Ken Penrod’s Fishing Reports
43-Years.
1997 National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame-Legendary Guide.
(Mailing Address) 1860 Robin Court, Lusby, MD 20657
kenpenrod@comcast.net <> 240-447-2206 <> penrodsguides.com
Fishing Report for Week Ending May 28, 2023
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LOU Fish of the Week
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Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club
Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors and Riverfront Campground
Current Leader: Jay George; 6 lb, 1 oz
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LOU Potomac River Largemouth Club
Sponsored by Lowrance Electronics and Ardent Outdoors
Current Leader: Paul Winner
HOT HOT HOT: Lures of the Week
Largemouth Bass; Case Magic Stik and Magic Swim
Smallmouth Bass: Big Mouth spinnerbait and Campground Tubes
Snakeheads; Frog and white fluke
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SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS: **; near 70; clear; very low; 3.6 at Harrisburg and 3.7 at Newport on the Juniata.
It’s not only low—it’s unhealthy for many reasons including massive amounts of chicken, turkey and hog dung. Do not put river water in your mouth and wash your hands before eating. If you wade, be certain you have no open wounds on your feet and legs.
Zak Marinkov Reports: With record low rainfall for the month of May (less than .25″ @ Harrisburg for the month), the bottom is falling out of the river and it’s making navigating a challenge unless you have a Rockproof bottom like I am running. This dropping water level is helping to concentrate the bass into the little bit of water that is left. The fish are eager to eat swimbaits, fluke-style baits, spinnerbaits, and top water. Wednesday I only made it out for about 4 hours and had nearly 40 bass with almost 90% being fat and healthy 15″ bronzebacks including a couple 19″+ fish. Give me a call (717-507-5053) to schedule a summer topwater/spinnerbait trip. Father’s day is coming soon and an exciting run on skinny water is just what the dad in your life wants!
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: **; 70ish; quite clear with wake color in places;
Catching got tough last week as bass are finally moving from post spawn to summer patterns and habitat.
In DC and WW Bridge area look for bridge foundations and man-made cover such as docks, walls, concrete and old barges. There is a good mix of species here including largemouth, smallmouth, rockfish and catfish. See my “what’s hot” list above for lure choices. I particularly like the rip rap on both sides at the airport and Naval facilities.
In the Pomonkey Pohick area I really like the wood and veggie cover in Pomonkey where Big Mouth spinnerbaits and Case Stiks shine. Nice snakeheads here too.
Mattawoman gets her butt kicked but still maintains a healthy populations of bass, blue cats and snakeheads.In the 5-mph zone use Big Mouth spinnerbaits, flukes and buzzbaits. In the grass beds at Marsh Island AND Long Bay—it’s frogs, Case Stiks and Zipper worms.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: **; 70ish; very low; 1.7 at Point of Rocks gauge.
It’s not summer yet but we are at summer-lows with water flow so don’t be silly and tear your boat up. Wading is an options and floats are cool.
Smallmouth bass are in moving current so choose areas where the bottom is obscured and chunk rocks are visible. Feed them topwater lures in the early hours but Stiks, Big Mouth spinnerbaits and tubes are reliable. I like Whites Ferry and Lander now.
LOU GUIDES FOR 2023
United States Coast Guard Licensed Captains
Captain Ken Penrod (Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Legendary Guide)
Susquehanna River, Juniata River, Tidal Potomac River, Eastern Shore Tidal Rivers;
Upper Potomac River; Stevenson Dam; Cameron County trout
Captain Dave Kerrigan, VP (301-252-5322)
Susquehanna River, Juniata River, Upper Potomac River, Tidal Potomac River
Captain Brian Barnes (302-745-4668)
Upper Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, Nanticoke River, Choptank River, Wicomico River, Pocomoke River
Zak MARINKOV (717-507-5053)
Susquehanna & Juniata Rivers, PA
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2023 LOU Sponsors and Partners:
#lowrance; #ArdentOutdoors; #CasePlastics; #ZipperWorms; #Case Magic Swim; #CampgroundTubes; #RABjigheads; #Simms; #Costa: #Yeti; #RiverPro; (AlumaRyder-Captain Kerrigan); #RiverfrontCampground; #Ghost; #BigMouthLures