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 April 9, 2023
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LOU Fish of the Week
Smallmouth: Dr Dave
Youth: Trey
Youth: Griffyn
Ladies: Lana
Toothy Critter: John Ennis, walleye
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Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club
(Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors and Riverfront Campground)
CURRENT LEADER: Dr. Dave (20.50)
Ken (2) 20.5 and 20.25
Dr Dave (2) 20.50 and 20.25
Doc: 20 1/8th
Jeff Colie (20.20)
Andrew Ralowitz: 20 1/8
Jason George: 20,25
Griffyn (Youth) 19”
Lana (Ladies) 18’’
Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors and Riverfront Campground
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LOU Potomac River Largemouth Club
Sponsored by Lowrance Electronics and Ardent Outdoors
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HOT HOT HOT: Lures of the Week
For River Smallmouth
Case Magic Swim on a Campground 3/16 oz swim jig hed.
Campground Tubes: KP Series Pur[ple Tail; Rose;, Penrod Purple and Bad Ass
For Tidal Largemouth
Campground Tube; Case Magic Swim; Big Mouth Penrod spinnerbait; lopless lure, Bomber Firetiger 7A
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On Behalf of our team, sponsors and Clients—we wish you a pleasant and safe Easter.
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UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: ***’ some color; 60ish; 2.7 at Point of Rocks falling
I’m pleased to say that this river has made a remarkable comeback since the summer floods of 2018—no thanks to MD or VA fisheries.
It’s full moon and spawn time so fish current near calmed areas with just about anything—but if you want to excel, use the lures I recommend above on Ardent spinning rods and Ardent reels like Bolt and C-Force.
I’m NEVER going smallmouth fishing without having Campground tubes tied on one or two rods (8# Excel Mono) plus the Case Magic Swim, Case Magic Stik and Big Mouth Lure Company vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits.
The entire river is in good shape with adequate water to operate jet boats safely. Remember that prudence is important and if you are going to be dumb—you better be tough.
My favored launch site include Lander, Brunswick, Whites Ferry and Edwards Ferry
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: ****; 60ish; good grass growth to the south;
The gentle winter aided in SAV growth in lots of areas and largemouth bass are in big-time pre-spawn mode. Never use the month of the year to dictate a bass’ behavior because it’s all about water temperature.
Just about all the traditional areas are harboring good populations on bass including the WWB coves; Washington Channel; Piscataway Creek; Pomonkey Creek; Belmont, Mattawoman Creek. Chickamuxen Creek and Quantico.
Rattling lipless crankbaits, Case Magic Stiks, Case Magic Swims; Case Pin Tail worms; Big Mouth’s Big Shaky and the BMLC Penrod spinnerbait.
SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS, PA: *****; clear; 60ish; 5.5 at the Harrisburg gauge falling; 4.6 on the Juniata and falling.
WOW—what a week! I’ve never seen fatter bass and I’ve been spending 7-weeks per year here for 25 years. VP, Captain Dave Kerrigan and I turned-in four 100+ bass catches this week and there were 9 entries into the Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club. That’s a record for us. A client must catch a bass weighing 5-pounds or more—or a bass measuring 20-incjhes long or more. The longest smallmouth of the year wins an Ardent rod and reel just like Ken uses and every eligible person gets a medallion from Johnny Cunningham of Riverfront Campground. Last year’s winner was John Ennis of Ennis Electric and the leader this year is Doctor Dave. Of particular interest are the “short” bass weighing five pounds and more.
The spawn-is-on and it’s magic to watch. We avoid as much as possible major span sites and never report on them. There are plenty of fat ladies in pre-spawn mode—in CURRENT.
You can’t beat tubes but that Case Magic Swim was kickin’ bass this week, It’s Magic Stik time too and you just have to try those new Case Pintail worms selection.
I’ll not pinpoint areas this report but look for calmed areas with a good moving current on the edge.
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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