Has anyone been fishing it lately?  If so, any success?

I was out Saturday, found fish on flats. Grass is coming up pretty good. Grab a 3/8 Booyah chatterbait in white. That is where the size is, if you try a trap use craw color and that is where your numbers will be. Also try a sinking jerkbait.

All flats are becoming productive right now. Also your females will mainly be found on the ledges just outside the flats.

Thanks.

I was out Saturday, found fish on flats. Grass is coming up pretty good. Grab a 3/8 Booyah chatterbait in white. That is where the size is, if you try a trap use craw color and that is where your numbers will be. Also try a sinking jerkbait.

All flats are becoming productive right now. Also your females will mainly be found on the ledges just outside the flats.

sinking jerkbait ? You talkin a fluke type JB or a pointer? I usually throw flukes out there but fish them near the top of the water. Case plastics makes the best fluke imo

NitroMan, when do you think the ladies will start to move into the creeks? 

As for the sinking jerkbait.... its a Strike King Bleeding bait, I found them at Gander Mountain in Fredericksburg on the sale shelf. They were only @.49 or so. I forgot the exact color, its a white w/ black back, with a black spot near the gill. I always was throwing a smithwich in blue/silver, but that is a floating bait.

As for the soft jerkbait.... I hate throwing them so I stay away from them at all costs.

Sam,

I think with this last cold front that just hit I'm going to say by Mid April or even closer to the end of April, I'm just thrown off a little bit with weather. I will be at Lake Anna next weekend for a tournament and depending on if the bass are on the beds then will depend on what the Potomac will produce. Of course all April I have a class for work to take so I will be missing out on Lake Anna's good spawn, but hopefully I will be finished in enough time to catch the Potomacs spawn.

I will keep you up to date with what i find on April 9 at Lake Anna.

Nitro, thanks a bunch.

Good luck with the One Fish Anna tournament. 

I heard the river has been tough the last week or so with the cold front. My fave time to start hittin the river the last two years has been mid april. May and June is an absolute blast and then by July I start catching less numbers but good size. The guys who really know how to punch mats do well all summer but Im not that good with punchin yet, still have alot to learn

I heard the river has been tough the last week or so with the cold front. My fave time to start hittin the river the last two years has been mid april. May and June is an absolute blast and then by July I start catching less numbers but good size. The guys who really know how to punch mats do well all summer but Im not that good with punchin yet, still have alot to learn

Mid April is the best time to be out throwing traps, to be more specific red eye shad. Once the mats start coming up, after the spawn, just get into a flat, find a small hole and just start throwing a senko or a craw type looking bait. Spend all day just doing this. You will begin to have better luck, it is a confidence type of fishing. No you will not find fish in every pocket just let the wind push you. Stay off your trolling motor since you will most likeley be fishing in 4' or less water, any sound will push the fish away. Once it starts getting warmer and topwater starts to really play a role use that to find your fish and then from where you got your bite start punching mats. Grab a 1oz peg weight with a good craw and just start punching. Find thick mats puch through them, let it sit, pull it up to the top of the canopy bang it against the canopy and then let it fall. You will get most of your bites on the fall.

If you ever want help with this tactic just holler at me when you plan on going out and if you need someone to go with you. I will help you as best I can.

I heard the river has been tough the last week or so with the cold front. My fave time to start hittin the river the last two years has been mid april. May and June is an absolute blast and then by July I start catching less numbers but good size. The guys who really know how to punch mats do well all summer but Im not that good with punchin yet, still have alot to learn

Mid April is the best time to be out throwing traps, to be more specific red eye shad. Once the mats start coming up, after the spawn, just get into a flat, find a small hole and just start throwing a senko or a craw type looking bait. Spend all day just doing this. You will begin to have better luck, it is a confidence type of fishing. No you will not find fish in every pocket just let the wind push you. Stay off your trolling motor since you will most likeley be fishing in 4' or less water, any sound will push the fish away. Once it starts getting warmer and topwater starts to really play a role use that to find your fish and then from where you got your bite start punching mats. Grab a 1oz peg weight with a good craw and just start punching. Find thick mats puch through them, let it sit, pull it up to the top of the canopy bang it against the canopy and then let it fall. You will get most of your bites on the fall.

If you ever want help with this tactic just holler at me when you plan on going out and if you need someone to go with you. I will help you as best I can.

Good advice but I was always told to use more like a 1.5 ounce weight when punchin the thick mats. I guess its personal preference. And I'd love to get out with some good folks but am currently boatless and wont have another till I can afford to buy a new(er) boat with a warranty and all that good stuff. Just gonna have to rely on others this season to take me out here and there :'(

I hear yah.

Yea when the mats get really thick I might go up to a 1.5oz. Most of the time I will take some lubricant/scent and that will help the bait slide through the mats

Nitroman,

I am also from Bealeton and I am 26 and graduated from Liberty. I have been fishing tournaments for a long time as well and I think we should talk. I bet we can learn something from eachother and its always good to know other local anglers. More importantly, I know some great little places around our home town to catch monsters and it sounds like you do too. I am new to this site but I think I sent you a PM. Send me a reply when you have a second.

How about tubes and or the Paca Craw Texas rigged? (Sam, dont pay attention to my post here.)