For years I've been fishing the upper Potomac River just above the Harper's Ferry area called Dargens Bend and also occasionally at Brunswick. The last couple years have been terrible for smallmouth fishing for me. I'm not sure, but I think we had a real rainy winter a couple years ago that may have washed many of the fish downstream. The area used to be so much better fishing than it is now. I used to catch lots of SM, bluegill, an occasional catfish or walleye and once in a blue moon a musky. Not anymore. Now, I don't even see any fish like I used to. I was just wondering how the smallmouth/largemouth fishing is around the Lapidum boat ramp. I assume the catfishing is pretty good. I have put in there once before, many years ago but motored down to the flats area for some rockfishing in the spring. Is there decent fishing there when not muddy and is it worth the drive from Carroll County or should I just go to Sandy Point and fish for rockfish in the bay? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I am by no means an expert. But there are many smallmouth and some walleye to be caught in that area. You are looking a summer fishing right now so it would be low light fishing for best results. Not sure of your equipment(boat/kayak), but the further you travel into the rock north of Lapidum the better the results will be. Look for deeper holes. Number for Dam generation schedule is 888-457-4076.
Thanks for the info. Good to know the SM are plentiful. up there. I have 2 boats and a kayak, but would take one of my boats. Any particular lure work better than others up there. I've had good luck with tube lures, plastic worms, rattle traps and spinner baits in the upper Potomac. I assume the same works in the Susqy.
Wow. Really sorry to hear that. Maybe 20 years ago I used to really enjoy wading around Harper's for smallies. Have thought about maybe trying again (although I know dangerous) but perhaps not!
I also used to wade Harper's Ferry area many years ago, Maryland side, parked along Sandy Hook Road. You are right about that, those were very slippery rocks, and I was a lot younger when I used to fish that way. Good memories. I sure hope the fishing recovers from it's couple year slump. Seems like not many are even bothering fishing up there anymore. That may be why.
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