FRESHWATER: The Bassmaster Elites have arrived at the Potomac River. The tournament started Thursday. Weights have been up the past couple of years, so look for impressive catches to hit the scales this week. Grass patterns have been much better and more consistent than the hard cover bite. Dead sticking Senkos has been putting quality limits in the boat, as well as flipping heavy weights to thick mats of grass. The thicker mats seem to be more common in Aquia and Mattawoman creeks. The Chickahominy River has been the hot spot lately, as it often is as hot weather settles in. Reports of a 10-pounder, anchoring a 25-pound bag, was weighed in by Elite Pro’s Jacob Powroznik and Hank Cherry, as they entered a local open tournament on the Chickahominy. The Bassmaster Open begins next week on the lower James. Osborne Landing will be the launch site. Catfish fishermen on the lower James are enjoying steady action for large fish, but nighttime action is much more consistent. The upper James has become stained, but is clearing up, so, hopefully, by this weekend, things will be favorable for smallmouth and flathead fishing. If not, look to the larger lakes like Kerr, or the smaller, horsepower restricted lakes such as Swift Creek Reservoir. These two lakes offer outstanding opportunities for bass, despite hot weather and warm water temps. Regardless of where you fish, seek out cooler temps or steady current for the more consistent action for bass and crappie. Consider night fishing on familiar bodies of water for better averaged sizes of bass. Stripers also will bite better at night now during the dog days of summer. The first two hours of the day are often the best times on any body of water right now. Live bait is far more productive for the stripers, but can be quite a chore, so many prefer to troll plugs, or fish shallower at night.