I've noticed that there seems to be a good group of NoVa folks on this site.  I'm new to the area, having recently relocated from Dallas.  We set up shop in Vienna and I'm anxious to test the local waters.  I was able to get out a bit in the fall (Burke, Occoquan Res, and Frederick) but I have yet to test the mighty Potomac.  I'm fishing out of a Hobie Pro Angler and I was hoping that you guys might be able to point me in the right direction...  Where can I go on the tidal Potomac without getting run over and still stand a chance of catching a few LMBs?  Many thanks!  I look forward to seeing you guys out there.

Welcome!!! I'm a fellow hobie kayaker and am jealous of your Pro angler!

How about SMB? The upper potomac is one of my favorite places to yak and fish. I plan to do more tidal potomac fishing this year as well.

Good stuff!  Thanks for your reply.  I fished out of a Hobie Outback for approx 5 years before throwing down for my Pro Angler.  They're great kayaks/boats.  Would love some good SMB action...  A buddy of mine from TX is coming out to DC this summer (4th of July) for that very purpose.  I was thinking the about hitting the Susquehanna (sp?) but the Upper Potomac would be great as well.  If you're ever looking for company up that way, I'd love to join you.

Definitely! I have a few buddies with hobies and we try to get out as much as possible. I'm entertaining the idea of selling my outfitter (tandem) for a Pro Angler if I can find a good deal on it.

I'll let you know whenever we get out.

oh no! Another member for the Hobie Gang!

welcome!

oh no! Another member for the Hobie Gang!

welcome!

yep!

DC, you wouldn't happen to be a left hand retrieve guy are you?

Hmmmm...early morning 4th of July UP float. I like the sounds of that!

Ernie

i cant get over the fact your from Dallas...

welcome!

Go SKINS!!!

Thanks for the warm reception! 

A.Do - good luck with the sale of your outfitter.  You will not be disappointed with the PA, although it is a beast to load and unload.  I picked mine up at Backyard Boats in Woodbridge.  Please loop me in the next time the "Hobie Gang" is headed out.  It sounds like a pretty exclusive group of left handers?  I dribble and shoot left handed - does that count?  All of my reels are right hand retrieves (dominant hand).  That said, I've been meaning to pick up a left handed retrieve for flipping.

Ernie (kiko13) - the more, the merrier!  I'd love to meet everyone.

Soccplayer07 - I grew up a Cowboys fan (up until the Jerry Jones era).  I'm now a proud Texans fan.  Truth be told, I'm more of a college guy.  Gig'em Ags!!!

i cant get over the fact your from Dallas...

welcome!

Go SKINS!!!

AMEN, Aaron, AMEN.

Welcome to the site. I have a yak, however not on the elite series as a Hobie rider, yet. I was thinking about taking the kayak out this weekend coming up and hitting up the Potomac, or one of the feeder creeks. However, I have no spots, and hold very little skill in the sport of fishing, so Dan, or Andrew (A. Do) might hold a little more value than I.

DC,

My dad and I fish regularly out of the Occoquan River (Occoquan Regional Park). We have a few good spots that are good all seasons (especially on the Occoquan), our favorites are out towards Belmont Bay and Occoquan Bay.  The grass out there and the spadderdock hold fish come late April and they can be caught there through the late fall.  Any boat slips with roofs can be productive once temps get up and the bass start relating to shade a bit more in the summer months.  They can be caught on a variety of baits.  Just be careful navigating those (especially in a yak) on the Occ as lots of large crafts come in and out of there all throughout the day.

They put in a yak/canoe launch at Occoquan Regional sometime last year or the year before.  It's real nice and gets quite a bit of use.  You can pull right up to the launch and don't have to walk but 10 - 15 feet to get the yak in.

I also agree with Andrew on the upper Potomac for smallmouth.  Best smallie spot by far up here for size and numbers with the occasional shot at a muski (the further you go up river) and a trophy smallie.  If you want a better shot at a big fish (bronze) look for launch sites for your yak along the James near Richmond (just google VDGIF James River).  It's a trophy smallmouth river.  Lot's of fun to be had here.  One of my favorite spots is Pony Pasture.  I don't own a yak though and haven't ever been on that water in a watercraft so other guys may have more info about trips down there for you.

I yak the upper Potomac quite often.  It is at flood stage right now with all the snow melt and rain.  I expect to get out mid-April.  I'll let you know so you can join if interested. 

The Occoquan is a good all year fishery because it is much deeper than a lot of other tributaries of the Potomac.

BUT

Come warm weather, I think you would be better off fishing a place like Mattawoman creek. You can drive an hour and launch way back in the creek in an idle only area so there aren't wakes to deal with and there is vegetation EVERYWHERE.

I think I'd be careful with a Hobie at Pony Pasture, it is VERY rocky. You'd have to be very careful with the pedal drive flipper things.

Welcome to Northern Virginia and some of it's great bass fishing areas.

Great info!  Many thanks for your replies and kind remarks.  I've got Occoquan and Mattawoman circled on my tidal Potomac map.  Not sure what "Pony Pasture" is but I'm sure I'll catch on eventually...

Kayakist - I appreciate the invitation.  Count me in.  I assume that it's navigable with a mirage [pedal] drive (or was that the Pony Pasture reference)? 

JCrzy4Bass - thanks for the specifics on the River and launch site.  Much appreciated.

All the best to you guys!   

Pony Pasture is on the James River in Richmond, VA.

Pony Pasture is on the James River in Richmond, VA.

Got it.  Thanks!  I guess it would help if I read the entire post.  Still working on reading comprehension... 

Great info! Many thanks for your replies and kind remarks. I've got Occoquan and Mattawoman circled on my tidal Potomac map. Not sure what "Pony Pasture" is but I'm sure I'll catch on eventually...

Kayakist - I appreciate the invitation. Count me in. I assume that it's navigable with a mirage [pedal] drive (or was that the Pony Pasture reference)?

JCrzy4Bass - thanks for the specifics on the River and launch site. Much appreciated.

All the best to you guys!

three of us, four including you, have mirage drives so we will definitely stay on waters we can pedal in.  Thing is, with the tides, sometimes we have to pull the drives and paddle  > We'll definitely keep you in the loop!

I think pony pastures is more for wading? even then, you have to watch the gage height of the river as it can be pretty dangerous (at least from what I hear)

Makes sense.  Thanks Andrew.  Looking forward to getting out.  I'm getting stir crazy, especially since my buddy sent through a pic of a 12.68 lber that he caught earlier today on Toledo Bend.  Killin' me!

My buddy and I are looking to get on the water this Saturday.  Not sure where to go, though.  Went to Burke Lake 2 weeks ago, but got skunked.  Water was still too cold (upper 30's), I suppose.  Are the yellow perch still hitting in the Occoquan River?  Have the white perch moved in, yet?  I guess the LMB are moving into the pre-spawn stage, there, too?

We're looking at dropping in at either the Occ River, Occ Reservoir, or maybe go to Mason Neck and try the Occoquan/Belmont Bays.  Weather should be killer in the mid-70s.  Any advice as to where there might be the most action?

Thanks!

Yellow perch have been in the Occoquan for a few weeks. Not sure what the recent runoff has done to their spawn situation. The water at the Occoquan, fast, and EXTREMELY muddy as of a couple days ago. If you are in a kayak I would avoid the rivers for a little while longer.

Yellow perch have been in the Occoquan for a few weeks. Not sure what the recent runoff has done to their spawn situation. The water at the Occoquan, fast, and EXTREMELY muddy as of a couple days ago. If you are in a kayak I would avoid the rivers for a little while longer.

My buddy and I were there 3 weeks ago in our yaks, but the water was muddy that day we went out after some recent rains/melting snow.  So it really slowed down the yellow perch bite.  Hoping that the the 4-5 days since the heavy rains have past this coming Saturday (along with the warm weather) will settle things down in the river and get the YP (or whatever else) to bite. 

My buddy has sworn off ever going to Burke anymore as that place has been a tough place catch fish.

Yellow perch have been in the Occoquan for a few weeks. Not sure what the recent runoff has done to their spawn situation. The water at the Occoquan, fast, and EXTREMELY muddy as of a couple days ago. If you are in a kayak I would avoid the rivers for a little while longer.

My buddy and I were there 3 weeks ago in our yaks, but the water was muddy that day we went out after some recent rains/melting snow. So it really slowed down the yellow perch bite. Hoping that the the 4-5 days since the heavy rains have past this coming Saturday (along with the warm weather) will settle things down in the river and get the YP (or whatever else) to bite.

My buddy has sworn off ever going to Burke anymore as that place has been a tough place catch fish.

I can't say for sure but I think the Occoquan will still be muddy by Saturday. There is still a lot of water running through the system. The river is still high.

I'm curious to see what the flood and the water clarity will do to the yellow perch. The water is also fairly warm from what I've heard. I'm worried that they might have already left the tributaries.

I can't say for sure but I think the Occoquan will still be muddy by Saturday. There is still a lot of water running through the system. The river is still high.

I'm curious to see what the flood and the water clarity will do to the yellow perch. The water is also fairly warm from what I've heard. I'm worried that they might have already left the tributaries.

Yeah, that's my concern, as well, that the YP have done there thing and left.  I've been looking forward to having a fish fry of YP all Winter. 

Usually, I've read up on Charlie Taylor's fishing report, but I havent' seen a post from him in a couple of weeks to see what's up in the area.

Might need to roll the dice and just hit it and find out what's up down there.  I guess we could always paddle down to the mouth of the river near the Occ Bay to see what's there if its too muddy near Hoffmaster's.

I'll be fishing with Charlie in a tournament on Saturday. I'll be driving over the Occoquan early Sat. morning. I'll check to see if I can determine the condition of the river and try to post it somehow.

You should have gone out in the past weeks! Me and some friends caught somewhere over 300 of them in water temps ranging from 34 to 48 degrees! All that was in maybe 7 trips since the last Tuesday in February.