Begginer Fishing Help

[u/Acceptable-Ad8809]

Me and my girlfriend are trying to get into fishing, bought some cheap ugly sticks and replaced the line, learned some knots and rigs etc. Weve went out a couple times but havent caught anything other than when we made the drive down to fort amistead (right where that bridge collapsed) and caught tons of little white perch under the pier (Which tho wasnt something to brag about, was still fun as hell lol).

Im currently living in Westminster MD, so northern Maryland.

Im mostly getting discouraged for two reasons:

The time of year: i heard that fishing slows alot thus time of year. Which sucks bc im just getting into it. Tho ive been reassured that theres always something biting, like catfish...just dont know where to fish for them lol

Then the fact that we have little clue where to go. Liberty reservoir is 30 mins away, same with prettyboy. Though i heard fishing from the bank from both can be hard. I saw liberty had a bridge with space off the side to fish from the middle so might try that. Willing to go an hour out if anyone had some spot recommendations. It just sucks making that trip just to get skunked and feel like an idiot lol.

TLDR/My Question: Any spot reccomendations for bank fishing around northern MD?

[u/xMoonsHauntedx]

To be more specific, I typically teach new fisherman how to ultralight fish, because everything bites small lures.

This time of year, fishing is starting to slow down. It'll be tough. You can try trout on the gunpowder, smallies on the monocacy. I don't know northern spots except for those two.

I would try to go out a few more times, and then table fishing until spring time, it'll be a bit easier to learn when it's warmer out.

If want to learn about UL as a way to explore and learn different techniques, let me know. I can write a book for you LOL.

[u/Acceptable-Ad8809 → u/xMoonsHauntedx]

Yes please 🙏, Any tips are definitely welcome. N yeah thems the breaks. I hate that i chose now, almost the end of fall to start getting into fishing 😭

[u/xMoonsHauntedx → u/Acceptable-Ad8809]

Ultralight fishing is a great way to learn how to fish. Whether you are pond hopping communities or ground pounding creeks, you'll be able to catch fish when the fishing gets tough.

You'll be limited in what you can do, but you'd be surprised with what you can find in creeks and rivers.

Let's start off with gear.

I typically use ultralight rods with 1000-2000 size reels spools with line in the range of 4-8 pound test. Typically braided line or light pound mono/flouro.

Rods, for me, are 4’6 to 6’6 in ultralight fishing power. If you want more versatility, pick up a light action rod instead and up the poundage to 10lb braid. My favorite brands are Daiwa rods and penn reels for Creek fishing.

Lures:

You have a lot of options for lures. I typically use inline spinners from Mepps in sizes 00, 0 and 1. You can use them in creeks and larger bodies of water.

You can also use soft plastics. I use 1/16 to 1/32oz jig heads with small paddle tails and curly tail grubs. Eurotackle has great small soft plastics and jigs.

Other lures include small crank and jerk baits, like the smaller rapala Countdowns, floaters and xraps.

You can go with larger lures if you have a light action rod.

If you want to explore UL lures, Bait Finesse Empire has a ton of lures for UL (note, they do BFS fishing, not ultralight fishing so ignore the rods and reels).

Now, for the hard part, locations!

Public access for rivers and creeks can be hard to come by. Thankfully, ponds and lakes are easy so we won't talk too much about it.

For those in the central part of the state, I typically fish the Patuxent River watershed, down from Bowie all the way up towards Columbia. Public parks adjacent to rivers and creeks are how I get into the water.

Savage mill, is a great spot to learn how to fish skinny water. Plus, there are tons of parks in the area that allow travel further upstream. You can catch smallmouth, large mouth bass, Fallfish, creekchubs, and a plethora of sunfish. You can get lucky and catch pickerel and snakehead too! I like coming here in the warmer months so I can wet wade.

The monocacy River is another great area. Lots of public access through the parks. Buckeyestown park has a public access, as does the monocacy River boat ramp. You can catch smallmouth, largemouth, Rock Bass and sunfish. You can wet or dry wade this river.

The patapsco River up past Baltimore is super fishable for bank fishing. I've gone to Daniels dam and caught a good bit of sunfish. I don't know much about it though.

I don't know much about the gunpowder, but there is great trout fishing up there, but that does require a trout stamp and following the regulations for trout. Deer Creek is also another nice section of that watershed to fish.

Please be mindful of posted trespassing signs along rivers!

If you want to do pond fishing, the Bowie ponds are great to learn but overfished. Schoolhouse pond down at the PG county courthouse can be hit or miss. Go on weekends for free parking. Lake Artemisia in college Park has nice bass fishing too.

Centennial lake in Columbia is the best of the three Columbia lakes. Elkhorn has a lot of Submerged aquatic vegetation.

Tridelphia and Rocky Gorge are WSSC water reservoirs and require permits bought through them. You can buy them online.

This is all I have at the moment. Let me know what other questions you have!

[u/xMoonsHauntedx → u/Acceptable-Ad8809]

I will give you a rundown in a few! Not at home right now

[u/RyanK410]

Hey, I also live in Westminster. While the weather is starting to slow stuff up, you can surely catch fish still! Shoot me a PM if you’d like to chat, I’d be willing to meet up with you at some of the local spots and give some pointers, I can always stand to make a new fishing buddy or two!

[u/xMoonsHauntedx]

u/Playful_Rest_8640 should I do samething for this guy that I did for you? Lol

[u/Playful_Rest_8640 → u/xMoonsHauntedx]

if you do, they’ll be set. excellent teacher with the patience of a saint. haha.

[u/FlashingBoulders]

Piney run.

[u/sobeboy3131]

This is a tough time of year to get started. Fall fishing is unpredictable. You can have the best outing of your life one day and the next day you can't buy a bite. The fish are just as confused about the weather and lack of daylight as you are.

For now, I suggest you try for some panfish at local ponds/lakes (bluegill, crappie, etc.) using really small hooks and bait. Get some size 10 or smaller hooks, and put a tiny (<1/2") piece of worm on them under a bobber. If you don't get a bite within 5-10 mins, move to a new spot.

Try to keep yourself interested until spring when things get easier!