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 March 26, 2023
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LOU Fish of the Week
Smallmouth: Paul “Cheeseburger” Thiesberger
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Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club
Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors and Riverfront Campground
Ken Penrod (5-3)
Dave Kerrigan (5-1)
Lou Pfrang (5-2)
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LOU Potomac River Largemouth Club
Sponsored by Lowrance Electronics and Ardent Outdoors
HOT HOT HOT: Lures of the Week
Riverfront Campground Tubes: Purple Tail, Bad Ass, KP Rose
Case Magic Swim or Rapala Jerkbait for river smallmouth.
For tidal largemouth, Campground Tubes, Case Magic Swims, Big Shakey by Big Mouth and the Penrod spinnerbait. Lipless crankbaits and square-bill cranks too.
Susquehanna & Juniata Rivers: ***; 44-47; stained to muddy; 7 feet at Harrisburg gauge and rising; 6.6 on the Juniata at Newport and steady
Our desire for more water and some color is now fact. Both rivers rose from the 4.5 feet level to 7ish after a few days of rain (and wind.) Both are facts of life and best faced wearing Simms gear.
I encourage the use of Ardent rods and reels and especially spinning types with 8 pound test mono (Excel). Campground tubes are far and away the most reliable offering and you may want to use ¼ ounce RAB jig heads until the current slows. The backup right now—and for bigger bass, use the Case Magic Swim attached to a 3/16th oz RAB jig heads (tubes and RAB jig heads Available from Riverfront Campground, in person or by phone 717-877-2704.)
We guide on the lower Juniata and main stem Susquehanna between Montgomery Ferry to Rockville—and that’s the areas we report on. Remember, that’s just a tiny overview of the entire complex. Still, river smallmouth all over the country are similar as to lure choice and habitat selection.
Bass right now are in pre-spawn and actively choosing and protecting addresses. Keep your depthfinders off and move into select areas with your trolling motor. Can’t say enough good things about the Lowrance Ghost I use.
20 inch bass have been difficult to find lately but what-a-group 19.5” and even 5-pound fatsos we are catching. On Saturday alone we have three over five pounds and five pounds qualifies for the Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club.
Captain David Kerrigan has been guiding for us for 25 years and has been VP of Smallmouth Operations for 20. He is now VP of Ken Penrod’s Life Outdoors Unlimited. Capt Dave Kerrigan reports “game on”! True to expectations Susky bass are moving to A-team spawning areas. A good mix of FAT ladies are joined by those feisty males in the usual places. On Saturday we witnessed several balls of fry that suggests that some fish have already done the deal. Most baits we throw each spring are catching fish but those Campground Special tubes with the purple tails just keep kicking butt with some real chunks taken in the mix. Next couple of days will feature rising stained water. Use those darker colors to trigger bites in moving water next to current breaks. Don’t forget those swim baits…besides crawfish Susky bass eat lots of small fish. We’ve caught some pigs on those Case Lil Swims this week!! White works well but natural minnow colors also produce.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: ***; 50s; stained in areas;
Like us, fish are feeling like it’s much later in the year than it is—and like us, we could all receive a disciplinary back hand by Momma Nature, BUT, until then, you go fish like it’d [pre-spawn because that’s the deal today.
From Washington DC to Nanjemoy, find new sprouting vegetation, rocks fallen trees or ay man-made structure and fish there.
I/m liking the Washington Channel and Pentagon Lagoon in DC. Near the WW Bridges, Penrod Cove, Smoot Bay and Belle Haven coves will make you smile. Piscataway gravel pits; mouth of Pomonkey; Gunston Bay; both ends of Mattawoman and Aquia Creek bays are viable option.
Launch near your fishing areas because running all over is a waste of gas and time, remember—“if you’re going to be dumb—you better be tough.”
I’m always going to have a tube, spinnerbait, paddle tail and crankbait tied on.
UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: ***; 50s; 5.2 feet at Point of Rocks and falling.
A pretty big weekend rise to 5.3 brought some color and needed depth that can flush the river. I’m pretty happy to report that smallmouth bass fishing appears to be back—no thanks to any of the jurisdictions.
Clun tournaments have needed as much as 20-pounds to win and that’s tidal Potomac stuff for sure.
I like the Brunswick to Lander and the Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry water best.
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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
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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