait Runner reel spooled with 30# Power Pro line. The rig set up is a XL slip bobber set at 5' and a 2 oz red&white bucktail tied directly to the PP. The slip bobber gives a front loaded rig w/o any helicoptering whick increases your casting distance. My casts are just about 300'. Once it hits the water the bucktail will slip 5' below the bobber and eliminates any hang ups. Here's what my slip bobber looks like.

[Bottom Knocker]

Ive also seen them throw LARGE topwater plugs..

[frogmanap]

I/ve fished up there for some 40 years ,always out of a boat. Can/t do it any more because of the way they run the water.At best you may get a few hours to fish unless they have high water. To many problems, can/t fish here , can/t fish their, to close to the dam, all kind of regs. so to speak. Some of them I gess is ok.Mostly trolled and fished top water. Many good days, years back with Earl ashenfelter and the boys, all gone now.I still try and get down when I can and the water is right.When does that season start up there? Are their any fish arround the dam ? That place still intreiges me to this day.AL

[Capt.Nick]

i use a 65 Baitrunner also,but I've never seen the bobber rig used there.

[Slipsinker]

i use a 65 Baitrunner also,but I've never seen the bobber rig used there.

Give it a try Nick. Like I said I set it for about 5' and it also keeps the bucktail out of the rocks.