Road trips...

[ronaultmtd]

Neighborhood fishing is reserved for the very few that happen to live near good access to the rivers, streams and bay...consider yourself “blessed” if you live in such places- most of us don’t. I live in Charles County south of Brandywine but north of Mechanicsville...every fishing trip is a “road trip” even Mattawoman Creek in Charles County is 12-15 miles away...90% or more of my fishing trips are 50 miles or more. So when I read other posts about trips, I smile a bit...an hour of driving is just par for the course...the Bay Bridge is about an hour‘s drive as is St. Mary’s River...During summer I usually try to fish twice a week- during the week...I try to avoid fishing on week ends as it has too much powerboat, jet skis and possible virus exposure from crowds for a good fishing experience. Of course, weather and winds dictate our ability to safely fish and is the primary consideration, but even with unfavorable winds, you can usually find some protected waters- maybe not your first choice but still able to get out. The guys I normally fish with are like-minded and are very accomplished anglers- we are very compatible, friendly and share our “secrets” freely- we are glad when our buddies are being successful..It is normal to hear the radio crackle with news from one of us helping the others catch fish. They are my friends and one of the primary reason for my “road trips.”

[J. Rentch]

I totally agree with your sentiments Ron. You go where the fish are, sometimes you are lucky enough to catch some, sometimes you don’t . Two of my fishing buddies traveled over two hours yesterday to fish new water. We weren’t very successful, but it was worth the effort. I also like gettIng out a couple times a week, except weekends for the same as you. Gets crazy here on the weekends- that is what makes being retired so great. It’s too bad the Meet and Greets stopped- had some great times meeting new folks on new water. As a “senior” kayaker, know that the time is coming when the body says NO, so I am taking in as much as I can.

I do enjoy reading the SMOG reports, seems your area is the hot spot this summer. Have fun, stay safe, tight lines!

[J. Rentch]

I totally agree with your sentiments Ron. You go where the fish are, sometimes you are lucky enough to catch some, sometimes you don’t . Two of my fishing buddies traveled over two hours yesterday to fish new water. We weren’t very successful, but it was worth the effort. I also like gettIng out a couple times a week, except weekends for the same as you. Gets crazy here on the weekends- that is what makes being retired so great. It’s too bad the Meet and Greets stopped- had some great times meeting new folks on new water. As a “senior” kayaker, know that the time is coming when the body says NO, so I am taking in as much as I can.

I do enjoy reading the SMOG reports, seems your area is the hot spot this summer. Have fun, stay safe, tight lines!

[J.A. Veil]

I also agree. For the past two months, I have been kayak fishing 5 or 6 days a week. I enjoy it, and don't have other hobbies that take up my time. Perhaps a third of my trips have been in or near Annapolis (10 to 20 min drive). Most of the rest have been on the near Eastern Shore (Queen Annes County) which involves a 30 to 40 min drive. To shake things up a bit, I try to do one longer drive each week to southern MD, western MD, or farther down on the eastern shore. I fished with John Rentch yesterday at a spot that involved a drive of 2 hours and 20 mins (including a bathroom stop).

As John noted, when you are an older guy with the incumbent aches, pains, and injuries, you realize that your body will not allow frequent fishing forever. I try to get out as often as possible to keep enjoying my hobby as long as possible. I wish I could fly to Florida and fish for a week, as I have done many times over the past few years. The Covid makes travelling a bad idea, so I am focusing my fishing efforts near home.

[Mark]

In Anne Arundel County we're blessed with public cartop boat access to the Patapsco, Magothy, Severn, South, Rhode and West Rivers. I have not visited all the sites available. The closest launch to me is the west side of Downs Park at exactly 3 miles from my driveway. Most of the other launches that I frequent into the Patapsco and Severn and Magothy I can reach in 30 minutes. We have 533 miles of tidal shoreline in the county. But we lack the diversity of target species that the SMOG enjoy and report here on Snaggedline. That's one reason why it's tempting for us to travel south. It's also nice to explore new areas even if we don't catch as much during our visits south as we do in our home waters. Fishing is not just about catching.

In addition, I like to cross the Bay Bridge to the ponds on MD's Eastern Shore and Sussex County, DE for freshwater fishing in the spring, fall and winter. At this point, I consider them home waters because of my familiarity with them.

Also, I enjoy the relaxing drive to and from those Eastern Shore sites. With satellite radio and the super smooth and flat Rt. 404 it's an easy trip. I don't head east during beach season of course and I avoid bridge traffic on weekends. The heated seat feels great after a winter pickerel outing and stopping at Royal Farms for coffee is another treat.

I consider myself very fortunate to have so many road trip and local options for kayak fishing.

[ronaultmtd]

In Anne Arundel County we're blessed with public cartop boat access to the Patapsco, Magothy, Severn, South, Rhode and West Rivers. I have not visited all the sites available. The closest launch to me is the west side of Downs Park at exactly 3 miles from my driveway. Most of the other launches that I frequent into the Patapsco and Severn and Magothy I can reach in 30 minutes. We have 533 miles of tidal shoreline in the county. But we lack the diversity of target species that the SMOG enjoy and report here on Snaggedline. That's one reason why it's tempting for us to travel south. It's also nice to explore new areas even if we don't catch as much during our visits south as we do in our home waters. Fishing is not just about catching.

In addition, I like to cross the Bay Bridge to the ponds on MD's Eastern Shore and Sussex County, DE for freshwater fishing in the spring, fall and winter. At this point, I consider them home waters because of my familiarity with them.

Also, I enjoy the relaxing drive to and from those Eastern Shore sites. With satellite radio and the super smooth and flat Rt. 404 it's an easy trip. I don't head east during beach season of course and I avoid bridge traffic on weekends. The heated seat feels great after a winter pickerel outing and stopping at Royal Farms for coffee is another treat.

I consider myself very fortunate to have so many road trip and local options for kayak fishing.

Mark- you are so right- we have such a wonderful diversity of species and it was driven home yesterday..Doug, Big Mike and I caught cutlass fish, Black Sea Bass, puppy drum, striped bass and bunches of Speckled Trout...and I had the audacity to lament the fact no one hooked a Spanish Mackerel...

[AintMisBehavin]

Unless you live on the body of water you fish, every trip is a road trip[emoji1787]. I have moved from living on the bay, where I was walking distance to Beverly Triton Beach, to living in Fort Washington where I am a 10 min drive from Fort Washingtion Marina and the mighty Potomac. I fish Piscataway Creek, Marshall Hall, Dogue Creek, WW Bridge, National Harbor, Mattawoman, and Mallows Bay.

Honestly I prefer to limit myself to a few bodies of water and to get to know that real estate intimately. It’s always fun to fish new locations, but for the routine outing I like to know the ins and outs of every nook and crevice.

It’s getting harder and harder to pull the fully loaded PA12 on and off my F150. Damn thing gets heavier every year. SeaDoo makes a fishing PWC and I am seriously considering making a change.

My dad passed on fishing to me as I hope we all are to our children. I watched him many days sitting on the bank with a cold beverage and a pole by his side. Seemed he never moved. I asked, “Don’t you want to check your line, they may have stolen your bait?” He responded, “Nope, there’s no bait on there.” “Well dad how are you going to catch anything if you don’t have any bait?” “Son, this is an experience; It’s not always about fishing.”

Tight Lines and Fair Winds to all.


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[Yak67]

Great Post Guys! I get two-Fer, I love to drive and love to fish With PLO being the longest run from Clinton South, it's a great ride.

My Mojo has been off lately, I'm in one spot and my SMOG crew is in another, but we are texting and updating on catches and conditions.

+1 Gregory on the Dads. Great Post

Yak67
2017 Hobie PA-12 Camo
2019 Hobie Outback

[moc]

I agree with everything that everyone has said. I am not in the retired group, yet, so unfortunately, 90% of my fishing is done on the weekends, but typically, it is not a problem since I am out early in the morning and I am off the water by 11 or 12 noon. I have several go to spots that I would visit when I just want to get out. But I love exploring new areas. Most of my local waters is 45 mins to 2 hours away. So like Ron said, every outing for me is a road trip. One of these days soon I will find a way to fish with the SMOG crew, but for now, I was happy to get to fish with Ron recently in Southern MD for perch and trout.

I love to fish (and crab), not just for the catching, but for hanging out with friends. Many of the people that I fish with comes from many backgrounds, ages, and locations. I regularly fish with anglers from Maryland, Penn, DE and VA. That is a lot of driving, but worth it to hand out on the water with people you like.

[Mark]

... Many of the people that I fish with comes from many backgrounds, ages, and locations. I regularly fish with anglers from Maryland, Penn, DE and VA. That is a lot of driving, but worth it to hand out on the water with people you like.

Bingo. Well said Martin. The fishing is actually of secondary importance to me. I like the socialization, the radio banter on the water and the post fishing meals with friends. That is what I've missed the most during this pandemic. It just hasn't been the same enjoyment for me this year knowing that social distancing is the new normal.

[nhunter344]

…..when you are an older guy with the incumbent aches, pains, and injuries, you realize that your body will not allow frequent fishing forever.

I wouldn't hesitate to say that the frequent kayak fishing will allow you to fish way past the normal expiration date. The benefits of the exercise and activity that go along with kayak fishing cant be understated.

[J.A. Veil]

I wouldn't hesitate to say that the frequent kayak fishing will allow you to fish way past the normal expiration date. The benefits of the exercise and activity that go along with kayak fishing cant be understated.

I hope you are right. This morning's short trip in Weems Creek was my 92nd day to go fishing in 2020. I plan to keep going as often as possible.

[moc]

Bingo. Well said Martin. The fishing is actually of secondary importance to me. I like the socialization, the radio banter on the water and the post fishing meals with friends. That is what I've missed the most during this pandemic. It just hasn't been the same enjoyment for me this year knowing that social distancing is the new normal.

You can still post fishing meals..... I do that all the time. Those that I exchange text or email with call it "food porn"...

[moc]

You are a machine John....

[bassguy84]

I have made 2 road trips to NC to visit fishing buddies. One meet me in NC and he came from ATL. If anyone wants to know more spots or closer ones the MD DNR app has a cartop launch map that can be sorted by distance from your location. I'm in my 30s with kids so most of my trips I try to keep kinda short. Love road tripping. Hope to get out Sat night to the local spot.

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