Kent Narrows 11/5 - Same as it ever was

[brettgaba]

well, the same if you're happy catching a bunch of 15" schoolies on light tackle. hooked something big but it spit the hook.

last night was my first time fishing there in a kayak. i had fished it countless times from my boat 1999-2001 and knew the current was strong going in. it wasnt too bad. just to be safe i went with a friend on this first trip so we could watch out for each other.

tide was ripping through when we got there (ebbing) and we started catching fish right away. it was cold and windy and after getting our fill on schoolies we were off the water by 11. again, no pics. sorry. need to get a new camera this wekeend.

if you go - respect the bank anglers, make sure you have a headlamp, and dont be afraid to work water away from the bridge. and bring a buddy - just nice to have a little backup in those conditions.

[Bonefish79]

I was thinking about that place just yesterday. I haven't fished it with my yak for a few years, kind of burned out on it. I agree, they're not all at the bridge. Thanks for the report.
Doug

[Salmo trutta]

If you get there at first or last light, the shallows along the shore and sod banks can be very productive.

Did you anchor? What did you use? Did you get it back? Tie off to the bridge?

I've done all that in a canoe and every time it was a harry experience. Lost countless anchors too.

I've done well there with buzz baits, smallmouth style, like 1/4oz buzz baits fishing the light line at night. This was when all the usual lures or flies were not working.

[brettgaba]

we just went after work - got there around 8, i think.

we were using spinning rods and bass assasins. a lighter rod with a lighter 1/8 and a heavier rod with a 5" s&p,, and a heavier 1/4 with a 5" olive. wish i wouldve brought the fly rod out (it was in the car) but it's just easier to use the spinning rods when you're doing so much paddling to stay in position.

didn't anchor just kept drifting and paddling back. IMO that's when the flies work the best, just swinging them through the lightlines has worked great for me. i feel like the flies work well because the fish are keyed on smaller bait. i could feel nibbles and bumps all night.

the fish i lost was kind of a heartbreaker - made a nice cast right against a dock piling. thought i was hung up but felt the pressure coming from another direction entirely. the fish actually turned my kayak in the current, shook its head a few times and just spit the hook. no break-off or anything.

i like the idea of fishing buzzbaits there. bet that's a blast.

[HJS]

I haven't taken my canoe there for several years. Did very good there on nice stripers in the low 20"s fishing 5" BAs on 1/2oz heads on the bottom. Seems most of the fish on top are the dinks. But the 2 hour drive home late at night was starting to wear on me.

[brettgaba]

the drive home is the toughest part. it wasnt so bad when i was working 2nd shift at the newspaper in easton and living in centreville. i'm in gaithersburg now. havent fished it since 2005 i think. i'm glad i went and i'm glad the fish are still there. bringing some 1/2 oz jeg heads next time.