Fri 6/14 Perch Fishing Question

[jdindino]

If I wanted to perch fish tomorrow on Weems Creek, where would be the best place to launch my kayak? I saw one place but it says Annapolis residents only.

First launch (other than my pool) of the new kayak, and I do not have electronics installed yet. Weems seemed like a solid place to fish off the shoreline and target obvious structure. Any thoughts?

Also, new to Maryland and understanding the best times to fish vs. the tides. What’s a good time to put in tomorrow after 8am-ish?

Jim


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[Big Mike]

I don’t fish up there but winds tomorrow blowing a steady 15-17 most of the day. Even in a protected creek that can make boating a challenge. Good luck if you go.

[john from md]

Winds tomorrow will be out of the W and NW. That will make getting to Weems problematic unless you have a boat.

If you really want to get out on the water, you can launch at Homeport Farms off Rt 2. Church creek will be protected for the most part.

[bignose]

The wind velocity and direction forecast don't look real good. Two weeks ago I fished there under those conditions, and got my butt kicked, albeit I was in a canoe, not a kayak. High pressure systems with NW winds are not conducive to good fishing. I'd wait a day.

If you insist of fishing Weems Creek tomorrow, the areas between the bridges, to the left of the launch offer some higher shorelines and some shelter.
Hit the fallen wood, rip rap, and shady areas. Figure 4-6 feet of water.

Tides are somewhat less important for perch fishing up in the creeks, as opposed to structure and location. Fish when you can be there.
Low tide at the Naval Academy tomorrow is about 10:30 a.m. Weems should have outgoing water until at least 11. The wind may blow more water out, a very low tide.

If you put in at the Tucker Street ramp, please be aware of the parking regulations and be a courteous angler. The parking is rather limited. Across the Severn is the Jonas Green launch, and a lot of guys will put in there and paddle across, but not under those wind conditions, the Severn will have 1-2 foot waves with the brisk wind out of the N/NW.

[jdindino]

Fri 6/14 Perch Fishing Question

Hmmm, sounds like I should bag that idea for tomorrow. I guess I’ll give Church a shot! Thanks, everyone. Still trying to learn tides, wind directions, and impact when kayaking. My last boat was a 24’ Shamrock Center Console on Lake Erie, 4-6 footers were not an issue nor were the winds.

Maybe I’ll go Saturday to Weems if things look better.

I have much to learn!

Jim


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[J.A. Veil]

I fished Weems this afternoon for 2 hours under very low wind conditions. The first few minutes produced 5 perch, then I hit a long drought. They were not in spots where I found them two weeks ago. Given the high winds forecast for tomorrow, a first experience there might not be a good one.

[CHOC]

There is a lot to learn when kayak fishing. Especially in regards to wind conditions and when to go/when not to go. As you’re learning all of this, a good, simple rule of thumb is to not fish when wind is projected to be over 10mph. This isn’t a foolproof tip, but most of the time, it won’t be pleasant on a kayak over 10mph winds.

I use the windfinder app to check winds when planning a trip.

[jdindino]

Yea, winds are looking 18mph-ish right now, not sure even Church Creek will be calm enough. Might drive over and check it out, only 25 min away.


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[bignose]

Good choice! Safety is more important than fishing. There was an article on Facebook about a kayak rescue up in Middle River yesterday due to the wind. My initial comment were based on not knowing how experienced you were, I assume that everyone who asks is a newbie.

You may have been out in big waves out on Lake Erie in a 24 foot Shamrock, but a 2 foot wave in a 12 foot kayak means that you are going to get very wet, and the way the wind is blowing, hypothermia could be an issue even in 70 degree air temps.
3-4 footers on the Bay are nasty, even on the 38 foot Charter Boat I help out on.
It's supposed to be fun...........

[jdindino]

Went out on Church Creek from 11-4. Smooth and barely any wind in the back sheltered portion. I didn’t venture out toward the main portion, seemed choppy.

Had fun, lost a few Beetle Spins (used 1/4 oz with 2” yum chartreuse twirl tails, and a trailer strip of bloodworm fish bites).

Caught 5 white perch (12", 2x9", 2x8", 7"), 1 yellow perch (11.5"), and a 21" channel catfish? (didn't keep, I don't know how to clean them). I threw back 3-4 small sub 6” white perch.

Fish tacos for me for dinner!

Thanks everyone for the advice!






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[john from md]

Glad you had a good time. As time goes on, you will figure out what water is ok for a given wind condition. Don't forget the Eastern Shore, the Eastern Bay holds lots of fish and is easy to get to.

[jdindino]

Fri 6/14 Perch Fishing Question

Glad you had a good time. As time goes on, you will figure out what water is ok for a given wind condition. Don't forget the Eastern Shore, the Eastern Bay holds lots of fish and is easy to get to.

Thanks for the tip to go to Church Creek, it was calm even with the high winds. Nice park too! [emoji4]


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[Big Mike]

That 12” perch is going to raise unreasonable expectations. Beautiful fish and congratulations on a good day.

[J.A. Veil]

After reading jdindino's report, I made a visit to Church Creek this morning. I launched a few minutes before 8:00 to low and dropping water. I trolled three paddletails out to the river and back and forth in the river for about an hour. This resulted in a 10" striper - not really what I was hoping for. I trolled part way back into the creek and began casting a custom red-and-white Bignose spinnerbait to shorelines that had produced perch in the past. I ended up with 22 perch -- most were really chunky and 8" to 10" in length. They would have made a good meal - fortunately for them, I fish 100% catch and release on my kayak. What surprised me is that I cast to an estimated 3/4 mile of shoreline. Despite moving around like that, 17 of the 22 fish came from one small shaded patch roughly the size of a typical bedroom floor. When I was in that patch, I got bites on nearly every cast. Anywhere else and the bites were tough to find.

Other than that perch observation, the most interesting thing I saw this morning was a 4' long snake swimming along with a wriggling 2' long snake in its jaws. I have never observed snake cannibalism before.

[jdindino]

Thanks for the report. Wish I had gotten into those kind of numbers [emoji4]


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