Pacemaker Fishing Forum

FISHING REPORT                          By Charlie Taylor

       Potomac River Tide Information                 Twilight
         High Point, Occoquan River                     Hours
  Day       Date     High    Low     High    Low      A.M.    P.M.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday   6/03     0416    1111    1643    2303     0514    2101
Thursday    6/04     0505    1208    1734    2351     0514    2101
Friday      6/05     0551    1300    1823    - - -    0514    2102
Saturday    6/06     0635    1348    1910    0036     0513    2103
Sunday      6/07     0715    1430    1955    0118     0513    2103
Monday      6/08     0754    1510    2039    0158     0513    2104
Tuesday     6/09     0832    1546    2121    0236     0513    2105
Wednesday   6/10     0908    1620    2203    0316     0512    2105
Thursday    6/11     0945    1653    2243    0357     0512    2106
Friday      6/12     1023    1726    2320    0439     0512    2106
Saturday    6/13     1104    1800    2357    0524     0512    2107
Sunday      6/14     1149    1836    - - -   0611     0512    2107

OVERVIEW - Most bodies of water throughout the state are high and muddy, due
to the recent thunderstorms. They also contain much floating and partially
submerged debris that can be dangerous to boaters. Please be careful.

POTOMAC RIVER - D.C. - Lots of catfish activity in the Fletcher's Boathouse
area, along with an occasional striper. The main channel through the city is
showing largemouth bass being taken on plastic lures and crankbaits around the
main river bridge pilings. Deep banks with rip-rap on them are also attracting
bass. Catfish and carp are available throughout the river. Catfish are taken
on clam snouts, cut bait and live minnows, and carp on cut corn and
doughballs. Washington Channel grassbeds and dropoffs are producing bass for
anglers using buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Shallow crankbaits
over the grassbeds and deep-diving crankbaits along the edge of the dropoff
will also take some good fish. The Blue Plains area is attracting large
numbers of striped bass on early and late high tides. Rattling crankbaits are
taking the fish.

POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE - Main river and tributary creek
grassbeds are the focal point of most bass activity. The milfoil on Blue Banks
and Wade's Bay is holding good numbers of largemouth bass. Buzzbaits and clear
Tiny Torpedos, fished early and late in the day, are accounting for good
numbers of fish. Later in the day, fish plastic worms, Senkos and jig 'n pig
in the grass, or Mann's Baby One Minus or Zoom Horny Toads over the grass.
Catfish are taking clam snouts, chicken livers, cut bait and live minnows,
particularly around the power lines at the Possum Point Power Plant. Large
carp are available on doughballs or cut corn. Crappie will cooperate in deep
coves, around brush and submerged structure. Live minnows and tiny jigs are
the ticket. Large white perch are being caught in Potomac Creek and at other
creek mouths, in vegetation. Better baits are nightcrawlers and cut crab,
although lots of perch are being taken on 1/8 oz. spinnerbaits.

OCCOQUAN RIVER - Bass action fair to good. Best action is early and late in
the day on plastic worms and crankbaits. Bass are fairly consistent throughout
the river, from the rocks in the back to the mouth of the river. Catfishing is
excellent. Plenty of cats in the 10-15 pound class are caught, along with the
smaller fish. Cut bait and clam snouts are the preferred baits. Stripers are
still present in the river and may be caught on live minnows, bucktails, Rat-
L-Traps and Cordell Redfins. Crappie are tough to find.

OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR - Largemouth bass action is on the upswing, with lots of
fish in the 2-5 pound class being taken on plastic worms, top-water lures and
deep-diving crankbaits. Most of the bass are being taken early, on submerged
wood and main lake points, and in the creek channel bends when the sun is up.
Catfishing is picking up noticeably. Better baits are clam snouts and cut
bait. Crappie are available on minnows and tiny jigs over the main river
channel.

BURKE LAKE - Some bass, 2-7 pounds, are being taken from deeper water,
downlake, adjacent to the grass beds. Better choices of lures are plastic jerk
baits, buzz baits and plastic worms. Better fish are being taken early and
late in the day. Crappie action is good from the pier for small fish, but
bream action has slacked off. Catfish, 4-8 pounds, are being caught on cut
bait and chicken livers. Muskie anglers are getting hit by large fish, but few
are being landed.

FARM PONDS - Most of the fish are deep, near the dams. Try topwater baits
early and late in the day, particularly a Zoom Horny Toad. While the sun is
high, fish plastic worms or nightcrawlers on the bottom, near the dam.
Flyrodders will have fun all day long, fishing poppers and small streamers.

POTOMAC RIVER - UPPER - Smallmouth bass are being taken along the  banks early
and late in the day, on buzzbaits. After the sun rises, fish the main channel
with Tiny Torpedos, plastic grubs, small spinners and tiny crankbaits. Channel
catfish are thick and biting well on clam snouts, nightcrawlers and live
minnows. For sheer enjoyment, take along a can of Niblets corn and fish for
carp. There are some real monsters available along the shallow points and
muddy banks. Concentrate on areas adjacent to weedbeds.

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER - Tidal sections of the river are producing decent catches
of largemouth bass for anglers crankbaiting the steep banks and worming the
blowdowns. Mouths of small creeks and guts off the main river channel are also
producing some bragging size fish. Blue catfish action is good, with anglers
fishing cut shad or live white perch in the outside bends of the main river
channel. Smallmouth bass activity is great above the city. Better choices of
baits include plastic grubs, jig 'n pig, small crankbaits and small topwater
lures.

MOTTS RUN RESERVOIR - Bluegills and catfish are taking nightcrawlers, fished
in shallow water, almost on the shore. Bass fishing is slow.

MATTAPONI/PAMUNKEY RIVERS - Lots of bream and catfish for most anglers.
Skilled anglers are catching largemouth bass and stripers throughout both
rivers. Croaker, white perch and catfish are biting well around West Point and
in the lower Pamunkey River. Better choice of baits remain bloodworms and
peeler crab.

SHENANDOAH RIVER - Lots of catfish and sunfish are being caught on Beetlespins
and nightcrawlers. Smallmouth bass are biting well on small topwater lures,
plastic grubs and tiny crankbaits. One of the better stretches this week is
the area from Alma Bridge to White House. Catfish are active and biting well
on clam snouts, nightcrawlers and live minnows. Bass anglers are being
surprised by muskies, but reports show none have been landed.

LAKE ORANGE - Crappie fishing is good for anglers using small minnows. Best
fishing is near the fish attractors and off the pier, early and late in the
day. Bass are taking topwater baits, plastic worms and medium minnows, with
best success being at sunup and sundown. Those anglers fishing for walleye in
the late evenings, are taking fish to five pounds. Carp anglers, fishing with
doughballs are taking fish to 25 pounds.

LAKE ANNA - Largemouth bass fishing is excellent on a summertime pattern. Main
lake points near the primary channel and secondary creek points are holding
fish. Topwaters, early and late in the day, are responsible for many good
fish. Crankbaits or plastic worms and grubs, fished in 8-15 feet of water are
the most productive pattern when the sun is high. Lots of smaller bass are
being caught on the edges of the creek channels throughout the lake. Striper
fishing is sporadic, but the big fish may be found in 15-30 feet of water,
where Sassy Shads or free-lining live shad will take the fish. Better areas
are Rose Valley and above Hunters Landing, in the Pamunkey. Black crappie are
holding on the bridge pilings, where they are taking live minnows and tiny
jigs.

JAMES RIVER - Catfish, bream and bass are being caught throughout the city of
Richmond. Above the city, smallmouth bass are taking plastic worms and grubs,
topwater lures and small crankbaits. Most of the action is centered in the
main river channel. Sunfish are thick and are suckers for nightcrawlers and
Beetlespins. In the tidal sections, some largemouth bass are being caught in
lily pad fields, duck blinds, cypress trees and downed wood in the creeks and
creek mouths. Plastic worms, Rats, and other topwater lures are the preferred
baits. Plenty of bream and crappie in the creeks, around weedy banks and
submerged brush. Catfish to 40 pounds are taking cut bait in the channels.

LAKE CHESDIN - Some nice channel catfish and a few good sized black crappie
are being caught. Sunfish are taking crickets. Largemouth bass action is
excellent for fish to seven pounds plus. Plastic worms, jig 'n pig and
buzzbaits are the better lures. Most of the better fish are being taken on
topwater lures, in the vegetation, early and late in the day, and on the
outside bends of the main channel when the sun is high.

CHICKAHOMINY RIVER - Bass activity is centered around the lily pads and marsh
grass. Plastic worms, buzzbaits, small crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the
preferred baits. Larger fish are being taken from the dropoffs throughout the
river. Plastic worms, deep-diving crankbaits and jig 'n pig are taking some
bass to five pounds in 8-15 feet of water, while "Alabama Rats", plastic
frogs and swimming worms are taking good fish from the lily pads, and adjacent
to marsh grass banks. Catfish action is good on clam snouts, chicken livers
and cut bait. A few anglers are taking nice sized gar on live minnows, while
fishing for other species.

CHICKAHOMINY LAKE - Lots of bass are being taken on live minnows, plastic
worms, Jitterbugs, and flyrod poppers. Bream are taking red wigglers, grass
shrimp and crickets. Crappie are also taking grass shrimp and minnows.
Pickerel are biting well and lots of fish in the 3-5 pound class have been
caught. A few catfish are taking nightcrawlers and crab baits. Gar and grindle
are taking live minnows.

LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR - Some good bass are taking topwater baits and plastic
worms, while an occasional walleye takes a crankbait or Rat-L-Trap. Bream
anglers are filling coolers on nightcrawlers. Catfish anglers are catching
good fish on nightcrawlers and turtle livers. Stripers, 4-7 pounds, are taking
bucktails, herring and Zara Spooks.

BACK BAY - Some nice catches of bream in Hellespoint Creek on red wigglers.
Nice catfish on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. White perch in fair numbers
can be had on minnows and nightcrawlers. Some anglers are taking flounder on
minnows. Bass action is excellent in West Neck and Pocaty Creeks, along with
bluegill and white perch.

SUFFOLK LAKES - The large shellcrackers are not biting well at Western Branch
this year, although lots are being caught at Lakes Prince, Meade and Cohoon.
Bass fishing is excellent. Striper anglers are also doing well, and yellow
perch are showing in the creels. Bass are hitting well at Lake Smith, along
with some crappie, bream and perch. Walleye are being caught on nightcrawlers
in Lake Whitehurst, along with some good bass, hybrid stripers and small
bream.

LAKE GASTON - Bass fishing is excellent early and late in the day. Plastic
worms and lizards are the most productive baits on boat docks, while topwaters
work best early and late on points. After the sun gets up, fish crankbaits and
plastic worms or lizards on stumpy points. Bass are also present in large
numbers in the grassbeds in the upper end of the lake. Plastic frogs, Senkos
and jig 'n pig are taking the better fish. Crappie fishing is slow. Crickets
are responsible for good stringers of bream. The number one catch throughout
the lake is catfish. Cut bait, nightcrawlers, chicken livers and live minnows
are the preferred baits. Stripers are being caught on trolled Cordell Redfins
near the Eaton Ferry Bridge and in front of the dam.

BUGGS ISLAND LAKE - Bass fishing is picking up, with best fishing on the
points, using plastic worms. Bass may be found on main channel points, humps
and rises. Topwater baits or rapidly retrieved spinnerbaits are best early and
late in the day. After the sun rises, pitch or cast grubs and plastic worms
with 1/16 ounce weights past bushes, swim the lure back towards the bush and
let it drop. Crappie fishing is excellent. Catfish are still hitting well on
cut bait. Stripers may be had by trolling bucktails and Redfins, and by
freelining live shad. Fishing is best at night and in the early morning hours
between Bluestone Creek and Goat Island. White bass are being caught by
crappie anglers.

BRIERY CREEK LAKE - Bluegill action is super, with crickets and worms, fished
15 feet down producing best. Lots of slot limit bass, with a few good fish, to
eight pounds, being taken on plastic worms.

SANDY RIVER RESERVOIR - Anglers are catching a few pickerel and small catfish,
along with bream and crappie. Bass anglers are having a tough time.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE - Most of the fishing success on this lake is taking place
in the early mornings and late evenings. Stripers 15-30 pounds are being taken
on live shad or trolled Cordell Redfins. Bass fishing is also excellent, with
most of the fish being caught on june bug colored plastic worms or Zoom
lizards in pumpkin pepper/chartreuse. Walleye are taking nightcrawlers.

LEESVILLE RESERVOIR - Stripers are being taken both in the river and on the
lake, using live bluegills. Jigs and minnows are also responsible for some
nice catches of white bass on the lake, while crappie are taking small
minnows.

LAKE MOOMAW - A few largemouth bass are being taken in 8-12 feet of water on
plastic worms. Shad schools are on the surface and trout are starting to roll
as they chase them. Brown and rainbow trout to six pounds, are taking live
minnows or shad in 30-40 feet of water. Cordell Redfins, fished as surface
lures, early and late in the day, are also responsible for some good catches
of trout. Catfish are taking cut bait or live minnows. Crappie anglers are
taking good fish, along with lots of shellcrackers.

PHILPOTT LAKE - Smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie and walleye are being
caught on Hopkins spoons, live minnows and crankbaits, fished at night. Below
the dam, the Smith River is producing for trout fishermen.

SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - Crappie are taking minnows and nightcrawlers,
primarily trolling. Smallmouth bass are taking spinnerbaits and Roostertails,
fished on rocky points throughout the lake. Catfish are being caught on cut
bait.

CLAYTOR LAKE - Stripers are still being caught on live alewives. Big flathead
catfish are being taken on live and cut alewife. White bass are schooled and
hitting small jigs and Roadrunners. Crappie anglers are fishing at night,
using live minnows. Some smallmouth bass are being taken, primarily on live
minnows and plastic grubs.

TROUT STREAMS - Most of the streams throughout the state are full. Francis
Mill Creek and Gullion Fork Creek, Wythe County, offer good fishing for
anglers using Mepps spinners and small copper spoons. Green Cove Creek and the
upper portion of Whitetop Laurel Creek, Washington County, provide excellent
rainbow trout for fly fishermen using dry flies and nymphs. Passage and Big
Stony Creek, Shenandoah County, are affording good catches of brown and
rainbow trout.

S A L T W A T E R

CHINCOTEAGUE - Good numbers of flounder throughout the Main Channel, in Black
Narrows and Queens Sound. A few large grey trout are being caught along the
shoreline near the mouth of the inlet. Bluefish, to five pounds, are scattered
throughout the bays and plenty of cow-nosed rays have arrived. Stripers, from
20-44 inches are taken on peeler crab baits. Offshore, shark action was
excellent for blue and mako sharks to 100+ pounds, at the Fingers. Yellowfin
tuna are being caught in Washington Canyon. Chopper bluefish and false
albacore are providing consistent action for offshore trollers at the Little
Fingers. Surf anglers are taking bluefish, along with a few sea mullet,
blowtoads and an occasional flounder.

WACHAPREAGUE - Good numbers of flounder, bluefish and pan trout are being
caught in the old Coast Guard Channel, while croaker have invaded the inlet.
Good flounder action was also to be had at Hummocks Creek, Burton's Bay and
just below Millstone Creek. Outside the inlet, inshore waters are holding good
numbers of tautog, sea bass, chopper blues and lots of black drum. Bluefin
tuna did not show as expected on the 21 and 26 Mile Hills, although false
albacore, chopper blues and bonito mackerel kept the anglers busy.

ONANCOCK - Plenty of croaker in the area, with the larger fish being caught in
Pocomoke Sound, Cranny Hack and Ditch Back. Mixed in the catches are sea
mullet, blowtoads, sea bass, porgy, taylor blues and pan trout. Larger trout
are being caught around the Target Ships, Rockpile and Watts Island Light.
Best action is in the evening hours on jigs, tipped with peeler crab. Flounder
action is excellent, drifting the channel edges on the slacking tide, in 25-35
feet of water, using cut spot for bait. Cobia and red drum are thick
throughout the area. Watts and Parkers Islands provide good action for
speckled trout, along the grassy channels, although the spawning run has not
yet started.

QUINBY - Flounder fishing has been good this past week, but catches are
littered with throwbacks. The better catches are coming from 8-12 feet of
water, near marker 176 and along Quinby Channel. Croaker and sea bass are also
beginning to show.

CAPE CHARLES - Fishing for black and red drum is fantastic. Lots of red drum
release citations were issued this past week. Drum catches are centered at
Buoy 13. Good bottom fishing for pan trout, sea mullet, croaker, spot, taylor
blues, porgy and blowtoads in the C-10 area. Huge schools of pan trout are
located all along the channel edge, stretching from outside the harbor to
below Kiptopeke. The pace is slowing for black drum, but some big fish are
being taken in the late evenings in the Cabbage Patch. Some red drum are being
taken by anglers, bottom fishing with cut bait, just outside the breakers at
Myrtle Island and at Latimer Shoals. Surf anglers are taking red drum at
Oyster, while one angler managed to hook a tarpon in the surf.

LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA - Flounder action has been good from Ocean View
Beach to Little Creek Jetties. Croaker and "tons of taylor blues" are found at
the Fourth Island of the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Black drum are infesting the rock
islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, with many release citations being
issued. Grey trout are thick at the 12 Mile Post of the bridge tunnel.
Stingsilvers are the lure of choice. Spadefish have taken up residence at the
Third and Fourth Islands. Inside Lynnhaven Inlet, some flounder are being
caught just inside the bridge in the Turning Basin. Drifted squid and minnows
have been favored. A few pan trout are being caught inside Broad Bay. Spot,
two at a time, plus a mixture of pan trout, taylor blues, croaker and
flounder, are being caught at the mouth of the York River, around Buoy 22.
Larger croaker are being caught above the Coleman Bridge in the shallow water
around the mouth of Mumford Creek.

MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA - Best action in the area is provided by striped
bass, in the chum lines. Most boats are limiting out on fish by late morning.
Many fish under the minimum size limit are released. Some good catches of 2-4
pound trout, plus fair numbers of taylor blues are being made on the Southwest
Middlegrounds by anglers slow trolling with small bucktails. A few large trout
are taking Sassy Shads, fished around the old Target Ships in 18 feet of water
on slack tides. A few large trout are being caught on the Tangier wrecks and
around the Smith Point Lighthouse. Flounder, to five pounds, are being caught
at the mouth of the Little Wicomico River. Taylor blues are being caught at
the mouth of the Piankatank River, off Gwynn Island, and near Windmill Point.
Croaker fishing is terrific for bottom fishermen using squid strips and peeler
crab for bait, throughout the area. The larger fish seem to be found in 40
feet of water. Flounder to five pounds are being caught near Buoy 36. Spot are
coming on strong in the area from Buoy R-5 to the White Stone Bridge, in the
Rappahannock River, but the most consistent action remains croaker, to 1.75
pounds. Good numbers of spot, with some croaker and trout are being caught off
Parrots Island. Spot, croaker, perch and catfish are hitting from Bowlers Rock
down to Morattico.

UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA - Striped bass continue to hit trolled baits above
the mouth of the Patuxent River, and drifted baits, in chumlines, below the
Patuxent River. At Stone Rock, a few black drum, 40-70 pounds, are being taken
on peeler crab. Croaker are thick throughout the entire upper bay, being
caught on bloodworms, peelers and squid. A few pan size trout and spot are
being taken at the mouth of the Choptank River. Spot and weakfish are being
taken in Tangier Sound on peeler crab. A few black drum are turning up around
Clara's Point and Poplar Island. Weakfish are reported in the Eastern Bay.
White perch are being caught in large numbers around the rip-rap at the Hart-
Miller Island Complex and just inside the mouth of the Chester River.

OCEAN CITY - A few flounder are being taken at the thoroughfare to the back
bays. Bluefish, stripers and sheepshead can be taken at the inlet. Surf
anglers are experiencing slow fishing, with an occasional bluefish or trout
being taken. Offshore, fishing for tautog and sea bass is good on the wrecks.
Bluefish and small bluefin tuna are being caught, trolling at the Jack Spot,
while chummers are taking large sharks.

VIRGINIA BEACH - Offshore, catches consist of yellowfin tuna, gaffer dolphin
and wahoo, along with good numbers of white and blue marlin. Best area is
south of the Cigar, along the 100 line, in 35-50 fathoms of water, where water
temperatures range 72-75 degrees, and just above Triple 0's, in 60-100
fathoms. Inshore charters are finding limits of stripers and pan trout along
the CBBT, while headboats are returning with lots of pan trout, sea bass and
tautog. Spadefish are beginning to show at the Chesapeake Light Tower. Surf
anglers are taking spot, sea mullet and a few croaker.

PIERS -

JAMES RIVER - Croaker dominate the catches here, with occasional stripers
taken from the end of the pier.

OCEANVIEW - Taylor blues are thick at dawn and dusk, while daytime anglers are
taking croaker, sea mullet, cownosed rays and an occasional flounder.

LYNNHAVEN - Sea mullet and school stripers are available during the day. Pan
trout and croaker are being taken every night beneath the lights, along with a
few taylor blues. Casters are catching a few Spanish mackerel. Crabs are
beginning to show.

VIRGINIA BEACH - Spanish mackerel, striped bass and taylor blues for casters,
while bottom fishing is good for spot, sea mullet, croaker, pan trout and
flounder.

SANDBRIDGE - Casters are taking Spanish mackerel and taylor blues, while
bottom fishermen are taking spot, sea mullet, croaker, flounder and speckled
trout.

OUTER BANKS, N.C. - Higher water temperatures produced a mass influx of taylor
bluefish. Excellent catches of Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, jack crevalle
and cobia were made from the piers, along with some trigger fish, several
amberjack, spot, croaker and a few flounder. Speckled trout are hitting at the
Oregon Inlet Ferry Docks, the Northside Pond and the bridge to Manteo.
Flounder numbers are increasing at Davis Channel, but many are small. Outside
the inlet, Spanish mackerel and taylor blues are scarce, but available.
Headboats are returning with pan trout, croaker, pigfish and flounder. Large
bluefish, amberjack, king mackerel and cobia are plentiful on the ocean
towers. Offshore, lots of white and blue marlin and sailfish releases were
registered this past week, south of the Point. Several wahoo and a mako were
also landed. The mainstays, however, are the dolphin and yellowfin tuna.  A
number of Bigeye tuna, to 200 pounds were also taken. Best action is to be had
at the Point and between the 060 and 180 line.