Fishing the DMV
Fishing the DMV Podcast is a leading bass fishing podcast delivering the most up-to-date fishing reports, bass fishing tips, bass fishing techniques, and tournament bass fishing strategies for anglers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Covering Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, this podcast is your go-to source for largemouth bass fishing, smallmouth bass fishing, tidal river fishing, lakes or the Chesapeake Bay we are the go to source for all things fishing in the area.
Hosted by Thomas Arens, Fishing the DMV features expert interviews with professional anglers, fishing guides, tournament anglers, fisheries biologists, and fishing industry experts, breaking down bass fishing patterns, seasonal fishing strategies, pre-spawn fishing, spawn fishing, post-spawn fishing, summer bass fishing, fall bass fishing, and winter bass fishing. Every episode is packed with actionable advice on best bass fishing lures, fishing tackle, rod and reel setups, bass fishing gear, sonar and fish finders, forward-facing sonar, electronics, kayak fishing, bank fishing, and offshore fishing techniques.
Get detailed fishing reports and bass fishing intel for top fisheries including the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Anna, Smith Mountain Lake, Chickahominy River, James River, Susquehanna River, Shenandoah River, Claytor Lake, Lake Gaston, Kerr Lake (Buggs Island), and more. Learn proven tournament fishing strategies, how to catch big bass, how to find bass, and how to catch more fish with real-world insights from anglers who fish these waters every day.
Whether you're searching for the best bass fishing podcast, daily fishing reports, bass fishing tips and tricks, or advanced bass fishing techniques, Fishing the DMV Podcast delivers everything you need to improve your fishing, stay on top of current conditions, and dominate on the water.
Subscribe now for the latest bass fishing reports, fishing tips, and tournament strategies to help you catch more bass and become a better angler.
Fishing the DMV
Potomac River & Patuxent River Breakdown: Tidal Bass Fishing Secrets with CJ Craft
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On this episode of Fishing the DMV, we sit down with CJ Craft to break down the current state of Potomac River bass fishing, tidal bass fishing, and what it takes to catch quality tournament fish on one of the most pressured bass fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic. CJ recently finished tied for 2nd place in the Shenandoah Division BFL on the Potomac River with 15 pounds, 13 ounces, and he shares exactly how he approached a tough tidal river tournament where the bite window opened early and every key decision mattered.
We talk in-depth about the challenges facing the Potomac River right now, including the lack of submerged grass, shrinking grass beds, heavy boat pressure, lower tournament weights, and why the river is “fishing smaller” than it has in past years. CJ explains how limited grass has pushed more anglers into the same community holes around areas like Belmont and Occoquan Bay, why grass fishing on the Potomac River has become more difficult, and how hard cover fishing has become a major factor in catching quality largemouth bass.
CJ also breaks down his BFL fishing strategy, including how he practiced for the Shenandoah Division BFL, why he stayed close to takeoff, how low tide positioned his fish, and how he caught every bass he weighed before 8:00 AM. We dive into tidal bass fishing tips, understanding tide timing, fishing around pressure, making adjustments during tough conditions, and why overlooked water can be the key to catching bigger bass in Potomac River tournaments.
In this episode, we also cover the Battle of the Border Series, Maryland vs. Virginia tournament fishing, local Potomac River team tournaments, and how CJ and Jeff Whitner adjusted from a hard cover pattern to a grass-oriented pattern in changing tidal conditions. CJ shares his thoughts on Potomac River spawning windows, spring bass fishing, chatterbait fishing, Thunder Cricket setups, fluorocarbon vs. braid, and how to target quality bass when the river is not producing the giant bags anglers are used to seeing.
Toward the end of the show, we explore another unique Maryland tidal bass fishery: the Patuxent River. CJ introduces us to the Pax River Elite Series, fishing around Jug Bay and Jackson’s Landing, and how the Patuxent River offers a completely different style of Maryland bass fishing with muddy water, current, laydowns, lily pads, hard cover, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, snakehead, stripers, and catfish. We also compare the Patuxent River to other tidal fisheries like the James River and Chickahominy River and discuss how fishing tight tidal creeks can help anglers become better tournament fishermen.
If you want to learn more about Potomac River bass fishing, tidal river bass fishing, BFL tournament fishing, Maryland bass fishing, Patuxent River fishing, grass fishing, hard cover fishing, chatterbait fishing, low tide bass fishing, spring bass fishing, pressured tidal fisheries, and how to catch more bass in tough tournament conditions, this episode is packed with local knowledge, tournament insight, and real-world fishing experience from CJ Craft.
CJ Craft on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cj.craft.451534
Pax River Elite Serious Invitationals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/420654917404080/
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