Mattawoman Sunday

[new2yaks11]

Anyone been to Mattawoman this week? Going to take the family there tomorrow on the boat. Hoping I can attract some catfish at least. Taking some minnows and perhaps some cut bait. Have never fished there with bait. Have always just bass fished there. Any suggestions as to where I might search out some cats? Any rig suggestions? Not used to using bait. I suppose I'll launch out of Smallwood state park.

[mepps3]

I would go downstream of the state park and use your electronics to find the channel. Anchor up at the edge of the channel and cast around with baits. If you don't have electronics, head towards the Potomac and look for markers 6 or 5 (on pilings). I would suggest 5, had a great outing in April last year there(a lot of cats 7-10 pounds, my buddy got a 25 and 50 pounder on cut herring!). Just cast all over...catfish will find your bait.
I suggest a fish finder rig for the cutbait: Number 3/0 hook, about a foot of line to a snap swivel or swivel and then a free sliding 2 ounce or 3 ounce free sliding weight on your mainline. Casts very far, and allows the the fish to grab the bait and run without feeling the weight. With your minnows, just use a standard top and bottom rig with size 2 hooks....should allow you to catch anything from white perch to crappie to catfish.

If you can't get cutbait, look for clamsnouts at the baitshop. They work fine for the 2-5 pound cats.

If you don't catch anything in 30 minutes or so, feel free to move! I think the key this time of year for any species is to just move around to find the fish.

Good luck and let us know how you do!!

[new2yaks11]

Hit Mattawoman today. Of course the weatherman was wrong again!!! Winds were supposed to be 5-10 SW and they were a steady 15 plus and about 2 foot waves all day. I was able to get into some channel cats. Caught 10 with most of them about 10-12" with one around 18". It was tough with the wind, waves and boat traffic. Definitely want to head back and try for some bigger fish. Really want to get some big catfish this year.