[ronpre87]

So i just relocated to NOVA from Hampton Roads. I'm having trouble finding bait shops and areas to fish from the shore. Specifically on the Potomac for catfish. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bluefish1928]

Tackle shop in the area off the top of my head:
Ocean's East
Atlantic Bait and Tackle
Chesapeake Bait and Tackle
Greg's Bait Shack
Basspro in Hampton
Princess Anne Distribution

If the Potomac is your preferred haunt, that's fine. I did well there back when I lived in MD. However, I do want to point out that the James River is much closer and may have just as many if not more blue cats than the Potomac. There is just so much local freshwater and inshore saltwater fishing to do without driving more than an hour away. Blue cats are also in the Northwest River and other rivers that drain into Back Bay.

 

[George Gravier]

Tackle shop in the area off the top of my head:
Ocean's East
Atlantic Bait and Tackle
Chesapeake Bait and Tackle
Greg's Bait Shack
Basspro in Hampton
Princess Anne Distribution

If the Potomac is your preferred haunt, that's fine. I did well there back when I lived in MD. However, I do want to point out that the James River is much closer and may have just as many if not more blue cats than the Potomac. There is just so much local freshwater and inshore saltwater fishing to do without driving more than an hour away. Blue cats are also in the Northwest River and other rivers that drain into Back Bay.

Hes not in Hampton Roads, he moved North and looking for tackle shops up there I believe..

 

[Guest]

Don't know how much help I am but Google and YouTube "bank catfishing the Potomac". There are several D.C guys catching decent blues in the local parks along the Potomac. You can see all the D.C landmarks in the background. A lot of it is right around the mall area. Looks like nice and easy fishing.....concrete walkways, clean, and cute yuppy woman stopping to look at your fish. Bluefish is right. The James is king of the Heavy Blues.

 

[bluefish1928]

Hes not in Hampton Roads, he moved North and looking for tackle shops up there I believe..

y
Ahh. I mis-read the entire thread.......

DC area= Fletcher's Cove was my go-to. Rent a rowboat, bring the heavy stuff and yank in blue cats. I used 60# mono and tied dropper loops with stout 4/0 hooks. I would bring your own rock and rope as anchor- need at least 50'. The cats seem stacked at creek mouths. Other species there include white perch, hickory shad, American shad, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stripers, and even walleye. As for tackle shops, I was based out of Annapolis- Angler's, All Tackle, Marty's.
Thinking now, I am not sure if I want to eat any blue cats south of the DC metropolitan area..... we had a great time catching cats up to and over 40 inches.

 

[ronpre87]

Thanks for the help guys. I killed on the northwest and Northlanding rivers. as well as nottoway and black water. Gotta find some hot spots to take the future father in law bank fishing on. also, we have a decent canoe