Articles

Moss Point To Mattawoman Creek

-by Andy Andrzejewski

We left off our tour of the Potomac River at Moss Point which is the southern point to the entrance to Chicamuxen Creek. We will begin this section by describing the fishing opportunities on Moss Point.

Moss Point is a community hole and is easy to identify by the power lines which cross the river directly over this point. It always seems to give up some bass as well as stripers.

Approximately eight years ago, I sat on this point and caught over 100 bass without moving. Others had similar success, but the 100 bass days are only a memory now, unless the heavy grass beds that we saw in this area this year will result in a return to its former glory. However, with all the fishing pressure this place now receives, chances are remote.

As you enter Chicamuxen Creek along it's southern shore, you will come to a rocky point about a quarter of a mile in. This is Linton Point and if you are a weekend angler, you will be able to locate this place by observing the number of boats fishing in this area. Approximately four feet of water abuts this point and at the upstream side is a row of pilings which are awash at low tide. This is Posey's Wharf, and it extends about 100 feet from the shoreline and occasionally catches unwary boaters. The GPS coordinates are 38-31-790, 77-14-700. As you continue along the southern shore, you will notice a few bays and private piers, they all hold fish.

The last bay on the right before the creek narrows is fed by a small creek known as Reeders Run. Reeders Run has a long sandy bar extending far out into the creek so make a wide swing to the north when boating in this region. I have seen more than one bass boat sitting hard aground on this bar waiting for the change of tide.

The bay at Reeders Run is a prime spawning area. I have heard some locals refer to this bay as Sailors Retreat. I tend to listen to locals whose family names appear on historical maps of the area.

(Editor's Note: In a conservation effort, the bay at Reeder's Run will be off limits to any boat traffic from March 1 to June 15. This action was taken in an effort to protect the spawning fish in this area from any harassment. After June 15, you are free to enter Reeder's Run.)

As you round the north point of the bay, once called Landing Point according to another historical map I perused, you will enter what is called the Narrows, the area where the creek narrows down. There is a buoy placed in the center of the creek which requires minimum wake in this area. When the buoy was first placed it had a Department of Natural Resources phone number on it to call for information. I called the number and was told the minimum wake requirement applied from March 1st to June 15th, so as to minimize boat wash during spawning. No dates are posted on the present buoy, nor has anything been posted to indicate otherwise. Anglers fishing this area who are not aware of the applicable dates may display their displeasure with you as you boat by.

As you first enter the area the water will deepen to five feet until you reach the flat at the first left turn. It is best to navigate the flat on plane, especially on a low tide, otherwise you may find yourself sitting on the gravel bar situated on the south side as you enter the turn or on the very shallow mud flat itself.

Once you have cleared the flat, you will come to a wooded bank and deeper water. This wooded bank as well as the remnants of the old pier jutting out from the navy base, is an excellent place to fish. This is a small, narrow area, so please respect the quietude of those fishing here. Idle speed is all that is required to navigate this portion of the creek.

You may fish upstream for approximately another quarter mile before running out of navigable water. The bottom of this upstream portion is gravel and coupled with some lay down trees and summer grasses, makes for good bass habitat.

As you leave the narrow portion of the creek and enter the wide bay again, you will see wooded and marsh banks on the north shore. You will also see an area rip rapped with Gabion Baskets. This is a demolition training area and wide berth is advisable as well as mandatory during demolition training.

The remainder of the bay from the training area to the mouth of the creek provides a variety of fishing opportunities that are worth a look.

This past year, Chicamuxen Creek and Bay was filled with aquatic vegetation. The entire bay was a fishery. Hopefully, the grasses will return in 2001.

When you reach Stump Neck Point at the mouth of the north side of Chicamuxen Bay, stop and spend some time fishing. It has been known to give up good numbers of quality bass.

After you have fished this point, just continue fishing up the shoreline to the old steel wreck which is grounded about halfway to Mattawoman Creek. This entire shoreline is productive.

A few years ago, an old log had washed against the shore in this area. I fished it one day and a 7 pound 12 ounce bass came from the log. I returned four days later and caught a 6 pound 8 ounce bass from the same log. The log has since drifted away, but this indicates the kind of bass that frequent this shoreline. Once you reach the steel wreck, spend some time fishing it. Fish completely around it, paying special attention to the stern area which is under water.

As you leave the wreck, fish the entire shoreline all the way to the next creek. This shoreline is littered with large rocks and logs, many which sit just away from the shoreline, not visible to the naked eye.

You are now at Mattawoman Creek, and that's a story in itself which I'll relate at another time...