Lower Potomac 10/6 and 10/20

[M_Duong60]

Overall Summary: Fished the lower Potomac twice so far this month hoping to catch some trout and drum, but only found stripers. Fish were found mostly in 4-6 foot of water but very slow. I caught a slot striper on 10/6 trolling a white gulp swimming mullet while my friend caught two casting up against/alongside surface structure. I was hoping to be able to chase breaking fish/birds never saw any.

10/20 note: when launched I saw a bunch of ~15” fish jumping all over the place in the cove where I launched. I couldn’t get them to hit top water but managed to hook one on a perch hounder. It was difficult to get them to bite

It’s been fun learning but still feel like I’m struggling to consistently catch fish on artificial bait but maybe I just need to learn how to find them

[ski357]

Thanks for the report. Not sure where you are fishing, but respectfully, redfish and speckled trout are still in the area. At least the lower Potomac. I went out Tuesday and we were still catching citation trout, larger slot redfish, and 15.5" flounder. I went out for a very short trip this evening-less than an hour of fishing and landed two reds 15" & 17". Granted, I fish these waters x2-3 a week. PM sent

[Pamlico]

Overall Summary: Fished the lower Potomac twice so far this month hoping to catch some trout and drum, but only found stripers. Fish were found mostly in 4-6 foot of water but very slow. I caught a slot striper on 10/6 trolling a white gulp swimming mullet while my friend caught two casting up against/alongside surface structure. I was hoping to be able to chase breaking fish/birds never saw any.

10/20 note: when launched I saw a bunch of ~15” fish jumping all over the place in the cove where I launched. I couldn’t get them to hit top water but managed to hook one on a perch hounder. It was difficult to get them to bite

It’s been fun learning but still feel like I’m struggling to consistently catch fish on artificial bait but maybe I just need to learn how to find them

I think I ran into you on the 20th--were you on a red Hobie? Conditions were the same for me. That area has been fantastic this year, but Wednesday was kind of a bust. I picked up one striper around 19" five minutes into trolling and spent the next five hours pounding at every spot with every tactic I could come up with, to no avail. Zero trout or drum, which surprised me. And the even bigger surprise was picking up a 13" flounder while trolling in 4' of water next to the remnants of the grass beds. I drifted the channel near the bridge before I left and the bottom was paved with undersized flounder. I kept picking through them hoping I'd get a keeper, but stopped after I gut hooked one.

And ski357, the water was 64 degrees so I have no doubts the drum and trout are still around. But everything had lockjaw on Wednesday. There was a cove with bait stacked up at the mouth, with stripers busting everywhere and they wouldn't touch anything, including trolled X-raps, which almost always connect for me.

[M_Duong60]

Thanks for the report. Not sure where you are fishing, but respectfully, redfish and speckled trout are still in the area. At least the lower Potomac. I went out Tuesday and we were still catching citation trout, larger slot redfish, and 15.5" flounder. I went out for a very short trip this evening-less than an hour of fishing and landed two reds 15" & 17". Granted, I fish these waters x2-3 a week. PM sent

I really appreciate the info and the thanks! I saw firsthand yesterday that they are there, but definitely have to work for it

I went again 10/25 and did much better. There were a lot of fat white perch and I did see a really big trout caught.

I caught a 17 inch red and two trout around 12 inches so that was exiting. I also caught a short striper but nothing of size. Hoping to go to VA beach in a couple of weeks for a change of pace so hopefully I can get into some keeper fish there.

[M_Duong60]

I think I ran into you on the 20th--were you on a red Hobie? Conditions were the same for me. That area has been fantastic this year, but Wednesday was kind of a bust. I picked up one striper around 19" five minutes into trolling and spent the next five hours pounding at every spot with every tactic I could come up with, to no avail. Zero trout or drum, which surprised me. And the even bigger surprise was picking up a 13" flounder while trolling in 4' of water next to the remnants of the grass beds. I drifted the channel near the bridge before I left and the bottom was paved with undersized flounder. I kept picking through them hoping I'd get a keeper, but stopped after I gut hooked one.

And ski357, the water was 64 degrees so I have no doubts the drum and trout are still around. But everything had lockjaw on Wednesday. There was a cove with bait stacked up at the mouth, with stripers busting everywhere and they wouldn't touch anything, including trolled X-raps, which almost always connect for me.

I think I met the person you’re thinking of yesterday in the red outback, he was the one who I saw catch a 20 inch or so trout. I’m in an orange camo old town sportsman 120 pdl. I also have a bright high vis orange cooler lol. I usually find myself catching fish very early into my trips. I’ve caught a few flounder this year but all were easily under 12”. Hope to see you out there one day!

I keep asking if people are on snaggedline but haven’t found anyone who’s still active yet

[M_Duong60]

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[Pamlico]

Hoping to go to VA beach in a couple of weeks for a change of pace so hopefully I can get into some keeper fish there.

I'll be down there this coming Thursday-Saturday. Probably going to focus mostly on Lynnhaven, but I may hit Rudee or try the Elizabeth for trout...though the water is still too warm for the big trout to really start staging deep in the Elizabeth. Be happy to show you some of my favorite spots if you're around.

[M_Duong60]

I'll be down there this coming Thursday-Saturday. Probably going to focus mostly on Lynnhaven, but I may hit Rudee or try the Elizabeth for trout...though the water is still too warm for the big trout to really start staging deep in the Elizabeth. Be happy to show you some of my favorite spots if you're around.

Thank you for the invite! Unfortunately I have some obligations that that will keep me from a long trip these next two weekends but after that I’ll try head down and maybe meet up then?

Where do you like to stay in VA beach? Is it generally safe to keep your kayak on the roof in most places?

[Pamlico]

Where do you like to stay in VA beach? Is it generally safe to keep your kayak on the roof in most places?

The Schooner Inn is good, especially in the offseason. Right there at Rudee, not too expensive, and clean. I've never had an issue keeping my kayak on my vehicle there but wherever I stay I try to park with my vehicle in direct line of site to the front desk.