Dove feels line size is important on this incredible fishery. One reason that he rarely uses anything less than 12-pound-test line is to prepare to do battle with Potomac River bass. Dove said they have plenty of cover to wrap themselves in, and it is important to get them coming to the boat once a strike is detected and the fight begins.

“The color of the line is not so much a factor, although I do like to use a black magic marker to go over about the last 3 or 4 feet of braided line before the lure,” Dove said. “I think black is a better camouflage than light green, particularly once the braid is worn a bit. But most importantly is that you have confidence in what you are doing.”

Dove also said he heavily relies upon his electronics. He pays serious attention to his Lowrance depthfinder, and he went the extra mile by adding a digital media card by Navionics to enable him to really zero in on the Potomac’s intricacies. Anglers who pair today’s modern technology with real-time experience on the water can greatly increase their odds of hoodwinking fat Potomac bass.

EXPECTATIONS
Expectations can vary from person to person. The Potomac River is not unlike other fisheries in some respects. The bite can vary from “el stinko” to average to exceptional. However, most Commonwealth bassers will take their chances at the Potomac, knowing the potential exists for great days, both in number of fish and in quality.

According to Dove, “typical” days at the Potomac during May are centered on the last of the spawning fish; however, those first bass that spawned in April are now actively feeding and crushing lures with a vengeance.

“Anglers can expect to catch 10 to 20 bass in a day with seven or eight of those going over 15 inches, or weighing about 2 1/2 pounds or better,” he said. “It is not uncommon to catch fish exceeding 4 pounds with the biggest fish up to 8 pounds being available.”

With expectations like this, it is no wonder that major bass tournaments come to visit the Potomac River each year. For weekend warriors, it makes perfect sense to trailer to this famed body of water and wrangle with some late-spring and early-summer largemouths.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
For questions concerning the Potomac River largemouth bass fishery, contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in Brandywine at (301) 888-2423, or visit the Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us . The following are launch ramps close to many of the Potomac hotspots mentioned in this article: Leesylvania State Park on the main river, Hope Springs in Aquia Creek, Gravelly Point at Reagan National Airport and Pohick Bay Regional Park. No bass less than 15 inches can be possessed from March 1 through June 15 at the Potomac River.

GMCO produces the Pro Series Map of “Tidal Potomac River” that details the stretch from Georgetown to the Route 301 bridge. Contact them by phone at (888) 420-6277, by e-mail at gmcomaps@comcast.net or visit their Web site at www.gmcomaps.com .

To learn more about the career of Virginia bass pro Kurt Dove, visit www.kurtdove.com .