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This is a great time to get out on the water! From the top down, all baits will work!
BTW, the National Park Service is trying to flex its muscle. They are trying to lay claim to the waters from Belle Haven Marina to just south of Hogg Island. They claim ownership of the land as it was in 1930. They are laying claim to the water above it as well. How does this affect you? I'll keep you posted!
The 14th Annual St Jude Children's Hospital Tournament will be held on Friday July 10!!! Please contact me for a registration form! info@nationalbass.com
Take topwaters! I like poppers and take a 4-bait approach. Big, small, black, or white. If the water is calm, low light and clear, then the smaller more natural bait will work best…on the other end of the spectrum is the big black popper…when the water is stained and has a bit of a chop…BUT I must have low water! Otherwise fish can't find this bait. Try several presentations to get the right pace…if fish blow up and miss, rather than popping again, try a pull to activate the feathers…don't have good feathers???? REPLACE them NOW with Mustad Ultra Point RED feathered trebles. They are hand tied and the red hook is really working here! As the water clears this week, it's back to topwaters. My favorite is the Lucky Craft Gunfish 115 in Aurora Black! A slow walk-the-dog without stopping, even after a blow up will get them!
For the grass, over around, in front of and around…the Mann's Baby 1-Mnus cannot be beat! I have been using firetiger when the water is a bit stained or when there are clouds. On sunny days or clear water, I like the shad patterns. I paint the belly orange with vinyl paint from Jann's Netcraft! I'm not an artist, I just take a pipe cleaner and dip into the paint and wipe a streak across the belly! I use 17-pound test now on a cranking rod. I am really getting to like the Quantum series of rods…their Tour Edition and signature series rods are great. Try a 7 footer if you can handle it. It's a height thing…some of my more experienced and TALLER clients are using 7'6” rods. Snap the bait for the grass to get strikes and hold on! IF the water is a bit choppy, try the _ ounce Mann's Classic Spinnerbait…this is a tandem gold Colorado/Indiana bait with a white skirt in stained ware or firetiger and chart/white. If you have to go deeper with this bait, go to the 3/8-ounce size. This also works great in shallow cover where you have stained water.
I still find the Road Runner Rock N Runner to be the best chatterbait around! Use a big trailer like a 5 inch HardNose Swim Shad. Lift and drop or swim, find out what the fish want.
Cover away from grass is great for soft plastics and jigs. In the grass…edges, thicker clumps or other targets…I have a MIZMO tube that is green pumpkin with orange flared tails! Mizmo calls it Arkansas Craw! This is almost exactly like the craws! Check your livewell! The Mustad 3/0 Ultra Point tube hook is perfect. I like to peg my 3/16-ounce weights. When the water is muddy…black with red flake. I am also swimming some of the 5.5 inch white Mizmos. These are great on the NEW Mustad adjustable swimbait hooks! They have them in HUGE sizes now! I like the _ ounce weights on a 5/0 hook! I can really move this bait and it glides and comes through grass really well! You can slide the weight anywhere on the hook to balance ANY soft plastic swimmer! It also pitches nicely!
When the tide gets low, I also like to use hollow frogs over the grass. Rabbit fur is great…go to Jannsnetcraft.com…it is the black barred rabbit fur…some Pro's soft bait glue and your ordinary frog will catch more fish. I also bend the hook a bit more open for better hook up…65 pound braid…I like Spiderwire Stealth…is a must too!
BTW!!!!Support your local tackle stores! Please shop at Warbird Outdoors! They carry most of the baits I use! They can get anything you want! Just call! 703-878-3111
For all soft plastics, soak them in Garlic Jack's Juice!
Want to learn how to teach someone to fish? Or looking for a few tips…? Check out my free videos...
It's no secret Maui Jims are the best polarized sunglasses…now improved for anglers over 40…Maui Readers are equipped with a small magnifier on the bottom of the lens so you can see to tie knots!!! The added magnifier doesn't interfere with regular vision! I love them! See what you've been missing! Mauijims.com. I suggest Maui Jim HCL (high contrast lens) polarized sunglasses for picking up cover in the water and seeing fish. Check around, most serious anglers are wearing them. Eye protection is important!!! Get a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. Sunglass Huts carry these. If you see me on the water, I'll let you check mine out. Polycarbonate Maui Sports are light as a feather and the optics are great.
Confused over license requirements to guide on the Tidal Potomac River? I worked closely with the PRFC to come up with a grid of requirements to comply with DC, MD, VA and the PRFC on the Tidal Potomac. For a copy, http://nationalbass.com/reports/prfclicense.htm. And ALL guides will have to carry a TWIC card too! I support efforts to see to it these rules are enforced!
Have fun! Questions, comments or booking a trip: info@nationalbass.com. I have a lot of articles on various strategies and techniques on my site. If you have a suggestion for an article, let me know. Check out my website: www.nationalbass.com. I can't fish the entire river all the time; so if you have some information to share, let me know.
"Take me fishing!" .·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸> >
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