Fishing the C&O Canal

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Violette's Lock on the C&O Canal

I decided to revisit one of my springtime fishing places - Violette's Lock on the C&O Canal in Maryland. I had to walk at least a mile south to get to some water that could hold some fish. I had some luck on the spinnerbait and caught two medium sized bass. I switched to plastic worm and had a bigger fish hit that, but could not hook it since it bit at the tail. I am just wondering what the best way is to set the hook on a bass that strikes a plastic worm? On the fishing shows on television the pro anglers set the hook right away. I have read that some people let the fish take the worm for a second or two before setting the hook. I continued to fish, put on a small spinner and had a strike from a big carp but did not hook it. I saw one other angler there and he caught one bass. I released all my bass - it is best to release since this place gets a lot of pressure. I finished the day fishing up by the mouth of Seneca Creek - no luck there but the sunset was pretty. I like the C&O canal in that it is close to where I live in DC. It is about one hour away - less if traffic is not too heavy. Tight lines all.

DNR Response: Anglers may be more likely to hook their bass if the fish has the worm/hook in its throat for a couple of seconds because like many fish, bass tend to inhale their prey. If an angler pulls on the worm too soon, then they risk pulling it out of the mouth. In some cases, though, the anglers who let the fish take it for a couple of seconds before setting the hook can run the risk of the fish swallowing the worm and hook. Because gut hooks or deep hooking injuries can lead to internal bleeding, anglers may choose not to let the bass take the worm for a few seconds. Some professional anglers who get penalized for dead bass at the weigh-in, may opt on the side of caution and not let the fish play too long with the worm in its mouth. They also risk losing the fish, though, if they aren�t careful.