Hello!  I'm new to the area, live near Ft Belvoir.  I'm very excited to start chasing bass on the Potomac.  What types of vegetation are on the Potomac and what size pitching weights do you usually use?   As you know, these weights are pretty expensive, and I'm hoping to get an idea on what size I will need for the plants specific to the Potomac.  Also, how thick do the grass mats get in the summer?

Hydrilla and milfoil, if you are talking about "punching" matted vegetation.  If you consider 1oz+ weights expensive, you may want to hold off as last year grass was not very prevalent on the Potty (at least relative to years past).  So far this year, I would say water conditions (muddy) favor that situation again, but you can never tell.  "Pitching" per se is a much broader topic and does not necessarily involve vegetation and mega-weights.  

Start throwing chatterbaits, traps and small swimbaits this spring and go from there.  If/when you find grass beds, fish the inside and outside "weedlines" with the above lures or your favorite weightless plastic.  I rarely resort to punching the grass mats. Summertime is when they get thick enough for punching, and for me that is hollow frog/buzz frog time.

 

The most important advice I can give you for fishing the potty has nothing to do with weights, baits,etc.  Pay attention to the tides and the current created by the same.   I plan many outings around the tide changes.

Thank you for the advice!  I'm coming from the Gulf coast and lots of inshore fishing.  So I'm hoping an understanding of tidal movement will help me up here on the Potomac. I will play a wait and see approach to punching equipment.  Sounds like if we do have thick grass growing, it won't be till summer. 

Cold and muddy right now (daylight hours give a better view on webcams):  https://timsrivershore.com/potomac-river-webcam/

I rarely resort to pitchin or punchin. I found frogs, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and squarebills let me cover a lot more water and focus on the more active fish. The Potomac is a big place with lots of fish. I like to try to take advantage of that.