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Warm Winter Water Temps/Spring Trolling

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2K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  ste6168 
#1 ·
I would like to know if you are feeling by the time we can keep fish the bigger fish may have moved on? I understand that the water temps now are in the 40 degree range. Like with everything in nature I would think that the water temperature is what triggers the fish and unless we get a huge cold spell soon the fish may be gone. Your thoughts? Is trophy season doomed?
 
#6 ·
5th Tuition, what do you mean about anglers "harassing" fish during C/R season? If the water temps keep trending upward, I will definitely be out there before opening day. It was 65+ degrees on March 1...who knows, it could be 75+ degrees April 1.
However, I don't think I "harass" the fish I catch. Snap a few photos, but do not call them any names that would hurt their feelings.
 
#3 ·
Keep in mind water warms up slowly. If we get a lot of cloudy days in spring - water will not warm as fast.

Also - clear water warms slower then dirty water. The suspended silt in dirty water transfers heat from the sun more then clear water does.

The other side of the coin - there is often 1-2 thermoclines in the bay. Rock can go deeper some times to find cooler water.

The biggest key is if there is a lot of big baitfish around. If they are - often the Rock will hang out longer in local waters.

I think the best odds will be from opening day until about May 3rd or so but would not be surprised if a few big Rock are caught into mid May.

I'll go out on a limb and predict better catching after opening day on west side - often after the rock spawn and head back to ocean , they seem to follow the west side.

One good thing with this early warm up and late opening day will the Rock should be mostly spawned out.

I hate seeing big breeders full of roe killed.
 
#4 ·
I have come to believe that individual fish even within a certain species some prefer colder water some warmer along with angle of the sun and length of time visible each day. I think this is how mother nature keeps us from catching them all thinking we got it all figured out.my last 20 years have made me believe this more and more.if we knew they 'd all be at a certain place and temperature. We wouldn't have any now.
That said the trend seems that the majority will have spawned by the season opener and are eating their way out to the ocean.
 
#5 ·
Maybe as important will be if we see the dams opened up again before the season as we have in the past. Nothing like trolling in dirty waters or having to trailer down south for some clean water. With gas going up it may be another season of sitting on the bench and thinking about what could have been. Of course, I come out of the Magothy and am sort of tied to the Bay Bridge area so to speak.
 
#7 ·
I will be trolling my 6 rod spread starting in 2 weeks. However, my planer boards and my 9 other rods will be sitting in the garage. It will be a short season fella's and I like it. Take a picture and let her go do her thing. 75% + of all big fish will be gone before opening day gets here. I have fished the MSSA for years and last year was the 1st that we did not because of work and money. This year I will be sitting on the sidelines. This will probably be the smallest turn out for MSSA SPRING TOURNEY in its history. No big fish.

Phil (lily)
 
#9 ·
:devil2:Shawn - This is a trolling thread - what are you doing here ?

Almost spooled ? I'd be impressed if you had real tackle - them tiny reels hold what , 300 feet of line with 3 lbs of drag ? Heck , a big Perch could spool you.
 
#10 ·
I don't know the truth behind this, but I was down at SPSP today (just threw my boat in the water so I could jack up the trailer and change wheels/tires) and a guy came in said he lost a ~50" fish at the boat :rolleyes:. Also said they caught others that were covered in sea lice... Just a couple miles south of the bridge, all on tandems.
 
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