MskSlyr

Got out this morning with my dad to hit a local pond before some storm systems moved through our area. The largest was 26 inches which is my 2nd longest bass caught to date. Had several citation size and the largest 2 came on working some Booyah buzzbaits over a weed flat.

Thats a great Potomac walleye.

Leaders of any material do keep the stroke from occuring that happens when those expensive muskie baits are lost. I shed a tear for that one myself Basser.

My family and I live in Westminster and I work in Germantown with Basser89. I fish the Upper Potomac for smallies, walleye, and muskie as much as feasible. I also fish a lot of lakes and ponds in Washington, Frederick, Baltimore counties for a multitude of species. In addition I dabble with fishing the Chesapeake and its tributaries for Stripers and Largemouth.

It looks like a Pike to me. The markings on a Chain Pickerel are typically on a lighter green background and resemble chains as opposed to Pike which are described as bean shaped markings on a darker background . Pickerel also have a black line underneath their eyes which is easily identifiable. Just my thoughts on it and there are a few other ways to tell. Hope this helps.

Your absolutely right Crestliner the buds are a great product. I was just hoping to have some backups just in case.

The information is greatly appreciated I will take a look at the several suggestions made.

This question is more for prepartion for next year but here goes. I at times do a lot of river smallie fishing and during the hatch at the beginning of the year hellgrammites have always been a good producer. Other than Bud's who makes a good hellgrammite bait? Thanks in advance for any input.

Great musky no matter what state you are in. Congratulations and would have to agree the Lakewood gear is great.

I hear there is quite a mixed bag to be had at Williamsport there Basser.

Would have said something to you about going Basser but I know how you are about catfish. 8-) Don't want to become a multi species guy, what would the world be coming to if that happened. LOL

Got out recently during a break in all the rain at a local MD pond to fish for some channel cats. Was a spur of the moment decision to go so did not have time to prep any livers or stink bait so utilized some powerbaits that worked very well. Caught 39 over the course of a couple hours with several in the 28 inch ballpark and the largest going 33 inches. Not big by any standards in MD but fun just the same.

Basser89 and I decided to hit the Potomac today as opposed to working. We landed several small walleyes as well as some smallies on jerkbaits and crankbaits primarily. In between the wind gusts the slackwater proved to be somewhat productive. Included are a few of the walleye pics. Basser also had a follow from a monster musky.

Because of the markings I would think that would be a slick looking bait. I know that pickerel will at times attack just about anything they can but it does not hurt to try something new. I know manufacturer's tailor pike and muskie baits to imitate their own and they are all ESOX.

Even though it might not be the best option for your children I would have to suggest using jerkbaits for smallies. A few of us have hit the Potomac and Monocacy for quite a few years with very good results fishing them erratically. Bandit cranks in the footloose and 100 series are also a good option that most can fish easily. Basser89 on this board hits some areas with a Jon boat and trolling motor but he knows the rivers extremely well so I would have to recommend an outboard in case you get into trouble.

I would have to agree with Basser on this one. Certifying a state record fish is very much a headache. Catch that beauty, take a picture, get a replica. Nice job ptomacbass on the monster bass those kind of bass in MD are few.

I think you are right on the money with the jerkbait suggestion Munkin. I have had a few instances like basser and yourself with bass gear and a bass size jerkbait/minnowbait where fishing for walleye/smallies and a muskie hammer it. The muskies size jerkbaits are great as well.

Amazing outing. All great muskies.

Nice Muskie. Not a lot of markings looks like the clear phase we see on the Potomac a lot.

I don't know if this will help or not but we fish the same waters as a state biologist that is a wealth of knowledge. His take on it is the quicker you get them in no matter what line you use the better. Muskies build up lactic acid in there muscles as they fight so the longer they fight the greater the risk of them having problems.

I see both sides of the argument. Braid does allow in most cases for someone to haul a muskie in quicker. There are some cases cold weather I would not use braid if you paid me. A good guality mono made for musky fishing can be a top notch alternative. Ask Basser he can beat a musky into submission with mono quicker than any human being I have ever seen hands down. So both have there place but in the warmer weather braid is a great option.

Good eye firefightn15 and you are right it was 47". That is one that did not survive one evening when Basser and I were out muskie fishing so we checked it in. Initial weight went 30lbs 4oz and the certified weight from the state after 2 hrs was 28lb and 4oz.

I have no doubt you will get that muskie you missed. The question would be though isn't the one you really want the one that trashed your ledgebuster a ways back? Hobby fishing my foot, be true to your roots.

Nice work Basser especially with the first on a bucktail. I have heard rumor there have been some good ones over the years come from that river.

A lot of good advice I see and I would have to agree on the no bass gear if possible, having proper tools (including glove). The only thing I would like to add is to make sure if you are going to purchase a rod make sure it will throw a decent range of weights. I would not look at one unless you could throw at least 3oz bait with it. Just a thought.