North Beach area report

[baynovice]

I launched early morning on Monday, 8/17, in hopes of catching bluefish and Spanish Mackerel. Without having specific locations to target, I trolled metal spoons and crankbaits at relatively fast speeds based on advice from previous postings that these fish tend to go after faster retrieve speeds. I trolled for a solid 3 hours and caught none of the targets but plenty of rockfish. I released all of them quickly in the water without handling them so as to avoid any potential penalties. I did my best to follow the regulations but found it very difficult to do so. Are there any additional suggestions/strategies to target these species while avoiding rockfish?

[Jim McFalls]

Avoid trolling. Cast only, and look for birds. That's tough business in a yak, but there it is. Cast epoxy jigs, Sting Silvers and small Hopkins jigs, and reel as fast as you can. You can outrun stripers by doing this, in my experience. Others may differ, but this has worked for me here in MD waters, as well as in NC.

Catch 'em up!

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[Slackdaddy]

It has been ~8 years or so since I have fished the bay off, and only fished it once.
But I remember it was WAY off shore, like a mile or more until the water depth dropped off.
Launched at sunrise to wind free, glassy water, played heck trying to paddle a canoe and 2 kayaks back in wind and chop.

[baynovice]

Thank you for your advice regarding trolling. I was looking for birds but they were few and far between. Maybe just one of those days. Luckily water conditions were very nice and made for a great day to be on the water.


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[baynovice]

It has been ~8 years or so since I have fished the bay off, and only fished it once.
But I remember it was WAY off shore, like a mile or more until the water depth dropped off.
Launched at sunrise to wind free, glassy water, played heck trying to paddle a canoe and 2 kayaks back in wind and chop.

Lucky the wind apps recommended by multiple people on this board have served me well. The apps have proven to be accurate most of the time. I have been surprised by an occasional isolated storm that goes against the forecast. Those have not been fun.


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[john from md]

Windfinder.

https://www.windfinder.com/#3/52.5170/13.4000

[baynovice]

Windfinder.

https://www.windfinder.com/#3/52.5170/13.4000

I've used that one too. I tend to use Sailflow. Don't think it is any better than others but i guess I'm a creature of habit. Are there specific features of Windfinder that you particularly like?


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[ronaultmtd]

Jim gives you the best advice...if you are catching bluefish, you are reeling too slow...I like using a 3/8 Oz. or 1/2 Oz Kastmaster metal jig lure...caught two nice Spanish Mackerel from my kayak using these... hooked and lost several more...I have a slightly different retrieve...cast count to five crank like mad...stop count to five crank like mad...but Jim is exactly right- try to find breaking fish or big schools of bait...I have started using five inches of 27# test tobacco color wire to prevent the teeth of bluefish and Spanish Mackerel from biting off the lures...After losing lures...

[Slobber Bob]

Avoid trolling. Cast only, and look for birds. That's tough business in a yak, but there it is. Cast epoxy jigs, Sting Silvers and small Hopkins jigs, and reel as fast as you can. You can outrun stripers by doing this, in my experience. Others may differ, but this has worked for me here in MD waters, as well as in NC.

Catch 'em up!

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Exactly. Unless you have motorized propulsion on your kayak, there is no way anybody can sustain the speeds need to troll for mackerel and avoid stripers.

Otherwise, go to the beach and fish in the ocean. Striper season is still open in the coastal areas - not that there are many stripers over here this time of year anyway - and the ocean is usually full of bluefish and mackerel this time of year.

[baynovice]

Jim gives you the best advice...if you are catching bluefish, you are reeling too slow...I like using a 3/8 Oz. or 1/2 Oz Kastmaster metal jig lure...caught two nice Spanish Mackerel from my kayak using these... hooked and lost several more...I have a slightly different retrieve...cast count to five crank like mad...stop count to five crank like mad...but Jim is exactly right- try to find breaking fish or big schools of bait...I have started using five inches of 27# test tobacco color wire to prevent the teeth of bluefish and Spanish Mackerel from biting off the lures...After losing lures...

Thank you for the advice. I have several kastmasters that I use at the beach. Will try them from my kayak on my next outing.

[baynovice]

Exactly. Unless you have motorized propulsion on your kayak, there is no way anybody can sustain the speeds need to troll for mackerel and avoid stripers.

Otherwise, go to the beach and fish in the ocean. Striper season is still open in the coastal areas - not that there are many stripers over here this time of year anyway - and the ocean is usually full of bluefish and mackerel this time of year.

Got it. Makes a lot of sense about trolling not being an effective strategy for bluefish and Spanish Mackerel. Hope the birds will give me some help in the future. Without specific spots in mind, blind casting could make for a long day... Still better to be out on the water than not.

[john from md]

Not particularly. It was shown to me years ago and I just keep using it.

[mjkeith13]

Exactly. Unless you have motorized propulsion on your kayak, there is no way anybody can sustain the speeds need to troll for mackerel and avoid stripers.

Otherwise, go to the beach and fish in the ocean. Striper season is still open in the coastal areas - not that there are many stripers over here this time of year anyway - and the ocean is usually full of bluefish and mackerel this time of year.

Any surf fishing spots for bluefish/mackerel away from swimmers in your area you'd recommend. Was debating hitting Delaware beaches next couple weeks.
Thank you.

mike

[john from md]

Cape Helopen has always been a great spot to fish. You can fish off your yak or off the surf. Tog, flounder and bluefish can be caught from that area.

[mjkeith13]

Cape Helopen has always been a great spot to fish. You can fish off your yak or off the surf. Tog, flounder and bluefish can be caught from that area.

Thanks! I've always wanted to try there. Love fishing from my kayak but got a surf fishing itch. Plus, I've been practice casting a new Daiwa M7HTMAG ST surf reel into a field throughout the lockdown. Would be nice to toss something into water!