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 4, 2023
##
LOU Fish of the Week
Dr Dave: Largemouth
<>
Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club
Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors and Riverfront Campground
Current Leader: Jay George; 6lb, 1 ounce; 21 ¼’
<>
LOU Potomac River Largemouth Club
Current Leader: Paul Winner
Sponsored by Lowrance Electronics and Ardent Outdoors
<>
HOT HOT HOT: Lures of the Week
For Largemouth: White Buzzbait; Case Magic Swim; Case Magic Stik; Big Mouth Spinnerbait & Vibrating Jig; Bomber Firetiger 7-A; Campground Tube; Case Pintail; Worm
For Smallmouth: Penrod spinnerbait by Big Mouth Lures; Campground Tubes by Riverfront Campground; Rico Popper; KVD Squarebill
For Snakeheads: Black Frog; white fluke; white Magic Stik
<>
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: **; salty;
Decent fishing last week from top to bottom and from DC to Nanjemoy. Go vegetation if you have it—and wood or rocks when present. Lots of tournament activity this week so stay north.
In DC I find that bridge foundations can be super productive at times so check your favorites a few time per tide. A drop-shot with a Case Pin Tail is “hot” but use a tube as your weight. Follow up with a Bomber firetiger (7-A) before moving on.
Rip Rap on both sides pof the river holds all three bass. A Case Magic Swim or squarebill gets my nod but a tube is always, always in the mix.
There are rockfish in the Washington Channel and best checked by trolling whit or firetiger crankbaits along the 10-12 foot contour on the Military side.
From Belle Haven Marina I prefer the MD side but have some hot spots in VA too. Penrod Cove concrete holds quality bass and the Big Shaky, Magic Stik and Golden Shiner spinnerbaits usually excels.
Check out Smoot Bay too, especially north and south point.
George Stevens had been the Concessionaire at Belle Haven Marina since OI began fishing the Potomac. He recently retired and Id like to thank him for all he did to accommodate us bass anglers.
Check out the newly installed jetty in the Hog Island area,
Pomonkey and Pohick aren’t top far to run from Belle Haven but there are closed launch sites. Pomonkey is a jewel for bass and snakeheads.
Slavins, Smallwood & Leesylvania puts you in the midst of more “spots” than you can do in a day but check out the “6-MPH” and mouth cove grass of Mattawoman with frogs and Stiks—or a buzzbait./
Chickamuxen grass is another good idea and Aquia is worth the time.
SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS: **1/2; very low; clear; 3.4 at the Harrisburg gauge and 3.5 at Newport on the Juniata )NO, it’s not Wonita).
LOU Guide, Zak Marinkov (717-447-5053) warns boaters that the river is low and dangerous for those not accustomed to such conditions because the Susqy has ledges that can shave the bottom off of your boat. Don’t believe that rock proof stuff. It’s a l;ot like trusting a fart.
Zak says use the low light hours for really good topwater action and spinnerbaits and Campground tubes are your go-tos.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: **; clear, low, warm and don’t get river water in your mouth. it’s only 1.4 at the Point of Rocks gauge. Good wet wading conditions and floats but dress to get wet.
It’s time for 6 pound test (Excel by Bass Pro Shops) and stealth.
<>
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 Marinkopv., 717-507-5053
Susquehanna & Juniata Rivers
<>
2023 LOU Sponsors and Partners:
#lowrance; #ArdentOutdoors; #CasePlastics; #ZipperWorms; #Case Magic Swim; #CampgroundTubes; #RABjigheads; #Simms; #Costa: #Yeti; #RiverPro; (AlumaRyder-Captain Kerrigan); #RiverfrontCampground; #Ghost; #BigMouthLures