Snakehead Whisperer

Not sure what body of water you're referring to, but it's possible that it might be the movement of the tides that you are observing. Hydrology is a huge topic as WRB said, but learning about it can help you become a much better angler.

Yeah, it seems like I stumbled upon a lair of them. They were holding on the tail end of a large eddie near really swift moving water. Might go back out there, but it's a long ride. My friend that I was fishing with got broken off by something huge too.

You're killing me over here. On a side note, have you heard the rumors of tilapia being caught in 4MR? Saw a photo of one that a guy caught there last fall, and heard that there were others. Nile tilapia, iirc. edit: Found the article here on the TPFR's forum.

The Potty, lol.

Thanks for the kind words all. I'll always remember this fish for it's fighting spirit and massive size. I'm not particularly into catfishing, but this opened my eyes. Tons of fun. The one I lost earlier was on 10lb braid with a 6lb fluoro leader. Water was turbid and the fish was huge, so I ditched the leader and tied directly to the braid (good thing too, I probably would've lost this one otherwise.) Felt like I was reeling in a a pit bull. The fish breached several times and made several looong runs. I've caught lots of small/medium sized cats on a ds, but this was definitely not what I was expecting. I usually set the drag at 1/4 to 1/3 the strength of the line when dropshotting. It's a good thing that I hooked the fish less than 40' away. It made a couple of runs where I was almost down to my mono backing, which is only 6lb. test. Tried to backreel it at first, lol. Didn't get any measurements on the fish as it had already been through a lot, and I had a hard enough time getting the boga grips and pliers out in the dark. Quickly unhooked, photo, release. I'd guess the length is around 50", as for girth I have no clue. The record fish that I see photos of are really plump looking, where as this one had a more athletic/muscular build. If I'm not mistaken the same bass calculator works for cats/carp. And the BR calculator has settings to calculate panfish, walleye, pike, muskie and trout. That's why I get the pint sized jar now. You get a lot more of the gulp juice that way too. I don't use gulp much in the warmer months, but in the winter it's a staple for me.

Caught this extremely large blue catfish on a dropshot while fishing for walleye. Size 1 hook with a 3" gulp minnow, ML-F rod 10lb. test line. This area has some serious current as well, which made for a great battle. Lost another one that broke me off. My scale tops out at 25lbs. Anybody care to guess the weight of this thing? I weigh 210 for comparison. Regardless of the weight, it is by far the biggest catfish I've ever caught. Fish was caught on the Potomac River near Chain Bridge in Washington, DC.

Here on the east coast I always hear them referred to as "belly boats." I'm from CA originally, and I used to use them when I was a kid (have a boat now.) Was thinking of getting one to hit a few spots that have no ramp access here on the river. They also seem like a good way to do a one day float trip... no need to have a second truck to drive back to the launch, as they'll deflate and fit in any car. Gonna be too cold to even consider one of those pretty soon out here though, but probably not so much in San Diego.

For starting out I would use either basswood or pine. There are plenty of choices, but these will be the easiest to use until you figure out what specific qualities you want (density, buoyancy, etc.) Check out tackle underground for of information and forums on making lures.

I'm pretty sure they are made in the USA.

I took several breaks of a week or more when I was in school, but nowadays I usually go 2-3 days tops. We don't usually get much hard water around here, so even in the winter I'm out there at least 1-2 times a week. A couple times every year I will skip fishing full days for a week or two to rejuvenate, but I still get out there for a half day. Been fishing right through it, although my focus as of late has been to land big (24" +) chain pickerel. I've been catching some nice ones on topwater in the downpour

I hear ya man. I fish between Dam 4 and Shepherdstown quite a bit, but I always have an MD license. Next year I'm planning to purchase a WV license too, but am waiting for that same reason.

If your VA license is for freshwater, it covers you on the Potomac south/east of the WV state line all the way to the DC line (Brunswick, Lander, Dickerson, White's Ferry, etc.)

Do an internet search for 'bottle cap lure.'

District of Columbia Virginia Freshwater Maryland Freshwater Maryland Tidal/Saltwater

I like how you're going incognito with the DeWalt box. I have a similar kit, and it contains... -Jigheads (assorted size/colors and slider heads) -Grubs (lots) -DS weights and hooks size 4,2, and 1 -Finesse worms, ds worms, gulp minnows -A popper -A walker/pencil bait -A shad rap -A couple of tiny buzzbaits

Sounds like a lot of the guys who work at the store in Hannover, MD. Just working there to supplement the fishing addiction That's a good thing because they always give sound advice on baits/equipment.

x2 on what Dwight said (and he knows what he's talking about.) Typically there's only a few ways that I will fish a drop shot in a free flowing river. -drifting (with or without a trolling motor to slow my drift.) Usually accomplished by using the lightest weight possible to maintain bottom contact and letting the lure drift with the current. This presentation is deadly when it works. Don't underestimate what a smallie can see when ambushing prey, no matter how murky or fast moving the water is. -eddies Usually I will anchor in the main channel/current in an area that gives me the best casting range beside a large eddie. Usually I will play it close to the eddie so I can keep my line out of the heavy current. Work it thoroughly, as there will be fish in various stages of activity occupying different parts of the eddie simultaneously. -backwaters Drop shot is always worth a try here, or anywhere where the current is light. -tailwaters Usually I will only fish a ds in the deeper pools here, and usually opt for a more aggressive presentation if fishing in current. My advice for a weight would be to pick up some Bakudan Skinny (or other lead pencil style) weights in 1oz., then if they are too heavy you can cut them down to whatever size you need.

I don't work there, but I do understand where you're coming from though. I can't get caught up in all of the marketing for tackle (I fish too much to.) When I go to BPS I always bring a list and pay with cash. Occasionally I grab something that's not on the list, but it's usually because I forgot to put it on the list in the first place. To each their own, but it's scary for me to even think of going into BPS (or any other store) and charging a bunch of stuff because it jumps out at me. I own all of my tackle outright See above... I take cash because I'm scared that a Nitro Z-9 might jump into my basket.

I'm guessing you work there.

This is where the topic truly becomes a grey area

Without a girth measurement it's nearly impossible to even guess the weight of the fish, let alone estimate it. Even then, it's only a ballpark figure. The only reliable way to know the weight of a fish is with an accurate scale. The length to weight conversion scale is not accurate whatsoever. Like NEjitterbugger mentioned some short fish are thick and heavy, and some long fish are skinny and light. The fish weight calculator here on BR is about the closest you can get to an estimated weight without a scale (unless you are one of the very few gifted with this natural talent, but even then the scale has the final word.) One thing that everyone can agree on is that it is a nice fish with a giant mouth.

x2 on spinnerbaits. I've also caught lots on poppers and pencil baits. They're also active throughout the winter, which is nice up here.

Toss a popper right in the heaviest current, then pop it hard like you're trying to break it off and let it drift. This technique works well for anadromous stripers here on the river this time of year. The strikes are fierce. Around here the topwater action really just starts to pick up at sundown and usually continues on for several hours after dark. Beautiful fishing spot, btw.

Fished Burke several times this year. Usually when I fish this lake I am targeting muskie or walleye, but occasionally I catch some nice bass. The larger bay southeast of Vesper Island has a large hump/sunken island which is a good spot for many species (including bass.) This is a decent year round spot as it has a shallow flat less than 5', several lay downs, a strong weed line and quick access to deeper water (20+'.) This area is accessible most easily from a boat and hard to find without electronics, but if you can find the flat (c-rig, etc.) it's fishable from shore (conceivably.)

I have a really similar setup to yours but it's 17'6" so it's pretty long to maneuver with only 1 person. Don't fish standing from it often, but then again I'm usually fishing with a partner in that canoe. The extra battery must help quite a bit though. Is the trolling motor a 24v, or is the 2nd battery just for the weight and extra juice?