Post by Ghost Comanche©® on Dec 17, 2018 0:33:03 GMT
by Captain Steve Chaconas
![](https://i.postimg.cc/T2qDJvY4/Screenshot-2018-12-16-Fishing-Report-Tides-National-Bass-Guide-S.jpg")
Slight Warm Up....
The most important piece of fishing gear is the temperature gauge. A 2 degree change in either direction can be key. A 5 degree change alters all game plans.
Days are at their shortest point, reducing warm up, but that will change as we move through the winter. A warm sunny start with overnight lows above freezing. Rain Thursday into the weekend with highs into the upper 50s. Water temperature around 45 this week.
The magic number for slow rolling spinnerbaits is 45 degrees. After just a few days in this range and fish are more willing to slam a spinnerbait crawled along the bottom. Tie to 12-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line on a 7-foot medium heavy rod. Make long casts to flats close to deeper water and along drops. Allow baits to fall to the bottom and then retrieve at the slowest speed possible. Mann’s Classic, gold Colorado and willow blades, with a white skirt is my favorite. The rounded head deflects off bottom cover and acts as a keel to keep the bait upright.
A seldom-used technique on the Potomac is the reliable Carolina rig. Use 30-pound Gamma Torque braid with a 12-pound test Edge leader. A 2/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook with a soft plastic can be dragged slowly and worked down drops. Frequent pauses will allow fish to take the bait. A ¾ ounce weight keeps this rig moving slowly and along the bottom. Move the rod slowly parallel to the water and then reel up slack and repeat. Under calm conditions and up to 5 feet deep, split shot rigs are very effective. Use 10-pound test Edge fluorocarbon as a leader tied to 15-pound braid. A 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weight will come through and over cover.
Slight Warm Up....The most important piece of fishing gear is the temperature gauge. A 2 degree change in either direction can be key. A 5 degree change alters all game plans.
Days are at their shortest point, reducing warm up, but that will change as we move through the winter. A warm sunny start with overnight lows above freezing. Rain Thursday into the weekend with highs into the upper 50s. Water temperature around 45 this week.
The magic number for slow rolling spinnerbaits is 45 degrees. After just a few days in this range and fish are more willing to slam a spinnerbait crawled along the bottom. Tie to 12-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line on a 7-foot medium heavy rod. Make long casts to flats close to deeper water and along drops. Allow baits to fall to the bottom and then retrieve at the slowest speed possible. Mann’s Classic, gold Colorado and willow blades, with a white skirt is my favorite. The rounded head deflects off bottom cover and acts as a keel to keep the bait upright.
A seldom-used technique on the Potomac is the reliable Carolina rig. Use 30-pound Gamma Torque braid with a 12-pound test Edge leader. A 2/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook with a soft plastic can be dragged slowly and worked down drops. Frequent pauses will allow fish to take the bait. A ¾ ounce weight keeps this rig moving slowly and along the bottom. Move the rod slowly parallel to the water and then reel up slack and repeat. Under calm conditions and up to 5 feet deep, split shot rigs are very effective. Use 10-pound test Edge fluorocarbon as a leader tied to 15-pound braid. A 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weight will come through and over cover.