Potomac Guide, Capt. Steve Chaconas Uses World-Wide Web To Guide All Of Us
Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you all take time to enjoy your family before sneaking-in a fishing trip or two over the Christmas break.
I have to give credit where credit is due: Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide and Boat US “Ask the Expert” contributor has shared the BEST fishing reports all year long. It makes me wish I lived close enough to D.C. to take advantage of the information.
On that note, Chaconas usually adds tidbits that any angler can use no matter where he fishes. Consider this from his latest on-line report –
“For plastics fishing, downsize to 8 or even 6-pound test to feel more bites when water gets colder and fish aren’t aggressive. They’ll feel the drag of “bigger lines” and let go, before you feel them . . . Thinner lines get to the bottom and stay in wind and current. You’ll feel bites better and have less drag in the water for hooksets.”
Right there, in one paragraph, Chaconas gives 3 good reasons to use lighter lines in winter.
His mention of less drag against a hookset with lighter line really got me thinking about all the various things that are affected by the more efficient hook set. Sure, I’m giving up a little strength, but what good is extra strength if it is cancelled by a big bow in my line?
One thing I have noticed while fishing with regular Joes and Elite Series pros from Minnesota to Mexico is that little things are what separate the best anglers from the rest.
Thanks, Capt. Chaconas for sharing a bunch of ‘little things” with us throughout the year.
Read his entire fishing report below or link to it at http://www.nationalbass.com/reports/fishreport.htm
http://www.csnwashington.com/fishing-potomac/news
DECEMBER 2012
Open the tacklebox and go fishing! You’ll be able to use spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits and even possibly some topwater (primarily during the warmest part and lower tide of the day!). Bridges in DC are good for smallmouth, largemouth and stripers use pilings as current breaks and will be in the dead zone waiting for prey. Depth and how bass are using cover are more important now as water drops to 45 degrees and below. Slow down and keep baits into these zones. The Spoils, Smoot Bay (National Harbor), Fox Ferry, Hogg Island, Belle Haven, Oxen Cove, Blue Plains are the typical hangouts in the northern end of the Potomac River. Colder water, fish slower and generally deeper. Some fish are shallow and easier to catch just about every day especially in stable weather. Several techniques produce under most conditions. Most are slow presentations!
Start with main river points and work your way north ambushing them at the creek points of the shallow creeks like Piscataway and Broad. Into the deeper creeks, follow them in the ditches and channels. In the Wilson Bridge area, follow the excavation ditches rimming the Spoils and Smoots (National Harbor). Fish closer to drops near water 10 feet deep when temperatures get down to 45, and near 4-6 foot drops when water is 50 or above. Look for deep water close by and sharp drops in those areas to find wintering bass. In Blue Plains, expect more active fish. When water gets below 45, cast and work 1/2-ounce Silver Buddy’s down drops on the bottom with short “burps” on 12-pound test Gamma Fluorocarbon on a medium action Quantum casting rod. I prefer casting gear, as they are easier to cast while wearing Seal Skinz gloves.
For plastics fishing, downsize to 8 or even 6-pound test to feel more bites when water gets colder and fish aren’t aggressive. They’ll feel the drag of “bigger lines” and let go, before you feel them. Also, you’re fishing deeper and further from the boat than in summer. Thinner lines get to the bottom and stay in wind and current. You’ll feel bites better and have less drag in the water for hooksets. Downsized baits like Mann’s 3-inch avocado Stingray grub on a 1/4 ounce round jig head made with Mustad hooks worked slowly down drops will produce. A dab of PRO’s Soft Bait Glue keeps the Stingray on. A good soaking in garlic Jack’s Juice spray attractant keeps fish holding on longer with all soft plastics!
Drag 4-inch tubes with weedless R&R Custom Baits tube heads, gliding down drops. Green pumpkin Mizmo tubes are the best place to start. Other colors: Blue Craw, Green Pumpkin Copper. Try MIZMO 4 inch grubs with the tail rigged UP on a 1/4-ounce round jig head.
Use drop shot once fish are found. A 1/4-ounce Water Gremlin Bullshot weight is perfect in current on 8-pound test GAMMA Copoly line. A 2/0 Mustad wide gap Mega Lite worm hook works with Mann’s 4-inch Super Finesse worms. Feel pressure, set the hook. Remember, you’re using lighter line; you don’t need a giant hookset. This is a great way to catch them at Blue Plains. Probe flats near drops and points in Spoils and Smoots with split shot rigs with 3/16 ounce Water Gremlin Bullshot weights and Carolina rigs. Use a 2/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega Lite hook with Mann’s 4-inch Super Finesse worms.
This month use Punisher Jigs in black/blue, green/orange and green-pumpkin/orange with plastic matching chunks. Insert a Punisher metal rattle, the loudest attachable rattle you can find and it will not come off! Pitch to cover, drops and flats near drops and let it sit, occasionally shaking. Really good at Blue Plains, just let current move the bait. Most bites are light pickups, watch line!
When water is a bit warmer to around 50, target shallower fish with a tight wiggle crankbait. Mann’s Loudmouth III dives about 4 feet deep with 10-pound test line. The Loudmouth has rattles, better in slightly stained water. You can also go deeper with Mann’s 15+ on 12-pound test.
Also Lucky Craft Pointer 78s are very effective in clear water around 50. Fish around hard cover that is warmer with the sun on it. Pointers are easy to cast in the wind. Baby Bass, Mat Pumpkin, Black Gold are my favorites. Use 12-pound Gamma fluorocarbon and a jerk, jerk, jerk, pause retrieve. Let it sit a while; vary cadence and length of pause. Works at Blue Plains around Spoils and Fox Ferry. Not a lot of guys throw jerkbaits, so you’ll have an edge.
When water warms above 45 degrees don’t put away spinnerbaits especially on windy days! Go to the bank the wind is blowing on and toss a 3/8-ounce Mann’s Classic with a white skirt, and a gold willow/Colorado tandem. Slowly retrieve, bumping bottom. You’ll catch the biggest fish of the season this way. To slow down, use a slower ratio reel with 12-pound test Gamma Fluorocarbon. A medium 7’ graphite rod has give for the subtle winter bite and enough backbone to set the hook! Dress in layers; protect your eyes with Maui Jim Polarized gray lenses.
Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide, BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (http://my.boatus.com/askexperts/bassfishing/) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: [email protected].
“Take me fishing!” .·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·…¸> >
