Summary Of Potomac River Winter 08-09

January 26th of last year the Potomac River in Maryland proved to the country that it grows heavy weight largemouths outside of the deep south. I broke the existing state record of 9.2lbs with a giant Northern Strain Largemouth that weighed 11.3lbs on certified scales which shattered the old record. I was able to keep the fish alive and donated it to the Bass Pro Shops in Hanover Maryland. I named the fish "Justine" and she is gaining weight by the day. The explosion of (SAV) submerged aquatic grasses over the last 4 years has lead to an amazingly diverse and healthy fishery which can easily produce more fish of this caliber.
Throughout this entire 08' season the middle to north section of the Tidal Potomac River grew the proper mix of SAV to support large amounts of bass. The area between Dogue Creek and Broad Creek seem to be the most productive. During the fall transition typically the bass migrate from areas with SAV and go further north to receive protection from current in the Spoils area. This migration that normally starts in early November took place and hundreds of bass could have been caught for a 2 week period.
After the first week in December the migrating bass disappeared. Some fish are catch able in the typical wintering holes above the Wilson bridge, but the fishing have changed their migration. Yes fishing pressure has something to do with this but I believe the fish went back to the grass.
Every morning this winter I have idled out of marinas and seen gulls diving in the grass beds which shows me that the bait is in the grass. Its a very big myth that Largemouth bass abandon SAV when it is dead on a Tidal River. The only reason many people suggest that Largemouth leave the grass is that it becomes an oxygen user when it decays. Being that the Potomac River has Tidal Movement each day which keeps the water stirred up I believe this myth to be false.
Fishing this grass that has stopped growing and turned black on the stalk is very difficult but not impossible. In the warmer times you can fish grass with fast moving baits to find the most aggressive fish and eliminate unproductive water rapidly. During winter months this method of eliminating unproductive water fast becomes much more difficult but the same deduction methods remain. The number one factor in locating and catching these untapped fish is water temperature. If the water is colder than 40 degrees it becomes almost impossible to catch anything. If the water is above 40 degrees than you must next find the clearest water available. After that you simply find the deepest water which is still clear, and this can change due to tide influence. The best spots stay clear on high and low water conditions. As far as bait choice a lipless and billed crankbait is king. Soft plastics and bottom bouncing baits will not work because the fish don't seem to eat baits on the bottom because of the old decaying grass. Multiple casts must be made to entice a strike with good days resulting in 20 fish. Its a grind but this winter the grass bite is red hot all year long.