We finally had a window to chase blues on the Potomac, put our boat lighting to the test, and rack up a pile of fish. Water sat at a toasty 87°, storms grumbled to the north in Maryland, and we set up over a 60 to 70 foot hole with one goal, get bites while figuring out which lights help most after dark.
Heading Out on the Potomac River
Deeper, cooler water often stacks fish, so we started on a deep hole, dodged a curious duck, and got rigs in fast. Our starting setup included:
- Rods loaded with 40 lb braid and mono
- Fresh American eel
- Assorted sinkers for heavy current
- Three-way rigs tied and ready
Spotting the Incoming Storm
We watched the radar, listened to the thunder, and saw lightning flash to the north. It looked like the cells would stay off us, so we stayed alert and fished.
Preparing Fresh American Eel Bait
We went with lively American eel, cut into chunks. That TikTok-shop knife has chewed through bone for years, and it still got it done, even with a squirmy eel fighting back.
- Select a lively eel
- Cut head and body sections
- Hook pieces through the front, then back for a secure hold
Shoutout to Triple City Anglers gear while we rigged up.
Tying Rigs with Minotaur Hooks
We rotated 10/0 Leviathan and Slime Series from Minotaur Hooks (code: COOP10). We tied a simple three-way rig: mainline to the top eye, short leader with a weight, and a longer leader to the hook with a few inches left for bait action.
First Casts and Early Action
The current ripped, debris pushed down our side, and we picked through snags and log drifts. We also learned, again, that eel gunk and fingers do not mix. For shirts, hats, towels, and mugs, we keep FishingKnotCatching.com stocked.
Nibbles in the Deep Hole
We saw nibbles on multiple rods while tracking the radar. Some were sticks and rocks, some were fish, and a couple came unbuttoned right at the boat.
Testing Lighting Setups on the Boat
We moved black lights and red strips around the bimini to see what actually helps. Here is what we noticed:
- Black lights: strong glow, great line visibility, attracts bugs
- Red lights: clean look, bug-free, bright on the eyelets
- Combo: best of both, but the bugs love the black lights
Gear we used included Onforu Black Lights and Nilight red navigation strips.
Adjusting Lights Mid-Fish
We unplugged black lights when the bug cloud grew, ran straight red for a while, then switched to a combo as bites picked up.
Encounters with Boats and Wildlife
Highlights:
- A duck that wanted handouts
- A cabin cruiser with twin Mercs that gave us space
- A pontoon full of rods that boated past twice
Navigating River Trash and Snags
We fought the trash zone on one bank, then slid to the Maryland side to dodge seaweed, plastic bags, and branches.
Hooking into Catfish Action
The bite built fast once we moved spots near trees and later by the airport. We stacked numbers, had a few double-ups, and worked the net non-stop. Final tally:
- Coop: 11 fish
- Dad: 4 fish
- Size range: about 3 to 10 pounds, mostly blues
Memorable Big Ones and Misses
We had an 8 to 10 pounder that hit like a truck, some self-releases, and plenty of slime and catfish poop. At one point we thought we had a flathead catfish in the net, but it turned out to be another blue.
Moving Spots for Better Bites
We hopscotched:
- Deep hole to the Maryland side
- Downriver to an old PB zone by the airport
Wind and current spun the boat, so we reset lines often.
Late-Night Doubles and Tangled Lines
We saw a double-up, got wrapped in the wind, and even joked about the banana on board. Superstition or not, the fish still chewed.
Calling It a Night on the Water
By 11:50, we were wiped and broadside in wind and current. One last dink made it 15 total, then we packed up with a plan for a fun challenge next time.
If you’ve fished with red or black lights at night, which do you prefer and why? Share your take in the comments, and if you want to try the exact setups, check out the Onforu Black Lights, Nilight red strips, and our hooks from Minotaur Hooks using code COOP10. Thanks for reading, and tight lines.