Pond for catching bait

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Hi all,

I am going back to the dark side for a bit this weekend to fish with a friend who doesn't fly fish. Planning to rent a boat at Mattawoman Creek and live line some bluegills for whatever wants them...definitely catfish, probably a few bass, even a snakehead if we're lucky. First we will need to catch some bluegills (which will be done on the fly rod).

Does anyone know of any ponds near Indian Head that would work as a source of bait? The more overpopulated with sunfish, the better. I said bluegills, but any species will do. Only looking for 3-4" "bite sized" fish. I have some backup options for bait, just seeing if I can find a spot to catch bait close to where we will be fishing. Understand if no one wants to share a good panfish hole.

Many thanks,
Andrew

[Andrew Sarcinello]

I know this is a fly fishing group and I'm not trolling here, if anyone is wondering. I'm in the middle of a crazy time at work and apartment hunting and just hoping to score some quick info on short notice. I can see this post maybe not being well received and just thought I should clarify my intentions.

[TurbineBlade]

Fly fishermen who repudiate other fishermen are an embarrassment.  

I've spent some time catching "aquarium-sized" sunfish, which probably works just as well for what you're trying to do.  Note that a regular minnow trap baited with bread catches more small sunfish than minnows most of the time in the tidal creeks off the Potomac around here.  So that's another option for you to try -- in VA you have to mark your trap with some information, and promise to check the trap regularly, but it's not too burdensome.  

With a fly rod I'd probably use something as light as possible and tiny nymphs or soft hackles.  I don't know about ponds, but just about any body of water is worth a try.  Accotink and Holmes run would get you all the 3-4" sunfish you'd ever need if you bring a 5-gal bucket with you and stop off there a couple of hours before your trip. 

While fishing a live bluegill many years ago I was surprised to catch about a 15 pound carp -- luckily Beth was there, or no one would have believed me.  

Gene 

[Rob Snowhite]

I've seen people catch four mile run bluegill and red breasts for catfish bait. Our TPFR pilot used to cast net baby bluegill from roaches run. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Andrew R]

Hey Andrew,

While not as efficient of a way to catch bluegill as cast nets or minnow traps, another option for the fly fishing inclined is golf course ponds. I've found that the majority of golf course ponds are swarming with bluegill. I've had great success (or failure as I was fishing for largemouth) with size 8 black wooly buggers, fishing along the shoreline. One morning I think I caught 8-10 of the little buggers in 15 minutes. Golf course fish don't get spooked very easily (typically lots of foot traffic and very little fishing pressure).

If you're going to fish a golf course pond, get out there early and be ready to leave by 7:30 am. Or you can fish late, after 6 pm.

One decent option near Indian Head is the Osprey's at Belmont Bay. The course was a dog track and closed down last fall, but there's a large pond on the 10th fairway that could have promise. Plus, no golfers means you can hit it pretty much anytime.

On Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 8:21:05 AM UTC-4, Rob Snowhite wrote:

I've seen people catch four mile run bluegill and red breasts for catfish bait. Our TPFR pilot used to cast net baby bluegill from roaches run. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 21, 2016, at 4:20 AM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Fly fishermen who repudiate other fishermen are an embarrassment.  

I've spent some time catching "aquarium-sized" sunfish, which probably works just as well for what you're trying to do.  Note that a regular minnow trap baited with bread catches more small sunfish than minnows most of the time in the tidal creeks off the Potomac around here.  So that's another option for you to try -- in VA you have to mark your trap with some information, and promise to check the trap regularly, but it's not too burdensome.  

With a fly rod I'd probably use something as light as possible and tiny nymphs or soft hackles.  I don't know about ponds, but just about any body of water is worth a try.  Accotink and Holmes run would get you all the 3-4" sunfish you'd ever need if you bring a 5-gal bucket with you and stop off there a couple of hours before your trip. 

While fishing a live bluegill many years ago I was surprised to catch about a 15 pound carp -- luckily Beth was there, or no one would have believed me.  

Gene 

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 11:34:45 PM UTC-4, Andrew Sarcinello wrote:

I know this is a fly fishing group and I'm not trolling here, if anyone is wondering. I'm in the middle of a crazy time at work and apartment hunting and just hoping to score some quick info on short notice. I can see this post maybe not being well received and just thought I should clarify my intentions.

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[namfos]

Now THAT is positively Solomonic!  ;-)

Mark

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. To throw a wrench into things, the Mattawoman rental place (Up the Creek Rentals) has apparently closed down for good or is closed for the season. Their phone line and website are not active.

Called Mason Neck to see what they can do...they are not renting yet due to water temperatures being below 60 degrees (??).

Called Occoquan...they only have kayaks.

Any suggestions for a canoe rental place? We don't want to deal with the crowds at Fletchers, as awesome as the fishing is there.

Maybe we will just go to River Bend for bass and channel cats. Have to see if they are renting yet.

Back to the bait - i know several ponds near my place, but they are all catch and release except for one that I know is loaded with sunfish but only allows you to keep 8/day. May go the small stream route to get the bait. Typically use a bead head soft hackle under a big popper.

[Rob Snowhite]

Speaking of throwing a wrench...

http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/04/20/400-pound-fish-caught-with-wrench-pkg.wfts


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[Andrew Sarcinello]

Rob that is incredible haha. I may have to break out the tool box. I wonder if a Phillips head would outfish a flat head.

As for Saturday's plans we've decided to stick to fishing on foot. Will have more rental options after memorial day.

[Aden]

The baby bluegill and bull minnows work really well on smallmouth and stripers. At gravely they catch the occasional catfish. Just bounce a Carolina rig on the bottom with current. I've even heard of a guy that can take a minnow on a fly hook and roll cast into the current to catch stripers ;)

You might call Pohick Bay regional park on mason neck of the state park on the other side of the peninsula isn't open/renting yet. You can camp there and they rent kayaks and have a pool and golf course.

[Craig Bonfield]

Bladensburg Waterfront Park in MD rents Kayaks and Rowboats. 

http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Nature/Bladensburg_Waterfront_Park.htm

I have caught largemouth there and have seen plenty of Snakeheads. I'm sure you'd have no problem catching live bait there as well.

Should have good water in there until around 1:00 or 2:00pm

http://www.saltwatertides.com/cgi-local/neatlantic.cgi 

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Interesting, I didn't know stripers will eat sunfish.

We're planning to hop around various parks on the VA side for a few hours tossing bluegills with the outgoing tide and then go hunt snakeheads in MD. I haven't caught a snakehead yet, so hoping to accomplish that tomorrow.

Will keep the other rental places in mind for future trips, thanks guys!