For the Week Ending Sunday, July 9, 2017

Monday, July 3 (morning)...From Ron: Launched out of West Neck before sunrise. Found a total of 9 bass, all on topwater. Was getting a decent bite on Pop Shadz, but they were mostly small ones (1-1 and six dinks). Decided to throw the Whopper Plopper, and a few casts later, caught a pole bender that weighed in at 3-4. Just as I was thinking, "Gee, the Whopper Plopper really does attract the big ones," I ended up catching the smaller one pictured here.

Monday, July 3 (evening)...From Ron: Ventured back out in the heat to try my luck once again at West Neck. Launched at 6 p.m. and fished till dark. Got a few on the Pop Shadz, a couple more on the Whopper Plopper. Also trolled a Mann's Minus-1 crankbait that got me a dink and a decent striper. My totals included four dinks, a  2-4, a 16-inch striper, and a 19-inch (2-11) striper. These fish really know how to fight! Enjoyable trip...but still no bowfin.

Tuesday, July 4...From Ron: Got ahead of the horde and fished Albright's from 6 - 9 a.m. When I recovered, parking lot was half full, with about eight jet skis launched or launching. As I drove north on Princess Anne, saw about 30 vehicles with various watercraft on their tops or on trailers. There was an accident at Princess Anne and Indian River. Appeared that the pickup truck involved had transferred two kayaks to another truck that was in the Red Barn parking lot. Intersection was a mess. Bite was nonexistent. Tried everything everywhere. Caught a 1-2 on the Pop Shadz and finally found a bowfin on the Whopper Plopper, but he was small--smallest I've ever caught. Happy 4th!!!

Tuesday, July 4...From Ron: After the storm passed, decided to try Milldam for an Independence Day evening trip. Was throwing Whopper Plopper and Pop ShadZ, while trolling a Bomber Square A. Didn't intend to target panfish, but they were biting well. Only caught one dink bass on the Pop ShadZ, but got a stringer of taco fare between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Bigger White Perch were hitting the Whopper Plopper.

Wednesday, July 5...From Ron:  Made a short trip to upper North Landing this evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Weather cooperated, but the fish didn't. Caught a 1-1 and a dink bass, as well as two warmouths, on the Pop Shadz. Tried Flukes, shallow crankbaits, XTS Minnow, and Whopper Plopper. Had a few short strikes from little ones and missed a gar. Still was nice to be out.

Thursday, July 6...From Ron: Fished House Cove from 6 to 8:30 p.m. I didn't get a single tap until 8:10. At least, it was a 1-14 bass, followed a few minutes later with a white perch, then a 1-12 bass. Everything came on the Pop ShadZ. I tried everything in my arsenal to no avail for two hours.

Friday, July 7...From Ron: Fished upper West Neck from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The wind died down to non-existent, and the bite was similar. Ended up with three dinks and a 1-9. Gorgeous evening. Should have gone elsewhere.

Saturday, July 8...From Ron: Fished out of West Neck Marina from 0545 to 0800, north of the bridge. Caught eight dinks, a 1-2 and a 2-8. Few of the dinks were 14 and 15 ozs. Caught half on the Whopper Plopper, including the 2-8; the rest came on the Pop ShadZ. Everything came off main channel points and structure. Ventured into feeders to avoid the wind but couldn't get any hits in them. My topwater addiction could be hurting my numbers. I should try something else for a change.

Sunday, July 9 (morning)...From Ron: Made an early morning trip to Beggars Bridge and headed to Landing Cove about 0500. The entrance offered up two dink bass, and things were looking up. However, couldn't find another bite in the cove. Back at the entrance, managed two more dinks and a 12-inch crappie on the Whopper Plopper. When I got back to Lovitts about 0830, there were four kayaks and two boats fishing in vicinity of the creek entrance. Parking area was full. Very muddy and murky today--may have been why they weren't biting very well.

Sunday, July 9 (evening)...From Ron: Alex and I fished Milldam. Talk about grass! All the feeder creeks are pretty much chock full, some with distinct narrow channels in the middle. I went into Snake north in search of white perch, and Alex went to Snake south looking for bass. I managed one dink bass and one dink white perch--very different from my last venture in there. Alex found a 1-9, 1-5 and a two dink bass on a Fluke and Pop ShadZ. It was comfortable weather, with the most amazing moon rise. As it rose in the east, it started out bright orange--a sight to see, but my phone camera doesn't do it justice. We fished from 6 to 9 p.m. Not a tacos night.