Point of Rocks, MD

[Steve]

Has anyone fished Point of Rocks on the Potomac this year?
My plan is to launch the yaks at the point and play with the freshies while doing photos.

Suggestions for other areas along the Potomac are welcomed.

[fish-aholic]

I hit it last fall, but not yet this year.....The current is pretty quick there so if you are launching and taking out at the same place be prepared to paddle Personally for smallies...I prefer the stretch between Algonkin Park and River Bend Park.. Those are on the VA side but I've always had good luck in that stretch....Seneca Break is in that stretch if I remember correctly, be careful at that stretch...I didn't realize I went through it until years after I did it the first time Its a healthy stretch....but TONS of fun Smallies

[esoxangler]

Well Steve I don't have much experience at Point Of Rocks but know it is a pretty good area for smallies. I like the Seneca Breaks/ Violets Lock stretch.

Wherever you go BE CAREFUL!!! Lots of current now. Much better to do it during the low water of summer. The water is warmer, lower, concentrates the fish more.

I have access to a yak....when you going?

[Steve]

Where is the Seneca Breaks launch?
Any safer at the Monocacy?

Still working on when to go, sure as heck won't be soon, river is brown and deadly nasty fast!

Jeff, I will walk the River Bend Park tomorrow or Monday, just to check it out. Not going in the water with it the way it is now.

[fish-aholic]

let me know how its looking......I know my first 3# Smallie came out of river bend. It has a nice rocky bottom, just the way those smallies like it......

[esoxangler]

Steve,

Seneca Breaks is at Violets Lock Road. If your comming from Rockville come up 28 to 112 Seneca Road. Left turn there. Then another left on 190 River Road. Under a mile you will find Violets Lock Road on your right. You turn there and follow it around to the parking lot. In the warm water season a good float is Seneca Breaks to Pennyfield Locks if you have two vehicles.

Pretty good fishing in there. Smallies and catfish and the odd largemouth. If you want to head out during the colder months then put in just above the Seneca Breaks and head into the backed up water. Monster smallies are caught in this area during late fall/winter/early spring. Forget this area with the yak in the warm water season. Lots of boat traffic in there then.....

[Steve]

What would be good to toss out at both places guys?
I just started to put together a freshie box.
I have every Redfish Magic head/spinner/body color combo they make. Well, this stuff works for salties too soooo.....
Got a few small weights and corks, hooks, etc.

Crawlers, herring, minner, what?
I'll try the shore today at River Bend.
Prolly too muddy to use spinners but I'll try it and maybe some crawlers.

[fish-aholic]

Depends if you are looking for quality or quantity. Quantity I use a 4 1/2-5' ultralite loaded with some stren 4lb and toss a 2" grub (no spinner) and you'll hammer all kinds of fish. Fishing the 2" will catch you larger fish, but it will also put the smaller ones on the bait too increasing your #'s. I've had luck rebel killer crawdads, jigs and pigs, 3-4" grubs. As for live bait.....Minnows would tear them up, helgramites (if you can find them) for the smallies......Mealworms would probably catch you more bream than you could imagine....and Nightcrawlers, well those will catch anything in the river....including the possibility of some good fun with some river cats. If you're gonna use live bait I would recommend a good med action rod instead of an ultralite or lite action....Just keep in mind you are only a mile or so above great falls at riverbend...so there's a good current there. live bait can be a bit of a pain to fish. Rocky bottom = snags and Current = lots of relocating bait if using a float. We'll have to see what the rain does this weekend.....but if you want to hit the potomac somewhere, I can get out mon or tue for a few hours..

[Steve]

I checked out the Potomac today near Great Falls.
Fast, high and mud soup.
I think I'll hit the lake nearby on Sunday for a Muskie or two.
Maybe hit the river next week, depending on my time and the wx.
No firm plans yet Jeff.....

Can live bait be netted in the river?
Minners, herring, shad, whatever....

[fish-aholic]

I'm not sure about the live bait.....I've never tried netting it there. My cast netting sucks, so I primarily try it where I have plenty of room and a relatively smooth bottom (ie lakes, bays, ocean). I'm sure there's bait in the river.

[maxum 1989]

Does anyone know a good spot in that area to run a 16' motor boat 50 hp. I am new to the area and I didnt know if the water was deep enough in the point of rocks area.

[ocsnapper]

Originally Posted by maxum 1989

Does anyone know a good spot in that area to run a 16' motor boat 50 hp. I am new to the area and I didnt know if the water was deep enough in the point of rocks area.

If in the OC area use the boat ramp in west OC at the harbor down Golf Course Rd.

[maxum 1989]

Thanks I was looking for somewhere near frederick or montgomery county maryland on the potomac.

[Steve]

Maxum, look at the 3rd and 6th post in this thread.
Also, do a search for state and county parks, you'll find other launches. I haven't been to them and cannot vouch for them though. If the state or county is running them, bets are they are probably safe.
If you need more help, post here instead of PMs.

[Steve]

Just left Riverbend Park.
The water is too fast to hold bottom, too many trees surging by.
Didn't bother with artificials, too muddy.
I did see a few large Kats breaking the surface.
Crest should be about 2 am tomorrow.