I had some downtime last week as my current consulting assignment wound down. Right now, it is only absorbing a few hours a week, and the challenge is to try to get those hours to occur on the same day so I can get out on the water!
For years, I have wanted to fish Aquia but have never found the time to go down there. It’s time to change that!
After being stunned by having to pay $10 to launch the canoe from the boat ramp just west of the bridge, I motored out to try and find some snakeheads. I headed west towards the shallow water. According to the study, snakeheads are in motion at this time of the year. They may be in the shallow water, or they may be in the deep areas. Given the warmth of the day, I bet on the shallows.
The underwater vegetation was oppressive with only a few un-vegetated channels available to fish. I kept getting plenty of crud on my lure, so I eventually switched to using top water presentations exclusively. Unfortunately, in the western end, there was no activity on buzz baits, top water plugs, or frogs. After working diligently for several hours, I gave up on the snakeheads and motored over to investigate the shoreline north of the ramp.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it relatively clear of the clogging vegetation that disrupted the fishing farther west. I worked down the shoreline using the typical set of plastics and began to pick up small bass on black or dark green senko-type worms. I did not catch any fish worth bragging about, but there were enough to make it an enjoyable finish to a perfect sunny day.
On the way back to the ramp, I fished briefly underneath the bridge since I have been told that this is where the tournaments release all of their fish. They must all have migrated back out into the broader Potomac because I could not find them.
Bottom line: This area is clearly the domain of bass boats. Big fish cruising these waters make fishing here worthwhile if you have the right gear. But with a $10 launch fee, I do not think I will return.
Google Local Coordinates: 38.422184,-77.358643
Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location and a well-known bass tournament location.
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Big water, thankfully… a calm day
I looked for snakeheads near the surface vegetation
I picked up all my bass on the shoreline
Plenty of little guys like this one
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore