A Good Week of Fishing All Over

Type: Nontidal
Region: Various
Location: C&O Canal, Indian Head & Potomac

I've been meaning to post more reports here on the Angler's Log, but I never get around to it. So, here's a week in review report of my fishing with my friend Edwin.

On the C&O Canal just above Swain's Lock we were catching large numbers of LM Bass, and a few really good ones. Pictured are 2 of the better ones (around 22 inches and 21 inches.) As you can see, the fish Edwin caught has some dark blotches covering much of it's body. We catch quite a few with these types of markings, but usually only the older female fish and in tidal waters. Edwin and I both fish throughout the winter, and we tend to catch more blotchy bass in the cold months than during warmer parts of the year. As far as my understanding, it is harmless to the bass who seem otherwise very healthy. We caught most of these fish on gold colored spinnerbaits, xl minus-1's and pencil baits. Wacky rigged pink Senko's and dark colored Texas rigged grub tailed finesse worms were also very productive in the mid day hours fished in shady brushpiles.

The next 2 photos are from Southern Maryland. Edwin caught this nice 26 inch chain pickerel at the ponds near 224 and 225 in Indian Head. We also caught several decent LM's as well as some larger crappies on big baits. Edwin caught the pickerel on pencil bait late cast into deep cover later in the afternoon. Most bass were caught on red and black spinner baits with a red Colorado spinner and Rebel small topwater insect type lures (bumblebee, caterpillar and grasshopper poppers.) The snakehead was caught at the Bumpy Oak Pond near the rail trail on a Spro popper frog around noon. The fish swirled when the bait landed and after just a small twitch struck it with great force. The snakehead measured at 22 inches and was immediately dispatched by decapitation (thanks to Patrick for letting me use his knife, hope you catch a snakehead!)

The second snakehead was caught at our daily fishing spot south of DC. This fish was killed with an icky stick and removal of the gill arches, then filleted at my home. The snakehead was about 33 inches and nearly 14lbs.