The rain experienced this week in the Washington area has caused the water level of the Potomac River to rise, and the water temperature to fall.  This drop in water temperature has caused the bass to move back off the normal spawning areas that they were frequenting. Perhaps the most popular of these areas is a four mile long section of the Virginia shoreline between Chopawamsic and Aquia Creeks, called Arkindale Flat. Averaging only 2-4 feet deep, it is generally covered with aquatic vegetation.

The vegetation comes in many forms, from native wild celery (commonly called eelgrass), to the exotic hydrilla and Eurasian milfoil. Whatever it's form, the bass love it. They move into the grass beds as soon as the water temperature rises above 50 degrees and remain until water temperatures fall below that figure in late Fall. The grass beds provide many things for the bass. Food is abundant, as aquatic insects, crayfish and small baitfish seek cover and protection among it's stems and leaves. The plants provide both shade and oxygen for hiding fish. It also provides security for bass and other predators.

Having the fish concentrated in such a small area makes it easy for anglers to catch limits of bass in a relatively short time. Even though there may be as many as 100 boats fishing the flat at any one time, most of them are catching fish. The most productive lures during the early part of the season are small plastic grubs or worms. Some of the more successful colors are June Bug, Red Shad, Pumpkinseed and Electric Blue. As the season progresses, spinnerbaits begin to take their toll on the bass population. These baits, resembling small baitfish, provide lots of flash and vibration coming through the vegetation.

Once the water temperatures begin to rise above the 60 degree mark, most anglers turn to lipless, rattling crankbaits. These baits will draw larger fish from long distances to investigate the incessant chatter of the BBs enclosed in the bait. Knowledgeable anglers normally use 1/2 ounce versions of these baits in shallow water and 3/4 ounce versions in the deeper water found on the outside edges of the grass beds.

After unsuccessfully retrieving these rattling baits for a period of time, a switch to another bait would be entirely appropriate. This bait should be a large, slow moving bait, such as a jig 'n pig or plastic lizard. These baits present a large profile, resulting in larger fish. They also have a tendency to turn on fish when they otherwise are not feeding.

Buzzbaits account for an inordinate number of trophy sized fish every year. There is something about the noisy, metal lure that will draw even the largest, most wary bass, out of the grass and onto the lure. Tidal movement often determines whether or not a lure is successful. When the tide is running hard, the fish seem to be aggressive. Conversely, when the tide slackens, the fish seem to retreat back into the thickest grass. When this occurs, a topwater bait that can be fished in place, is often more successful. Examples of these baits are Heddon's Tiny Torpedo, Rapala's Floating Minnow, Rebel's Pop-R, Smithwick's Devils Horse and Flyrod poppers. These baits will remain in the strike zone a long time, agitating the bass, until it must come to the surface and destroy it.

When the bass are on the beds, different lures are utilized to take the fish. The more successful lures imitate a crippled baitfish. Shad minnows, when injured, tend to fall very slowly to the bottom. In the process, they try to swim back to the surface. This action attracts the attention of any bass in the area and triggers a strike. Lures which imitate this action are deadly on spawning bass. Tube lures, floating minnows and Zoom Flukes are lures which are very successful, twitched slowly around a spawning bass.

The last category of baits is reserved for late summer, when the grass is a solid mass. This is the time for fishing the Johnson Silver Minnow, the Grass Rat, floating worm or any of the various topwater frogs. These baits will draw a bass from the bottom, busting a huge hole in the impenetrable cover. This is excitement at it's best.

With warm weather finally here, plan to go fishing. Even if you don't catch fish, it will do you good to get out in the fresh air, away from the stress of work and the wife, and just relax.

All of Mother Nature's creatures are on the move and the chances of seeing deer, fox, squirrels, rabbits, muskrat, beaver, osprey, ducks, geese and even bald eagles are excellent. Relax and revel in the quality of life to be found along the river. Enjoy the pursuit of fish, even if it does not turn out to be productive in terms of fish caught.