Pohick Bay Striper - October 23 and 25 report

[ComeOnFish]

I made two short trips to Pohick Bay after work on October 23 and 25. I fished for snakehead mainly using top water lures. It looked fish are more active now. The water temp was still 65F. But the air temp fluctuated between 40-68F.
I caught many LM on frogs, but no snakehead. I missed a huge snakehead strike in the lily pad area. That snakehead was about 3 foot long. I also saw a big bass (6-7lb) and another snakehead (3' long) struck baits.
It seemed that Bass are very active now in the Fall. I don’t know much about finesse fishing or walk the dog techniques. So I mainly use frogs that don’t require practice. Strike king Rage Toad (Green Pumpkin Pearl Belly) works well here in here, Pohick Bay. I also tried chartreuse Pop Frog (by Z Man). It didn’t work at all. But it landed a 19 inch striper in the middle of the bay right after the sunset
I never expected striper here. But now I know.
If you live close by Pohick Bay Regional Park, and never fished here, try this place now. All you need is 5 frogs and 5/0 hooks (unweighted) and a large net for a large snakehead.
I put a lot of efforts to make this video. Capturing a scene of casting, retrieving and setting hook is very difficult when using a regular camera. I carried/used two batteries for a 2.5 hour trip. This video will make you fish Pohick Bay:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ryn391rplrc

[ictalurus]

Excellent video, Joe. Bass on topwater would be a blast. I'm going to visit my folks soon, so I'll have to take a trip out there. Too bad you missed the monster snakehead. You probably could've fed all your neighbors with it.

[camelbird]

Nice video!! That will get you pumped up about Pohick! Went out to pohick about 6-7 times this year, you are right on the money with the place and the lures...Frogs, buzz and sinkos will usually catch some good fish...

Awesome to catch a striper... in Pohick no less!!

CB

[Shady]

Awesome! I really miss bass fishing, really wish I had time to fish right now...

[mmanolis2001]

Great job Joe. I need to sneak away from work one day and fish down there.

Thanks for the video and report.

[mytmouse]

Great video Joe! Where did you launch from? Inside the park?

[ComeOnFish]

Great video Joe! Where did you launch from? Inside the park?

Inside park. There is a shore launch site at the east end of the park. There is a deposit box ($4.00 for shore launch) next to the main boat ramps.

The depth of water is about 6"- 4'. The guy on the video use a mushroom anchor with 10' line. so he could anchor quickly and stay in the place when he fished structures. I use my paddle as a kayak-stick because of the most of bottom is soft. I think 5/0 is better than 3/0 hook.

The sunset was 6:30PM. Get back to the lunch site immediately. It gets dark immediately after the sunset. The park closes after sunset.
Joe

[Redfish12]

I believe you can get an after sunset fishing pass, Kanvery set this up for us and I still have it in my truck. Striper in Pohick?? Looks like I need to get out there on some weekday trips with you again. Are the jet skis gone??

[ComeOnFish]

I believe you can get an after sunset fishing pass, Kanvery set this up for us and I still have it in my truck. Striper in Pohick?? Looks like I need to get out there on some weekday trips with you again. Are the jet skis gone??

Striper:
What a pleasant surprise! Perhaps I bring some bigger chartreuse swim-baits for the test

Snakehead:
Shy but still hits hard in the shallow weed/lily covered areas. I don't know the minimum water temp for snakehead

Jet Skiers:
I only met two. These two were OK. I am in process of converting one to a kayak-angler

I could not notify Jack, John and you because I couldn’t plan until 12:00PM due to my crazy work schedule

Kipto/CBBT

I am working very hard to take WED or THU off depending on the wind forecast. I am going. I am taking the blue Revo - I am buying on Monday. Thanks for the Revo tip.

I am going back to work. No Internet access for the next 6 hours.

joe

[Redfish12]

Glad it worked out for the Revo! If anyone else is thinking of joining the Hobie fleet, give Dennis a call at Backyard Boats in Annapolis. They are wrapping up their season and selling demos and new boats.

I may be able to go to Pohick or elsewhere next week but I can't take a day off. I am going to Mexico the week after but plan on fishing the M&G on the 12th or I may be able to make a trip to VA Beach area then. I would like to do high rise side or first island again and fish for tog and stripers.